Ocean Kisses

Big Grump

Doc pov

The man standing in front of me was imposing, with long black hair falling loosely around his shoulders and a shaggy beard that gave him a rugged look. But it was his teal eyes that caught my attention, piercing and unnatural, like they had seen too much. They locked onto Ren, and I saw a flicker of recognition pass between them.

Ren didn’t hesitate for a second. He shifted instantly, his form morphing back into his humanoid shape, standing protectively in front of me. His posture was defensive, his ears pinned back, and a low growl rumbled in his chest. The air between them thickened, tension building to a point where I was afraid even my breath might shatter it.

“What do you want, XB?” Ren's voice was like gravel, each word dripping with suspicion, and I could feel his anger seeping through his clenched muscles. His stance was firm, as though he was prepared to take on the world to keep me safe.

I stepped back slightly, unsure of the situation. I didn’t want Ren to get any more agitated, and I definitely didn’t want him to lash out at me. I could tell, though, that this man—XB—was someone important to him, someone Ren clearly knew all too well.

The man, XB, seemed unfazed by Ren’s hostility, his posture relaxed yet confident. He didn’t flinch when Ren growled at him, his teal eyes never leaving Ren’s face. “I need your help, Ren,” he said, his voice low and steady. It was clear he wasn’t here to make threats, but something about his tone—something urgent—kept me on edge.

I glanced at Ren, who had yet to lower his guard. His eyes flicked briefly to me, then back to XB. Whatever history they shared, it wasn’t one I understood, but I could tell it wasn’t good.

Ren’s growl deepened, but the tension in his body was unmistakable. He wasn’t ready to let this man near me, not without knowing what he wanted, and I couldn’t blame him.

“Help?” Ren's voice was thick with disbelief. “Why would I help you, after everything?”

I stood there quietly, caught between them, as the weight of the moment hung heavy in the air. The decision would fall on Ren, but I had a feeling the past was about to catch up with both of them.

XB’s words seemed to pierce through Ren’s initial hostility, the growl in his chest fading as his ears twitched and his posture stiffened.

“I messed up big, Ren,” XB admitted, his voice carrying a weight that made me uneasy. “I brought someone down to the monument.”

Ren froze. His tail, which had been lashing in irritation, stilled mid-sway. His sharp gaze locked onto XB, the tension in his frame shifting from anger to something sharper—concern, maybe?

“You did what?” Ren’s voice was low, almost a hiss, the incredulity clear.

XB rubbed the back of his head awkwardly, his teal eyes glancing away for the first time since he arrived. “Can we talk about this somewhere else?” he asked, clearly uncomfortable with the current setting.

That’s when I stepped forward. Without saying a word, I wrapped my arms around Ren, pulling him into a firm hug. It wasn’t just for his comfort—it was to remind him I was there, to ground him. I could feel the muscles in his back relax slightly, and to my surprise, his tail coiled around me protectively.

“No,” Ren finally said, his voice steady but laced with authority. “But you can come in. You have a lot of explaining to do.” He stepped aside, gesturing for XB to enter.

I could tell Ren wasn’t entirely happy about letting him in, but the curiosity—and maybe the worry—was too much for him to ignore. XB stepped over the threshold, his boots thudding softly against the floor as he entered the house.

Ren shut the door behind him, his golden eyes never leaving XB as he guided him toward the living room. The air was heavy with unspoken tension, and I couldn’t help but wonder what kind of trouble XB had brought to our doorstep—and why it involved the monument.

I made my way to the kitchen, grabbing a couple of drinks while my mind buzzed with questions. The back door got a double-check from me, my paranoia kicking in after XB’s ominous arrival. Once I was sure it was secure, I headed toward the living room, where Ren and XB were already deep in conversation.

Their voices were low, but I caught snippets of what they were saying as I set the drinks on the coffee table.

“…runs a bookstore,” XB muttered, his tone uneasy. “Goes by the name Keralis.”

Ren’s ears twitched, his posture tense as he listened intently. “You mean that Keralis? The one always poking around for artifacts he shouldn’t be?”

XB nodded, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. “Yeah. I didn’t realize it was him at first. He asked a lot of questions, and before I knew it, I’d taken him to the monument. I didn’t think he’d… well, you know.”

Ren let out a low growl, but it wasn’t directed at XB this time. “And what exactly did he do, XB?”

I stood off to the side, staying quiet for now. The name Keralis rang a bell, and I was almost certain I knew which bookstore they were talking about. It was a cozy little shop downtown, stacked wall-to-wall with rare books and curiosities. I’d only been in there a couple of times, but Keralis had left an impression—a friendly but sharp-eyed man who seemed to know more than he let on.

Still, I decided not to say anything just yet. This seemed like something Ren needed to hear fully before I jumped in with my own thoughts. Instead, I leaned against the wall, keeping an ear on their conversation as it continued to unfold.