Jonathan's eyes lingered on the torn scrap of paper in his hand, its single word stamped into his mind.
Sex.
He gulped, breath quickening. The edges of the paper crumpled under his tightening grip.
Across the room, Caitlyn sat on her bed, her cheeks flushed as she buried half her face behind one hand.
He tried to smile, but it faltered into something unsure.
"So… sex?" His voice was quiet, almost testing the word.
Caitlyn gave a quick shake of her head, dragging her blanket up until it covered her chin. "I told you—that paper was a scrapped plan."
Jonathan tilted his head, watching her with an unblinking curiosity. "But… you did plan it. At some point." His voice thinned slightly as his breath grew uneven, and his skin turned bright pink.
She hesitated, then gave the smallest of nods. "You're turning pink again!" she blurted, seizing the change of subject.
"Jonathan, your health matters more than whatever this is—please, go see a doctor."
She remembered too vividly the last time—him collapsing, gasping for breath on the ground.
"This is perfectly normal for me," Jonathan replied with a twitch. He drew in a slow, deliberate breath before adding, "It's part of my… race. Or species. I can't remember which term's right."
Caitlyn lowered the blanket slightly, her curiosity overtaking her worry. He'd never spoken openly about what he was.
"It's… kind of like a rabbit," he explained after a pause, as if searching for something she might understand.
Her brow furrowed. "Rabbit?"
He closed his fingers around the paper until it crinkled sharply. His eyes didn't leave hers.
"Have you heard the saying… 'breed like rabbits'?"
Caitlyn froze, then her eyes widened. "I…I don't want to get pregnant!"
She tossed the blanket aside in shock, scrambling to stand on her bed.
"I mean—it's too soon!" she added, cheeks flushed as she tried to compose herself.
Jonathan tilted his head. "What are you talking about? I don't want to breed you… but isn't the purpose of life to reproduce?"
He gave the thought a brief, dismissive roll of his eyes. "Although… I've never cared much for having a 'purpose.'"
Stepping closer to her bed, Jonathan looked up at Caitlyn. She stood above him, embarrassed but still meeting his gaze.
She inhaled deeply, forcing her voice steady. "Forgive my outburst—that was unlike me. But… talking about breeding is just… I don't know. Weird?"
Jonathan, still looking up at her, sighed. "I'll just be honest, then. My kind… is all about sex."
Caitlyn blinked, trying to process. "I think I understand," she said carefully. "You turning pink—does that mean you're… aroused?"
His answer was a single, flat word. "Very."
Her brows furrowed. "So that means you got aroused when I taught you how to shoot?"
Jonathan gave a small nod. "It's been getting worse. A slight touch of skin, even a breath… and I just collapse." His voice carried a note of frustration. "It's something I can't tolerate anymore. It hurts."
Caitlyn's expression softened. She realized this wasn't just some lewd admission—it was biology.
"Is there… any way you could fix it?" she asked.
He shook his head. "Nothing permanent. But… sex reduces the temptation, I think." He exhaled, gaze drifting away.
"I suppose I could go to an undercity brothel." His tone made it clear he never actually would.
"What why?" Caitlyn sat back down on her bed. "Didn't we both confess to each other? You should have sex with the one you love."
Jonathan looked at her, their faces close. "I do love you. But I have needs… and they're too risky for you."
She cupped his face, her voice low. "I have needs too. And I need you. Remember—I originally planned for us to have sex."
Her blush deepened, but her eyes didn't waver. "I just… panicked. I thought you wanted to get me pregnant. But that's not it"
Jonathan stayed silent, searching her expression.
"If sex with me helps you," she continued, "then it's fine. To be honest…" She swallowed. "…I fantasize about it."
Jonathan took her hand from his cheek and held it gently. "I don't think sex is what normally happens right after a confession," he said, a faint grin tugging at his lips.
Caitlyn leaned forward until their foreheads touched. "You're right," she murmured. "It starts with a kiss."
She closed the last bit of distance and kissed him.
——————
This was actually supposed to be the start of another chapter.
So I just released the first part. This part.
I'm still writing the 'stuff', for the second part.