I trailed a black colored claw down his chest, examining the newly completed tattoos that decorated his skin. He watched me warily through half-lidded eyes as I stopped my claw above the medium sized black dot just under his naval.
The Black Pearl. My Black Pearl.

Pinetree has been showing the symptoms; irritable, protective, tired. He doesn't notice the change I believe.

I skimmed my claw closer to the black dot, drawing a warning growl from my Pinetree's throat. I met his eyes that gave an even more fierce warning than his growl. A smile tugged at the corners of my mouth as I removed my claw from his skin.
I placed a gentle kiss on the black dot.

His growling ceased and he was silent again. My fascinating Beast, my beautiful creature. I met his eyes again, they were gentler now. The bright red was darker, the black pupil seemed to engulf the black iris as if anyone could tell them apart.

Any day now, the next piece of my plan would be presented and then I can set up the final stage.

I stared at my Pinetree, memorizing every detail of him as if I had first met him again.
Bringing my hand to his face, I stroked through his grown out locks and stopping short at the clips I never had taken out.
He turned his face to my palm and nuzzled into the appendage.

A chuckle rumbled throughout my prominent ribs, I brought my full body on to the mattress and laid beside him.

Bill...

The rare appearance of his voice in my mind was refreshing I was almost tempted to ask him to speak aloud.
"Yes, my Pinetree?"

Why are you being so different to me?
His eyes searched mine for the locked answer.

"I never truly changed towards you. I'm just taking any spare moment I can to be with you." I answered, curling my fingers with his.

Then why do I feel different?

I remained silent this time, thinking of a response. So he did notice.
"Maybe you sense something coming." I answered after several moments.
I could feel his irritation with me beating around the bush, as humans say. But he said nothing else.