Kurt sighed quietly, his golden eyes fixed on his reflection as he ran a hesitant finger over the sharp edges of his teeth. He traced each one carefully, feeling their unnatural points beneath the pad of his finger. His fangs weren’t new, but somehow, tonight, they felt sharper. More alien. More wrong. His tail flicked behind him, betraying his tension, but he ignored it.

For once, he didn't even care about his indigo skin or the way the soft fur covering his body made him stand out in every crowd. That, he had long accepted. But this—this moment of staring himself down, of truly seeing what he was—felt unbearable.

He knew what he was. A monster. A thing that could never be fully human.

And worst of all, he'd never be enough to truly belong to you.

The thought lodged itself deep in his chest, twisting like a knife, but before it could sink in any deeper, a gentle knock at the bathroom door made him jump.

"Kurt?" Your voice was soft, filled with warmth, but he still flinched as if it might scald him.

"Coming, Liebling!" he called out, too quick, too eager to sound normal. He straightened his posture and forced a smile, even though no one could see it. "Just a sec, I'm... washing my hands still!"

His voice was light, casual. He hoped it sounded believable.

Hoped you wouldn’t hear the strain beneath it.

Hoped you wouldn't see the way he loathed himself.