I'm sorry... that you had to hear that. I thought that perhaps... that might be the case. That because they're so bound to us that we'd feel it even if we'd never met.

[ petting him softly, scritching maybe even a little as she leans her head into the admission of his monster. it's startling, actually, but she can see why now at this point he wouldn't see reason to hide it from her. if his partner isn't here, who's he putting in danger? no one. a strange weight. she pulls back carefully, just barely to gently push a little hair from his forehead to press a kiss right there at the hairline. ]

... Here. A secret for a secret, and important, I think. [ because what happens if it's one of them next? what signs to look for? how dangerous? ] Mine is the bakunawa... a serpent. Do you remember Rondo turning into that silly, little yellow snake? ... That was me.

[ a little bit of levity. don't cry, baby boy. even though the whites of her eyes are red. ]