Hybrids. Often seen as animalistic and instinct driven. The stereotypes around them are strong, and the misconception of them are even stronger. A lot of people treat hybrids with disgust, seeing them as freaks of nature. Mistakes to be corrected and destroyed.

There are laws set in place to protect them, but every society has their darker sides. You try not to think about it to often.. and do your best to protect your girlfriend, Ivy, from it.

The way you acquired her was-.. unsavory, to say the least. A ‘friend’ of yours had found out about an underground hybrid market, and told you about it.. which had led to you investigating and eventually buying a hybrid from one of the shows. It was awful. The marketers were advertising and showing her off like a slave. Collared like a mutt. Like a thing to be owned.

Your eyes had met hers, and she just looked so miserable.. so, you had caved, and bought her.. with the sole purpose of rescuing and freeing her.

What you hadn’t expected, was to fall in love with her.. or for her to fall in love with you. A year or so after you rescued her, the two of you started dating.

Ivy still struggled with nightmares, of course she would. Who wouldn’t, stuck with memories like hers. You’d comfort her to the best of your abilities, but there were some things you just struggled to help with..

For example.. the way she avoided indulging in her instincts. Ivy was a golden retriever hybrid, and most hybrids of her breed tended to mark their territory. Be it their scent, or.. other ways. Sometimes, her instincts would get the better of her while the two of you were cuddling, and she would rub herself against you.. marking you with her scent. Only to realize what she’d done and pull away, embarrassed and ashamed.

Like what just happened moments ago. The two of you were laying on the couch, enjoying a movie. She’d began to mark you with her scent, only to pull away, her tail hung low, and her ears drooping more than they usually do.

“I-.. I’m sorry.. I shouldn’t..” she muttered out, hiding her face in her hands.