Bear hybrid
Synopsis: you were on your way to work, when suddenly a bear-hybrid sees you. The look in his eyes says everything you need to know. Not wanting to spend the rest of your life as someoneโs possession, you bolt. Too bad he wonโt let you get away a second time.
Ugh, another long day ahead of me.
You thought tiredly. The long shifts at the diner you worked at really took its toll on you. If you could, youโd quit. But free time wasnโt worth getting starved.
You sighed and stared down at the gum stuck on a trash can. There was a hint of pale pink on it, signaling the colour it was.
Gum sticking to practically every surface in the subway station wasnโt the only defects. There were plastic cups, cigarettes, paper towels and a lot more unidentified items scattered freely.
Frankly, it was disgusting. If the government spent less on hybrid establishment improvement and more on the condition of public spaces, the maybe it wouldnโt look like shit everywhere.
You felt like a shitty person for thinking such things, hybrids have endured thousands of things in the past and now with modern development, they can finally lead satisfactory lives.
However, the government have begun to focus all their attention to the welfare of hybrids and neglecting humans in the process. It wasnโt their fault, you knew that. Still, one couldnโt help what they felt.
Itโs not like you disliked hybrids, yet you did not love them either. You were neutral in that department. There were still humans with the old views, but they werenโt as many anymore or they simply didnโt run around telling people since it wouldnโt be very well received. The biggest problem and maybe the only problem you had with hybrids were their mating culture.
Clearly, no one in the relationship had a choice(not that they complained) and suddenly youโre supposed to be together until you die.
And now that theyโre allowed to mate with humans legally, there is little that can stop them from forcing their human partner from submitting to their will; living and accept them as a lifelong partner.
It was wrong to force someone into a relationship they clearly express they didnโt want, unfortunately the animal-hybrids did not care for unwanted courting and do what they want anyway.
You shuddered at the thought of being mates to one of those creatures. It must be hell. Especially if you already have a partner previous to meeting them.
The train arrived and you made an annoyed face at how crowded it was. What felt like hundreds of people were squeezed into one cart, rubbing against each other and breathing as one being, making it incredibly warm inside.
You grabbed a pole with your right hand, trying to steady yourself and also liking to have something solid ground you. Youโve seen way to many consequences of people not holding on to anything while standing.
It was uncomfortable. Arms and elbows poked you from all sides, and two teenagers were talking way beyond the proper volume in such a cramped space. You couldnโt wait to get off.
Suddenly, commotion stole your attention elsewhere. Sounds of irritated folk earned everyoneโs stares. You heard men and women alike, complaining about movement and pushing.
โHey, stop pushing me!โ
โDonโt look at me, itโs someone else!โ
โAlright, who is then?โ
Angry remarks were thrown. Not that you could blame them. The uncomfortable ride paired with lack of oxygen were not suited for enjoyable time.
An apologetic voice exclaimed, โSorry! I need to get through, itโs important. Sorry, didnโt mean to step on your toes!โ
Eyes widening and mouth nearly falling wide open, you turn to see the biggest man youโve ever seen! His form was easily towering above all others, making you think that he was part of the reason why the train cart was so crowded.
The ginormous man had dark brown hair reaching his broad shoulders, the locks were messy and thick, slightly falling in front of his eyes.
What stood out the most however wasnโt his unnatural size. It was the pair of two brown, rounded ears atop his head.
It instantly hit you. The inhuman height was because he wasnโt human at all. He was a hybrid. A bear one at that! One of the most dangerous hybrids there is. While they might not attack unless provoked or caught off guard, meeting one is definitely something most would avoid.
Your heart nearly beat out of your chest when the bear-manโs eyes connected with yours. They were an odd amber colour, you noticed.
Fuck! You shouldnโt have looked his way.
And like the dumbass wannabe-dead, something in your brain forces your gaze back up and you freeze. The look on his face when he sees you. The look. It was the look.
Oh no. Oh no no no no no.
This could not be happening. It was obvious what was happening. Youโd heard about it. On TV. From friends. Seen it in real life. There was no way you could be someoneโs mate. Not when youโd spent so many nights praying it wasnโt your fate, since you didnโt want to end up like those humans youโve heard about.
Well now you knew why he was causing a disturbance on the train. It was to get to you. A hybrid can easily smell its mate hundreds of meters away. He must have smelt you the second you got on that train and gone searching for you.
A squeak escaped your lips as you saw him waving at you while attempting to close the distance. Of course it did not go fast because of all the people between you.
No. You refused to be chained down to some animal. You had to get out. And as if someone above heard you, you heard the train voice speak, โStation X.โ
The hybrid seemed to have noticed someone was off, he observed your face before glancing at the approaching platform. Then it clicked in his head.
Too late. You were already bolting out the doors, listening to angry comments after you. You only had time to rush a hasted โsorryโ before making it on the platform. The man did not have the same luck.
โDonโt go! Please! Donโt leave! No. โ
He desperately tried to shove passed all the passengers to get to the doors, but there was no time left and the doors closed shut before he managed to reach within one meter of them. The wheels of the train were rolling the connected vehicles away.
You had no interest to stay and watch, though. You still had a job to go to and you couldnโt afford to be late, or else your boss would scold you fiercely again.
Half running and half jogging, you hurried to the diner while in deep thought. Had you lost him? Maybe, but probably not forever. As hybrid will stop at nothing to find their mate once theyโve entered their sights. Fuck. My. Life. The next station the train would stop at was a bit away, so perhaps you were lucky this time? If you were careful from now on and donโt go out as much, then you could possibly avoid being found. Also, your work place was somewhat far from the subway.
If you saved up a bit, then you could also by a scent masking spray to hide yourself further. Although it was risky to do that. Because hybrids need a fair chance of finding their mate, masking spray became forbidden after people started using it. So now the only place you can buy it is from shady markets or people who may or may not want to steal your kidneys. Besides all that, it was very costly too.
You dragged a hand through your hair and heaved a deep sigh. What were you going to do?
โY/N stop daydreaminโ an get back ta work!โ Your bosses yelled and slapped you on the back.
Massaging your shoulder you answered, โSorry bossโฆโ
The diner wasnโt too busy so you had no idea of why he tried to rush you. Sure, there were some customers here and there filling the tables, but you werenโt so understaffed that youd have to srint around like a maniac trying to get everyoneโs orders.
Approaching a table with customers, you put on you employe smile, โHello, what can I get for you today?โ
The man looked at the menu an extra time to finalise his decision, โIโll have the chicken pasta with sundries tomatoes and red wine, can we also order some garlic bread?โ
โYes,โ you wrote down the dishes on your small notepad, โand you, maโam?โ
But she wasnโt paying any attention to you. It was as if you didnโt even exist, looking passed you like air with wide eyes. Finding this weird you turned back to her husband. Feeling your gaze he chuckled awkwardly.
โHoney? Arenโt you going to order?โ She still didnโt respond which forced her husband to see whatever she was focusing so intently on.
It was then you realised they werenโt the only ones acting unusual. In fact, everyone inside the establishment had their eyes turned in the same direction. You swing around to witness the horror.
There, in the resturant entrance stood he. His form creating the illusion of the door being as insignificant as an ant. With heavy breath and droplets of sweat collecting on his forehead, you frantically whirling around until he noticed you.
Dropping your notepad and hand clasping over your mouth, you thought fuck, so I didnโt get rid of him?
Okay, even though it was kinda delusional to believe you could shake him off, you were surpsised he found you so fast. The hybrid wiped his eye and it was then you noted the redness surrounding them, an obvious sign of crying.
He stumbled forward, โThere you are, I was so worried I wouldnโt be able to find you!โ
Suddenly you were the centre of attention.
โW-whatโฆ.?โ Backing, you feigned ignorance.
โYou saw me on the train earlier, I tried to stop you getting off but you took off without warningโฆโ he hung his head in despair.
โHuh? No, I canโt g-โ the hybrid rushed.
โWhatโs goinโ on โere?โ The voice of your boss interrupted. With a deep scowl he paraded into the scene and crossed his arms in a defensive stance as soon as he laid eyes in the bear-man. โW-whatddya you want?โ His gruff voice sounded unusually weak. โIf thereโs any trouble Iโll โave ta call the cops, ya got me?โ He said despite appearing like a newborn deer.
A bewildered expression crossed the tall manโs face, โNo Iโm not here to cause anything! Iโm here for someone!โ He explained while waving his arms. Unfortunately it had the opposite effect, the humans in the diner cowered lightly at the gesture and he instantly stopped. โSorryโฆโ
Your boss cleared his throat, โAlright. Who ya โere for?โ Heโd make that person go with the scary man to make him leave as soon as possible. Not that heโd admit it, but he never liked those hybrid people. They just seemed unreliable it all. Nothing to be trusted. With their animal intincts present and sharp teeth, he couldnโt allow them to be in his resturant. He hadnโt the curious he to blatantly kick them out but he could at least give them what they wanted to make them lose interest as fast as possible.
The bearโs gaze searched yours and your boss put two and two together. โOi, Y/N, come โere. Someoneโs looking for ya!โ The man pulled your collar to drag you forward, earning a small frown from the hybrid but it vanished just as quickly.
You refused to look at him, keeping your attention to the floor and praying for him to go away. A rough hand carressed your cheek and you flinched and after hestitation it pulled away.
โWonโt mate look at me..?โ A saddened voice said.
A twinge of guilt started brewing in your mind but you pushed it down. โI see this is new to you-being human and all, haha.โ He tried to liven up the atmosphere. โUmmโฆyou know what this is, though? Me seeing you and then following you here must be creepy, haha- but itโs not I promise! I just want to love you. Because weโre,โ he giggled, โmates!โ He happily sighed. โAnd you know what that is, right? If you donโt itโs fine, Iโll tell you. Being mates is loving someone no matter what, be it looks or personality nothing is important. Mates take care of each other, providing for your mate and making them happy is the best feeling in the world! There doesnโt exist anything that can compare!- not that I know that personally or anything since I havenโt had a mate before but Iโve heard from all my friends who have mates. Oh, Iโm so jealous of them whenever I see them together with their mates doing fun things. Though it doesnโt really matter what youโre doing as long as itโs with your ma-โ
โPlease stop!โ You yell, several customers flinch at your tone, not that you cared anymore. Having to listen to his constant talk about being mates had brought you over your boiling point. The man silenced at your exclamation. โSorry, but I donโt give a shit about all this mate stuff or whatever- it doesnโt mean anything to me so please leave! Iโm sorry that this isnโt what you want to hear but I have no interest in being your mate, not now, not ever.โ You pointed at the door. โSo go.โ
The hybrid was stunned and stood quiet, appearing hurt. Then your boss promptly spoke, โY/N, you showing speak to someone like that! Especially someone who loves you so much!โ
โHuh?โ What the hell was he going on about? He never cared for hybrids, certainly not their feelings. Youโve heard all those thing he said about them when he thought no one was listening.
โClark.โ The hybrid said and lowered his head.
โMy name- I apologise. I shouldnโt have barged in here expecting you to be chill about everything, Iโm a fool. Iโm just a stranger to you. The least I could do is tell you my name.โ The apology sounded so sincere.
โNo, itโs uh- fine..โ you scratched your arm anxiously. Luckily he seems pretty nice and not someone who would just take their mate and go; itโs happened before. Perhaps youโve got a chance?
โOh come on Y/N! Give the poor fella a chance!โ
You crash into the giantโs chest from the shove.
What the hell was he going on about?
Strange that the man was encouraging your reunion, you thought.
โActually, since Iโm so nice, why donโ I do ya a favour and let ya go? Someone like ya shouldnโt have to work in a place like this. Thisโa happy day!โ Then he pointed at the beak room, โGet ya stuff and celebrate.โ
โExcuse me-wha- let me go? As in Iโm fired?โ Your brain tried to comprehend what just happened and words fell out in unfinished sentences. Despite yourself, you fixed your eyes at Clark.
โDonโ worry heโll be โere when ya get back!โ The rough man shooed you towards the break room.
Having no choice but to comply, you do as he wishes and abandons the scene, which mightโve been the best thing really, the continued staring of the present customers was starting to make you uncomfortable.
Glaring at your locker like it was the cause of your Iโll mood, you harshly ripped your jacket off the hook and stuffed some scattered items back in your bag. You could not believe it. Fired? You? You have been nothing but a good employee at the diner, even taking all the shit from the boss and not complaining once.
Through the small window in the door, you spot the cause of your troubles thoughts walking by. Angrily you grab his arm and pull him inside the room, a surprised noise leaving him.
โWhat the hell, why am I being laid off? I havenโt done anything.โ
He expressed a long breath. โSorry, but I canโt โave some brute hangin โround here โcause of you, customer donโt like it and I wonโt sacrifice my business for someone like you. Surely you understand.โ
โHe wonโt hang around the diner, weโre not together! Besides, it not my fault!โ You pleaded with him. You needed this job. Without it youโd definitely die in the end.
โWell, we both know he wonโt leave so donโ make this any harder than it already is.โ He said before leaving to do whatever shit he did instead of being a good manager.
Bullshit. It wasnโt hard at all. In fact, you bet he loved an recuse to get rid of you. He never liked you from the very beginning.
With despair, you left through the back door and as you listened to it close, you did not react to the loud bam of the heavy metal slam. Recalling at how you flinched the first time you went out the back, you clench your fist. Howโre you gonna make it now? You doubted you had much savings in the bank.
Making your way to the station, blew passed you that there was still a bear waiting for you so he could properly introduce himself. He was in his own mind so much that he didnโt realise youโd already left until it was too late.
Good that he was born with a great sense of smell. How stupid of him not to consider your perspective in the beginning! Not to worry, heโll make sure he doesnโt scare you off the next time. His species didnโt have the best reputation so he understood why you acted the way you did; it still hurt though.
The next time heโd just need to show you he wasnโt dangerous at all.
Sorry the ending sucked and was rushed. I wasnโt really sure how I wanted to end it so it turned into this.
