#gawtin

Gawtin, herself, was taken by you. Of course. Though you were not a yautja, let alone strong enough to fight off other suitors from trying to steal your woman, Gawtin was plenty enough to scare of any that dared to try for her hand. The mating mark on her neck was not large enough for anyone to see unless they were seriously looking.

This year, an idea had come to mind the week before the true search for breeding mates begun. The biology between the two of you couldn’t work since you were both the same sex. Even then, you don’t know if it was possible for two completely different species to reproduce. It didn’t matter to you though.

The mighty lady lazed about in the living room. One hand holding a book while the other was resting on your stomach. The limb so large it easily took over the entire expanse there. Her fingertips grazing the underside of your free breasts. The sketch book in your hand was set down on her hand. You released a deep sigh and closed your eyes.

No matter what you did, you couldn’t stop thinking about the question. It was stuck to your mind like cold honey. You knew she wouldn’t take offense of such a thing. It was…. It’s just it goes against your moral code for a human. But, if you wanted children, a child with Gawtin, you had to bite the bullet and get it over.

Said yautja let the book in hand droop to gaze down at you. A low hum left her throat in a silent question. You cracked an eye open to see her one studded brow raised as well. Of course, she was concerned about your wellbeing though unusual for a yautja to so. She’s adapted and learned.

“What? It’s not-“ you paused when she gave you a look that said ‘don’t lie to me.’ Another sigh, more exasperated this time. “Alright, alright, caught me red handed. Just like always.” This time, you set the sketch book onto the coffee table and sat up. Gawtin kept her hand on your stomach.

“Okay, I’ve been thinking. Been kind of thinking it’s been a bit… lonely around the house,” you tried to hint to her at first. Gawtin slips a piece of paper into her book and closes it on the couch the two of you are on. Her purple eyes are trained back on you.

“Are you wanting a pet?” she questioned and tilted her head slightly. Her long tresses swaying with the movement. You pressed your lips into a thin line and softly gripped one of her strands towards the end. They were a strange rubbery feeling yet soft to the touch. There was nothing you could compare it to.

A snort left your nose. Should’ve worded that a bit better. You shook your head. “No, no. I… ugh, it feels dirty to suggest this because we’re together.” You dragged your hands down your face. Embarressment burned your cheeks with heat. Your words only confused the moss green yautja even more. Cultural differences and your lack of a good explanation.

Gawtin is more than patient. It something that comes as being a hunter. Born and bred to be a hunting machine.

It took you time to gather your thoughts and courage to come out with what you’ve wanted to say for the last month. “I want children with you. Or-or a child at least.” The words slipped off of your tongue rapidly, so quickly you feared that Gawtin didn’t hear them. That you would have to repeat yourself and endure the embarrassment all over again.

Her mandibles twitch, chest expanding but you beat her to the punch. “And I know we’re both female and can’t have children biologically but I was thinking with the upcoming breeding season. Like… I could help you chose a male to-to…” Why did it feel so dirty say that to her? For her god’s sake, she’s bent you over every inch of this house and even in some places in the surrounding forest and pounded into you with a silicone dildo.

“Ugh!” you groaned and flopped against the back of the couch. Gawtin is quiet at first before snorting and scooping you into her lap. Your thighs are forced wide to accommodate her wide size. Her massive hands cup your hips and hold you in place. Where you belong: in her lap. “Well… of course, only if you want to.”

Heat continued to burn at the soft flesh of your cheeks. You hid from her powerful gaze by ducking your head down. One hand left your hips to pinch your chin and force you to find her gaze. As you opened your lips to speak out of stupidity, her thumb silences you.

“Is what I am hearing is you want me to find a male this mating season so we can have a child together?” Gawtin reillerated what had spewed from your mouth in the beginning. The way she formed the sentence was far more kinder, less dirty. You swallowed the lump in your throat and nodded your head with what little room she gave you to do so.

One of her mandibles barely quirked up into a smirk but you saw it plain as day. “And you want to help me chose the right male for me?” Once more, you could only find the courage to nod. Her thumb brushed against your bottom lip. Gawtin leaned down and nuzzled her brow to yours. “I like your idea, my artist. I know you would pick out the perfect male for me. You have a critical eye.”

Immediately, you perked up with a bright smile. “Really?” you gasped then latched your arms around her neck in a death grip then pulled back, hands still clasped behind her. “I thought you would think that as weird or if I was asking you to cheat on me.”

A chuckle vibrated through her chest. “Breeding and sex are a common thing our species converse about. We do not think of it as a sin compared to your culture.” That’s right. “If I were to breed with a male it would only be a mutual agreement between us.” And you knew that was the honest truth with her. Gawtin was loyal. Through and through.

You smiled widely up at her and twiddled your fingers with one of her dreads. “So,” you dragged out the word, “we’ve got a week until the official season starts. Shall we go see what the competition looks like?” you asked and gave her tress a firm tug. The purple of her eyes darkened instantly.

“You do realize that the season effects me as well?” she growled at you, claws digging into your hips. The lack of full clothing, curtesy of Gawtin, allowed her better access to your skin. She sees the grin that spreads across your face. That answer plain as day before her.

The two of you reek of sex as you wondered through the tribe. Plenty of males were strutting their stuff, chests puffed, shoulders squared, all walking as if they were the best. Many of them you knew of from the tribe that Gawtin lives in. All under her mother’s rule. But, there was quite a few you knew didn’t reside here.

Due to the scent that was rubbed into your skin at this point, males within fifty feet had their eyes on the two of you. The mating mark clear as a full moon in a clear sky on your shoulder. Yours on Gawtin was less noticeable due to your dull teeth and her thick scales. But, you knew she reeked of your scent after making you gush all over her. Like the horny female she was, she had rubbed it into her scales. The hottest thing you’ve ever experienced with her. Specially when she dragged you out on wobbly legs, not even bothering to clean you up. She just threw your clothes back on you.

Gawtin was a sight to be seen as well. From the fact she reeked of you to the fact who her mother was. She had power from both a political position and a skilled hunter herself. She’d should have a line waiting for her but it was you who stole her away, as some of her tribe likes to say. Words from people she challenged and put back into their place.

No messes with her mate. Not even her own mother.

Hand in hand, you strolled around the crowded streets of her hometown. In the mixture of males, females roamed around, seeing what the menu held as well. Yet, everyone kept a wide berth around the two of you, knowing who and what Gawtin was.

When the day came to an end, Gawtin had carried you home. The amount of walking the two of you had done wore you out. Well, also the fact she had drilled a dildo into you before going on said walk. Both of those had tired you out. The moment your head hit a pillow, you were out like a light.

Before you knew it, the day for breeding season had come into full effect. It was dangerous for you to roam around even with Gawtin at your side. Hormones were so thick in the air, you choked on them. Gawtin did her best to ensure her scent filled the space around you.

She found a space a little off the beaten path and guided you to sit down on a fallen log. The moss green yautja knelt down in front of you. One of her hands rested on your naked knee. The other tilted your chin to be level. “Remember, if you want this to stop at any point, speak up. I will not do this if you do not want to. If things do get a bit rough, do not run. Do. Not. Run.”

Yautjas maybe intelligent beings but the species still relied on their base instincts. This is no different. Running from a predator will only activate their need to chase. There’s no out running a yautja in their home turf. Not when they are hormonal and ready to mate any willing female.

Her hands cupped your face and pulled you closer. “Our mating is not soft or gentle. You have seen how I treat you. Even that is considered gentle. If a male we chose bests me in a fight, he will not be kind. But, do not try to interfere. He will kill you where you stand. It will be scary but do not fret, it is our way of life.” Gawtin wanted to prepare you for brutality of their mating ritual. It sounds harsher than anything you’ve heard before. It made you fear for her safety and well-being.

“Are you sure? I don’t want to put you through unnecessary harm,” you whispered to quietly, not wanting to voice your fear loudly.

“Yes, I have plenty of children and have gone through plenty of breeding seasons before meeting you.” Right. Her latest had been a son named Qui’oky. He’s gone off into the universe to pave his own path into masterhood. “There is nothing to fear. If I do not want him, I will not let him take me. I promise you this.” She was a beast of a yautja. Not many wanted to mess with her on a good day.

You swallowed down the lump that swelled in your throat to straight your spine. You knew that what she said was the truth. No one could make her submit unless she willingly did.

After one last moment, Gawtin finally pulled away and stood tall. Then, she walks back onto the path and struts her way through the crowd that busied the street. Being off the main path, you knew that no male would come along and try to harm you. Not with Gawtin’s scent still etched into your skin. They’d see you nothing more than a bug and walk off to find a female of their species. Thankfully, you weren’t ovulating during a time like this or else Gawtin would never have let you out. Apparently, that scent is just as potent as a female in heat. Even if you weren’t the same species.

Before long, you see Gawtin dragging two males the two of you had picked out. Both were scrambling, snarling as Gawtin simply had lifted them like they were nothing. A bellow echoed around the jungle. She drops the two of them in the same ring. The males’ eyes snapped to each other. They sized their opponent up, chest puffed up and muscles twitching.

Only for a pack of three other males to appear out of the foliage. Your eyes widened at the sight while Gawtin growled lowly in her chest, claws flexing at her side. She saw them as a threat to you. But there was one that was a beautiful teal blue that you’ve never seen before. A shore yautja who was a long way from home.

“Gawtin,” you softly called out her name. Everyone’s attention was suddenly on you. Maybe a wrong move but you couldn’t let an opportunity like him slip away if you anything to say about. Despite the hungry, fiery gazes on you, you kept your chin high and level, not daring to bow down to the lot of males seeking for a hole to dump their seed in.

“That one can stay,” you motion towards the teal blue that had caught your eye. The others were a burnt orange and a dirty red that did little to make your artistic heart flutter. That’s the thing, you choose on their looks while Gawtin choose on their physic and skills. And that’s how you were able to come to agree on two that matched what you two were looking for.

She dipped her head and growled again towards the two that dared to trespass on this ritual. Instantly, the males had bowed their heads in submission and backed away. Thankfully, your suddenly added male stayed where he stood.

You slipped off of the log and strolled over to the new addition. There was that wild, fiery look in his dark, emerald green eyes but not as prominent as the other two. He seemed to have better control of his temper. A good feature. Gawtin purposefully moved between you and the other two who had gone back to sizing the other up.

He was built well too. Muscles formed for a strong ocean swimmer. Webbing between his fingers and hooked claws. You stalk around him, looking for imperfections that would instantly disqualify him.

Yet, the male had nothing wrong with him by what you would find. You stand back to allow Gawtin to have her own look at the male. She was critical just like you but searched for different features than you were.

Gawtin stepped back and nodded her head. “He can stay,” she rumbled.

“I agree,” you stated then walked up to her side. Gawtin leaned down so you could directly speak into her ear. A conversation only meant for the two of you. “He’s real pretty, love. His temper is good too. I hope he has the skills to impress you.” He’s passed your tests. It was now to pass Gawtin’s. She stood back up to her full height before guiding you back over to the log, not letting you anywhere close to the brutes.

They looked ready to tear into each other with no remorse. Except for the teal one. He had control over himself. I liked his temper and he was prettier than the others too. He had to be my new favorite compared to the rich sand yellow who must’ve come from the east where a desert spanned for over hundreds of thousands of square miles.

Once more, you sat upon the log with Gawtin standing at your side, ready to interfere if they dared to get an inch too close. “You will fight each other to whoever gives in first or dies will proceed to fight the other,” Gawtin told them of the rules since they had to be changed when the new yautja joined in and made the numbers uneven. It seemed a bit unfair but that’s how life is. A break would be given to the first winner if they wish it. Yet, those two were ready to tear into each other.

“Commence the fight!” Gawtin roared.

Instantly the two were on each other, claws and teeth tearing away pieces of flesh. The odd one out stepped back to the edge of the small space. You eyed him up, admiring him. Since you didn’t understand what Gawtin was looking for when fighting these two, you decided to take a longer look at him.

His scales were a beautiful teal blue that easily marked him as an ocean yautja. There were strips of darker sea blues that marked his scales. Speckles of sunshine yellow danced across his scales as well. He also didn’t have an array of scars. Not a newly blooded but not a seasoned warrior. Must be one of his first breeding seasons. He definitely hit your every point for looks. Hopefully his genetics would overpower Gawtin’s green ones. She was pretty herself of course, but you were wanting a child of his color.

Growls, howls, and hisses raged between the two hormonal yautjas doing their best to tear into each other. A fight you’ve seen plenty of times being among their tribe for so long. You softly placed a hand on your mate’s thigh as not to spook her. The muscle behind your touch jolted for only a moment before relaxing. Gawtin reached down and placed her own over yours, carding her thick fingers between your digits. Her gaze didn’t leave the battling yautjas in front of her though. Her critical eye pointing out every little detail, every little flaw, imperfection these two made.

As quick as it had started, the rich sand yellow yautja was placed into a headlock. Your lips pressed together in disappointment when he was knocked unconscious and the victorious yautja roared his winnings. Clearly, he has the skills that Gawtin was looking for.

Said yautja nodded her head once. “You may res-“ she offered to him only for the male to snarl and face off the teal yautja. Your brows jumped up at the disrespect of the male. His temperament was horrendous. His children would be a mess to deal with at horrible he listens.

“No! I can keep going. Bring it on!” he spat and openly challenged your secret champion. Teal calmly walked into the ring and lowered himself into a fighting stance. From your limited knowledge, his position was steady and great.

The pine needle green yautja launched himself across the field. Teal simply side stepped the raging beast and grabbed his ankle. He used the momentum to swing Pine into a nearby tree. A loud crack echoed through the air. The body left a sizeable dent in the tree.

With his temper in check, Teal was able to gracefully move when Pine would violently attack. Pine had no control, no rhythm. He just moved and kept moving with no thought for control or strategy.

This went on for a little longer before Pine completely left his right flank open for Teal to rake his hooked claws. A tremendous amount of blood spurted from the four clean wounds. Pine was shaken from his bloodlust and collapsed onto his knees. Teal gazes down at the male for a moment before kicking the yautja onto his back.

One foot on Pine’s chest, Teal gripped Pine’s throat and tore his head straight off of his shoulders. The sickening sound echoing around you. If this was the first you’ve seen decapitation in such way, you would’ve lost your breakfast.

Teal calmly walked over to the two of you, acknowledging you as well. The male fell to one knee and presented the bloodied gift. You blinked a few times, not used to the scent of their alien blood, and glanced up at Gawtin. Her eyes were already on you, waiting for you to accept or deny the gift. The corners of your mouth tilted up. You gave her a nod.

Both of you were on the same boat. He’d be the male the two of you choose for this breeding season. He was perfect in your eyes for looks and in her eyes for skills. But he still had one last test: to defeat Gawtin and make her submit to him.

A feat that you knew he’d struggle with due to stature. Compared to Gawtin, he was thinner besides a barrel chest and shorter. But, you hoped the best for him. 

Gawtin gave your hand one last squeeze before letting go and entering the ring with Teal. He dropped the gift at your feet, giving you a bow, and following after Gawtin. Okay, yeah, you really like him now. He must know to impress Gawtin, he has to impress you as well. Smart male.

Each lowered themselves into a fighting stance. The towering female was much larger than him due to genetics and being a female. His only hope of breeding her would require to willingly submit to him. He’s going to have his work cut out for him.

There was a moment of pause, of calming before you sounded for the fight to commence. Gawtin was all power and strength. She went to overwhelm, specially as he was still young in his career as a hunter. He did struggle to block or dodge her swift, powerful blows she threw at him.

“Come on,” you whispered for him. You really wanted him to win, to impress Gawtin. Your hands were clenched into fists, muscles corded tightly.

Seeing your mate fight was amazing though. You loved to see the way she moved with such skill and talent that has taken hundreds of years to perfect, to become a hunter like herself. The skill she had couldn’t compare to what Teal was trying to throw at her.

Yet, the male had something you weren’t expecting: a trick.

Teal must have been studying her moves, the way she held herself during and after throwing a punch or a kick. Because, when she was in the middle of rounding a kick to take off his head, he ducked with seconds to spare. Then, the male launched himself forward with every ounce of his strength. Gawtin was unbalanced by using one leg and had to fall with the move. She found herself on her back with Teal on top of her.

Your eyes wide when the dust had settled and showed her pinned. He didn’t even have to wait until she submitted. He made her submit. You swallowed the lump in your throat and rubbed your thighs together. Teal’s gaze snapped over to you. Fuck, he could smell you too.

Gawtin takes his moment of distraction to flip their positions, her forearm pressed firmly into his neck. She leans down with a deep growl. Teal matches it with one of his own, getting louder than she was. The noise stopped in her chest as she finally reveals her throat to the male. You had to bite back a gasp at the sight. She was willingly submitting even after a mistake of distraction. She must really like his abilities or maybe she could smell the arousal coming from you.

Yet at each turn you make, you seem to continue to get under foot. Fresh, clean water is necessary. Cooking your food fully. No cross contamination. Learning what foods stuck you on the toilet for a whole day. Needing to stay under the shade or use a certain type of sunscreen. How cold it got at night. No matter how quiet you are, you woke up the newborn. It was a whole slew of things that tore at your gut, feeling guilty. Always a burden.

A hard pill to swallow.

It got to the point you’d go outside despite the danger to hide under a tree for shade and draw away. Yet somehow, you’d be in Gawtin’s way. Again.

Said female sat down next to you on the forest’s ground. A green blob swaddled against her chest and left her hands free. She rested her back against the tree, eyes closing when she gives a deep sigh. Tension filled your frame. The instinct to flee smacks you in the face. It takes a lot of your will to stay rooted right where you are. To get out of here and sit down had taken a lot out of you. The bullet wounds you have aren’t fully healed yet. The pain throbbing in your thigh as you sat there frozen like a statue. Your pencil and sketch book forgotten about.

Gawtin gave a huff. Your whole body flinched. That’s when you threw caution to the wind and started the painful process of getting back to your feet. “Sit. Down,” she grunted out without cracking an eye open. You gulped and let your butt meet the ground once more. Your eyes stared wide in front of you, terrified you’ve pissed her off. “Good. Stay like that.” But… why? That is what you wanted to say to her. Instead, you complied silently.

With how tense you were, it was impossible to focus back on your sketch on the scenery around you. The thoughts in your mind flying around at the speed of light. You swallowed thickly and took deep breaths to control your racing heart.

On her chest, Qui’oky squirmed slightly with a small, noise. If you didn’t feel as still as stone, you’d would’ve ‘aw’d at the sound. Your hands gripped the pencil in your hand you felt it starting to crack under the pressure.

Time went by. All you could think of was how close she was to you and the danger you were in if you fucked up. The heat that rolled off of her brushed against your skin. It made you sweat even more with how hot this forest got. You licked at your lip, tasting the saltiness of your own sweat.

Yet, as the sun rose higher and higher, nothing happened. Qui’oky napped quietly in his swaddle. Soon enough, you heard a soft snore come from Gawtin. Instantly, you snapped your head over at the giant, green yautja. Her eyes were closed, mandibles slightly open. Her chest gingerly rising and falling with each deep breath she took. She was asleep. The dangerous predator fell asleep next to you with her child.

Was that a good thing?

Like the prey animal you are, you take the slow, slow chance to push yourself to your feet and limp away while barely making a noise. You reach the porch of the house and glanced over your shoulder. Your whole body froze. Gawtin’s purple eyes were zeroed in on your form. When had she woken up?! You had thought you had done a perfect job on not alerting her. That had clearly failed. You scuttled your way into the house to hide from her piercing gaze.

A few days after that incident, you found it best to use a pillow in a corner to sit while drawing. The position wasn’t any better and put strain on your spine. At least being in a corner meant there was no way you were in Gawtin’s way. Just like you thought choosing a random tree to sit under outside was safe. But, Gawtin had proven you wrong that time.

Was that her way of telling you that you are in her way no matter what? Perhaps that was her favorite spot to nap while outside. You just happened to be in the way. Which you seem to do all the time no matter where you. It’s not like you wanted to be here, underfoot all the time. It all started because you saved her from the government trying to capture her, killing two men to keep her safe. Now though, after all of that, things seem to not go your way.

The sketch you were working on was forgotten about, the pencil hanging loosely in your hand. Your ears caught the sound of footsteps on the porch. Your head snapped towards the noise, still not used to the sounds of her home. Gawtin was back earlier than you expected. She had gone out to get some vitamins and medication you had to take. The food here didn’t have all the nutrients that your body needed. So, Gawtin has to go into town and buy this special stuff for you. Making you feel even more guilty for how much trouble keeping you is for her.

You silently watched the front door to the small cabin-like home open. In walked the massive green yautja, cradling her one-month old in a swaddle to her chest. She goes to the kitchen and places her bag on the counter. She digs through the contents and puts them on the counter. The medicine and vitamins tasted terrible, but your feeble human body needed them to survive.

Once finished. Gawtin picked the bag back up and spun around on her heels. The two of you caught the other’s eye. A yelp left your cracked lips. Immediately, your head ducked down, cheeks flushing with heat. You focus on the ground, trying to act cool and calm.

A huff comes from the towering female. You hear the soft patter of her feet on the hardwood floor. Coming towards you. Panic swelled inside of you. Your blood pumping faster and faster. How in the world are you in her way now?! You kept your gaze down even as her feet come into view. Your entire body was strung up tighter than bow with tension. Ready to snap at a moment’s notice.

Gawtin kneels down in front of you. With her pointer finger and thumb, she pinches your chin and forces your head up. You met her purple gaze staring deep into your soul. Qui’oky is snuggled close to her chest, quietly sleeping away.

“Why are you in a corner, little one?” she asked in her deep, rumbling voice. You swallowed the lump down in your throat.

Why was she asking you that? You blinked at her a few times before finding the courage to speak “To… stay out of your way. It’s comfortable too,” you explained, fibbing slightly about the comfort. It was mostly the truth. With the cushion underneath you, it softened your seat and made sitting on the ground more comfortable.

Her eyes narrowed. Apparently, that was the wrong answer. You lowered your head in submission. “What do you mean ‘out of my way’?” she asked and pinched your chin a little tighter. Your eyes widened, showing off more of the whites of your eyes. Her question made you rethink this entire month entirely. Had you… seen this in the wrong light? This entire time?

“Well, you seem so busy with Qui’oky as a newborn and-and I don’t contribute anything to the household. I thought you saw me as a burden. Like today with getting me more of these vitamins and medicine stuff that are expensive,” you told her honestly. Did you have this all wrong? Surely not. Having a new child is busy, busy work. Especially by yourself. Add another person who can’t help with the household. Makes the job ten times harder. The most skill you have is the ability to draw. Not helpful in her society. “So, I’ve tried to get out of your way, but it seems like I just keep getting underfoot.”

Millions of light years away from home on an alien planet that seems extremely deadly to you; surrounded by creatures that hate your guts; thinking you had been abandoned or being a burden to the one alien that tolerates you.

Tears pooled in your eyes as these thoughts swarmed you.

“Is that what you have been doing? You have been avoiding me and just believed that I see you as a burden?” she scoffed and released your chin. Instead, she grabs your wrist and hauls you to your feet. A yelp escapes your lips. You stumbled at first, but she keeps you up. “Do you truly think I see you as a burden?”

A timid nod answers her.

The female snorts roughly, almost like a scoff. Gawtin tugs you with her towards the couch. The furniture creaks under her sudden weight. You’re pulled onto her lap, back towards her. Qui-oky chitters at the move and shifts in his swaddle but stayed asleep. You were extremely tense, stiff as a board on her lap. One of her arms encases your torso and pins you to her.

“Let me get this all cleared up. I do not see you as a burden. At all. If I did not want you here, I would not have even taken you with me. Our debt had been settled before leaving your planet,” she rumbled low in her chest. The vibrations going up your spine. “I want you here, under my rood, under my protection. You are not a burden. Understood?” Your whole body broke out with goosebumps. A shiver racking your frame. She didn’t let you move.

“What about the medicine and other stuff you have to do for me? It can’t be cheap or easy to get.” You don’t know why you’re arguing with her. Because she had just said she was keeping you. “Why do you want me around? It’s not like I help a lot around her. I’m not like you with the hunting or surviving part.” You wanted to know your purpose in her eyes. So, you can keep that purpose and not turn into a burden.

Her arm tightens around your torso, squeezing you firmly to her. “The credits they cost? Nothing. I have a high status around this region. It stems from my dam-mother. But I have my own reputation around here. There is no need for worry or thoughts of costing too much.” She pauses for a moment when Qui’oky chittered softly in his sleep. Gawtin carefully readjusted her swaddle on the kid. “You do a lot more than you think, little one. Do not think for a moment you are a burden. You never will be. Promise.”

It's almost like Gawtin could read your mind of what you needed to hear.

You tilted your head up and to the side to find her gorgeous, purples eyes on you. You swore they seemed to softly glow. Gawtin used her free hand to card her fingers through your hair. “Do you understand, little one?”

In a way. Some things continued to confuse you. But, you knew she wouldn’t take no for an answer. So, you nodded your head. “Yes, but I want to be of help. Can you at least teach me some of your skills? I want to learn and help. Since, the most I do is sit around and draw.” In her line of work, that wasn’t helpful in her society. You wanted to learn anything she was willing to teach you.

Gawtin watches you for a few seconds before dipping her massive head. “Alright, I will teach you what I know.” A big smile broke across your face at her words. It was a bit of a scary situation to be in, but you weren’t going to waste the opportunity to learn. Let alone from Gawtin.

The land is unforgiving to a creature meant only as prey. It takes and only relents in giving when you’ve earned that right to nourish your form to survive another day. Not only is the wildlife trying to bring you down, the plants would love for you to slip up once. One wrong step could be the fatal blow they’ve been desperate for. To feast upon something that doesn’t belong to this world. Something new and fresh. Young.

There won’t be any slips to bring you to a fatal end. Not with the way your dam taught you. To be sure footed even on the rockiest of ground; to crush all those who want to see you under their feet. Another trophy on their wall. A decoration. Your dam saw to it you wouldn’t become prey like what everyone saw your kind to be. She thought you as a miracle when she stumbled across your abandoned form days after learning she will never bear another child. Let alone a miracle to survive for so long without substance.

Your dam made sure you’d survive. No matter what. It sort of back fired though. Once seen as meek prey amongst her clan, now you were worthy to be hunted. That your skull could be torn out of your body and adorn on a hunter’s wall. As a prize. Trading one monster for another.

Humans are seen as volatile creatures. You’ve only grown to show how much of that’s the truth.

Bloodlust.

Yautjas befall the same disease. All of them can. But you, not of Yautja-not even a drop, has fallen to these depths before. When a Yautja threatened your family name with vile disgust. You were blinded by a vision of red and tore the scum apart in a challenge. Pieces of him had to be scooped up and buried. They’ve never found where his pinkie finger disappeared to. Nor have they ever seen the three pieces of bone connected by thin twine hidden under clothing around your neck.

A mark to etch into the world of the first time you’ve gone into bloodlust.

Today was no different. The more times you succumb to the bloodlust, the easier it is to slip into it. Until you cannot be pulled free. Bad Blood. Because they cannot follow the code that their culture has been built on. So, they must be killed. Their blood purged of the universe before it can spread.

You’ve had a firm grip after showing such a sight in front of the clan. The clan leader had sparks of fear in his green eyes. A human befalling to bloodlust has never happened. He almost beheaded declared you as a bad blood and to be slaughters where you stood. But, when your eyes panned over to him… he won’t it but you saw the hesitation. The clan leader, a title earned in shed blood, couldn’t utter the words needed for your excitation. Something he probably regrets still to this day.

There are times where you’ve slipped under its control. Not often. It mainly comes in the heat of the moment. Fight or flight for survival. Or when the hunt is just that exciting.

As the hunter, the feeling of eyes made your skin crawl with gooseflesh. Anger raced along your blood as you tuned into your senses. That did little to help you, only pissing you off more. A snarl etched into your face as the feeling dissipated. This is a gaze you knew the origin of.

A Yautja.

How dare one interrupt your hunt?! If the coward decides to show their mug, you’ll show them not to mess upon your fury. With a lungful of fresh, humid air, you sprint across the branch and flung yourself to the closest limb. A singular leaf flutters down at your sudden weight. The cvorteilio below you were none the smarter at your move. Despite the eyes on you, you settle close to the trunk of the tree. A few drops of sweat trickle down your face. You use the back of your hand to wipe them away and focus on the pack below you.

The heat of the new morning beat down on you despite the foliage providing shade. A quick swig of your water helps quench your thirst. You tie the pouch back to your hip. The pack continues to laze in comfort, not expecting to be hunted. Let alone at this time of day.

Two suns rose high in the blue sky, pounding heat and humidity of the jungle. The bow slips off of your shoulders; an arrow notched. One specific predator lies amongst his pack. A seasoned male who’s time was soon coming to an end. Either by your hand or to the rising male. You waited until the youngster was ready to take over the pack. Your dam had raised you well.

Said leader was lying on his side, stretched out as if he had nothing to fret about. If only he knew of the danger from above. You pulled the notched arrow back. The taunt and steady string against your finger tips. Your lungs filled with air, held for a second before you released both the arrow and air in the same motion.

A high pitch whistle and dull thud is what your ears hear. Then, chaos.

Your marks leaps to his paws with a mighty roar that vibrated the tree branch you were perched on. A gasp surpassed your lips as the male shot its gaze up and found your form among the tree. Its form screamed dangerous. Those eyes that called for your death. Honestly, you felt fear at the mistake. Fear was good. You used it for the adrenaline dump into your system and notched another arrow.

It whistled through the air and landed with a dull thud where the cvorteilio once were. Its feathered plume was raised while it gave warning calls that sent the rest of the pack either to fell and join his side. You sent another arrow at its heart and hissed when it refused to take the hit.

Despite the height of the enormous tree offer, the cvorteilios began to climb. The leader was the first to begin the ascent to your crouched position. A snarl rattle the back of your throat. There was no need in being quiet anymore. His claws dug deeply into the thick, near fireproof bark. Another was sent flying but only embedded into his shoulder. Not deep enough to do fatal damage.

More cvorteilio clambered onto the thick trunk. Your options grew increasingly thin. There was no running, no amount of climbing that could save you. Now, the only chance for survival was your favorite.

Hunting.

Your lips spilt into what anyone would call a psychotic smirk.

Arrows flew threw the humid air. All landing with a dull sound yet no all hitting their marks. But the pained noises is all you needed to hear before leaping to another branch to defend that side of the tree. It was fruitless. That only worsened when you reached behind your head and felt nothing but air. A curse leaving your lips. The prized bow was slipped back into place. Then, a well decorated spear was pulled free from your belt and extended it to its full height.

The silver metal shined beautifully in the full light. Your grip firm yet gentle like balancing on thin ice and going for the short. Sweat beaded down your face, nearly blinding you. The thick, humid air made it hard don your lungs. You were forced to slow your movements so the device in your lungs could keep up. Even technology has its limits to allowing a different species from surviving on Yautja Prime.

A narrowing of your gaze did nothing to the advancing group. A telltale sign behind you alerted you to one cvorteilio had made it. A fine female you would’ve chosen next to the leader. She lowered her jaw. Drool dripping from her dangerous maw, teeth glinting in the sunlight. You held your spear and stepped backwards so none could surprise you from behind.

She stalked forward on her front bird-like limbs and back canine paws. Almost like a wingless griffin. A very dangerous wingless griffin who was more than happy to tear you apart.

You never give her the chance and charged forward with a battle roar. Spear in hand. The female snarled back and leapt forward in hopes of surprising and overpowering you in one swoop. But, you buried one end of your staff into the branch. The other end slicing threw fur, flesh, and organs with no force at all. Her heavy weight sent her crashing all the way down until one end stuck out of her back and her belly met the branch. It was now slick with her blue blood. Still in the fight, the creature snarled and swiped her fatal claws at you.

Pain lightning across your flesh. Blood mixing with your salty sweat, making the now spilt wounds sting. You gave a hiss and stumble backwards then, you cursed yourself when the large form slid to the side then going into freefall.

With your spear.

More cvorteilio landed on either ends of the branch you stood upon. Others were nearby. Six. All adults. All skilled within their pack. All prepared to die to defend against the clear threat to their territory and way of life. Something you would’ve applaud them if it wasn’t for the threat to your own life.

Both loses of your primary and secondary weapons weighted heavy. If you dam was here to watch this fatal error, she’d be raging at how you could be such a fool. So, you pulled free your small parrying knives. The last resort for your survival.

The next to attack didn’t follow the same footsteps of its predecessor. It kept its vulnerable bits low to the ground and darted forward with lightning moves. You barely had time to draw up a knife to divert a blow that would’ve torn your face clean off. You brought the other sharp weapon and feel it slice through fur and muscle.

Blood and sprayed in a beautiful arch over your face, arms, and chest. Marking you with the blood your prey.

An artery had been severed. The blood spurting out with each beat of its now weakening heart. It would only have minutes before it would die from blood loss. You grinned and dodged another feeble attempt to harm you. Claws swiping through the air you once stood. You dance around another attack and drove the same blade into one of the main arteries of its neck. The shrill cry it gave was music to your ears. It jerked away from you, stumbled over its own paws. Then, its form pitched over the edge of the branch.

Down it went.

Four more to go.

You met every other with the same fierceness. Red entering your vision as another contender steps up to.

Five bodies litter the ground at the base of the tree. Blood drowns you. A mix of blue and red to make a near black purple. Your chest heaved with each deep breath you took to regain the lost air.

The sixth body stood near in front of you. The very prize all this started today. A rumble vibrating the back of your throat. A well know Yautja pleased noise. “Come on now. I’ve earned your head.” Then, you launched yourself at the leader, wanting to spill blood. No. A deep, rooted need that your own blood sung to bathe in.

He read the move. His body rolled to the side and whirled around. Your back to the trunk of the three now, limiting your space of movement. A hiss of displeasure left your lips before the beast stalked closer. You mirrored the movements, not willing to give up any space to him.

One dodged had another set of claws raking down your back and skidded across your rib cage. The red in your vision swarmed until it thickened. You released a howl from the depths of hell itself. You whipped around with a new fury driving your muscles.

He makes another move to attack but you watched it in slow motion. You rolled into his space and drive the blade of your knife into the soft mushy underside of his belly. The sharp metal slice up from pelvis all the way to his sternum.

Blue blood and intestines spill from the clean cut and drowned you like a paya praised warrior. The hunter you were born as. You gave one last roar that echoed for miles before slumbering to your blood knees. Everything about yourself was drenched in gallows of blood. You panted heavily and noticed the red starting to fade away.

Your spine locked up, head whipping up to the left. Nearly the same color as the leaves around her, stood a female form. A biomask covers her features and gives away nothing besides the feeling of her piercing gaze on you. The red in your vision doubled. A fiery snarl ripped at your throat. Blood coated hands made holding your knives nearly impossible. Even with an iron grip, the handles wanted to slip out of your hands. So, you threw the blades into the branch and launched yourself forward. A roar left your lips only to be cut off.

The view before you changed in a second. Your back slams into the hard bark that once was beneath your feet. A strangled, choked groan is all you can give. The move throwing you off balance mentally and physically. The red threatened to evaporate but you clasped onto it with an iron grip.

You kicked, clawed, and even tried to bite at the form pinning you down. Even the human body has it’s limits.

Her voice over came the roaring of blood in your ears. “Calm. Clam. Soothe, little one,” she cooed to you. The rest of your reservoir depleted. Your chest heaved with each breath you took. Her masked face hovered over your sweat-soaked, blood-drenched form.

Once you finally caught your breath, the green female Yautja releases your throat and pulls away to stand a towering height above your prone form. Exhausted, you sit up and rest back on a hand. Propper up. You can barely look up at her.

One thing you questioned: why wasn’t she killing you?

This one wasn’t from your clan. Humans are considered forbidden to be on Yautja prime. Kill on sight. Yet, she hesitates… or won’t do it at all.

In reaction, your eyes narrowed, lips drawing tight over your slight pointed teeth. If she were to grant you mercy to see another day, you won’t waste it by angering her.

Her masked face glanced side to side, over the edge of the branch. Down at the carnage left in your wake. “I have never seen a ooman go into bloodlust,” she spoke, intrigued at the situation. “you have clan markings as well.” You didn’t need to see her eyes to know they were sparkling with curiosity and mirth. You couldn’t tell if you liked it or not.

With your markings decorating both of your arms, proudly slating what clan and family you come from. Markings you had to work twice as hard for. Just to prove you were worthy of them as a ooman. You pulled yourself to your feet, head confidently raised. You weren’t going to let her mock you.

A snort enters the air. “I don not even need to see the entire clan marking to know where you come from. That posture is well known.” You bristled, feeling offended at her mocking you. If only you had the energy to issue a challenge and teach her you were something to stifle with. But after defeating six adult cvorteilios, you could barely lift a finger. You’d call upon some of your hunt siblings to help carry them back for the entire clan. Nothing will go to waste.

She reaches up and tugs the bio-mask from her… oh Paya, she’s beautiful. Here top, right mandible was cracked. She had a crown of spikes on her head. Then, her gorgeous eyes. The purple so vibrant you swore they glowed in the daylight.

“Calm, little hunter. You have done your fight. I do not challenge you,” she coos to you again, soothing most of your jittery feelings. “I spotted you amidst your hunt and decided to watch. You are very skilled. You were taught well by a great teacher then. They are proud.” All statements. The female highly confident in her words.

So that was the eyes you had felt earlier. You didn’t know if the quelled the unease in your belly or just made it worse. It made sense spotting her was impossible even without the camouflage. Her green scales matching the foliage nearly perfectly. Lucky.

“if you desire help, I am more than happy to do so. I can retrieve my ship and aid in carrying your hunts home.” With this amount of kills, it wasn’t demeaning to ask for help either.

You narrowed your eyes on her then dipped your head in agreement. Her upper mandibles pulled up into a grin. The female took off and left you standing on the branch, covered in blood, sweat, and guts still. It was beginning to dry and flake off of you. You ignore the familiar feeling to take a few hearty swigs of your water sin. Then, you start the process and lowering the gutted cvorteilio down to the ground alongside its fallen pack members.

By the time she came back, ship carefully docked, you had said your prayers and prepared the bodies to move. The two of you loaded each one in the cargo hold. You boarded her ship and took a seat besides her in the cockpit. The ship was pulled expertly up into the air and gliding over the massive trees you called home.

Along the way, you checked up on the arrows and spear you retrieved, checking for any damage. You kept peeking at her from the corner of your eye, drinking in the sight of her beautiful face. Then, her eyes caught yours. She chuckled. “Ask away.” The one thing that gives you away… your eyes.

“Your name.” How rude of you. “Apologies. What is your name?” you rephrased the question to be more polite. She was giving you a kind of gesture after all. Then, you told her yours to be kind and open for causal conversation.  You wanted to learn more about her. Anything. Though impossible, you couldn’t help your thoughts about her.

She repeats your name a couple of times. In your delusional state, you really liked the sound of her name coming from her mouth. “I am called Gawtin.” Even her name was pretty and rolled off of your tongue smoothly.

“Mm, that’s a pretty name,” you mumbled mainly to yourself but you weren’t as quiet as you thought.

A smoothing purr rumbled from her throat and vibrated the air. Get it together. Stop saying stupid shit like that. “Why thank you, little hunter.” Paya, the names she keeps calling you. Usually offensive if not taken a certain way. You were used to it from your hunt siblings and your dam.

Sooner than you liked, the ship sets down in a larger enough spot close to your home. The two of your work in tandem to bring each carcass to the base of your tree home.

It was over quicker then you wanted it to be. Nerves light up along your spine. A prickling feeling. Cursing yourself for your humanness, and these damn feelings that weren’t very Yautja-like. You watched her bid you goodbye and walked for the door.

Panic. Your heart racing wildly in your chest. “Wait! Gawtin,” you called after her then cursed yourself again for a silly, childish move. You take a breath to help settle your nerves. “I… I would like to see you. If possible.” As a human, you knew you had no grounds to speak to anyone outside of your protected clan. Or else you’ll find yourself dead and mounted on someone’s wall.

Gawtin paused just shy of the ramp of her ship and glanced over her shoulder. “I would like that too, little one. Where I can finally challenge you and see what your skills are.” A challenge?! There were many different types of challenges. The man two though are a fight to the death or until they forfeit.

That moment will forever be melded into your mind like the metal you used to forge. A shudder run down the length of your metal infused spine. A piece of you forever changed. Hours, upon hours under a knife as they reconstructed your spine and melded metal to it to protect it. You can still remember the pain once you woke up afterwards. The fear. The horror.

At first, you couldn’t move. After time, you relearned how to twitch muscles to gain a response. From there, you were able to shakily lift your arms.

This all took a year to come back from. A whole year to learn how to be you again.

All of the skills you’ve obtained from the years of working as a blacksmith felt lost. You were thankful Gawtin hadn’t moved a thing. Everything was left in the same position like the day you lost yourself. Today though, you were ready to take back your life and breath life into metal once more.

And the first thing you were craving to make was for Gawtin. A thank you gift for her saving you. For not abandoning you in hard times. For being there, no matter what.

The front door slid open and closed. A soft sound you knew to listen for. You perked your head up towards the door of the forge for a moment before returning to work. The metal in your tongs was rare and extremely strong. It took a small fortune to retrieve but thanks for Gawtin’s extensive network of knowledge, you were able to hunt it down. All of the money you paid for came out of your own pocket. From the business you used to run as a blacksmith.

Said metal was carefully placed into the blazing fire. The door behind you opened up. Without even turning to greet her, you instantly knew it was Gawtin. Her presence always filled any room she walked into.

“Hey, love,” you greeted your mate without taking your eyes off of the piece. You hoped she wouldn’t walk in here while you were working on this specific piece. She had come home earlier than you expected. You couldn’t just stop either. Once the metal has begun to be heated, you had to keep working at it until the drawing process was done.

Gawtin stepped up behind you but kept a distance that didn’t disturb you and your work. “Little one.” You always loved when she walked you that. Yes, as a human, you are small to everyone and thing on this planet. Many would think it as derogatory but you loved it.

“I am glad to find you in here once more. You have talked about returning,” she remarks about past conversations. All about returning back to blacksmithing. Not only did you miss it, but many others enjoyed your work. Even some Yautja blacksmiths. You would share information from things you learned back on earth and vice versa.

A smile graced your lips behind the respirator covering your nose and mouth. A design of your own with a touch of Yautja to ensure your lungs stay safe. You take a moment to glance over your shoulder as the metal continued to heat. “Me too. I’ve missed it so much.” Your back still twinges every once in a while. Something that can’t be fixed. But you pushed past the pain to make yourself happy. This was your passion.

The blaze of fire reflected into those gorgeous purple orbs of hers. You could get lost in them. Forever. You snapped back into reality with a shake of your head. “Are you cooking tonight?” you asked her and hoped she would leave. The metal needed to be pulled out shortly.

“Of course,” she stated as if your question was stupid. Maybe it was. Ever since your injury, Gawtin waits on you hand and foot. Not as much as before since you had a sit down with her after you’ve healed enough to do things yourself. You appreciated every single second. Every one. But… you needed to be independent more.

“Does three hours work for you?” she questioned back and stepped closer to her. Though the heat of the fire blazed brightly behind you, her warmth overpowered it. Your instinctive reaction is to lean towards her, take in all she could give you.

“That’s perfect for me,” you told her honestly. It will take some time to draw the metal after bending it. Three hours should give you enough time to get to a point where you are able to stop for the night. This would be a multi-day project. Since you want to keep it a secret from her until it was finished. With your aches, who knows when that might be.

Carefully, the giant green alien reached out and cupped your jaw. Gawtin’s moves were soft and slow as she leaned down and nuzzled her forehead to your temple. Your eyes drifted shut as you took in the comforting feeling of her touch against you. A feeling you always craved even if she was touching. Somedays, you just want to crawl under her skin and live there. In the comfort of her presence and safety.

“Okay, I will go make dinner for us.” Gawtin gave you a mock kiss on your forehead before taking her leave. The moment the door closed, you sighed and wiped off the sweat on your forehead. That had been nerve-wracking. You knew Gawtin was suspicious of what you are up too now. From now on, you must be as secretive as possible to make this a surprise.

The question now is: how in the world were you going to do that?

Over the course of the next week, you worked tirelessly over creating the perfect piece for Gawtin. Hopefully, she didn’t know a thing. When you were done for the day, you would take a bath or shower to rid yourself of the smell that stuck to your skin. All in hopes that Gawtin couldn’t figure it out. She, of course, would question if you had worked today or were going to. Yet, you brushed it off. Just using the excuse of your back or not feeling up to it.

Not that either of those were a lie. Striking the metal into shape pulled on your spine with each hit. The pain only reminded you there was a reason you were doing this. To protect Gawtin from the dangers of her own planet. From the things that nearly took you out in the first place.

The callouses you once had on your hands had long disappeared from the lack of use. Starting up the grueling time of rebuilding the callouses through pain and lots of blood. To the point you had to wrap your hands to prevent those scabs from ripping apart and bleeding all over the metal and any tools. The wraps definitely gained Gawtin’s attention. She never verbally mentioned it, but you saw the suspicion floating around in her eyes.

From the pain of your hands to your aching back, the process had slowed down along side that Gawtin’s presence. She had been staying at home more after her latest catch will survive the two of you until the end of week. You were getting antsy, needing to finish this off before Gawtin completely figured it out. The surprise would be ruined then.

Once the front door closed behind Gawtin and Qui-oky, you swiftly rushed towards the forge. There was around four hours before she’d returned. It wasn’t long but enough to give you time to work.

Sweat dripped down your face as you slaved over getting this stupid piece of metal to soften in the heat of your forge. It had a stubborn heat temperature that made it difficult to maintain for long periods of time. That’s why its been taken so long to draw out the metal into the desired shape.

For it to fit Gawtin in the first place, it had to be a large piece. The flattened out metal was held in the pit of a fire while you took a moment to gulped down some water. You looked down at the worn down gauze that was wrapped around your palms. They had been dirtied already by the handle of your tools. You sighed then wiped off the sweat that collected on your brow. Some more water was consumed before you returned back to work.

Two hours passed before you got the desired shape finally drawn out. You pumped an exhausted, shaky arm in the air in victory. The muscles in your arms were crying out from the constant, painful usage. Another thing you lost after the near-death experience.

The piece was placed back in the fire once more. A constant thing that happened every three or so minutes. This type of metal was the worst you’ve ever used. You also had to be careful of any miniature cracks during the drawing process. Or else the whole thing would had to be redone. From the start.

You lugged it over to your anvil once more and began the grueling process of hammering. This time, you were softer with the hits and aimed more to smooth out the previous hits. Before your eyes, the metal became smooth and dent free. You grinned to yourself, proud of your abilities and skills that still resided in you after so long.

Then, the front door shut again. Your head snapped over to the door of your forge. A curse slipping past your lips. Swiftly, you rushed to hide the piece and killed the fire of the forge. With an air of calmness, you stepped into the main area of the dwelling while wiping your hands with a rag.

“Oh, hey love!” you smiled at Gawtin’s return, happy to have her back. “Did you get what you wanted?” Gawtin had gone out to the market to get some items the house needed. That’s why it took so long for her to return. The markets can be crazy. This was far away as well.

Gawtin sets down a bag on the counter then placed her child on his own two feet. Qui’oky squeaked when he saw you. On two stumbling feet, he ran over to you and latched onto your pant leg. You snorted as he buried his face into the fabric of your pants. He loved the smell of the forge but you didn’t let him in there. Plenty of things he could hurt himself on.

“Yes, I also got you those fruits you liked as well.” Your eyes brightened up at her. Those fruits she was talking about were a mix of what a dragon fruit and banana looked like. It has a slight spicy taste to it. The name for it was alien and hard to pronounce so you call it a spiky banana.

Oky was scooped up into your arms before you walked up to Gawtin. You stood up on your tippy toes, head slightly tilted back, and lips pursed for a kiss. The towering, green Yautja easily got the message and bent at the waist. You place your lips against one of her upper mandibles. “Aw, thank you so much, baby. I love those things, weirdly enough.”

She pulls away to put away the groceries she had gotten. “I will be out tomorrow for most of the day. Bziut-ty wants to go hunting. If that’s alright with you.” Blessed by Paya, you were given the golden opportunity to finish.

It took everything within you stop from grinning like a mad man. “Of course, love. Do bring me back a pretty rock or-ooo, maybe a piece of bark!” She finds it weird of what you liked to collect but goes along with it. She just marks it off as you being human.

A snort came from her before she leaned down to nuzzle her brow to yours in a soft, loving gesture. “I can do that for you, little one.”

Perfect.

Tomorrow. Tomorrow you would finally finish up your project.

Hours upon hours. Blood, sweat, tears were put into the piece of metal you were finishing up. A little more polish was added before you held it out, proud of the work you’ve finally completed. You beamed with pride before setting it down on your work bench. There was no way you could easily wrap it up. It was too awkward for that. The next best idea came to you.

The last remnants of the forge had been washed away from your skin when you felt the shift in the air. The front door could be heard closing. Gawtin’s return. Your heart began to pound in your chest. The ultimate gift after she saved you from certain death or paralyzation for the rest of your life. You washed off the soap that still clung to your body before stepping out of the shower.

A towel is wrapped around your waist once you had dried off. You are quick to redress and stepped out into the main area of the house. Instantly, your eyes scanned over Gawtin in concern. No matter how many times she assures you, you are frantic about her getting injured. Not that you don’t just her skills and abilities. You did. But… it was human nature to fret about the person you cared about most.

“Welcome back,” you greeted her with a skip in your step. Gawtin’s purple eyes scanned you up and down. Suspicion growing in them. “How was the hunt?”

“It went well. Bziut-ty was able to get what she wanted. A great skull for her collection. The scales will decorate her house well.” You couldn’t wait to see what she’s taken down. You’ll have to visit her in a few days to see it.

“I’m glad.” You stopped in front of her and looked up at her with an innocent look on your face. “Are you busy? I wanna show you something.” Your hands are clasped behind your back as you rock up and down on the balls of your feet. Gawtin’s head slightly tilted to the side.

“I am not.” A small smile broke across your features. “What is it you wish to show me?” A pout claims your smile.

“Nuh uh. You’ll find out.” You latched onto her arm and began to pull her towards the forge. Something changed in her eyes. Gawtin allows you to pull her along and follows you. You stopped just shy of the door and pointed a finger at her. “Okay, close your eyes now. Please.”

One brow is raised down at you for a moment before Gawtin listens to you. The pulling continued as you lead her into the safety of your forge. The air still warm from the dying heat of the fire. A heat you quiet enjoyed to bask in.

You stopped just shy of your workbench and took one step back. “Okay, open.” With bated breath, you watched as her eyes opened and scanned towards the table. They widened once they found the piece you worked so hard on.

A chest piece.

Nervously, your head bowed down as you looked at the floor. A foot kicking at the hardwood floors. “I… I know you said there’s no need to thank you for saving me from that, that male.” The memories were still hot and fresh in your mind. The way he tried not only to kill you but to rip you into pieces. “But, you’ve done so much for me. You’ve given me a chance to return to what I love most.”

“So… I decided to use my skills to create this for you.” You motioned towards the metal chest piece sitting on the work bench. “A shield for your heart.”

Your bottom lip was trapped between dull teeth, chewing on the soft skin. The giant alien stepped closer and laid a hand gently on the smooth metal. “This is… Moskite. How were you able to get this?” Disbelief filled her voice. She was more than appreciative of the piece but her astonishment of how in the universe you were able to get one of rarest metals.

“Oh, uh,” you trailed off and rubbed at the back of your neck. “Connections. Plus, I had saved up every credit I made since I had no reason to spend it. It was luck, I guess.”

Gawtin turned towards you and cupped your face with both of her hands. With precision after being with her for so long, she tugs you towards her mouth. All of her mandibles widened to allow you space. She shoves her tongue into your mouth and hooked her mandibles around your face.

A deep, throaty growl vibrates from her chest. One hand goes to your throat and wraps around it, easily swallowing up the limb. She pulls away enough to look you in the eye. “You are the best thing to ever walk into my life,” she whispers. “I do not deserve you, little one. You…” It almost sounded like she was about to cry.

And you’ve only seen her cry once.

You surged back up and placed a kiss on her snout, pouring your love and passion into it the best you could. Then, your hands gripped the sides of her face and pulled her even further down. “Don’t you dare say that. You deserve me. You saved me from certain death that day. This is the least I can do for you.”

It’s almost like she was watching the scene unfold right before her all over again. The way he cracked your spin over his knee and attempted to pull your head straight from your body. Your nails dug deeper into her skin.

“Julie, your acne isn’t that bad! Paul probably can’t see it from his desk. Even if he did, he won’t think it as gross as disgusting,” you attempted to reassure her while using her workplace crush to help.

Instantly, the woman got red in the face and bristled. “You’re so mean!” she cried and stomped her foot. You reeled your head back, brows furrowed in confusion. How? You were just trying to her, to calm her nerves. She seemed so tense, so you thought using Paul was a good idea. Apparently no. Then, Julis huff and marched back to her seat. Her heels making a dull clicking on the cheap, thin carpet.

Confused, you stood there for a moment longer until you slowly returned to your cubicle. Despite what just happened, the work doesn’t stop. Maybe later, you could go apologize to her. Clearly, what you had said was wrong on so many levels. So, you wait until lunch where everyone would be and sit next to Julie.

Said woman doesn’t even glance at you from the corner of her eye. You deflated in your chair and slouched over your meal. A meal that your mate made for you today. You smiled at the thoughtful Gawtin. Your lovely mate. Currently, she’s on a hunt with a couple of her hunt siblings. She wouldn’t be home tonight. Your face fell.

The group conversed amongst each other, telling them of their home lives or a rude customer on the phone. All the usual stuff that happens during lunch. Every now and then, you would try to speak up, try to add to the conversation. Every time, you were ignored or spoken over by another coworkers. Soon enough, lunch had come to an end, leaving you feeling more empty than before.

At the end of the day, you changed out of your nice clothing and into an old t-shirt and sweats. A lot more comfortable. You got into your car and completely bypassed home. There was a different place you had in mind. A place that no words were needed. Just your hand and a lot of treats.

This place felt like a second home to you. And it wasn’t the people.

You’ve been coming here for years. Even before you met Gawtin and Qui-oky. No one treated you bad here. No one ignored you or spoke over you. At least not in a hurtful manner. They were scared here. New place, new people, new smells. Who could blame them for an action they had no control over? They weren’t here for good reason. People abandoned them. Almost like with you. You understood them far better than anyone could.

These poor, mistreated creatures who beg to have a home that loves them. You may not be able to give them a home but you could show them that the world wasn’t all that bad. That there were good people out there that will take them in and care for them. Show them there is this thing called love.

Good ol’ Charlie sat in his kennel. Big brown eyes staring up at you. A sweetie unless a kid was around. He was also a tri-pod dog as well. He was missing his front right leg after an accident of some sort. No one knows what happened to him before he arrived here at the doorstep of the shelter.

Slowly, the kneel door was opened. Charlie’s tail start to wag. You smiled happily and got into the kennel with him. You sat down right by the door to give him all the space he needs. Yet, the progress has shown. All the time you’ve spent with him has paid off.

The golden retriever timidly entered your space then laid down against you. His fluffy, smooth head plopped down in your lap. Your fingers carded through his recently washed fur. You relaxed against the wall with a soft hum. “Who’s a good boy?” you cooed to him. Humans don’t understand you or vice versa. But animals do.

By the time you were done cuddling with Charlie, the shelter was closing. With one last goodbye to him, you left the building feeling much better than before. Coming here always helped you.

When you arrived home in a better mood, you threw your keys on the counter. You busied yourself around the entrance of the you home; taking off your shoes and jacket, putting your mini backpack in the closet. Then, you finally headed to your bedroom for some good sleep. Only to stop in your tracks.

There, in your shared bed, was a napping green form you knew so well. Gawtin was back from her hunt early!

Quietly, you tiptoed to the closet for a quick change of clean clothes. You went to the side of the bed, looking down at her. Qui-oky was tucked to her side. The toddler was spread out and somehow upside down. A small huff of amusement left you. You gingerly laid down with controlled movements and cuddled up to Gawtin. Either she was awake or just acted on muscle memory. Her arm reached out and wrapped around your torso. Gawtin tugs you against her side and nuzzles her face into your hair. You feel her take a breath, scenting you.

A deep, chest rattling groan came from her. “Hm, you smell like the shelter,” she stated the obvious. That place had a unique scent that always stuck to your skin afterwards. A good shower usually got the stink off of you. “Is there something you would like to say?”

Her being Yautja made all this social crap fine. Because she didn’t adhere to human social norms. They were different compared to what you already knew. Even if you do fuck up, she doesn’t get mad at you. She understood that you didn’t always mean what you said. That the words that come from your lips sometimes get jumbled. You meant the best trying to be nice.

You were looking up at her with a smile that didn’t quite reach your eyes. There was no way you could hide from her. Gawtin knows you too well. Probably better than yourself.

“Well… just the usual.” You didn’t need to explain any further. It’s a common occurrence. “I thought you were going to be gone for sometime. So, I just decided to go straight to the shelter. Charlie says hi by the way.” A couple of times you’ve taken Charlie home, he’s loved Gawtin a lot. If it wasn’t for Qui-oky, you would’ve adopted him in a heartbeat. But Charlie doesn’t like kids. Something with hi past life that only he knows. Poor thing.

The giant Yautja hummed and used a hand to cup your cheek. “My offer still stands,” she reminds you of what she offered you a few weeks ago. When you had a horrible panic attack after an awkward, terrible moment with another coworker. Gawtin want you to join her, to leave earth and go to her home planet.

To Yautja Prime. Where there are twin suns that’ll, burn your skin; where there are things scarier than a Yautja; where her kind resides! Yautjas don’t like humans. They hunt them. That’s probably the main reason you don’t want to live there. Gawtin is wonderful, amazing. It’s the rest of her kind you have to watch out for. She, of course, has reassured you many times no one will ever hurt you. They can’t. That still doesn’t ease your nerves about messing up with your terrible social skills.

What happens if you said or did the wrong thing? Dead. They could kill you!

A scared whine left your lips. You looked towards the bed, unable to meet her softly glowing eyes. The purple in them a stark remind of how different she is to you. Her thumb started to stroke your cheek while she drew your attention back to her.

“I am not pushing you to move, little one. I want to let you know that the offer will forever stand,” she softly spoke then leaned in to give you a mock kiss to your forehead. “I care a lot about you. I do not wish to see you suffer like this if I can help it.”

“My home is far from many cities or towns. It is quiet and peaceful. The nearest person to me is my sister, Bziut-ty. I have already told her about you. She enjoys the stories and wish to meet you.” Your eyes widened. Meet her sister? Your heart stuttered in your chest. “I wish to provide for you and care for you; to offer a life of comfort and peace. The same way you did for me when you entered my life.” You softened at her confession.

“This was an extremely hard decision. To uproot everything and not only leave earth behind but to travel to another world. It was terrifying to think about, let alone do it! But this was Gawtin you were talking about. She never made a promise that she couldn’t keep. Never

One of the main things that kept you from outright saying ‘yes! Lets go!’ was Charlie and the others that depend on you. They needed you to teach them what love is. Who would they do that if you were gone?

All of this stress wasn’t good for you though. It’s not a good work environment to stress yourself over like this. Crying over things from work. It’s probably stressing Gawtin out too.

A whine left your throat. This was hard to decide. She’s given you plenty of time to maul over it. But, she never pushes you to make a decision. Because it’s a big decision. You gnawed on your bottom lip and toyed with your hands.

Then, you looked back up at her. “If we can take Benett,” you gave her a condition. Since Charlie was off of the list with his aggression of children, Benett though just has a resource guarding problem. It’s been hard to unwork that from his system. He was the safest option plus you would feel better if you had one of them with you for the journey.

Gawtin’s features broke out into a smile. “Of course. If he makes the transition easier, then yes.” She wanted the best for you. The small human had warmed away into her heart and created a spot there.

Soon enough, by the end of the week, you had Benett and were settling down in your new home. It was cute, perfect size for the four of you. There were no worries of work and life to weight you down anymore.

On this day, little Oky wasn’t feeling well. Gawtin had to be the one to take care of him. That left the fridge a bit bare. As the mate to Gawtin, you took it upon yourself to venture out into the jungle in search for food.

Calm and humid made up the jungle. The early morning leaving you enough time to travel miles away from the cottage you called home. Unlike the Yautjas, you were forced to jog along the jungle’s floor. The muscles in your legs nowhere strong enough to leap from tree to tree. Not that you minded though. The sights of the jungle were still beautiful and pleasing to an artist’s eye from this angle. You pressed forward and moved towards spot where some little rodent looking creatures roamed. They were at least ten miles away from the cottage. It would take you most of the morning to reach the spot and settle in a tree for the hunt.

Feet hardened after two years of walking on Yautja Prime prevented the thick bark from biting into your soles of your feet. You sat perched up high in a tree while your gaze searched the area. The tracks you had along the way to this tree were a week old. It was a little unusual, but this was the correct spot to be. If nothing appeared within the next two hours, you would move.

The longer you sat up in your perch, the more you felt uneasy about the strangeness surrounding the tracks. A deafening silence engulfed the area. Your entire body tensed at the realization. There was something dangerous nearby. Not a normal predator that roamed the jungle. This felt different. It felt wrong. It made your skin crawl without even knowing what disturbed the land.

All of your senses entuned to every little noise possible. Your hearing trying to listen to anything alive. Yet, it sounded like the jungle had died and was left a husk in its wake. You had to stop yourself from shuttering at the thought.

Apparently, you had stepped into the danger zone.

One branch after another, you climbed down the tree and took the time not to make a sound. The last thing you wanted was to bring this unknown danger straight to you.

Three quarters down, something darts between the foliage in front of you. You stopped in your tracks and attempted to see through the thick bushes. It was pointless. The jungle was dense and left little to be exposed.

Now though, you had to decide to take the risk of being found or staying hidden in the tree. Either become a sitting duck or possibly expose yourself on the move. You knew this dangerous creature was near. You gnawed on your lip and scanned the surrounding area again.

Empty.

Both a good and bad sign.

It was like the jungle had been removed of any creature. You steeled your nerves finally and lowered yourself the rest of the way down.

Once the balls of your feet the ground, you slithered way into a bush to bring forth your bow. The texture was a comforting feeling on the palms of your hands. It offered security in a time of uncertainty. An arrow was knotched, ready for the pull back and release. You moved towards and retraced your steps.

Your head was on a swivel. Not only side to side, but up in the trees and down to the ground for tracks. Nothing changed. It still felt like you were the only one alive in the jungle. Goosebumps grew from your wrists all the way up to your shoulders. You were being watched.

Then, your gaze drifted down. Monstrous tracks were embedded in soft mud. Fresh tracks. Less than an hour old. Your heart jumped into your throat. This was a battle you weren’t prepared for. You were barely a hunter able to provide food on the table. The most you do was wield pencils. A bow was not natural to you.

Human instinct ran its course. The prey you were caused your heart to beat wildly in its bony cage. Your grip on the bow tightened. Yet, somehow, you were able to get a grip on yourself. Barely reining in your anxiety to see movement out of the corner of your eye.

Instincts that Gawtin has nurtured reared up at the same time you drew your bow and spun around. A black, horrifying monster was soaring through the air at you. The arrow notched into place flew directly at its elongated head. It embedded into the hard, shiny surface. You rolled out of the way just as the dead monster slammed into the ground you once stood on. A horrible crunch echoed through the tense air. It flopped around before coming to stop, dead.

You heaved for oxygen the atmosphere lacked. The embedded device in your lungs working overtime to get what your body needed. Your eyes scanned the creature, unsure of its nature. Only thing you did know… it wasn’t native Yautja Prime.

Screeching off in the distance had your head whipping in the sound’s direction. Curses rolled around inside of your head. Apparently, you had pissed something off.

Instantly, you go to turn around and book it back into the safety of Gawtin’s arms. Before you knew it, your face was shoved into the harsh, unforgiving dirt while some hissed into your ear. Drool plops down next to your head. The leaves and other fallen foliage disintegrate. A warning: that could be you next. You tensed up underneath the creature above. It’s weight far too much for you to throw off; nor could you roll onto your back and use your bow. The only weapon that you were versed with well.

The ground left your belly. A scream pierced the air. Hope boiled in the pit of your stomach. Maybe… Gawtin would hear your cry for help. Even over ten miles away from home.

It traversed the jungle in a rush. The black, shiny creature was swift as it carried you. Only a few minutes passed until it entered a den of sorts in the ground. The den reminded you of burrowing wasps but a lot more deadly to you. You struggled the entire time and hoped for a moment its grip would loosen. The bow you once held onto was lost to the jungle’s floor amidst your attempts for freedom.

When a snarling hiss resonated in your ear once inside the den, you stopped your struggles. Clearly, you were making the creature mad. With it’s former display of how it could harm you, you begrudgingly listened. You wanted to be mostly whole if Gawtin found you.

.

After a few long grueling hours with a sick Qui’oky, the child finally was put down for a nap. Night was nearing, Gawtin noted when she glanced out a nearby window. Her brows lowered. It had been early this morning when you, her mate, had taken the mantel as hunter. She knew where you had gone. A common place for hunting. It shouldn’t take you this long to grab dinner and return. Even if your ooman body made you slower, you should’ve had at most a five-hour turnover. A couple of hours to get to the spot on foot, an hour to hunt, then the same amount of time to return.

Since Qui’oky has come down with an illness, he has taken up her mind to ensure he’s comfortable and safe. But now, with you unusually late, she adorned her biomask and found your location easily. Ten miles southwest of your home’s location. It… it says you haven’t moved in four hours. Strangely enough, you are thirty feet underground.

The longer she looks at it, the more a distasteful feeling of unease boils in her stomach. A first in a while. Fear. If you had been injured. This was merely a hunting trip to a local, well known hunting ground. A place where the unblooded learn to hunt.

Her feet carried her out of the door and down the trail towards Bziut-ty’s dwelling. Gawtin had to go out and find you. Her sister had to be called upon for help.

Once she told Bziut-ty of the situation, the sister immediately stepped up and ensured little Qui’oky would be safe in her care. Some weight was lifted off of Gawtin’s shoulders. The mother returned home and adorned herself in her hunting gear, prepared for the worst to appear. This is Yautja Prime. A planet that is more than likely to kill you than let you live.

The main weapon of choice was her beloved crossbow. Other tools such as a Combistick and smart disk were clipped to her belt. She decorated herself well before departing the dwelling with less than a goodbye to her sister. The first on her mind was finding you. Or if it came down to it, your body. Her little artist.

The trees were her main mode of transport. The Yautja leaped from branch to branch. Her powerful legs able to propel her the need distance each time. A hunter. Through and through.

Gawtin stopped and placed a hand on the truck of a tree to steady herself. The map showed her to be half a mile out from your location when a deadly smell waft up to her position high above the ground. It was a scent she may have only encountered three times in her life. One she could never forget though.

Kiande amedha. Hard meat.

This close to home. On her home planet. Someone had royally screwed up.

She pressed forward and went through the motions until she was right above where your ping was sending a location. The Yautja lowered herself into a crouched position and peered over the edge of the branch. There was no sign of the kiande amedha besides their pungent scent. That didn’t mean the hunter laxed her guard. She a seasoned hunter. She knew better than that. Including letting her worry get the best of her. An emotion she wasn’t versed well with. Having you around for two years has exposed her to ooman emotions.

Slowly, the hunter ventured down the tree until her feet met the ground. Purple eyes scanned the surrounding area and only came up with the sign of tracks. Kiande amedha tracks. She hissed silently to herself.

One precisely placed step after another. The hunter moved forward and followed the ever-growing tracks in a certain direction. In hopes of finding the entrance. Her honed senses were on high alert. Any little noise would be investigated before she pressed forward.

It was like the jungle’s critters around her had vanished. None of the croxcs were here. It smelled like they hadn’t been for the last week. An entire week for a kiande amedha infestation to take root so close to her home. To where her son and mate reside. Where her mate may succumb to the terrible dealings of why this race was held high even to Yautjas.

Spotted where a scuffle possibly occurred, she found the bow she gifted to you when she first deemed you a hunter. You had proven yourself strong and skilled enough to hunt on Yautja Prime. Yet, here it lies. Gawtin gingerly picked up the weapon and looked down at it in her hand. Her grip threatened to snap the metal until she reigned her strength. She will find you. That was a promise.

Now, with your scent picked up, she swiftly followed it. The odor and the tracks of a kiande amedha carrying you in a certain direction.

A large hole could be seen through the dense foliage in the area. The Yautja stepped closer only to halt in her tracks when a kiande amedha freed itself from the nest. It reeked of your terror. It took all of her patience not to launch out and kill the offending alien for taking her mate. The creature stopped and turned its elongated head this way and that. When it found the area cleared, it moved onward.

That was a drone. From the tracks, there was only a handful. The nest still seems small. They were most likely ecstatic to find you. The perfect host for them. One she wasn’t going to let you become. She will save you. You are her mate after all. You saved her life two faithful years ago.

Gawtin stalked forward through the bush and peered down into the tight-fitting hole. With her lumbering size, it would a squeeze to crawl into. Like any hive, the tunnel would open up to different chambers. With a smaller hive such as this, the queen’s chamber could possibly be the first.

The Yautja checked over her crossbow before taking the plunge.

Dirt walls squeezed at her sides, nearly trapping her in a death sentence. But the Yautja used her superior strength to press forward. The dirt turned into a sticky, goopy mess under her arms and belly.

As thought of before, the tunnel opened up to reveal a massive chamber. Plenty of space to house the queen and… the eggs. About ten eggs sat in the middle of the room. Three of the ten were open. Gawtin narrowed her eyes at the sight and quickly scanned around the walls.

Trapped in the same goop that dripped down onto the Yautja was you, her mate. Your eyes were closed, chest softly rising and falling. Alive. She glanced around to ensure the chamber was free from prying eyes before racing over to you. Her hands cupped your chin. You were covered head to toe in this stuff. It would take days of scrubbing to rid the smell from you.

A groan roused from your throat. Warm hands touched at your skin. Different than the ones that pinned you to this wall for their entertainment. Your weary eyes cracked open and blinked away the gross gunk that covered them.

Before you stood the powerful form of your mate. Relief flooded you like a broken dam. You struggled in your bonds to wrap your arms around her. But, they held strong. Your mouth opened to speak but Gawtin covered it with her palm. A shake of her head told you not to. You obediently listened. If it meant your survival, then you happily obey her.

Her massive head tilted down then back up as she scanned over your form. There was no injuries to be seen. But, you had been effectively trapped. Gawtin grasped at the harden wall pinning you to the wall when the Yautja paused. Her breath catches in her throat as the biomask looked down at you.

One of her hands gingerly touched at your chest. Your head jerked back, not understanding why she became suddenly touchy. “Gawtin,” you whispered her name to regain her attention. The hunter looked over her shoulder at the strange, fleshy looking eggs in the middle of the room. Three of them had been open. The strange looking petals exposing the inside to the outside world.

“H’ko.” You heard tumble from her mandibles. A heart-breaking sound falling from the towering Yautja. Fear struck you deep in your stomach. You didn’t understand why she was acting sad. Only wanting to be freed from the uncomfortable bonds.

That was ‘no’ in Yautja.

“W-what is it?” You could no longer act strong. Not when faced with the uncertainty in your mate’s voice. Not when she sounded like the world around her was collapsing and there was nothing to stop it.

Deadly claws tapped at your sternum before the Yautja raised her gaze to be fixed on yours. “Kiande amedha. Hard meat. You have been infected by one,” she explained. You still looked up at her with confusion. What she was saying didn’t make sense. Infected? “Here-“ she taps her talons again “-is where it resides… It will break free soon and-“ Gawtin cuts herself off. Her hand curls into a fist and brought your shirt into her grasp.

“And-and what?! You ca-n’t just stop there,” you begged her with a pleading, breaking look in your sparkling eyes.

Whatever this thing was, it had infected you and lies in your chest. If it… breaks free from there, you will surely die. Not even Yautja medicine could save you. Even if she takes you to a main city where they had the tools, it would be too late for you. No human could survive that.

She leans forward and nuzzles the unforgiving metal of her biomask against your forehead. “You will die. There is nothing I can do. Paya,” she curses and pulls away from you.

You could only imagine the agony that would put you through. For it burst from your chest. Will it… Oh god. It’ll turn into one of those monsters you saw earlier. At the cost of your life.

Once again, you pulled desperately pull on your bonds and leaned closer to her. “Gawtin, you’ll have to kill me. Please. I beg for mercy. I know it’s not the Yautja way. But please, I beg for a quick death by your hand than at that monster’s hand.” Words tumbled from your mouth freely. You couldn’t believe you were asking this. Asking this of her. Your mate. She… she didn’t deserve this, to be put through this torment. But, you were only human.

A pained whine left the Yautja’s mouth. Her hands grasped your jaw. Through the mask, you felt her eyes roaming across your features. As if this would be the last time she would see you alive… It would be.

Tears pooled in your eyes. “Do it. Please. I don’t want to die this way. Put…” Oh god. “Put me out of my misery. Your chest heaved, lungs trying to gather all the oxygen in the chamber underground. Yet, you came to the realization. It wasn’t from the lack of air but something pressing against your lungs. The… chestbuster.

“Gawtin, I love you,” you declared to her like the many times you’ve confessed to her. “I give you my heart. My soul is yours. I’ll always be with you.”

She brought her head towards yours again and pressed your foreheads against each other. The gaze of her biomask may be emotionless but you knew the pain that filled her gorgeous eyes were hidden behind it.

Staring in the face of Gawtin’s biomask was the last thing you saw.

A sharp crack pierced the tense air, slicing through it like a knife. The hunter held your limp head in her hands for a while longer despite how dangerous it was staying in the chamber. Your death had been swift. Even you didn’t know it was coming before she acted upon the action.

In the vision of her biomask, she caught sight of the squirming infection inside of you. The Yautja hesitated at first, fist hanging in the air, before it thrusted through your chest. A tiny screech sounded from the little kiande amedha. It fought against her strong, mighty grasp until she, too, snapped its neck, effectively killing it.

With precision, Gawtin sliced through her dead mate’s bonds. The ooman’s body was caught before it fall to the ground. Gingerly, the hunter slid the ooman on her shoulder and headed towards the door.