…
While mulling over these thoughts, Inv finally realized something he hadn't noticed since he woke up.
He felt… different?
He felt… cleaner??
Finally doing something other than thinking about his dilemma, Inv reached his hand down and traced is paw over the fur of his chest.
'Woah…'
Soft… he felt… soft?? He had never felt like this before… he felt so… clean!
Having now just noticed this he could feel across his entire body! What would usually feel like somewhat dirty fur and unkempt fur. It felt much better for once!
He never felt like this when he was doused in water and dried out! Inv at the current moment was immensely regretting for falling asleep midway. It just felt so good and soothing on top of how tired he was…
…
Inv raises one of his arms and covers his eyes. Inv desired such affection for so long. So why did he feel like he didn't deserve it? He just felt like he had nothing to offer to Joey…
Well… he did give one of his eggs to Joey but Inv wasn't sure how to feel knowing that an explosive capable of wiping out any being was currently sitting in Joey's stomach pouch…
… he had to tell Joey.
Inv didn't want this peace to go away. But he also didn't want to hurt Joey. if Inv kept it a secret, Joey himself might figure it out…
Joey had already discovered several things that made Inv different compared to a slugcat that wasn't natural. Maybe Joey was already getting suspicious and hadn't said anything yet?
Inv couldn't help but let out a small whimper from the thought. Joey did point out last cycle that his tongue was completely different compared to Inv's…
…
He… he would tell Joey at the end of this cycle. When they were safe and had food. Even if it ruined everything… Joey is the one being that hasn't treated Inv harshly.
…
Since Inv had too many swirling thoughts going on in his head he couldn't go back to sleep. The only comfort he felt was the warmth and feeling of his partner sleeping next to him.
Amidst all of his thoughts, there was one thing that Inv remembered from his sleep. When he had told the fake Joey that he would tell Joey the truth. The fake Joey's eye that had been a consistent blue had radiated a bright gold color…
Inv wasn't dumb. He himself had experienced it several times as well. It would be weird not to notice your entire body glowing bright gold.
And at those moments when his body did radiate that gold color… it was when he felt overwhelming positive emotions… and he only started experiencing it when he had met Joey…
Inv wasn't still quite sure why the area around Joey's right eye had become just like his own skin. Radiating different colors like he could. Joey said that it was because of his ability or something? Inv didn't know… all he remembered was that Joey said that he wanted it to happen…
Inv looked back at Joey's head that was still sleeping on top of his ear that had turned the exact same pink that was Joey's fur color. Ever since the ear Joey had bitten turned pink, Inv felt like this part of his body truly felt like his. Not some sort of illusion. Probably because it reminded him of Joey? Inv wasn't sure but didn't care. Inv had no regrets with his ear turning pink.
Remembering the Fake Joey's eye radiating gold though… somehow made Inv more confident to tell Joey the truth…
…
Moving his body, Inv slowly turned so he could start wrapping Joey in his arms. Of course doing his best not to wake Joey up. This did involve Inv having to gently pick Joey's head off his ear but with a much better cushion…
Placing Joey on top of him, Joey was practically laying on top of Inv. Joey's head laying peacefully on Inv's chest.
'Much better…' Inv thought to himself. Basking in the warmth coming from Joey all across the top of his body.
Getting as comfortable as he could, Inv laid there. His arms wrapped around the sleeping Joey. Hoping that the shelter wouldn't open anytime soon.
…
…
…
The rest of the time Inv kept thinking about what he should say to Joey. how to tell him the truth. After whatever amount of time that passed, the moment that Inv was anxious for finally arrived…
Hearing the sounds of the shelter exit opening. Inv made a very quick decision. He closed his eyes, pretending he was asleep. He felt a little mischievous, not to totally hide his anxiety.
'I am a sleeping Inv… me sleep' Inv kept his eyes closed, listening to the shelter fully opening.
And on his chest, he felt Joey start slowly waking up.
…
Hearing only a couple of mumbles from Joey that Inv thought was cute. Joey said something that Inv understood.
"How the heck did I… Inv" Hearing his name, Inv stayed still. His eyes still closed pretending to sleep.
…
"Inv wake up, we have to get food"
Inv still kept his eyes closed, starting to hold Joey even closer to him.
…
Inv heard a slight sigh come from Joey, but also felt no resistance from him holding Joey.
…
"Am I really going to have to bite you again?" It took almost all of Inv's will power to stop himself from purring by those words. He had to keep the illusion that he was still asleep.
…
"Invvvvv, cmon. Wake up!" Inv still didn't respond to Joey's weak pleas of freedom.
…
After hearing Joey try to tell him to wake up several more times, he felt Joey's head lay back down on his chest. Inv started to feel a bit worried if he had gone a bit to far. But then Joey said something that made Inv confused.
"Inv... if you don't wake up right now. I'm biting your tit"
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A/N: ayo what???