#found family trauma healing

[heylittlethoughts]

14Days of MHA - Day 1 - Family

@Pikahula posted about fourteen days of My Hero Academia. As much as they have given us, it felt wrong to not participate. MHA and this fandom has given me so much. I’ve written fanfic in private for some time and this felt like a good time to post some of it for the first time. Hope you enjoy my take on the Family prompt.

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Content warning/context: Festival Day included a family event. Reader, gender neutral, Class 1-A, family/childhood trauma (emotional, narcissist abuse, CPTSD). Found family fluff, Katsuki x Reader fluff. Word count: 1.8k

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Class 1-A made their way to the courtyard for their turns to meet up with their family members. You followed along quietly lost in a world of thoughts.

You understood why the school decided to add the family event. It was jarring for some students to be away from family. A part of you was worried that yours would show up today though, just to berate you yet again for picking a life they didn’t agree with. They signed off on the dorms more as way to get you out of their life than in acceptance of your choice to be a hero. Whatever their motive, you were excited to have a layer of protection from your family trying to antagonize you daily.

Mina interrupted your thoughts with a bubbly bump into your shoulder “Hey, are you excited?!”

“Oh, yeah for sure” you forced a cheerful smile.

“Raccoon eyes, what are you doing bumping into people?” Katsuki barked at her.

“I’m just excited.” she spun around in a circle while walking. “I haven’t seen them since…” You tuned out the conversation as you caught Katsuki’s gaze giving him an appreciative smile.

When families came up in conversation you brushed it off, kept things vague, or found some excuse to leave the conversation. It’s not like you remembered much of your childhood to have anything to tell. Therapist said that was the CPTSD trying to protect you, the build up of painful little moment after little moment over the years.

The only person who knew anything was Katsuki. Because of course he was observant of that too. One night studying at his house, he noticed you getting sad watching him interact with his parents, pressing it until you explained your situation. You don’t know if he fully understood being low or no contact with family. Even so, he helped take the attention off you when it came up in group conversations after that.

You found a bench on the edge of the courtyard and leaned back on your hands as you sat down. Seeing everyone smile and hug their families made you smile. Everyone was so happy, some of them crying with joy, others laughing, some bubbly excitement at catching up with family in person.

It all was almost enough to make you get up and join. Some of the groups were mingling together, it’s not like anyone would turn you away. As you started to shift to stand, you stopped yourself. This event isn’t for you. Let them all have their time with their families. Don’t be a burden, you thought.

That familiar wave of sadness, loneliness, anxiety, whatever it was, it washed over you. You threw your head back to look up at the sky. Blinking to the adjustment of light, or to blink away the tears that pricked at your eyes.

A woman’s voice forced your head to whip back forward. “Hi there.” It was Mitsuki.

“Hello.” You said as you sat up straight on the bench. You hadn’t notice how sprawled out your arms where. “Sorry, did you want to sit down?” you offered nervously. Had she seen me tearing up?

“Thank you, could use the break from all that commotion.” She laughed lightly as her hand motioned back towards Katsuki barking at Kaminari, while Masaru was apologizing to Kaminari’s family.

You couldn’t help the snicker that escaped and the genuine smile that crossed your face. For whatever reason Katsuki did that to you. Him just existing was like a bright star in the dark sky always leading you back to where you should be.

Mitsuki caught you watching her son. “That boy of ours is such a handful” she had the tone of years of exhaustion from raising him. It was the layer of love and admiration mixed in, that caught you off guard.

That was the difference, you thought. Your family would say you were exhausting but meant it to hurt, that they would have preferred not to have you, that you were a burden. Mitsuki loved her son through it all, his attitude, his explosive energy, she loved him. What does it feels like to have a family that actually loves you, you let your mind wonder before cutting the thought off and steadying your mind back to the conversation.

“He’s not all that bad.” you smiled “It’s just how he communicates.” You couldn’t help the flutter of butterflies in your stomach as you looked at Katsuki, now laughing with the group. He had the most amazing smile.

Before either of you could say anything else, you saw Katsuki notice you and his face change. Something of surprise, annoyance maybe, or was he flustered it was you talking to his mother. “Hey Hag, what are you doing bothering people?” He yelled.

“Katsuki!” Mitsuki stood with authority. “Could you behave yourself for once?” she yelled back at him. She turned back to you, “I’m so sorry for him.” she said with a sweet apologetic smile.

“None needed” you smiled as you laughed. You’d seen them interact before and knew he was nothing but bark towards her. You found it cute how they yelled and argued with each other, knowing it wasn’t from any place of anger or actual resentment, it was endearing.

As they continued to bicker from across the courtyard, your smile and laughter faded. You couldn’t stop the waves of emotions crashing into you. Your face slipped into your thoughts. I was so behaved, and yet they never treated me with such love. Why? What did I do wrong? Why wasn’t I good enough? Why couldn’t they just love me?

Even from his distance across the courtyard, Katsuki noticed your face drop. “YN, you good?” he called over, calmer, concerned. Their fighting put on pause as Mitsuki turned to look at you as well with that same concern across her face.

Tears were pooled at the rim of your eyes. “Huh?” you said as you blinked and they streamed down your cheeks, tuning you into why they were you looking at you with such concern. No, no, don’t be a burden.

You shook your head and brushed your eyes with the back of your hands. “I’m fine.” you called out, you didn’t even believe yourself. “I don’t know what happened” you steadied yourself a bit more. “Must have been a bug or something in my eye. I’ll be right back” you were already standing and a step towards the direction of the bathrooms before all the words were out.

“Dear.” Mitsuki said almost a whisper. She took the stride towards you and wrapped you in a tight hug.

What was happening? The mix of intrusive thoughts and the warmth of a genuine hug were pulling you at opposite ends. “I’m ok-ay” your voice breaking from the now full crying that was happening.

She gently shushed you as she pulled you in tighter. “It’s okay if this is hard.” How does she- Did Katsuki tell her?

“You’ve done so much for my son, please let me be here for you.” she pulled you back to arms length to look in your eyes. Her voice sterned, she made sure you were listening before saying “Family doesn’t have to blood. It’s who you want it to be. You are not robbed of new love because of any lack of it in the past.”

Your chin trembled as you held back sodding, tears escaping down your cheeks. She pulled you back into a hug. Maybe so you don’t embarrass her, crying out in the open like this. your sinical thought intruding. You forced it away. Maybe because this is how real parents comfort their kids. You thought to yourself in a softer voice. You wrapped your arms around her and pulled yourself into the embrace.

She continued “We will be here for you, anytime you need it.”

You let yourself sob, muffled into her.

She continued “You are important to my son, so you are important to me. More than that, you are amazing on your own. You don’t deserve to feel so alone, my dear.” You could feel her head shift looking back to everyone in the courtyard. “You have so many people here who are your family. I know any of them will let you lean on them when you need it. Okay?”

You nodded against her as your breath steadied. You weren’t sure if you fully believed her. You knew everyone here was your friend, but you never wanted to burden someone else with your mess of trauma. Would they still truly want to be there for you if they knew how much of a mess you actually were?

Your thoughts were interrupted at the sound of Katsuki barking from somewhere next to you. “What are you doing hag? Trying to suffocate them?”

You felt yourself move before you realized where you were going. Mitsuki had turned and softly pushed you into Katsuki’s arms. He hesitantly held you not sure what was happening.

“Katsuki, Stop yelling.” Mitsuki said as she hit the top of his hand passing by him back to Masaru in the courtyard. You saw her turn and smile sweetly towards you. Almost a giving permission or maybe giving the mom order of let it happen, let us love you.

Katsuki’s energy shifted, concerned, feeling the tension in your body and the jagged breaths from your crying. You were still sniffling as you regained composure. “Family shit get to you?” he said in a soft grumble as he hugged you with more intention.

“Yeah” you said softly curling into his chest. He was warm and smelled sweet. Something about him always calmed your nerves. Taking a deep breath, “I’m such a mess. I was trying so hard to not let it ruin anyone’s day.”

“Fuck that!” he barked above you. Taken aback, you looked up towards him. That cocky smile across his face. “You’re amazing. The only way you’re ruining anyone’s day is by sulking over here by yourself.” he said with confidence and a hint of pink crossing his face.

A soft smile settled on your face as you leaned into him. “Thank you” you mumbled sweetly into him. You could just barely see the pink turn a shade darker.

“Come on already.” he said turning away from you while grabbing you hand. “Let’s go back to the idiots.” This version of him was one of your favorites. He was softer, gentle even. He made you feel safe and important.

As you walked back to the groups of friends and their families, their bright faces washing away any anxiety you might have had joining in on their fun. You smiled and laughed and thought, maybe it was true. That it’s okay to be loved. It’s okay to make a new family.

That even though it was chance that you all were in the same class, that this was your family and you are forever grateful for them all.

[aventurineswife]

Can you write Aventurine's reaction to seeing his baby opening eyes for the first time and revealing Avgin eyes?

A World Worth Seeing

Summary: In the quiet of a desert nursery, Aventurine holds his newborn child for the first time. As the baby opens their eyes, the unmistakable mark of their shared Avgin lineage, Aventurine is overwhelmed by a flood of emotions. Memories of his painful past and the loss of his clan resurface, but so does a newfound hope. Determined to give his child a better future, Aventurine vows to protect them and ensure their life is free from the suffering he endured.

Tags: Dad!Aventurine, Parent-Child Bond, Emotional Reflection, Hope and Redemption, Avgin Heritage, Found Family, Fatherhood, Vulnerable Aventurine, Post-Trauma Healing.

Warnings: Mentions of Past Trauma, Brief Reference to Slavery and Loss, Emotional Content‼️

A/N: CRYING, THROWING UP, 😭 WHY?! Ahem, I love Dad Aventurine or dilfs in general, I hope this fic makes you cry‼️🤗💖🫶

The nursery was quiet, save for the soft hum of the desert wind filtering through the window. Aventurine sat beside the crib, his usually flamboyant demeanor replaced by an uncharacteristic stillness. In his arms rested a small bundle wrapped in soft, white fabric—his child. The baby stirred slightly, their tiny fists curling and uncurling, and Aventurine’s heart beat faster than it ever had at the gambling table.

He hadn’t prepared for this moment, not truly. For all his meticulous strategies and contingency plans, nothing could have readied him for the weight of fatherhood. He gazed down at the infant, his hair falling over his face as he adjusted the blanket.

“Come on, little one,” he whispered, his voice unsteady but warm. “Let me see those eyes.”

The baby stirred again, a soft whimper escaping their lips before they blinked slowly, their tiny eyelids fluttering open. Aventurine held his breath as two vibrant eyes were revealed—magenta and cyan, with the unmistakable black pupils of an Avgin.

His heart stopped.

For a moment, the world fell away. The distant sound of the wind disappeared, the weight of his past faded into silence, and all that remained was the tiny being in his arms. The sight of those eyes—so strikingly familiar yet entirely unique—triggered a torrent of emotions he wasn’t prepared to face.

Memories rushed in like an unbidden tide. His clan. His mother’s gentle voice. His sister’s laughter, long since silenced. The horrors he’d endured, the chains around his wrists, the pain of losing everything. And now, here was his child, carrying the unmistakable mark of their shared lineage. A lineage he had fought to preserve, even as he tried to bury its painful legacy.

Tears welled in Aventurine’s eyes, but he quickly blinked them away, his signature grin faltering for only a moment. “Well,” he finally managed, his voice soft and laced with an unfamiliar vulnerability, “aren’t you full of surprises, just like your old man.”

The baby cooed, their tiny fingers reaching out and gripping Aventurine’s thumb with surprising strength. He chuckled, a sound filled with both awe and disbelief. “You’ve got your Papa’s eyes, huh? I guess fate had a hand in this one.”

For the first time in years, Aventurine felt something he hadn’t allowed himself to feel: hope. This child was more than a reminder of his past—they were a chance at a future he never thought he could have. A future where his clan’s story didn’t have to end in tragedy. A future where this little one could live free, unshackled by the pain and cruelty that had shaped his own life.

He leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to the baby’s forehead. “Don’t worry, little star,” he whispered, his voice trembling slightly. “I’ll make sure you never have to face what I did. I’ll give you a world worth seeing with those beautiful eyes.”

The baby blinked up at him, their gaze curious and unclouded by the weight of the world. Aventurine smiled, his resolve solidifying like the roll of a perfect hand. Whatever risks he had to take, whatever games he had to play, he would do it all for them.

In that moment, holding his child with their shared Avgin heritage shining back at him, Aventurine realized he’d already won the most important gamble of his life.

If I see more Dad!Aventurine reqs, I'm gonna cry fr‼️😭💔😕

While writing this fic, I saw this, I'm not okay ☹️💔

[elithelakes]

sure, we all love found family in fiction. but recently i’ve been thinking about what exactly draws me to it so much. and thinking about it, it’s unfortunately all too obvious. i’m obsessed with the idea of someone not being required to support and love another person, but doing so anyways, and doing it to such an extent that they essentially become family to each other. why? well, there were people in my life that should have automatically supported and loved me, but they didn’t; it’s the idea of someone doing something by choice what someone else wouldn’t even do by requirement. what one person saw and said “that’s an unlovable mess” another person saw said “maybe you are a mess but i’m going to go out of my way to love you anyways”. needless to say i’ve been crying for a while.

[scarefox]

Not to be dramatic but "Caged Again" is the hurt/comfort show we need and deserve.

[neuroticboyfriend]

if you want to go no contact with your abusive family/guardian(s), you have every right to do that. if you want them to work with you on developing a healthier, happier relationship, you have every right to try that. if you want to disown your birth/current family or have a found family, you have every right to do that. if you want a mix of all these, you have every right to do that as well.

because it's your life, your family, and your choice. you are the only person in this entire universe who can decide your wants and needs. and i hope however you want to move forward, you get your wish - your healing, hope, safety, and any love, care, and support you need. you've been through enough. you deserve rest and joy.

and it's okay if you don't know what to do. it isn't pleasant, it's scary, it's confusing. yet it isnt immoral. it isnt wrong. you're doing the best you can with the knowledge, support, and resources you have. i promise.

[akkivee]

i’m not posting this for any other reason than to cry over ichiro’s voice as he teases kuukou lmao 😭😭😭

[stephtuckerauthor]

I've just released my first novel and the first in a trilogy! The Bonds That Bind Us is a story of trauma, healing, found family, and growth. It is a literary fiction with a gay romance plot, and is currently FREE ON KINDLE FOR EVERYONE!

[aftgficrec]

Random Rec: 'If I Knew You'

We’ve got another random rec for you!

If twinyards angst, their personal growth and development appeals to you, then you should definitely give this fic a go. It is written from Aaron’s pov, and we see him desperately struggling to forge a connection with Andrew over more than ten years (plenty of false starts and setbacks to cope with).  In the background (at first), and crucial to the twins' relationship, the criminal case of one Nathaniel Wesninski unfolds … - S

If I Knew You by AceSirenSinger [Rated T, 43145 words, complete, 2024]

Neil is imprisoned at sixteen years old for being the Butcher of Baltimore. Andrew obsesses, and Aaron obsesses because Andrew does, and everything goes wrong and raw and painful. Feat. the twinyards breaking each other’s hearts, and a decent amount of shade on the American justice system.

tw: implied/referenced murder, tw: recreational drug use, tw: implied/referenced violence, tw: implied/referenced torture

[not-poignant]

Daily excerpt from chapter 11 of Constellations:

‘Did you still want me to play piano today?’ Efnisien said. Gwyn stared at him, and Efnisien grinned. ‘You forgot, didn’t you?’ ‘Do you just remember everything?’ ‘Like a vault,’ Efnisien said, laughing. ‘Um, probably not everything, but things like that. I don’t have to play.’ ‘Aren’t you nervous?’ ‘I am, but I enjoy playing. I’ve gotten used to doing some public and private performances. And it’s relaxing. I’m not like an actual professional, but it’s nice to do something that’s not research or data or interviews or some shit.’ ‘I’d… I’d like to hear you play again. I used to like it even back then.’ ‘Yeah, it was one of the few times Crielle was calm,’ Efnisien said, shaking his head. He walked towards the corridor that led into the rest of the house, and Gwyn followed, looking around avidly.

[the-andromeda-effect]

26

Chapter 25

After the upset of the memories of the past, there is calm.

“There, now your wound is cleaned and the bandage replaced. You’ve had some pain meds because you were naughty,” Caliban winked to try and lighten the mood. “I want you to rest. I know that you haven’t done anything too strenuous, but you’ve been upset.” He started putting all of the supplies back into the bag that had held the first aid kit. He had to temper his voice to keep from sounding like an overprotective father or a boss. Neither of those things would make Adira relax, something he wasn’t sure she’d actually done since he’d brought her out of that basement. Why he cared was something he was still trying to figure out. It was like the woman was a gorgeous hurricane that was stirring up everything in his life.

When he looked back over at her, he noticed that Adira hadn’t looked up at him since she had revealed everything that had happened to her at the hands of her father and family. It was bothering him, but he wouldn’t press her. The woman had gone through hell in the last 2 days, he could hardly expect her to be handling things anything close to normal. The fact that she’d just revealed to three almost strangers deep pain and anguish from her past was far from normal.

“I can stay up here if you like, or I can go downstairs to give you some time alone.” The soft whoosh of the zipper to the bag followed Caliban’s equally soft voice as he gave her the options. For the foreseeable future, he planned on giving her choices and letting her determine things. It seemed that it had been a long time, if ever, since she had been the one in control of her life.

“I don’t know.” She swallowed after she answered, her voice and her breath both shaky. Adira felt emotionally and physically spent, almost like she hadn’t slept in a week instead of less than a few hours prior. All she’d done so far that day was lay in bed, but she felt like she could fall asleep again just by closing her eyes.

“I…I don’t know how to feel right now, Cal. I’ve never told anyone about all of that, how I’ve always just been a thing to everyone in my life. You seem to get me to admit to things…” She almost choked on a half-sob, as tears once more filled her eyes and threatened to spill over her lashes onto her cheeks.

Caliban dropped the bag on the floor without a second’s though and quickly sat on the bed next to her. Gathering her in his arms, he cradled her head to his shoulder and stroked her hair as he tried to comfort her. “Then don’t, love.” He closed his eyes and kissed the top of her head, “Just relax and let your mind go. I won’t leave you alone unless you want it.” Fingertips stroked over her spine and back, hoping to relax her. He felt powerless to do anything more to help her than just to be near and hold her. If he thought that it would assuage her upset, he’d track her bastard father down that instant, and let her put the bullet in his brain her own self.

Adira’s hands made soft fists on the back of Caliban’s shirt as she just relaxed into him and let his strength support her. “I’m sorry I keep being such a mess. You don’t deserve this…any of this.” Her forehead came to rest against his neck as she relaxed and closed her eyes once more. It was in his arms that she felt the safest; she knew that he would let nothing happen to her, and absolutely no one near her at the moment.

“I don’t deserve a beautiful, smart, and sensitive woman in my arms, holding onto me? I would agree, but I’m not turning it down. I would say I don’t deserve her flirting with me earlier either, and not her physical attention first thing this morning.” He gently teased her trying to get her to smile, even if he couldn’t see it. “Love, I already know I don’t deserve you. You don’t have to tell me that. I’m still going to take care of you, and be glad that you’re here and putting up with me.” Another kiss was dropped on her hair, his arms tightening momentarily around her. He wasn’t sure where that all came from, but he didn’t regret saying it. She was a breath of fresh air in his dark and dangerous life.

Even if his sweet words were meant to soothe her, they brought more tears. They reminded her of the coldness of Mircea and her father. It wasn’t just Caliban being sweet and kind, it was that she knew he was doing it because he legitimately cared for her. Even if she couldn’t understand it, and hadn’t ever felt as safe and protected as she did in his arms, the arms of a killer. Her killer. Mircea had never been hers, she had always just been the side effect of a business deal to him, something she hadn’t realized till years later. Things with Caliban were different though. Her mind went back to what he’d said the night before, even if their marriage had originally been “fake”, any prior relationships with women would have ended the moment he slid the ring on her finger.

“I guess I was wrong,” her voice was soft and just above a whisper, “It’s me that doesn’t deserve you, Cal.” There was emotion dripping from every syllable. Her forehead pressed tighter against his neck, her arms tightening around him, holding him like she was afraid at any moment he would disappear and she’d just be left with the dust of the dreams she had pulled someone like him from. Her life had been just as dark and deadly, but filled with much more pain than his.

Reblog banner - @cafekitsune

[void-galaxy-shenanigans]

If y’all had told me a year ago that we’d still be alive, & starting to actually trust ourself to adapt in the future & remember things, & actually accommodating our disabilities willingly...I’d never believe it.

And yet, here I am, confidently telling myself “I can figure that out tomorrow”. And yet, here I am, mostly confidently saying “I planned ahead and I did good” (buying food, preparing for both disabled can’t-prepare days & can-prepare days). And yet, here I am, mostly confidently saying I’ll be alive in 2025 & planning out my school year for fall of 2025 (roughly late August start for my university) & dabbling tentatively with spring of 2026. And yet, here I am, buying mobility aids & accommodating my disabilities in ways that make being alive not just painfully bearable but actually worth it.

-

Let alone if you tried to tell me I’d be spending 6 hours writing up a TTRPG/DnD style one-shot for my best friends/adoptive siblings (both are both, they became friends first & now we agree we’re basically siblings), & actually trusting myself to DM this game....I would laugh anxiously at most. I wouldn’t believe I’d come this far.

and yet here I am, gleefully reading backstories & stats in the Monster Manual for inspiration (making so many edits for my pleasure & my players’ delight), stimming excitedly at the thought of bringing this to my found family & getting to guide them through the world I extrapolated & mended.

~

I wouldn’t believe I’d come this far.

But oh my goodness, sweetheart, you have so much more left to learn & so much light & life ahead of you. There is still time to heal, to thrive, to enjoy your own company, to make deep & meaningful connections. You aren’t dead yet, and it’s worth it on the other side. I promise 💜🥺

~Nico

[whumpypepsigal]

The Last of Us s01e09: “There's no story. Sarah died... and I couldn't see the point anymore. Simple as that. And I wasn't scared either. I was ready. I couldn't have been more ready.”

[twerg45]

me crying my eyes out listening to this music knowing the best anime ever made will probably never get another season because it's been 7 years

[maw-and-pawp]

I've been having some hurt/comfort thoughts for awhile now. I might make some ocs around this. SFW, platonic (queerplatonic?), victim blaming, blood mention, background murder, found family, angst and fluff, vore-adjacent.

A pred and a prey duo, in an unlikely friendship. The pred is smaller than the prey, and is somehow vegetarian, but is definitely still intimidating to the prey due to their long claws and sharp teeth and stoic face. They're aware that they come off as threatening to others, and do their best to be kind with their actions, and hide their claws in thick gloves. Besides, if no one knows exactly what they're capable of with those claws, then the chances of being traced back to their "nightshift" are low.

The prey is a survivor of an almost fatal digestion, and they would've been just another victim if their pred hadn't saved them and brought them to a hospital in time. Since then, the prey has both developed trauma from the encounter, and a fragile bond with the pred. The pred insisted to give them their number, afterall. To call just in case they needed help again. For anything.

They started talking, and one thing led to another, and now it's a common occurrence to find the pred in the prey's apartment, taking care of stuff the prey can't always manage on their own now. Making sure the prey doesn't forget to care for themself, helping them run down to the laundromat, cooking for the both of them when the prey can't get out of bed. The pred has been helping them when their family is either too far away to, or blames the prey for what happened (you wouldn't have been taken if you hadn't been alone that night, we raised you better than to go to a mixed bar, let alone by yourself). Because of that, they keep the pred's night time habits to themself, and pointedly do not ask about the faint smell of blood whenever the pred shows up in the mornings. They don't want to know (and they'd like to keep plausible deniability, thank you).

The prey's been going to a support group for others like them. People who were lucky. Someone suggested something like exposure therapy once, mostly as a joke (which wasn't well received). Which...honestly at this point, the prey is tired of being a live wire after what happened, and they would do just about anything to just Go Back To Normal now. So the idea stuck. All they had to do is work up the courage. The prey doesn’t fully trust the pred afterall. They can't after what happened, and what they know the pred is doing to other preds. It's not illegal, technically, if sufficient evidence is found that it truly was in spontaneous aid to a caught prey. But it's not spontaneous. And the pred isn't going to court.

But the pred did say that it was ok to ask for help, even for the 'small' things. Not once have they made them feel like they were anything other than a person...a dear friend. Right. A dear friend. It would be fine.

So they ask to listen to the pred's stomach one weekend. The pred is flustered, confused, stoic face twisted up into a look something like they just got slapped in the face with a fish. Which would be funny, if the prey's heart wasn't trying to run out of their chest from nerves. They quietly explain what they mean to the pred, and the pred's eyes soften in understanding, face unscrunching into something once again unreadable.

The pred is...awkward. If the prey wasn't wholly consumed with their own worries, they would've picked up on the pred's rigid stance as fears of their own...They can't remember the last time someone had touched without the intention to hurt, or to take. And they need to be calm, or their big prey friend will be on edge and that would defeat the point. And their friend deserves to feel safe. Heaven help anyone who takes that away.

They set up in the living room. A cushiony chair is pulled up - a small couch really - and they somehow maneuver the pred to sit in it and the prey to kneel without saying a word. Lots of awkward shuffling, and a pillow for the prey's knees later, and the prey is nosing into the pred's stomach gently.

It's tense underneath their face, and the prey can hear the pred's breath hitch when they first make contact. Slowly, the pred relaxes into the touch, when pain doesn't come. The pred still grips the seat like a lifeline. (It's dizzying, to be so vulnerable, and to do it on purpose)

Then, the prey takes a breath, and presses their ear to the rumbling gut beneath them (it was just before lunch, like they planned). It whined and begged and burbled, warm and hungry. It sends a cold jolt of fear through them, making them freeze. It sounds so loud, so needy, just like it was when it was all around them that night when the acids started flowing in -

Tears are wiped away before they even know it exists. The pred strokes a finger gently through the fur between their eyes, hesitant but firm. They hush the prey, remind them that it's safe. They can stop if they need to. They don't even have to do this at all. They sound close to tears themself. The prey looks up into their face.

The gaze is piercing as it always is. But not unkind. They really would stop if the prey gave the word. They'd get up and get on with their days, and the prey wouldn't be just a meal stewing away inside their pred friend. The pred is more hungry for the tofu in the fridge than them, and their pred is a full head shorter anyways. Even if they wanted to, their pred couldn't take them past the point of no return.

(They wonder what it's like to be so short. Preds were usually a head taller than the prey or more. Perhaps their pred isn't a vegetarian by choice at all - they can't catch anyone being so small. They might also not be quick and strong and lethal by choice either...it must be easy to confuse the pred for a prey, or it might not functionally matter to some)

Armed with this knowledge, the prey nuzzles back in without a word. Their pred's breath hitches again, and comes out shaky when the prey snakes a hand upwards to run their thumb gently over their clothed lower belly. The same comforting little circles that their pred had been rubbing between their eyes a moment ago. They tense along with the motion, and the prey goes rigid again as the wet glorps roar again under their sensitive ears, announcing to the world just how much their pred's tummy was enjoying the attention (even if it would prefer attention from the inside at the moment). The prey counts the pred's climbing heartbeat, and stubbornly holds on even as they (both) shake in restrained fear. As the hour passes, they've never felt so safe and yet so afraid.

They decide that it's been a productive day, schedule another encounter next weekend, and break for lunch. No, the prey did not eat the last of the tofu, thank you very much. They much prefer the beansprouts anyways.

[captain-nohbody]

So I'm working on my own take on vat7k and the doomed parallels are killing me because hugo and varian are painfully similar to donella and ulla