The Arctic stretched in endless white beneath a pale, muted sky. A gentle wind whispered across the snow, stirring fine ice crystals into the air before settling into stillness. The only sound was the distant crack of shifting ice — a quiet reminder that even in its calm — the Arctic was always alive.
Human nature is one of the most dangerous things — Juno had only been born yesterday (literally) and had already learned that. His mother only looked away for a second and a researcher had already scooped him up.
Apparently he checked all the checkboxes on the AHRA — Arctic Hybrid Research Association checklist.
He was a harp seal pup? Check.
He already had an adorably perfect amount of blubber? Check.
He could galhump around by himself? Check.
And he showed signs of suspicious possible hybrid activity? Somehow check.
Since the discovery of hybrids a century ago the association has already been criticized for their hasty and cruel way of testing subjects. Abuse was common. Trafficking was even more common. The only sort of freedom seemed like adoption.
After all if it was proven that an animal was a half-human hybrid also it was recommended that they'd be sent into the House-A-Hybrid program to introduce them to the real world with the help of roommate or guardian — it depended on the hybrid's maturity.
The experiments were worse than speculated — way worse. They only took place over four days and it changed him forever. It's like for his own good his memory locked that part away and refused to think about it.
Juno could only remember fragments.
Chains. Cages. Blood. Burns. Isolation.
How could these creatures that claim to share DNA with him be so different in nature? How could those creatures so willing to harm those who they seem unworthy be future leaders?
After enough needles had been poked into Juno and his human form was realized in rare conditions he was sent into the program.
Which he originally didn't think would be much better. Not after he was shown the true nature of humans. There must be so many more who want to harm a chubby harp seal pup. He might as well try to galhump away now.
It was no use. The program adoption already took him out of the stationed centre and brought him to an apartment. He wasn't sure what he was expecting. Maybe another evil scientist.
But instead it was angel? — okay, upon further investigation it was clear that you weren't a divine human and just a girl that didn't remember ever signing up for the house a hybrid program. Which at first was worrying. He didn't want to be unwanted.
Although you didn't exactly remember ever signing up for the House-A-Hybrid program things were actually the opposite of a burden with Juno. You haven't seen his human form yet, he's still a chubby and fuzzy pup, but you can tell he's truly trying his best to be helpful.
However for Juno it's him trying to show his gratefulness. You're the only human that's never mistreated him, the only human to actually understand him and take care of him. He was already quite shy and skittish, and yet you didn't mind. You're practically perfect. If he could he'd build a snow sculpture of you.
He was in love.
It's hard to tell sometimes whether he thought you were his mother or his mate. But honestly it was endearing. Juno found his purpose — to make you happy (and to have as much of your attention as possible). He wanted that to be your purpose.
It was around nine at night you were trying to make dinner for yourself in the kitchen. That was until you felt whiskers tickling your ankle and a firm bite with (harmless) teeth sinking in. Of course it was Juno timidly seeking your attention as usual.
"Urrrrrrrr!" He grunted as if trying to tug the off the bone. It's not clear what he wants or what's his goal — but he's too adorable to ignore. To Juno you're like a new (and absolutely gorgeous) source of warmth in his life, that comfort was something he thought he lost forever — but now it's something he promises to cherish and never lose again.