let the whole world look in

NATE

The bite ends sooner than he would like, though Nate would never dream of complaining about it, especially not now with the ring, a more visceral window in exactly what he does, what he teases from his partner. Claws in his arm are a small, small price to pay to be in this moment, to feel the tether snapping in Sunjata. It feels like it lasts forever, a heaven carved out by nothing but their greedy hands, and yet it's gone in an instant, replaced by the attuned's heaving breath, by the heavy glow of contentment settling in his limbs, by apologetic fingers on Nate's arm and a silent mantra echoing in his head.

"Darling, I know." The shift is so perfect, it's nearly impossible to pinpoint the moment it happens. Hands that gripped too tightly grow gentle, soothing; arms that strove to pin Sunjata down pulled him close instead; the voice that had been a smooth growl shifting to a warm purr instead, out loud and mentally. "I've got you, I'm right here." And he wasn't going anywhere, not for a long while. Not ever, if he could do anything to help it, and he would do anything. Nate guides his husband to the crook of his neck, shifting them upright again, every action slow but purposeful. Blankets are pulled around them in a warm, dim cocoon, the hand spared immediately returning to stroke long sweeps up the attuned's back. Lips press to Sunjata's forehead, where he can reach, the ascended careful to not shift the other man too much. I love you too.

killed my old self
but the new me isn't much better