Strings of Fate

Bellamy 6- Flustered and flushed

I have no idea how the hell this happened but I am furious. Five minutes ago I was sitting peacefully watching Ryann as she falls asleep in the passenger seat beside me then all of a sudden we’re attacked by Vampires. I was forced to shift and chase them off. I desperately want to go after them but I can’t leave Ryann here alone. She is sitting on the bottom stair of her building and is shaking like a leaf. I approach her hesitantly. She is clearly terrified, I don’t want to make it worse, I know that shifting scares a lot of people, even Magics. Most magic can be interpreted away as weird science or just extra abilities, but changing yourself completely into another creature that is in no way a similar sized weight or anatomy to your own? That tends to cross a line for most people, not to mention that in my case that creature is a particularly large and deadly predator. So I approach her cautiously. I need to be sure that she is uninjured. When she fought back against the Vampire holding her I swear my heart nearly stopped. I freeze as she bursts into tears. Oh shit, I am not prepared for this. I don’t know how to help someone who is crying! It’s all I can do to just stay where I am. In a jerky motion she lunges forward, For a second I think she’s about to run away or even hit me. Not an unheard of reaction even if it is kind of foolish but people do crazy things when their fight or flight responses kick in. But no, instead she buries her face against my shoulder, wraps her arm around me and sobs into my fur. She shivers against me and we stay that way for a long moment. But I need to talk to her, to find out if she is okay So I quickly shift back into my two legged self. To my astonishment she barely even reacts, Just clings to me tightly with her arms around my n*ck.

“Ryann?” I ask, I’m almost nervous. I know it isn’t reasonable to pursue a friendship or anything else without ever showing my feline form, but I can’t say I wanted the introduction

to go

go like this! She cries harder and I immediately wrap my own arms around her and pull her into my lap. I adjust so that I’m sitting on the stair and cradling her in my arms. It takes several minutes for Ryann to calm down. I don’t love that we’re sitting exposed to attackers out here, but I’m confident in my abilities and honestly, despite her tears, I enjoy the feeling of Ryann in my arms. It’s very relaxing. All at once she pulls away from me and scrambles. back, pushing me away. Her face is pale but her cheeks are flushed and she makes a strangled sound as she moves onto the stair and wraps her arms tightly around herself in a poor imitation of the hug she just avoided. She appears to be staring at the gravel on the ground.

“I’m going inside.” Her words come out so softly that anyone with average hearing would struggle to hear. I nod my agreement but I don’t think she sees anything.

1/3

Bellamy 6- Flustered and flushed

“Wait just a moment, I’ll grab my spare clothes from the car. I’d rather if you can stay here

where I can see you.” I think she is avoiding looking at me. The ground can’t be that interesting and she usually looks at me when she speaks, something I didn’t realise I appreciated until right now.

Ryann shakily gets to her feet and I instinctively reach out to steady her but before I make contact her whole b*dy jerks away from mine. She turns away from me and begins climbing the stairs. I follow wordlessly, feeling lower than dirt. I watch as she collapses at her little

will call someone to come and guard your door. I’ll leave as soon as they arrive. Just put up with me being here for a few more minutes, okay?” I don’t want to leave. I would prefer to keep

feel safe, even

Unless she

deepens, probably thinking that her knee jerk reaction

step closer to her, I can’t help it, I need to see her face. Her sweet scent is marred by fear and adrenaline and before I can get more than a glimpse of her eyes

Myself included.” I’m reluctant to say the words, but I do mean them. Finally, her eyes dart up to

seems almost…Annoyed? I am

flinched when I tried to help. I just

stupid.” Ryan says bluntly and I

2/3

Flustered and flushed

might be the reason I’m freaked out?” She says it like it’s the only possible answer but

me. I’m missing

“But…

clearly avoiding me, you won’t even look at me!” I try