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He nods, raising an eyebrow to push me forward. I shake my head, at a loss. “Fae, in our books, can use glamours to disguise themselves. So.. Mrs. Holdstaff? The old lady next door?”
A hearty chuckle burst out of his mouth. “Closer. I’ll give you a hint.”
He butts his forehead softly against my arm, eyes twinkling with mischief. My brain breaks. Breaking. Is broken.
“But… you… I mean that, you know. Because…How?”
Bobble Cat.
“After my soul was shattered by Malicryn, I woke up in this body. I didn’t know where I was or how I got there. One day I’m a High Elf and the next I wake up in a fae body. I wandered aimlessly for a while, trying to piece things together, but the memories of my previous life as Dan’thiel became faded, like a dream of a life that happened to someone else. I remember the basic facts like my name, who my family was, where I lived, but not a single actual memory remains. It’s like I read a one-page biography on Dan’thiel. The way Sunder talks, it seems like he could retain his memories, so I’m not sure if it’s because I woke up as a shapeshifter or for a different reason.”
He says the last bit like it’s been gnawing at him a lot.
“Shapeshifter…”
His smile turns sad. “I expected my form to be something huge and fierce, but when I finally figured out how to shift, I turned into a tiny tabby cat. But all my Chroma left, as if shifting drained it completely. I still don’t understand it. Then Sunder showed up, and when you channeled together, I-.”
His voice cracks as tears stream down his face. My Bobble. My affectionate, tiny protector that loves tight hugs and all day cuddles. I climb out of my chair, propping on my knees in front of him, as I wrap my arms around his neck.
His strong arms curl around my waist as his face nestles onto my shoulder. I make soothing shushing noises as I rub a hand down the back of his hair. No Chroma flows between our touching skin, and I’ve never felt it when I touched Bobble. Does that mean he can’t channel at all? Pulling back, he wipes his red eyes, cleaning his face with the back of his hand.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for our first conversation to go like this.”
“Don’t be sorry. I wish I had known.”
He shakes his head and says, “I guess I was holding onto a secret hope that one day the bond would snap into place for us, too. But as long as I get to be with you, I’ll be happy. Even if I’m just your pet.”
His tears dry as mine flow. My poor sweet Bobble. His hands lightly cup my face as he wipes my tears with the soft pads of his thumbs.
“I’ve waited so long to do that. I don’t know how much time we have here together or if we’ll ever have this chance to speak again, so I need to tell you something important, Mira. I need you to hear my words, ok?”
I nod, staring deeply into those golden-green eyes.
“I know you’re over him, but Tim was wrong to treat you that way. You didn’t deserve it, despite what he said to you after. I was there, and I saw it better than anyone else in your life.”
I try to look down, avoiding his gaze, as my shame spills out of me. But he pulls my chin up softly, as if looking up will keep the bad thoughts away.
“You are worthy of love. Believe in your strength. I’m sorry I’m not able to support you in all the ways you need.”
With that, he wraps me in another bear hug. “Thank you, Ben..?”
He chuckles a little. “Actually, I prefer the name you gave me.”
I lean back to wipe my eyes, but when I open them again, only darkness remains. Bobble is no longer in front of me or touching me. My vision swirls with nauseating pulses as my stomach lurches.
I wake abruptly, my mind still sticking on my dream.
Blinking fast, my heart races as I open my eyes to see the cabin’s loft around me. The birds chirp loudly outside as the sunlight spills into the room. I bolt upright in bed to find Sunder already gone from his spot on the couch.
Bobble purrs at my side.
Bobble.
There he is, curled up in his usual spot. Bobble Cat. Bobble Man? I squint my eyes, trying to figure out what’s real. My breathing is shallow as the fluffy orange tabby cat stands, gracefully strutting towards me.
“Meow if you’re one of my fated mates.”
I hold my breath as he chirps out a soft meow.
