(SE) in too deep to go back again

SUNJATA

the flood

but is this what you want? what you wanted?
do you need love? am i enough for you?

Now that the creature is finally limp, he waits a few moments just to ensure it won’t try to act up again — though that predator part of him seems to scream that he’s won, he isn’t entirely sure he has just yet. So he listens instead, to the questions, wondering why it seemed so interesting though he hasn’t turned to look at her yet — still too focused on the prey in his maw to look around the waters surrounding him. Yeah something like that. She can’t use it again though unless I give it to her again. He shoots back, pausing and letting the manta go to bump it with his nose and ensure it’s dead.

The next statement that leaves Delta has his full attention, however, body turning to finally look at the woman that’s approached, confusion glimmering in the bond. Oh shit. You are real. He manages, slipping up with the manta toward the surface to shift back into himself, shirtless but wearing the shorts he’d shifted with — breaking the surface of the water to grab a mouthful of air, latching onto the cloud manta and inspecting it in the pale sunlight for the crystal — hand partially shifted to sharp pinpointed claws as he searches before attempting to slice the crystal out.

in time you'll find i've got my baggage too