Growing Wild With You
(CONTENT WARNING: This work features explicit sexual content, themes of dubious consent, and unconventional sexual relationships. Additional tags include: Monsterfucking/Teratophilia, Feral/Possessive Behavior, BDSM.)
Chapter 5: Union Day
The next few weeks is blissfully comfortable. Thanks to Fern, dealing with customers at the store has become a modicum easier. Beasts especially don't frighten me nearly as much anymore, but I end up thinking of Fern so much I miss home. It's interesting seeing my boyfriend on the news, discovering what he's been up to while I'm stuck at the manga store. He doesn't brag about his charitable exploits when we're together; he only focuses on me. It's almost unbearable sometimes, my attention devoted entirely to fending off his attempts to spoil me. I have no time to return his affection in a way I'm satisfied with. We haven't explored anything further sexually, but he's always finding a way to make me squirm most days. Today is one of those days.
His breath on the back of my neck doesn't register as quickly as his tongue. I jump, my attention torn from the TV to realize his paws are pressed on the bed around me, preventing an easy escape. "H-hey!" I whine, his lapping at a steady and relentless rhythm. I shiver uncontrollably under the touch, grasping at his leg. "Th-that…! Nnh…! Th-that's too much!"
Fern only pauses to speak, his voice indicating he's enamored with my body and barely heeding the words coming out of my mouth. "What are you fretting about?"
"Ngh! I-I'm really sensitive there!"
"You're sensitive everywhere, sweetie. I've checked."
"Th-that's not what I…!" I bend lower to avoid his reach, but he simply presses me face down into the bed with a paw and keeps licking. "Ahh! Fern!"
"Let me groom you for once."
"Y-you can't just do that to a— Nnh…! A girl…!" He's not listening anymore, diligently covering every inch of my spine and neck that's exposed with his hot tongue. I cling to the sheets, blushing and moaning from his work. Geez, he could have just told me he's not interested in the anime. The shivers run down my back and through my limbs, slowly becoming more tolerable. "W-why do you have to groom me anyway…? I don't have f-fur…" I reach for my phone, distracting myself with the notifications that have piled up. A text from my mom catches my eye.
"Are you coming over for Union Day?" the text says. "I'd love to see you again."
I'm about to enthusiastically text back when I remember the beast pinning me down. "Oh."
Fern takes his snout off my neck. "What is it?" he asks.
"It's my mom… She's inviting me over for Union Day."
"Well, that's good, isn't it? Why do you look so worried?"
"It's just… I haven't told her about you yet."
"Then perhaps it's time to introduce myself."
"Are you sure? You don't have to, I could just…"
He nuzzles me gently. "Yes, I'm sure. Your parents should know who's taking care of their daughter."
My blush redoubles and I text back. "Is it okay if I bring someone?"
* * *
On Union Day we have brunch together before heading out, taking the train to the edge of the city where my parent's neighborhood is. It's mid-October, so autumn is fully in swing and every tree is showing brilliant colors. I jealously side-eye Fern after a particularly chilly burst of wind, his beautiful thick coat keeping him unbothered. We arrive at my parent's two story home on a quiet street, my nerves redoubling.
Fern looks back at me hesitating and holding myself. "Joy?" he asks. "This is the place, right?"
"Y-yeah," I murmur. "It's just…"
He comes to my side and nuzzles my cheek encouragingly. "It'll be okay. We'll do this together."
He manages to get a small smile on my face. "O-okay."
I come up to the doorbell and ring it, retreating to Fern's side. After a moment, my mother opens the front door to greet us, her warm smile toward me slipping as she realizes who's standing beside me. She's a large and healthy woman, a grey streak in her brown hair revealing her age. Her autumn-themed cozy sweater is already stained from cooking. The shock on her face is clearly visible, a lump in my throat.
I break the silence. "H-hi, Mom."
She clears her throat, her smile coming back in a nervous form. "Hey, sweetie! It's so good to see you!" She approaches me for a hug and the familiar smell while being embraced by her imparts a small amount of comfort. When we part, I grab at my arm nervously.
"S-so, this is Fern. H-he's my—" Oh god, I can't say it. "H-he's my… Um…" Suddenly the porch seems really interesting.
Fern interjects. "I'm Joy's boyfriend. I'm happy to meet the people that raised such a wonderful woman." He gives an incredibly elegant bow, nose almost touching the ground.
My blush isn't nearly as extreme as Mom's reaction. She puts her hands to her mouth, overjoyed. "Boyfriend! Of course! Oh, you can call me Lucy! Please, come in!" She holds the door wide open for him, so enamored by Fern it's like she forgot I'm standing here. Fern gives me a subtle wink as he passes me, putting a pout on my face. Maybe I was silly to be worried; Fern's reputation is only outmatched by his charm.
The ambience in the living room is busy as we enter the house. I'm still trying to take my shoes and coat off as Mom beckons Fern over to introduce him to everyone. By the time I can chase after them, the family already seems comfortable with him. The only exception is my little niece, a 7-year-old girl named Alice who hides behind the legs of her mother. My older sister Charlotte pets Alice's head, both of their hair as brown as mine. Her husband James is the first to acknowledge me, a level-headed and well-built man who offers me a handshake. His hair is dark and short, making his green eyes the primary feature Alice shares with him.
"Nice to see you again," James says, his voice deep. His hand is rough and callused from hard labor, and I'd find his height intimidating if I wasn't already deeply involved with a beast.
"It's good to see you too!" I reply, at the same time anxiously eyeing my father talking to Fern.
"Oh yeah," he whispers in my direction, noticing what I'm looking at. "He's on his routine again. You uh… didn't wait until now to tell him, did you?"
I simply laugh nervously. James already received the rundown from Dad, so he's more than familiar with the process. Fern, however… "I-I should probably help him."
"Good luck," he says as I approach, making my presence known to everyone.
"Hi, Dad!" I say loud and clear, interrupting whatever he was asking of Fern. I successfully turn his attention to me long enough to get a tight hug. My father is usually a very casual person, still trying to look cool and alt despite his fashion being a few decades old by now. He's never one to be stuck in his ways or difficult to work with… unless it comes to somebody dating his daughters.
"Hey, honey," Dad says, releasing me. "How've you been? I haven't heard from you in a while."
"Oh, sorry, I guess I was just a little… occupied." I share a glance with Fern, hoping he doesn't take my dad's scrutiny too harshly. "I-I've been good!"
He puts a hand on his hip, going back to investigation mode. "How long have you been dating?"
I gravitate toward Fern, wrapping my arms around his neck and pressing my head against his. "It's been a few weeks. I-I would've told you earlier, I guess I just um… Uh…"
Fern once again steps in for me. "That would be my fault. I've been taking up Joy's attention when she's not at work."
"Huh? How is it your fault?" Fern looks at me instead of replying. Does he think taking responsibility will endear him to Dad?
Mom steps in and saves both of us before Dad can open his mouth again, taking his hand. "C'mon, leave her boyfriend alone," she says. "Besides, I need help in the kitchen." She drags him off, finally allowing me to talk to my sister.
"Hey there," Charlotte says, still halfway occupied with calming Alice. She's always been a reliable and supportive older sibling, especially when it came to my transition. That seems to have translated to her becoming a very kind mother. "S-sorry, I think she's a little shy…"
I crouch down to Alice's level. "It's okay, sweetie," I say reassuringly. "Fern's a big softie, aren't you, Fern?" I halfway expect Fern to scoff at me, but instead he lowers himself flat on the floor and wags his tail, looking up at Alice like a dog expecting to play.
Alice giggles and emerges from behind Charlotte. "Doggy!" she exclaims, tentatively coming up to Fern and brushing his nose with her comparatively tiny hand. He sticks his tongue out in response, only delighting her further. In no time at all she's excitedly climbing over Fern's head and neck, having the time of her life while he moves slowly and gently to avoid hurting her. A strange feeling wells in my chest at the sight. I had no clue Fern was good with children. The idea that the person I chose to date is so caring and delicate sends me into a love-struck frenzy. I have to stand up and turn the other way to hide my blush, my sister luckily busy with trying to urge her daughter to be a little less rambunctious on top of Fern.
The house is warm from the fireplace and filled with the smell of good food. It's good to be back in the old house again, the signs of its age only making it more endearing. I leave Fern to his devices as I engage in my favorite activity during holidays: helping Mom cook. It may be a little awkward sharing information with Dad, but it always feels natural to tell Mom all about what's been happening as I'm assisting her. The work goes by quickly and is rewarded with plenty of taste tests. When there's time to step away from the kitchen, I convince James and Dad to help me pull out an old foam mattress for Fern to be more comfortable on. Mom and I then pour ourselves glasses of wine to relax with in the living room for a while.
Fern is still occupied with Alice clambering over him, so I sit next to Mom on the couch. I giggle to myself as the little girl smushes his ears against his head and he lets her despite the grumpy look on his face.
"So, Joy…" Mom starts saying, pulling her attention away from them. "I thought you didn't care for men. Did something change?"
"Oh, well…" I mumble. I stare down at the wine for a moment, trying to figure out how to explain myself. Fern's treatment of me plays in the back of my head; those words that would make me feel so exposed and yet so appreciated. "I don't know about other beasts, but… I don't think gender means the same to Fern. I feel safe around him. It's like he always has my best interests in mind, and he's never treated me like we're unequal. It's not that he doesn't treat me like I'm a girl, it's just… I don't think he acts like a human guy does either. I don't know…"
"Okay," Mom replies, mulling it over with a sip of wine. "I get it, it's complicated. That's fine, it's just not what I was expecting."
I subconsciously raise my shoulders with uncertainty, bracing for something. "You're not upset I'm dating a beast, are you?"
"No, not at all! I didn't mean that, honey, you know I'd never be so judgy. I am surprised, though. You weren't very confident around beasts either."
Relieved, I take a sip myself. It's more bitter than sweet, but it goes down smoothly. "I-I guess Fern helped me with that. He, um…" That's right, it was partially my attraction that made me nervous in the first place. Suddenly, the room gets a lot hotter. It sounds especially lewd to discuss why I'm into a different species. "U-uh, he was really gentle with me— I-I mean, patient with me, so I got over it." I take a big gulp just to hide my face a little.
"He seems to be good at making others comfortable, isn't he?" Her gaze drifts off again to Alice playing with Fern, the girl laughing and hopping around him without a worry in the world when she was initially so reserved. Mom scoots closer to me, whispering to me while still eyeing him. "So, how do you… yknow."
"Huh? How do I what?"
"Y'know, how do you two… make it work?"
I furrow my brows at her, completely lost. "Make what work?"
"Oh c'mon, you know what I mean." She places her glass down and makes a gesture with her hands, interlocking her fingers. When my expression doesn't change, she sighs and whispers closer. "Y'know… Copulating."
Now it really feels hot in here. "Mom!" I exclaim loudly, appalled. I'm almost ready to get off the couch and retreat to the kitchen.
"Shh, not so loud!"
Dad is distracted from his conversation with James at my outburst, and Fern's eyes are trained on me despite an excited child clearly trying to get his attention instead. I duck my head, putting a hand over my face in frustration and partially to hide the redness in my cheeks while everyone gets back to what they were doing. Dropping my volume again, I whisper "I am not telling you that. And why did you have to use that word? It makes it even worse!"
"It's a scientific word!"
"It makes it sound weirder!"
"Okay, whatever you wanna call it! You two are just so… different, physically. I was curious!"
"Mommmm," I groan. "This is so embarrassing…"
"Okay, okay! Forget I said anything! I need to check on the meat anyway."
Mom gets up and leaves me to stew. I spy Fern catching a glance at me, his ears swiveling like they usually do when they're picking something up distantly. The slightest hint of his lips curling and revealing his carnassial teeth is enough to tell me he heard everything. Of course he did. I empty my wine glass much quicker after that.
Alice's energy drops as the day goes on, but the adults in the house gain a second wind supplemented by alcohol. At dinner Fern can only repel questions about his occupation for so long before everyone's enthusiastic encouragement pushes him to share some details. Even Dad can't be critical for long at someone as charitable as Fern, and I find myself staring at my wolf partner intently as he talks. By the end of dinner, Fern excuses himself as everyone else prepares to start playing a board game. I follow after him, finding him lying on the mattress in front of the dying and neglected fireplace. He watches me approach, the dim light glinting in his eyes.
"Are you okay?" I ask.
"Just tired," he replies simply.
"Can I lie with you?"
"Do you need to ask?"
I crawl onto the cushion and between Fern's forelegs, burying my face into his chest and neck. The wine is getting to me a little, my usual shyness replaced with uninhibited affection. "I'm surprised you're the tired one first," I say, muffled. He always seems wide awake by the time I'm fading.
He presses his head against me, embracing. "It's exhausting entertaining a child all day. Besides, I didn't have my afternoon nap."
I smile to myself, wrapping my arms around his neck. "Children exhaust you? I thought you were really good with her."
His paw trails down to my waist, securely holding me. "You sound disappointed. Do you have expectations you're not telling me?"
"N-no, I just… Nevermind."
His voice becomes teasing as he pulls me tighter to him. "No, you're not allowed to brush this off. What, do you think I'd make a good father?"
I grip his fur tighter, stammering. "W-well we wouldn't be able to have children in the normal way anyway, so…"
"Why not? I think you'd be good with pups too."
My face becomes so flushed that the heat trapped between me and his fur is unbearable. There is a way for humans and beasts to have offspring, creating beastkin that are a combination of their traits. It's rare, however, due to the intentionality of the process and how unconventional these relationships are. "I-I-I think there's maybe something you don't understand," I say, laughing nervously.
"And what's that?"
"I-I don't have… the same things other women do, y'know."
"I think there's something you don't understand, sweetheart. The mechanics of your body aren't relevant."
I pull my face out of his fur, looking up at him. "Huh? What do you mean?"
He moves his head away, closing his eyes. "Remind me to take you to a Guardian sometime."
Guardians are old and powerful beasts that act as spiritual pillars of their community I believe. "What? Why?" He doesn't respond, acting like he's already asleep. "Hey, answer me!" I scooch up in his grasp and headbutt his snout, causing him to grumble. "I know you're awake!" There's a curl to his lip like he's trying not to smile. "Fernnnn!" Falling against his head finally causes him to laugh, pushing me back down to the cushion in front of his face. My giggling mixes with his mirth, my body light from the roughhousing. I used to find his growly laughing scary, but now I'm entranced by the flash of his large canines and staring at how his black lips and nose stand out against his white fur. Once his laugh dies down and his deep eyes lock with mine, I find my lips against his muzzle before my brain catches up. He makes to open his mouth, but my kisses have already trailed down his snout, my fingers tenderly rubbing his ear. A pleasant groan vibrates against my lips as he lets me show my affection through soft kisses. He must feel it through his coat somehow, his noises lulling me further into my passion. I'm on my elbow reaching to kiss the base of his ear when a particularly loud round of laughter from the dinner table disrupts me. I perk up and peer across the room, a hint of shame taking me out of my stupor. Nobody is close enough to see us, but should I really be doing this in my parent's living room?
"Joy," Fern says gently, enough for me to turn my head back to him. His tongue touches my lips so fast I automatically open my mouth to let it in. I can't hold back the first muffled moan as his warm tongue spreads down mine and laps at the back of my molars, then trailing up the roof of my mouth while he explores me. My arms shudder, struggling to support me and only pulling me deeper into his kiss. I try to return it properly this time despite the awkwardness of our size difference, his fangs passing my cheeks as I trust him to not press too far. I wish I could touch the inside of his mouth in the same way, but I content myself with meeting his movements and guiding his tongue where I want it to go. I feel so small and vulnerable when he kisses me, yet I'm always taken care of.
My lips cling to his tongue as he pulls it out. A pitiful "F-Fern…" escapes me before I collapse against him again, panting. He settles me against him comfortably, my face nestled in his neck. "I-I want to kiss more…"
"Shhh… You drank a bit too much, sweetheart. Don't push yourself."
"I-I'm not drunk…" Yet his soft embrace and warm fur threatens to bring me under. I grasp pleadingly at him. "Honey, I'm really sleepy… I-I should get up."
"That's exactly why you should rest."
My voice only becomes quieter. "But we're not home yet…"
He strokes my back with his paw. "Don't worry about that. Sleep, babygirl."
"…Fern…"
"I'm right here."
* * *
My eyes just fall shut when Lucy enters the living room and sees us, snapping me awake again. She quietly puts her hands over her mouth as she looks adoringly at Joy sleeping against me, then signals that she'll be right back. She arrives a minute later with a folded blue blanket of reasonable thickness that smells of fragrant laundry detergent. I help her gently lay the blanket over my love without disturbing her. Joy's face is so peaceful, fully entrusting me with herself. I'm not the only one watching her wistfully, Lucy sighing with wetness in her eyes reflecting in the dim light.
She's the first to break the silence, speaking in a hushed, emotional tone. "My little girl… She looked so much more comfortable with herself after her transition, but…"
I listen intently, Lucy's knowledge of my girlfriend incredibly valuable to me.
"…She seemed so lonely. I don't know if she was too afraid to open up to people, or if nobody understood her. But with you, she looks so happy…" She closes her eyes, nearly bursting into tears and barely holding back.
I intervene to alleviate her emotions, keeping my voice down. "This relationship is still very fresh and unfamiliar for the both of us. We have a long way to go, yet."
My attempt was successful, because with a shuddering breath Lucy manages to keep it under control. "Oh, don't be so humble. I know Joy better than anyone, and I've never seen her this happy since she was little. Whatever you're doing… It means a lot to her. She looks at you with so much love."
Even in her sleep, Joy clings to me, pressing her nose against my fur. Am I really such a unique thing in her life? "I'll take good care of her, Lucy." She looks at me again finally with surprise. "I may never understand a mother's love, but Joy is just as important to me. She brings light to my life I've been missing for a very long time. I intend to do everything I can to keep it."
Lucy smiles, bringing some much needed levity back to her countenance. "I trust you. And I trust my daughter's decisions. I'll be honest, I wasn't expecting a beast to show up at my door announcing their commitment to my daughter, but I've never known Joy to do anything without a good reason." She stands, taking a deep breath. "It's late, you two should spend the night. Are you comfortable?"
"Oh, yes, but are you sure it isn't too much of a bother?"
"Of course not! I'm glad to have the both of you." She reveals her drunkenness by patting the top of my head before teetering off.
Joy captures my attention again, groaning slightly as she readjusts and nuzzles me deeper. Is it possible for her to do anything without being adorable?