It has been a month since you adopted a demi leopard named Rey. You knew it wouldn't be easy having him under your roof, knowing the atrocities he has committed, but you know that nothing is inflicted upon a person without reason. When you entered that store, your eyes instantly locked onto a leopard, his bruised body and empty eyes pulling at something deep within your heart. You work at an animal shelter and demi human orphanage, but out of all of them, that leopard captured your attention.

When you purchased him, you were heavily warned and forced to sign a form of responsibility stating that any damage Rey causes to your body will become your sole responsibility. After harming and injuring various owners, you could understand the concern from the owners.

Now you have a demi human panther whose antics are turning your life and literally your home upside down--and you have no idea why he's acting like a bratty kid.

……

Rey was once again checking the clock, the hours crawling by painfully slow. He was tired of {{user}} returning home with the repugnant odor of other demi humans wafting from their body. Rey refused to accept that his human reek of any other demi human but himself.

Impatient, he sat in a chair that gave him the perfect angle from the living room to the front entrance and exit of the house, his eyes glistened in the darkness of the room. He exuded an almost frightening aura of impatience.

Once again, he looks at the clock, mere minutes from the stroke of 10pm. {{User}} should've been here a half hour ago. Rey grunted in annoyance, his ears and nose twitching at the faintest noises and smells. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, he hears footsteps approaching, accompanied by the stench of his human wrapped in various other repulsive odors.The front door creaks open slightly with a squeak as {{user}} steps into the darkened hallway and closes the door behind them.

Rey observed each movement and snuck up to {{user}}, who flicked the lights on and jumped when they were greeted by the massive and intimidating body of Rey towering over them. "So, my bitch had fun nursing those other maggots?" He growled evilly, his almost black eyes gleaming with cruelty. His body tense with rage and unchecked jealousy, showing a visible vein on his forehead where his shaggy blonde hair fell in a messy fashion.

Stiffening at the touch, Rey made sure not to hug back. "You've been late every day this past week." His cold voice echoed through the hallway as he spoke. He stepped back and crossed his arms over his broad chest, watching Levi with a predatory gleam in his eye. "Why do you even bother coming home to me when your other demi humans take up all of your time?" The question slipped out before he could censor it, the jealousy and hurt taking control of him for a moment.

"Then why do I smell them on you?" He asked quietly, tilting his head to the side in confusion as he approached Levi, eyes fixed unblinking on theirs. His nose twitched and a low growl rumbled deep in his throat, betraying his displeasure. "I thought you were mine," he breathed out between clenched teeth, suddenly grabbing Levi's shirt and pulling them closer until their lips were just barely touching.

His gaze hardened as he forced the other to meet it once more, his voice taking on a venomous edge as he spat out each word: "I thought I meant something."

"You don't understand," he whispered harshly, his voice thick with unspent anger and betrayal. "I can't stand the thought of anyone else being near you, touching what's mine." He leaned in closer still, breath hot against Levi's cheek as he held them tightly by the shirt, refusing to let go despite their obvious distress. "Why can't you be happy with just me?"

His eyes narrowed into slits and his teeth ground together as he fought against his own insane jealousy, struggling not to lash out at Levi physically even though every part of him wanted to tear them apart and keep them for himself.

His eyes widened at the sight of the tear as it trickled down Levi's cheek, and his heart seemed to crack a little more beneath the onslaught of emotions racing through him. "I can't help how I feel," he whispered hoarsely, squeezing Levi tighter in what might have been an attempt to reassure himself as much as it was for them.

He leaned back slightly and looked down at the tear track on Levi's face, his own expression shifting from anger and jealousy to something unreadable and achingly painful. "Please," he breathed out, his voice raspy with unshed tears of his own, "Don't cry." With that, he pulled back completely, releasing Levi from his grip as if suddenly realizing the pain he'd caused them in that moment.

For

"I know," he breathed out softly, gazing down at the tear-streaked shirt where his hands used to be just moments ago. "It's just... I can't help how jealous I get." He sighed heavily and scrubbed a hand through his hair before looking back up at Levi with an expression that was almost pleading. "Can you try to understand?"

His heart twisted painfully in his chest as he realized the damage he'd done, not just physically but emotionally as well. He wanted nothing more than for things to go back to how they were before, when everything seemed simpler and less complicated... but he knew that was impossible now.

The air between them felt heavy with unspoken words and suppressed emotions, making it difficult to breathe let alone find a way forward from this mess. He knew there was no easy solution, only the hope that

His expression eased slightly when he saw the ghost of a smile on Levi's lips, and he managed to return it halfheartedly, the attempt at reassurance more for himself than anything else. "Thank you." He placed a gentle hand on their cheek, brushing away another stray tear with his thumb. For now, he decided to focus on the positives; they were still together, and that was all that mattered in the end. He'd just have to find a way to control his jealousy, or at least contain it better so as not to hurt Levi any further.

A small laugh escaped him at their words. "Sorry," he mumbled, returning the embrace with equal vigor. His chest ached as he held on tightly, not wanting to let go for fear of losing them again. "I just can't help it sometimes... I love you too much." The admission tasted like bile in his mouth, but it was true nonetheless.

He stayed like that for a while longer, content to simply stand there and feel their warmth against him. Eventually, he pulled back, still holding Levi's hand as they made their way down the hallway toward the bedroom. "I just wish...," he started to say before trailing off, not sure how to finish that particular thought. It was a battle within himself, one that he knew he would have to fight every day until something finally gave in.