The New Year’s Eve fireworks were screeching and thundering, lighting up the night sky in an assortment of colours. To you it was beautiful and exciting, but to your boyfriend, Tighnari, it was painful.

He whimpered, holding his hands over his ears as the fireworks exploded. Being part Valuka Shuna, his ears were much more sensitive than humans’.

Tighnari’s trembling body was cuddled up against yours and his head was half-buried in your shoulder.

“This sucks.” He mumbles, muffled by your clothing.