Work Text:
Memory transcription subject: Kriie, Krakotl Humanophile
Date [standardized human time]: December 14, 2137
I sighed contentedly. Today had been my and Ryan’s anniversary, and I was soaking in the afterglow. Recently, a human amusement venue for “Mini-Golf” had opened in Sweetwater, and we had played a round together before dinner. I had no idea what regular sized golf was like, but considering how seriously Ryan took our game It must be very intense. Most of the other players were human, but there were a handful of other species too!
We ate together at a Diner that boasted the first human Chef on Venlil Prime, and the food was amazing! There was a window into the kitchen, and every now and then the chef would peek through with a smile on his face. Then, back in Ryan’s apartment, we exchanged gifts. I gifted Ryan a traditional Krakotl tail ornament made from my feathers, though seeing as he had no tail he placed it behind his ear instead. He gave me a human accessory called a “necklace” in return. I didn’t tell him how much it looked like a cattle collar. Or how hot I thought that was. It was hard enough to admit that to myself.
Now I was roosted on the couch in Ryan’s apartment watching some new romance film about a Human and a Gojid refugee. It was really corny, but neither of us were paying much attention anyways. Ryan had started browsing his phone about halfway through the film, and I was occupied studying the features of his face. A light smile had spread on his face at something he read. I couldn’t believe how lucky I had gotten. I hadn’t even realized what was happening a year ago, but Ryan had completely changed my reality. I didn’t just come to accept humanity, but many parts of myself I had repressed as well. I didn’t want to think where I’d be if I hadn’t met him. Probably still locked in my cave raving into my echo chamber. I never had told Ryan what I thought of him when we first met. I was afraid of what he’d think of who I was.
Suddenly Ryan broke into a giggle, sending my heart racing. I had come to love that sound.
“What’s so funny?” I chirped.
“Just something silly I read on Bleat,” he answered, his smile warming my soul. “I found this board called ResistThePreds.” I went completely cold. “Some of these people are totally crazy Kriie, you won’t believe some of the things they think!”
“Haha yeah..” I cheeped weakly.
“Here I’ll read you one. This one looks good, It’s one of the highest rated on the board!, “‘Human hypnosis powers.’ I bet you didn’t realize we were masters of mental manipulation!”
Oh spek. Oh brahk.
I forced my feathers not to puff up. “U-UH… youreallydon’tneedtodothatit’sfine!”
“Oh babe, if you’re watching the movie that’s fine.” He said. Crisis averted!
“I’ll just tell you about it later!”
OH SPEK, OH BRAHK!
I pretended to focus on the movie as I watched Ryan from the corner of my eye. In spite of my apprehension, I delighted in his giggling. Until he frowned. I could see him glance at me occasionally as he read, and his scowl deepened. I struggled to control my growing panic. I had naively hoped to hide my past self from Ryan forever, to just move on from those mistakes without any punishment. Yet now it seemed the world was punishing me by taking away the very person that helped me escape them.
Ryan finally clicked his phone off with a huff through his nose, and returned his eyes to the film, a stony expression on his face. He stayed utterly silent for a minute, leaving me to stew in my own dread. Then he buried his face in his hands and began:
“So that’s it?”
I stayed silent, not wanting to exacerbate the damage done. Though I could not possibly make it any worse than it already was.
“I thought…” Ryan started again, before pausing. “Was that all this was?”
What did he mean, ‘was?’
“Was this just some ploy to find some weakness to exploit? To keep me from eating you? Do you actually believe that I would eat you?”
“I-I…”
“Every day I see people run away in fear of me. Whisper about me. Because they think I’m some horrific monster, just like those idiots on ReistThePreds. The only reason I could laugh at the stupid things they believe was the fact that there was at least one person that actually understood, who cared about me.” He sighed.
“But I guess I was the one being stupid.”
He turned to look at me, his eyes red.
“Please leave.”
“N-No, Ryan… did you read the comments?” I asked pleadingly.
“Kriie, I don’t want to see more fucking lunatics raving about how I manipulated you to become infatuated with me. Leave.”
“Please… read the comments on the last update. I said something with my new account.”
Scowling, Ryan yanked his phone out once more. He scrolled for only a second; my final comment was listed first, having the most likes. As he read, his frown loosened into a more neutral expression.
I flattened my feathers in shame. “I… I didn’t want you to know how I was. It’s… well, like I said in that comment, It’s embarrassing. I was afraid of what you’d think of me if you knew, and… I didn’t want to risk losing you. Whether I realized it or not at the time, you saved me. If you hadn’t moved in, I’d still be next door, cowering in my den, afraid to even step outside because of some monster that exists only in my head. But now, I have never been happier. I love you Ryan, though I understand if you don’t believe that anymore. You are quite literally the best thing that has ever happened to me. Please… don’t make me go,” I pleaded.
Ryan just stared at me, tears starting to streak his face. He sniffled, and his face broke into a small smile.
“C’mere pretty bird,” he said, opening his arms wide.
I released an embarrassing squawk of joy and fluttered into his embrace, and he wrapped his arms securely around me. Ryan rested his head on my shoulder as he ran his hands through the feathers on my nape soothingly.
“I… I’m sorry for doubting you,” Ryan said, his voice cracking.
“No. I’m sorry for keeping this from you,” I returned. “It was selfish of me. I won’t lie, when we first started dating, my motivations weren’t good but… how could I resist falling in love with you anyway?” I combed my wing’s claws through his mane, relishing in the moment.
I squawked ungracefully as I felt something sharp graze across my throat. I looked down to see Ryan smiling up at me with his teeth bared.
“I do wish you had told me about your dreams sooner… I didn’t know you liked stuff like that.”
Oh, stars…
—