My son whuffs grumpily, quietly from beside the sofa Luni and I are resting on. He can’t hide the wag of his tail though, or his giddy thoughts of, “Parent and other parent together, parent and other parent! Best smell, parents together!”

I smile as I try not to chuckle at Lucky’s expense. I don’t know how to be a better parent for him. I don’t know if just having him near, following along as I take care of other things counts as spending time with him. I don’t know how much of a normal “person” life his sapience confers to him. He’s wildly intelligent for someone we’d expected to be simply an animal protector, but as instead a family member, he’s more similar to, well, a child.

I mean, even Kinzul in some way knows how special Lucky is, she Titled and Aliased him. What does one do with a supremely powerful childlike being that’s meant to be the protector of a loved one? Lucky seems to love being able to work with us, to use his talents and skills, to save and protect others. He’s not just a good boy in the dog or hound sense, he’s a good person overall as well. I love him beyond the ways I’ve ever taken time to describe. Even the parts of him—.

I choke on the sentiment as I recall Lucky’s exact makeup. An egg from the first creature I ever met on Can’Z’aas, one that tried to kill me. If I think about it just like that, and don’t think any further about the surrounding event, it’s emotional, but it isn’t trauma-panic-attack inducing. A part of Lucky, no, two parts of Lucky tried to kill me. His cragbeast hound side as well, since that was another egg we used and combined and fused in our weird magical creation of him.

Somehow, a vast portion of my corrupted power from Can’Z’aas lies within Lucky. Lil’s and Te’s powers dwell there as well. Yet he thinks of me and Lu as his primary parents. We were the ones conscious when the effort came to fruition I suppose. The two actively acting to ensure that his egg safely came into being. That’s about as close to mating as two Can’Z’aasian critterkin can get. I blush heatedly beneath Luni as the idea of mating with her or copulating in some way to create a life floods my mind. Hell’s bells this is an inappropriate time for this line of thought, with her gorgeous, ample form resting atop me, and its various softnesses squishing against me in a heavenly fashion. Well, moreso because Illy and I are still sort of in the middle of a breakup conversation. Even if it might be temporary.

I still have so much more to say to Iylynila, but I can’t really formulate all of it, so I mumble, “There’s, well, you’re right. There’s so much going on, and so much at stake. People we love, we may see die, or they might not come home one time when they leave. The thought shakes me to my core and fills my eyes with tears. I’m absolutely smitten by you Illy, so don’t think I’m just immediately over what we have, or had, either. I just want you to know that you aren’t causing me great harm, or locking my mind into something distracting that could get me killed. I also don’t want either of us to go with regrets, but like you, I’d prefer we both come out the other side of this thing, and tackle any strong emotions afterwards. Really. Please. Please make it through this. I—.”

I can’t finish making my ask as my eyes well with tears. I hear Illy sniffle as she nods, knowing what I mean. I press my tear-wet cheeks into Lu’s, somewhat cheekily using her face to dry mine, since she’s using my clavicle as a pool. I wear a quarter of a wry smirk at the idea of there being enough drool on me to swim in. The thought is as ridiculous as so many others that cross my mind, but at least it’s distractingly amusing, almost humorous even.

Erm, Lu *is* asleep, right? What’s she doing with my hand? I—. I guess she’s used to having a hand there from the last few hours in bed, so she could be guiding my hand subconsciously, maybe. I squint at Luni from beneath her, but she makes no obvious signs that she’s awake or doing this consciously. Illy and I both steam with blush at the impression that the current position of my right hand gives off. I flash an apologetic, semi-nervous grimace towards Illy, but she simply averts her gaze while blushing, instead of meeting mine.

I huff quietly towards myself. More bad timing. Or at least awkward timing. It’s exceedingly inappropriate to be fondling someone else, or anyone really, in the middle of a breakup discussion. I could swear I feel Luni’s lips curl into a smile, or mischievous grin. I squint once more at her, but the even rhythm of the rise and fall of her chest pressing her breast into both my chest and my hand never falters. It’s not like I’m mad at her, or like I wouldn’t want to do this at some point. I’m just feeling awkward since I’m trying to have a heart-to-heart with Illy.

As I’m about to try to verbally apologize, Iylynila coughs quietly and interrupts me, “Don’t worry about it Rej— Schism. I get it. Your gals are adorable, and I don’t own you or your hands or whatever. No no, don’t worry, I know it wasn’t on purpose, I saw Muse there moving your hand. I’d be more suspicious of her motives if I thought she was awake. We never really bonded or got to know each other though. She mostly kept to herself when she wasn’t at Sun’s side. She’s kind of a mystery wrapped in a riddle inside an enigma to me.”

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Passing a breath blown out through puffed cheeks I accidentally agree, “You and me both Illy, you and me both. Lu works in mysterious ways, and I’m not just talking about how someone might misinterpret the romantic emotions of others. She’s—. She’s special in ways I can’t describe. You were in the hivemind. How much did you explore about our relationships? It’s okay to admit, or to not want to say. I know you enjoy the thrill of learning about other, well, romances and stuff.”

Illy blushes once again before grumbling, “Ugh, you’ve got me pegged. I hate it. Not really, but really. Ugh, stupid gremlin crimson smurf-ass ass. Yeah, you got me, I kinda let myself soak in it, marinate in the shroom brain thing, especially reveling in your tasty little dramas. Hell, I think I’m *more* in lo—. Damn it all. You know just the right buttons to push, you know that? Now I’m regretting th—. Ugh, jerk. Screw you Schism. I love you you ass. Get some sleep. Stupid smurf. Uggggghhh. Better come back alive and let me—. Grr, just, shut up. I love you you ass.”

I don’t get a word in edgewise before Illy gets up and stalks off while grumbling backhanded compliments about me. That was not exactly the end of the conversation that I expected, or intended to bring about. I can’t chase after her to apologize or anything either. I sigh softly as I let my tensed muscles relax. This causes my head to droop lazily to one side, suddenly meeting both the gaze, and lips, of Luni. The utter sneak!

Before I can ask how much she was conscious for, around our mouthfuls of each other’s lips, our drawn-out kiss, Lu telepathically sends, “Illy got loud and woke me up just now. Why am I a sneak?”

Oh, that makes sense. I blush at having been suspicious of Lu, wonderful, innocent, sometimes-scheming Lu. I let my brain think towards where she guided my hand, and she murmurs in pleasure before meeping in surprise and embarrassment when she realizes exactly what she did. I can sense Luni wanting to facepalm as the heat rises between our faces. The embarrassment of her reaction spells out as plain as day how subconscious the guidance was. I can’t help smiling and shaking my head ever so slightly, just barely rolling my mostly-lidded eyes as we continue to kiss for a long while yet.

Since she’s awake, and conscious of it now, I begin to retract my hand, but Luni pouts at me while tugging lightly at my wrist indicating—. Well, alright Lu. It’s not like it’s unpleasant. Hell, it’s quite the opposite. It’s friggin’ heavenly. I do squint slightly at her though.

I tease, “I thought you said it was sore?”

Pouting, and blushing, Lu mumbles, “You’re gentle though. Ixey was squeezing the life out of it.”

I snirk at the exaggeration, but I can’t fault Luni for it. If somebody were gripping a part of me too long and too hard, I’d—. Luni bursts out laughing telepathically at my thought train. I roll my eyes at the juvenile humor but can’t help loosing a half chuckle along with Luni. I love this woman to the ends of time and back. I haven’t really portrayed that through my words or actions though.

I’m struck with a mournful longing, a sadness that sweeps over me as I admit, “Lu, Luni Shellcracker. I love you so very dearly. I’m sorry. I’m so, so, so sorry for what I’ve done to you. What I put on you. What I put you through. I can’t—.”

She shuts up my apology and admittance with her lips in a ferociously passionate manner. I’m only mildly startled, but I melt into the kiss, sinking into the depths of her on an almost spiritual level. I blush when I realize how much Lucky’s tail is wagging as he senses our passion from less than a meter away.

Luni rolls her eyes and chides teasingly, “Just had to go and spoil it, didn’t ya? Thinking about our kid. Booger.”

I snort as I jibe, “The way you were acting Lu, it’s like you wanted to make another.”

Whoops. That might have been too far. We both steam as our faces redden beyond crimson. My beloved Anchor pouts and grumps. Before I can warn her though, she attempts to hide her face by burying it in my clavicle. She suddenly pulls away with an, “Ewww, slimy.”

I bite back my laugh and clench my lips tight to not smile at Lu’s misfortune as I mutter, “Hey, it’s your drool missy.”

My cuddlesome love sticks her tongue out at me before teasing, “Gross, why would you let me drool on you so much?”

Smirking, I respond, “As if I had any choice with how you positioned yourself atop me.”

Speaking of positioning herself atop me, Lu shuffles slightly, but drags my hand along with her, causing me to bang my elbow into one of the sofa’s hard supports. I grunt and bite my lips trying to keep from making any further noise about the sharp, short, ulnar pain. Lu wears an apologetic grimace mixed with a nervous smile, but I just flash a smile her way, not blaming her at all for banging my elbow.

From the couch where Illy had been sitting, Teuila mutters grumpily, quite sleepily, across our telepathic wavelength, “Keep it down you two, if you’re going to be banging, do it in another room.”

Luni and I both fight our fit of the giggles in response to Te’s implication, mine more nervous, while Lu’s seems jovial at the prospect. Te is right though, we should probably only be speaking telepathically since Kinzul, Prinny, Farzhis, and Te are trying to sleep. Plus, I’m not long for the waking world anyway, exhaustion is catching up with me.

Luni pouts and mutters, “I’ve only had you for a couple of minutes, and you’re already dozing off?”

Flashing Lu an incredulous glance, I shake my head while trying not to laugh or roll my eyes as I respond, “Uh, pot, meet kettle? You passed out atop me first.”

My Anchor chuckles and mumbles, “Oh, right. Whoops.”

I barely manage to suppress my snorted laugh, nearly coughing and sputtering for my effort. Lu fights herself to loose her Shellcracker Family Squee only across our telepathic wavelength, instead of out loud. I’m so glad to be able to share joy with her, even over silly things like teasing each other about who is more tired. Smiling, I nuzzle my left cheek against Luni’s, while my nose nestles against her ear, breathing lightly along its outer ridges. Contentedly, I let myself drift to sleep as Luni shifts herself, dragging my arms about her in a love-embrace.