Page 19 of Falling in Love with A Tiny Bat

But it never feels like enough.

I know that feelings aren’t facts, but my birth itself is the result of logic’s absence. Suffering and lies knitted themselves into my flesh and bone. At the foundation of my being, there is hollow agony.

I am loved.

But nothing fills the gaping hole in my gut.

Please understand, I want you at a compulsive depth. The sensations I feel that hint at your traumatic past are intoxicating and beguiling. I wish to own them and you, because ownership is safe. Ownership is security. Ownership is protection. Ownership is an alluring concept.

It was foolish of me to attempt to gain you so swiftly. Submission would only go so far to stave off my hunger, after all.

Therefore, I apologize. I have seen the error of my ways.

Control would not be enough for me, and you deserve a more enticing game.

So, here are the rules, if you choose to play:

1. I will never at any point neglect consent.

2. I will not attempt to cause physical harm—unless requested under specific circumstances.

3. I will express and respect any needs regarding a respite.

4. I will become your partner against the world, even if I am to be your adversary in private.

5. I will make myself worth your precious time.

Beyond this, anything goes, angel. Toy with me until you are satisfied. So long as you agree to play together, it may ease something in the toxic recesses of my heart.

Desperate to be yours if you are averse to being mine,

Xios

I blink past the distinct sensation of a fever dream, look sidelong at the man being ever so sweet with my little baby, then skim the letter a few more times.

Surely I’m not so bad at reading cursive that I’d think I’ve read what I just did, when he’s actually written something completely different, right?

My eyes narrow, and I trace the fluid letters.

Mm. Yeah. No.

This totally saysunless requested under specific circumstancesafterphysical harm.

He can’t be serious.

I know that faeries can lie in writing.

No doubt he’s trying to get me to agree to something that will result in a bad ending.

Well, tough. This isn’t my first chaotic dating sim.

Before I can open my mouth and call him insane, he says, “I can smell your trust issues.”

My patience snaps. “This coming from the man withmommy issues.”

He bristles. “Excuse you. I don’thavemommy issues. I ammadeof my mother’s issues. There is a difference, and I can promise you I have no interest in beingmothered.”

I wave his letter. “This makes it sound like you’re interested in beingbullied.”

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