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They could not tell.
How could they? She hid it so well, it just came so natural to her…
And the baby really sealed it, the poor child she lifted out of ash and debris.
She’s a mommy now, tucked away in their little cottage. She always felt so good when the village men tried their hand at her, tripping over themselves explaining that they didn’t mind a woman with a child.
She would smile and shake her head, that was not the problem.
She knew that she was incomplete- on the outside they saw the smooth skin and delicate features but they didn’t know how hard it was to achieve it, how… unnatural the transformation was. And even with all that she did she still wasn’t “complete”. Her insides were still the same as from when she was at her lowest and because of that she didn’t dare get close to them.
Unfortunately, there’s a newcomer that makes she regret this choice, he’s so kind towards her and the child, he never tries his hand and the smile he always greets her with is just too precious to hate. He was fit too and… strong, such a good hunter (a good provider) she hasn’t been to the market for food in months. It seems he made it his personally duty to feed them…
His name was john, a pretty simple name honestly, but it suited him so well, it felt lean and composed just like him.
…
“Up!” Ah “Up!” Ah. “How cute, I swear she gets cuter every time I see her.” He was flashing that charming smile, that makes her heart jump and skin fell hot. She wasn’t more grateful to be born with dark skin than now, with how hot she got around him it’s certain her skin flushed deep with blush would give it away.
“You spoil her too much.” Was the response she settled on, watching as he finally stopped throwing her in the air and caught the toddler for the last time.
“Well, I would hope so. You two deserved to be spoiled.” See?! things like that made her burn way too much to be pale or fair skin.
She couldn’t find a response to that, she wanted to be spoiled by him but the fear was too great for her to actually move, so instead she checked on the stew she was brewing.
…
“You know you don’t need to keep doing this for us, right?” She had just put her little baby down for a nap and found him in the kitchen putting away the dishes they just used.
“What?” He turned, a bit puzzled. She bit her lip.
“I mean, you don’t need to burden your-”
“You’ll never be a burden to me.” Her steps faltered as he diminished the space between them. “Elly…” It was such a cute and intimate nickname that every time she heard it hope swelled in her heart. “I know you went through a lot and I understand your worry but never believe anything I do for you two- for you… is a burden on myself. I truly love our time together and I’m happy to help in anyway I can, I-”
“Why?” She sighed, eyes sparkling with unshed tears. “What motivates you to lo-help us, what makes you so unbothered about it and…” She caught his eyes, “Joyful, eager enough?”
He smiled, it was a kind smile but she could tell there was a lot on his heart. “Please do not push me away.” That confused her. “And please do not feel obliged to my feelings.”
“John-”
He shook his head, “Please let me finish.” as confused as she was, she allowed it. “To be honest, i have fallen for you two.” Her heart swelled at first then it sank.
“Oh.”
“Yes, I know you are not looking for an intimate companion so I had steadied to keep it to myself.” He swallowed, “but even before I developed these feelings I was always entrapped by you, you have such a loving soul and I love spending time with you but you seem so uncomfortable with prolonged help and frankly with… yourself. Sorry, I know that was not the answer you had in mind but while it is true that I have grown feelings for you, spending time with you and the little one is the highlight of my day and that is why I so selfishly try to stay in your lives.” He sighed, fearing the explanation too long winded and wild.
“Oh,” He looked down at her and saw only the top of her head. “But I’m not complete, I’m not a real- I’m just a fake.” hic, hic, hic.
This was not the reaction he was anticipating, more discomfort and her gently ushering him out the house and giving him a smile that meant their friendship was done.
“Elly… is it alright if I touch you? Just to guide you to a chair.” she nodded.
…
“What did you mean by “not complete”?” He had guided her to one of the many chairs in the home and gave her something to drink to cool her off. And as natural as it was at this point, he took to kneeling in front of her.
“I-I’m not,” She swallowed and steadied herself. “The baby… she’s not from me.” He nodded along. “She wasn’t formed in my body because I can’t do that.”
“If you worry about more children know that I do not need them, I had never thought about fathering a child until I met you and the little one.”
She shook her head, “No, I mean pregnancy is not not a function of my body,” He looked so perplexed trying to understand. “much like you…”
“Ellis just because you cannot conceive that doesn’t make you a man-”
She nodded, “Yes, but I am. I am that’s why I can’t, t-that’s why I’m incomplete. The outside was fine to work with but that is all I have to show for it. John you do not love, I am not what you need.”
“But you are what I want.”
“Why isn’t is comprehending to you, I’m-”
“Someone I’ll continue to care for no matter what. Ellis please look at me.” He sounded so stern, that she couldn’t help but comply.
She’d never seen his eyes so fierce before, “Let me show you how much I want you.”
…
“Wait, don’t take it off.” A kiss was placed on her shoulder. “I’m not going to love you partially,” Their eyes met “Place your trust in me.”
She let him undress her and felt shame with every article of clothes that came off. No matter how hard she tried they were still similar in their nakedness. She covered her face and he removed them just as fast, kissing away the tears that rolled down her cheek.
“May I kiss you?” She nodded even while trembling and she did not regret it.
It felt cool, their lips glided easily and soundly. Against the other she allowed herself to relax, just a little but more than enough for either of them.
John pulled away and she whined before catching herself, he laughed and gave her a quick peck. “You’re beautiful.”
She burned, “You don’t need-”
“Yes, I do. Until it sticks and lodges itself deep inside your brain.” He shifted slightly and then “Here.” She gasped, she had never touched down there in this manner, hardly liked looking at herself too long when unclothed. She felt bliss in his arms (in more ways than one.)
…
The next morning John woke in bed to find that she was gone, a panic set in his heart as he dashed up. He only calmed when he saw her in the kitchen with the little baby on her hip. Panic set aside he took a few seconds to admire the sight before getting himself freshen up for the day, he had slept over enough on “accident” to have his own set of toiletries here.
The babe was the first to notice him when he reentered, babbling as he drew near. He found it strange that Ellis hadn’t turned around to greet him until he saw her biting her lips and the way her hand was grasping the wooden panel she was using. She was always so adorably shy that it shouldn’t have surprised him.
He tugged her into him and reveled on how easily she allowed it. “Good morning.” She would not meet his eyes, so he decided a little teasing was in order. “It seems I didn’t do a good job of making it stick-”
“You did.” It sounded chocked as she pressed her side into him. A laugh bubbled out of him before he could stop it, causing her to look up with a pout. He kissed her cheek and smirked when the pout deepen.
“Yes? Is there something you’d like?” She ducked her head and burrowed herself against him even more and he couldn’t find it in him to tease her anymore.
He lifted her chin and started with soft pecks to her lips, aiming to deepen them when he felt a very wet sensation on his cheek. He turned to receive a gummy smile and could not help feeling fulfilled that he got to be with them and how accepted he was in their lives and home.