YourLocalBrawler

The music played in Teagan’s car with a pleasant thrum, a callback to the first night she started to question the passion behind her and Patricia’s companionship. It was like a siren call, pulling her car forward to her love’s steps. Up a road many times traveled already, one she hoped she could enjoy indefinitely. Each encounter had been engulfed in passion—whether of desire or sorrow, each a different room for each concern of the heart. A fondness, a deep love had been found, nestled in their passion’s embrace in the midst of denial. That love compelled Teagan forward as the full moon ticked ever closer, looming behind the sun’s light and the sky’s recycle bin blue.

She knew what lay ahead, even if it were the first shift as partner’s the two would face. Again, she hoped they could face things together indefinitely. She was a mistake, but she still had that want, that need to be with Patricia. And as she parked and trotted up the doors with basket of remedies that contained a large assortment of food items for the morning, Teagan couldn’t help but feel nervous. She wanted to be enough, to provide everything Patricia deserved. So, she knocked, and rolled her weight from front to back repeatedly until she greeted her partner with a smile. “Hello, beautiful.”

Preparing for a full moon was always a bit tedious for Patricia. Everything needed to be perfect, to ensure that there was no chance of Daisy or anybody else being injured. The extreme precautions that were taken were even more drastic now that she knew that Teagan would be nearby, with everything being double-checked for any possible dangers. She’d finally found somebody who loved her as herself, who took her on dates and encouraged her to be her best self, and she didn’t want to lose that. She’d never forgive herself if she hurt Teagan, but time was ticking, so Patricia hurried to get Daisy her food and water, before a knock at the door summoned her over.

As quickly as she could, Patricia filled up the two dog bowls and sat them in their respective spots. So long as Daisy was properly fed and had a space to relax, she wouldn’t freak out too much at the banging and howling in the basement. It was a few seconds before she realized that she’d forgotten to open the door, so she quickly sprinted to the door to greet Teagan with a clearly frazzled and panicked smile. “Hey, hot stuff.” Admittedly, now was not the time to flirt, but due to the proximity of the full moon, it was hard to resist doing so. “I was hoping you’d be here soon, I have to lock myself up soon and I wanted to see your face.” Leaning in, she pressed passionate, parting kiss to Teagan’s lips.

When Patricia attempted to pull away, there was a moment of relinquishment, but Teagan had second thoughts. She quickly set the stuff down at the door and leapt, wrapping her legs around Patricia’s waist to pull her close for another kiss. “Just a single kiss? Don’t be daft.” Several small pecks painted over her face and only when Teagan had covered Patricia in love, did she stop. “I’m not going to see you all night!” As if to switch roles, she softly bit the wolf, only leaving a light red mark for a few seconds before it disappeared.

“Now that that’s done, is there anything I must do for you? Any rules? I’m here for you and want to do what you need.” Teagan nestled her face in the crook of Patricia’s neck and breathed in happily. While it wouldn’t be long before she had to go, the nix wanted to show her love and help ease her partner into the evening.

On any other day, Patricia would be able to keep her cool after Teagan’s affectionate gestures, but today wasn’t any other day. Her face shifted quickly to a shade of beet red while she held Teagan up, and a small smirk painted her face. She leaned down and returned the bite to Teagan’s neck, but before she could escalate the situation further, she was reminded of her current situation, so she stopped herself with what little self-control she could muster. “Y-yeah, rules, right. I trust you to take care of the house as you see fit, if Daisy starts to get panicky just put a record on, she likes disco, and no matter what, after the shift, don’t come to the cellar, no matter what you hear.”

From her speaking, it was clear that Patricia already felt like she wasn’t far from her shift. Her speaking was rushed, but also panicked. The clock was ticking and there wasn’t enough time to back out and send Teagan home now, whatever happened from here on out would be her fault. “Can you come with me and lock me in? I usually can’t use the door barricade, but since you’re here I finally can, and you can be much more safe… and I can tell you goodbye before I turn…” She leaned down, resting her head on Teagan’s shoulder. “-but you have to run inside as soon as you drop the bar into place, okay?”

For such power, there always had to be a balance, a side of vulnerability. It was never to be a weakness, Teagan had learned that intimately, and she was glad she did. While difficult to accept fully and apply to herself, she could finally see it at the very least. If anything, that allowed for her compassion to grow, helped her navigate her feelings and actions to aid Patricia with whatever she asked. “Yes, yes. ‘Course!” Her voice grew a little higher, rising from the sudden but expected bite, and the growing anxiety at what was to come next. “I’ll do what you need.” With a nod, she tucked her hair behind her ears and gave a final peck to Patricia’s cheek before giving some love to Daisy as she walked to the back door.

From being shown before, Teagan remembered her way but stopped herself. Swiveling on her heel, she wrapped her arms around Patricia’s neck and removed the meaningful necklace so it wouldn’t get ruined. “Don’t want this broken now, do we?” A soft smile tugged at Teagan’s lips and she placed the necklace carefully on the counter. Right after, she took Patricia’s hand and led them both outside and to the cellar door. “Should I go down with to help, or stay up here?”

"Right, I almost forgot. Good thinking, Teags." Feeling Teagan's hand on her own, Patricia noticed that her anxieties had quickly started to fade. She knew deep down that they would both be fine come sunrise, all she needed was somebody or something to ground her. Teagan always seemed to cause that effect when she was around, something about the care and attention made Patricia feel as if she was going to melt. "No, to be safe you should stay out here. I've only got about 10 minutes left."

When the cellar doors were slowly opened, it seemed like even Patricia was having a bit of difficulty with them at what was her peak strength. Both doors were eventually opened, revealing a dank, drab, cement room, covered with massive fist-imprints and deep claw marks along the walls, as well as a set of almost comically large manacles mounted on the far wall. Patricia turned to face Teagan and gave her one last farewell kiss, before backing up down the stairs, a light smirk donned on her face as she tried to convince herself that everything would be alright. It had to be. "Alright, lock me up officer. I've been very naughty~"

Teagan always loved the way Patricia could make any tense air loosen and flow into something breathable. Even in the face of an incoming painful shift that would last throughout the night, she still kept the trait with her. That was why it was easy to smile when Patricia departed into such a grim room. “You and your jokes.” She huffed out a laugh, shaking her head. “I love you. I’ll be out here waiting when the sun comes. May Fate bless you—bless us. I want you back in one piece.” Looking at the prison Patricia had made herself, the smile flipped into a sorrowful frown.

The way it felt in there made Teagan’s stomach turn, and she desperately wished Patricia could roam free on a full moon to be completely herself. She was a beautiful and powerful being, but Teagan knew she wouldn’t be able to forgive herself if she hurt someone. Her heart was too kind and empathetic to do such a thing without remorse. So, with some difficulty, she shut the doors, latching the barricade securely. To test, Teagan shook the door, or at least, attempted to. Everything was solid and too strong for her strength, so really, nothing budged. She sighed and leaned her head against the door, staying there for a few beats to be there for Patricia a little longer until she heard clear signs of the shift.

"I love you too. May the fates bless us." When the door slammed shut due to its own weight making it loudly clang against itself, Patricia was enshrouded in the darkness she knew all too well, and the playful expression on her face quickly faded. She quickly began locking all of the bolts and latches on the inside of the door, before dropping the inner barricade with another loud metallic sound. There was a light itching under her skin and an unreasonable agitation in her mind, that she was only able to notice during her walk across the room to the large shackles she would lock herself in. Time was running out, that much was clear. The light rustling of the massive chains echoed in the large cement room briefly as Patricia sat down, placing her wrists inside of the currently oversized restraints. In a moment like this, when she was still deeply afraid, she tried to remind herself that Teagan had made the commitment to stay inside, and that she wouldn't be hurt when the sun came up.

And then, there was silence. The calm before the storm that was to erupt from Patricia. Just over a minute passed before the shift took place, and Patricia felt her mind empty out completely to make room for the beast. All she could do was grunt and wince in pain as it began, exclamations that shifted into a screaming howl before her voice was overtaken by the shift as well. Patricia was no more after a series of loudlyy snapping bones and the sound of skin tearing apart to make room for a much larger creature, though those sounds were soon replaced by the enraged snarling and roaring of the beast below while it pulled with all it had against its restraints.

Heeding the instructions Patricia had given her, Teagan went back inside. Though, she didn’t sprint like she was told. A part of her trusted what her partner had created. The barrier between Patricia and the outside world was more than sturdy enough to hold her back in her wolf form. Those suspicions were proven when the muffled howls and growls reached Teagan just outside the back door of the house. Her heart tightened at the sound, knowing how painful it must be to not only shift, but to be shackled and imprisoned. Especially during a time that a deep rooted side of you longed to be free. “It’ll be okay,” She whispered to herself with a swallow as she turned the door handle and entered back inside.

Immediately, Teagan was greeted by Daisy, whose paws were tapping away at the tiles happily. “Hello sweet one, why don’t we go lay on the couch and watch a movie? I’ve got one in mind.” Several wet kisses were strewn across the nix’s face, and she couldn’t help but giggle, making her way back to the basket so she could put everything away. Once that was done, she moved the living and plopped down with a sigh, starting the movie as fast as she could. Sounds bled through into the living room and Teagan knew she wouldn’t be able to stop herself from running out to check on Patricia if she didn’t have a distraction.

It wasn’t long before sleep lay a heavy weight on both Daisy and Teagan’s eyes. Her slumber was riddled with nightmares, but they weren’t nearly as bad as they had been before. Thanks to that, waking up to an early alarm was easy, and she quickly set to work on a bountiful breakfast for Patricia to feast on when she got inside, and a relaxing surprise. She’d always been able to eat in abundance, so Teagan brought everything she could. Eggs, pancakes, sausage, bacon, bagels, and of course, her Welsh cakes. She laid out the final touches just as the sun’s rays broke through the horizon, finally zipping outside to remove the barricade and wait for Patricia to make her exit.

Throughout the night, Patricia roared and thrashed against her shackles relentlessly, like she was filled with endless stamina and determination to escape and sate her bloodlust. Tonight, however, she'd get no chance to do so before the sun rose. Her transformation back was just as painful as before, but when she laid on the floor, the blood of her former form pooling around her, she couldn't help but feel so relieved that she laughed to herself loudly. She slipped free of the shackles and slowly made her way to the door, rubbing the back of her sore neck while using her free hand to open the cellar locks and push the doors open triumphantly.

A bright, toothy grin was worn by Patricia as she greeted her love under the sunrise, the light glinting off of her wounded body and what little was left of her clothes. She hardly noticed the pain in this moment, filled with love and joy to the point that her eyes welled up. She didn't fail this time. She then lurched up the stairs to wrap her arms around Teagan, hugging her just a little too tightly. "Those fates are fucking amazing…" She joked, letting out a warm, hearty chuckle.

There was a relief on Patricia’s face that spoke volumes. It revealed a deep pain, a fear that was born out of events too deadly to repeat in memory or in action. Knowing this truth, Teagan was able to know exactly what to say, even if she didn’t fully believe in herself. “You’re the one who got through it!” She let out a strained giggle against the squeeze on her lungs, “I’m proud of you. Now, come. There’s food waiting for you.” Grabbing Patricia’s hand, Teagan led the two back inside where they were greeted with the aroma of fresh breakfast. “I hope this is enough.” She smiled a little worriedly, unsure. Patricia was already able to put away food, so she imagined the appetite would be stronger after a full moon shift. She hoped it wasn’t too much, or worse, too little.

“Tell me what you’d like and go get in the bath. The water is nice and hot for you. I’ll bring you breakfast.” Teagan beamed up at her battered partner, careful to not apply too much pressure as to not hurt her. Patricia had amazing healing during the full moon, but even so, she wouldn’t take any chances. She had prepared everything not knowing what was to come, but what she wanted to come to fruition. Which was ultimately for Patricia to feel loved and cared for.

"I always get through it, I was just.. worried that you wouldn't, that's all." Patricia was elated at the moment. The scent of Teagan and the breakfast, the light of the sun, and the sound of her partner's voice were all enough to make part of her wonder if this was a dream, but as she was led back inside, she knew that it was perfectly real. By the time that both of them crossed into the house through the back door, her scars had already healed, though small rings of blood surrounding them showed just where they had previously been. When Teagan began talking more about food, Patricia felt the glow of the pure scent wash over her, and her stomach rumbled loudly. "I'll take anything and everything you won't eat, everything."

There was so many feelings in the moment that Patricia was having a problem expressing it, excluding the bright, dumb smile on her face. "I'll hug you again after I get cleaned off, but… you're the best girlfriend ever. I hope you know that, because it's true. I could've never imagined all of this… love. Giving it or receiving it. I'll get you back for all this lovey dovey shit, don't you wait." After a brief kiss against Teagan's cheek, she quickly ventured to the bathroom to lower herself down into the lovely warm water. "Hell yeah… that hits the spot." She thought aloud as she sank into the water until it was just above her shoulders.

Patricia sat silently for a few minutes, letting the water wash away the blood and grime from her body while waiting for Teagan with her eyes closed. Her defenses were completely lowered, and she was just in the moment, content and happy in every sense of the word. Never in her life did she ever think she would get this lucky, or be this happy.

Teagan chuckled lightly at Patricia’s reaction to the food, watched as the love she created through her actions washed over. She believed her partner more than deserved what she had planned, and the nix was more than happy to give it. And even if she didn’t need such sweet words from Patricia, it was nice to know how much she appreciated every gesture. Patricia saw her in full, the good and the bad, and for that, Teagan was grateful. She didn’t need anything in return. “Oh hush. Don’t worry about it. I wanted you to come back to love. Always. Now, go get cleaned up and I’ll be by with a tray soon.”

Patricia walked away tiredly, her gait a little slower than normal, and that motivated Teagan to pile everything she could on several plates. The tray was heavy with all the food, but she managed to get it up the stairs and to Patricia without spilling a thing. She sighed in relief as she placed the tray on the edges, where the lips fit snugly so that it could be a makeshift table. “There,” Her words were a soft whisper as to not startle, but Teagan already knew Patricia heard her from the stairs. “I’ll bring more once you finish this set. Think I’ll sit by the tub for now though.” Settling on the ground, she leaned against the tub and laid her chin on her crossed arms. “How’re you feeling?”

"I'm feeling great now that you're here." The water rippled gently as Patricia shifted to lean closer to Teagan. She planted a quick peck on her cheek before she began to eat. Hunger didn't even begin to describe how she felt in the moment, all thoughts left her at the first taste of sausage. Items disappeared from the tray one by one, consumed by the ravenous beast that somehow managed to not let a single crumb or particle escape her appetite, sounding almost like she was snarling or tearing apart prey as she devoured the delicious food before her. There was no attempt to talk during the first few minutes, until she'd finished about half of what was there. "Gods, that was amazing."

As Patricia looked back to Teagan, a playful smirk on her lips, there was still the utter affection and admiration in her gaze. "So, when I'm all cleaned off and fed, do I get dessert too?" Disregarding that dessert typically doesn't come after breakfast, she knew that when it came to flirting, she was still at the top of her game. Her mind was being controlled more by her id than her ego after the full moon, and it was clear that a bath-side meal of breakfast foods with her girlfriend right next to her was the best thing she could possibly imagine with her current mindset.

Brows raised in surprise, eyes widening at how quickly the food disappeared. Teagan was happy she had more waiting downstairs, though it seemed Patricia was more interested in something else, leading to a small chuckle from her. “Dessert after breakfast? Unheard of, I think, but there’s a first time for everything.” Laying a gentle kiss onto Patricia’s cheek, Teagan dipped her fingers in the water and hummed at the warmth, but it wouldn’t be long before the water cooled.

“Do you want more food? I can bring another tray for you. Whatever you’d like. Or, as you said, I can give you dessert. Regardless, I’ll be happy.” Teagan smiled lovingly, tucking Patricia’s hair behind her ear. Most of the blood and grime had been washed away, and she was more than happy to see none of the wounds left a single mark. Though she never really had to worry about most injuries Patricia received, Teagan didn’t like the sight, even if the scarred look was attractive.

“I’m full for now, thank you.” The warm, gentle touch of Teagan’s hand, though brief, was a greatly-enjoyed sensation that Patricia desired more of. Before her hand could lower, she gently cradled her hand and moved it back, pressing it against her cheek gently while pressing into it in return. After a few moments of clearly holding something back, she turned her head and gently bit down on Teagan’s hand, just below her thumb, with a force that was barely enough to leave a light indentation when she relented. Sometimes the only way to express the intense affection she felt was to bite something or somebody, especially when her mind couldn’t think of many other ways to go about it at the moment.

Patricia soon started leaning closer and closer to Teagan until she was partially out of the bath, their cheeks touching while she opened her mouth to whisper directly into her ear. “Dessert now would be lovely, though.” She then leaned back away and slowly stood from the water, reaching to grab a towel shortly thereafter. Patricia wrapped the towel around herself, tied it firmly, and looked down at Teagan, a look in her eyes akin to a predator preparing to pounce from the bushes onto its prey. “That is, if you’re willing, of course. You deserve an act of gratitude in one form or another, my love.”

Teagan rolled her eyes playfully, quickly giving Patricia a peck on her nose. “You’re never going to learn, are you? I release you from that thanks.” When she tried to pull away her hand, she already knew what was happening before she felt the pressure of teeth. Patricia always had a need to not only bite, but leave marks. It was more of a game than anything, a reminder, and not a sign of territory that Teagan had grown to be amused by and even love. Both were participants in their own right, making the nix happier with each match. There was no clear loser or winner, and there was no need. The two of them had other games for that.

“Then dessert you shall have.” It didn’t take much more than that to convince Teagan to lead Patricia out of the bathroom. Each kiss along the way left a warmth that made the nix smile with uninhibited joy. Out of the partners she had acquired, she wanted Patricia to last the longest. To be the priority. So much so that someone could pull off fingerprints as evidence that they had studied each other so well that they could pass any exam on the subject of their love. Moments like those, like the times the two came together and acted on their love were some of Teagan’s most favorite. She laughed, smiled, and breathed so easily because of how obvious their love was. How they could show off their love to everyone, but they chose to show that beauty to one another, to remind each other that time passes. Because finding the beauty in those obvious facts relinquishes them to the reality that each second watches and each year speaks. Both of which never hear of forever, but believe in it anyway.

Acknowledging that makes every proclamation mean that much more, so Teagan repeated “I love you,” over and over again until the two lay in a tangle of limbs, warm and full of the happiness that they created. She was tired, but her smile at Patricia was energetic as she snuggled closer. “You’re so lovely,” Teagan whispered, tracing patterns over her partner's skin. “I’m surprised you had any energy at all after last night.”

It was all too easy for Patricia to give in to the ferocity and hunger of the beast as the two melted into a pile on the bed. Like two magnets that were pushed just too close to one another, their connection felt like it was meant to be, and she could feel it in every cell of her being. In the quiet, calm aftermath, Patricia listened as best she could to Teagan’s words, and responded in a warm, almost cooing manner. “I’m lovely? I’m nothing compared to your beauty, fy nhrysor.” She noticed how pleasant it was to feel Teagan’s head atop her arm and chest, and how the affectionate tracing forming random shapes on her smooth, scarred skin was a constant reminder that they both were completely safe around one another. “After a full moon I feel on top of the world for a few days, like everything’s… humming, in a way, and my stamina is through the fuckin’ roof. I’m so thankful to have had you here, your hum is the best of them all.”

In Patricia’s moment of vulnerability and softness, she remembered the one thing that she was still hiding from Teagan. Her greatest secret was something that would seem very mundane to most, but would also destroy her reputation if anybody from The Ring ever found out. Guilt washed over her at the realization that she’d been keeping a secret from Teagan, and it was clear as day on her face that her mood had darkened greatly from her loving gaze before. Patricia felt like she couldn’t make eye contact, and knew that she needed to show her, despite the doubts flooding her mind that insisted that Teagan would walk away when she found out. “Hey. Do you remember that thing I told you about? That I asked you to not think differently of me for having? Would you… like to see it?”

“Looks like I’ll definitely be here after every full moon then.” Teagan grinned, looking up at Patricia after planting a small kiss to her chest. Her mop of hair was a mess and her face was still splotchy with a blush of scales. Worry began to paint over her features and she reluctantly sat up to get a better look at Patricia. Teagan didn’t think there was something that would alter her view of her girlfriend, but there was always a possibility for everything. Even if someone wished for something to not happen, it could still come true. So, she swallowed, doing her best to be optimistic.

“My love, the only thing that could change my mind is if you were killing fae for fun, which I highly doubt you do.” Her eyes sparkled with love, a kind of adoration that came with falling for someone deeply. “I would love to see anything you want to show me, and I will love you all the same.” Teagan’s hands cupped Patricia’s cheeks, and to emphasize her point, she pulled her in for a passionate kiss. When the two pulled away, her hands still cupped her cheeks and she connected their foreheads in a sweet gesture of affection. “Now, please show me.”

"Oh, nope, nothing like that, it's not evil or anything, it's just not very cool." There was a brief moment where Patricia considered backpedaling, or making something else up on the spot to show Teagan, but she knew that she had to give her the benefit of the doubt. Deep down she felt the anxiety continuing to boil in her chest, but she was quickly pulled from it by a deep, passionate kiss. She of course returned the embrace, gently moving her hand to rest softly on Teagan's cheek. After reluctantly breaking away, Patricia spoke as if her breath had been stolen, a small, hopeful grin on her lips. "I hope you will, because I love you so damn much."

Patricia took her sweet time in rising from the bed, slipping a large shirt on to cover herself before tossing one over to Teagan as well, just in case she wanted something to wear during their journey away from the bedroom. When the time had come, she gently took Teagan's hand into her own, walking at an ominous pace, darkness clearly looming over her head and weighing down on her during each and every step. Arriving at a door with a keypad, she pressed a series of digits until all 10 small lights were illuminated with a dull green glow. Then, the door was slowly opened, and Patricia stepped out of the way to allow Teagan full view of what lay within.

"I'm so sorry for hiding this from you, I was just worried it would make you see me differently." Behind Patricia's mysterious locked door was a brightly lit walk-in closet, containing shelves and shelves of stuffed animals. From cats to dinosaurs, one would be hard-pressed to think of a species of creature that didn't have a brightly colored plush counterpart among the hundreds of soft toys that filled this room from wall to wall, corner to corner.

Though she did her best to quell the worries, they fought just as hard to keep themselves just below the surface. Like a predator waiting to pounce on its prey, it lay in wait beneath Teagan’s skin while she slipped the much too large shirt over her head. For a brief moment, she took a deep breath, relishing in the way the garment smelled vaguely of Patricia. A calm reprieve before she was shown something apparently incredibly terrifying. She ran through all the possibilities of what could make her love her partner less, but she was coming up empty for the most part. Everything that her imagination came up with just seemed too far out of character. Nodding, she took Patricia’s hand and allowed herself to be guided to a door she’d never really paid any attention to.

Teagan’s head tilted and her brows raised curiously, scanning the door with her eyes. The amount of security was alarming and that really made the nix begin to worry. Her grip tightened, her body bracing for what was about to be revealed, and when it was, her eyes widened. “Are you mad?!” Digesting the stuffed animals, all worry dissipated and Teagan set to smacking Patricia lightly on the arm. “You had me terrified that you were hiding something dark! Goodness, Patty. This is fine. It’s lovely, in fact.” Laughter took over her body and she wrapped her arms around the wolf, standing on her tiptoes to plant a kiss to her cheek. “I like it. You have nothing to be ashamed of. ‘Less this is a kink. Only then will I poke. Otherwise…care to show me your collection?”

Though it was just a playful exclamation, Teagan’s words weren’t taken as playful, at least, not immediately. Patricia assumed the worst, her eyes growing misty and clouded for a brief moment before the tap on her arm that let her know that everything was okay. She quickly set to clearing her throat and wiping her eyes before the mist in her eyes could become falling raindrops. “I’m really glad you like it… this is my deepest secret. You’re the only living person who knows about it.” The kiss on her cheek prompted a quiet chuckle, something that was more of a small release of the nervous energy that had built up than it was an actual chuckle. She leaned down, kissing Teagan’s forehead in return, feeling the rain cloud overhead dissipate just as suddenly as it had formed.

“It’s not a kink, definitely not, no way in hell. I’m not that damn horny.” The request to be given a tour made Patricia’s eyes light up with excitement. She gave a quick nod and grabbed Teagan’s hand to gently lead her along, occasionally pointing to a few of the most pristine plushies on the shelves. The two lovers eventually came to the end of the room, where she stopped to move a few large plushies out of the way of an eye-level safe that was mounted firmly in the wall. Another series of quickly pressed buttons opened the thick metal door to reveal a crystal-clear glass container, surrounding a bean-filled plushie in the shape of a fish with a bee-like pattern over it. “This is my most valuable possession. A fourth generation Bubbles the fish, still with the misprinted tag and without any damage whatsoever, even to the stitching.” Stepping out of the way, she allowed Teagan to have a full view of it, while occasionally glancing over to her to see how she was reacting to the surprisingly well-defended fabric object.

“This is a lot of high tech security for something like stuffed animals. They must mean a lot to you.” Teagan paused, thinking a bit more before speaking again. “The secret too. I’m sorry you thought you had to hide this. Honestly, it’s adorable. You shouldn’t hide these. Maybe start placing a few out in the open. Could say their mine. Though, if anyone asks me, I wouldn’t be able to lie.” She chuckled, allowing Patricia to pull her around and show her every row and every kind of plushie that she’d collected over the years. The collection was massive, and while Teagan didn’t understand the appeal of such things, she saw how much it meant to her partner. In turn, that made them important to her.

“All right. Maybe don’t place this one out and about. Sounds like it’s valuable in both your currency and your heart.” Standing on her tiptoes, it took some effort, but Teagan placed a soft kiss to Patricia’s cheek before getting a close look at the fish named Bubbles. It was a silly name, but the nix didn’t mind. Her partner was absolutely beaming, and that was enough to throw everything out the window so she could focus on the fixation Patricia had so obviously fueled for many years. “Does this mean I know everything about you now? Your darkest secret isn’t so dark, and I don’t think it ruins your image, but I will not utter a word of it.” With one more quick look, Teagan arched a brow. She smiled, a bit teasingly before she leapt up and wrapped her legs around Patricia’s waist, draping her arms around her neck. “Will you be adding the one I gave you to the collection?”

“It’s a lot of security for a reason, this one in particular is worth like… One hundred and thirty thousand dollars, it was one of my first in the collection.” Patricia chuckled lightly, lifting Teagan up and holding her close once her partner had started to embrace her. “Yeah, you know everything now. All my secrets are laid bare just for you, my love.” Her loving gaze met Teagan’s during the tender moment, a small playful grin spreading across her lips after a few seconds of delicate silence. “The one you gave me is my favorite one now, it’s in my room though. It’s nice to have something that smells like you when you’re not here… makes it easier to sleep”

A hint of sheepishness crossed Patricia’s voice as she spoke about the gift she’d received from her girlfriend, something that only really happened when she was saying something that went against her ‘strong and independent’ persona that she typically wore in public. It was clear she had something else to say, but she was a bit unsure of the timing. “To repay you for your gift, I’d like to give you something in return. I was thinking I could find a buyer for bubbles and maybe you could put half of the money towards fixing up one of the houses at the lake… if that’s okay?” She leaned against Teagan, waiting for a response while listening to the calming, pleasant rhythm of Teagan’s heartbeat.

Teagan connected her forehead to Patricia’s, peppering her soft skin with even softer kisses. “I love you. I love how gentle you can be.” She murmured against the nape of Patricia’s neck, the words barely discernible, but she knew her partner would understand. There was a comfort in the silence the two shared, layers of meaning stockpiled in each breath of quiet. It felt like they could be that way for hours, and it may as well have been. Neither of them could really tell the differences in the breakdown of time; not when they got together. But when Patricia finally broke the silence, time seemed to stop altogether.

A worried look painted onto Teagan’s face, and she shook her head vehemently. “What? No, cariad. There’s no need for repayment. I won that silly toy at an arcade. It’s hardly worth a few dollars, let alone one hundred and thirty thousand of ‘em.” A bewildered huff escaped the nix’s lungs and she warmed Patricia’s skin with her lips, tightening her legs around the wolf. “I was looking at one of the houses, but I can make due, don’t worry. I’ll have a lake house soon and then you’ll be visiting me there. For as long as you wish. How’s that sound?”

“I love how gentle I can be around you.” Patricia whispered into Teagan’s hair, moving her hand to caress Teagan’s hair lovingly. Utter admiration and affection emanated from every thud of her beating heart and every breath from that escaped her lips. She was all in, and she hoped that fact was evident not only to Teagan, but to all others as well. Almost akin to a mirror, a worried look crossed her face as well, a reflection in response to the similar expression being worn by her partner. “Yours means more to me than all the others, and I really wouldn’t mind. It could be both of our homes, in a way, the way being that we’d both own it and live in it.”

Teagan’s breaths against the small, nearly invisible hairs along Patricia’s neck sent a chill up her spine, momentarily breaking her fortitude and making her visibly tense for only a brief moment. “I just… think it’d be nice, you know? Daisy would love the space to trot around too. Hell, I could even use this place for full moons and training, so it wouldn’t go to waste.” She spoke quickly, without much enunciation to her words. Patricia knew that her suggestion was a bit of a leap from what had just been suggested, so she was worried that she was overstepping. “If not, being able to visit and stay over is nice too, I won’t complain, just gonna miss that beautiful face of yours as much as I already do when you’re not around.”