Tillos
They tried to give Leah the next night off. Her understudy could perform her part well enough, so there was no reason for her to put on a show. Her body had been completely healed, but that didn't lessen the trauma of what happened to her.
But she insisted. She wanted to sing and nothing would stop her from doing it. Not when she’d just found her voice again.
She was possessive over her role, and they loved it. She was comfortable enough in the spotlight to claim it for herself. And like their future, she was determined to fight to keep her place on stage. She rushed into their performance without a hint of fear.
It was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen.
In the days after the incident with Biella, something changed within her. He didn't know if it was the successful performance or confronting her past and coming to terms with it, but their mate was a bright and vibrant female unlike ever before.
She’d fully transitioned into her avanava style wardrobe. The flowing dresses made of very light and delicate fabric would usually stay in place by friction. They’d catch on the small scales that, while not rough, were just sharp enough to catch the airy material and keep it in place. Leah’s smooth skin meant the dresses kept nearly falling off her.
Until she went to Shorvi and asked him for pins to keep them up on her shoulder, and belts to keep them on her waist. She had her own ideas for what she wanted to wear. Shorvi didn't like them – because Shorvi didn't like anything. They argued about it until they met somewhere in the middle and she was comfortable in her new style.
She’d wear her dresses with her jeweled or metal or flowered pins and sing as she went through the halls. Not really belting it out like she did on stage, but just singing gently and happily. She hummed to herself while relaxing in their room. She sang in the shower. She danced and swayed in place while changing or doing things with her hands.
And she asked for things.
She started requesting foods out of the cafeteria. If she was feeling amorous, she didn't hesitate to ask for their attention. She didn't blurt out a desire for their dicks like the first time, but she was becoming comfortable in her sensuality. It was still new to her, but they could tell she was a lot more at ease than she had been before.
It was a wonder to witness.
She was so sparkling, glowing, from the pure joy inside her, that Tillos and Sollit didn't immediately notice the change.
But after the last showing of Thumbelina, before they started setting up for the next play – it was one of the other cast’s turn to choose – they took a day to just pleasure and pamper their mate. A small bonding ceremony, but one they took to eagerly.
It was as Tillos was rubbing her favorite massage oil into her back as Sollit worked on her feet that he finally spotted it.
She wasn’t just glowing with happiness. She was literally sparkling.
He cocked his head curiously, running his hand over the top of her back. Trying to see if he could remove them, but they weren’t glitters - or if they were, they were so fine as to be untouchable. He thought it must be the oil, maybe the manufacturer had changed the formula. But his hands weren’t glittery, and the skin he hadn’t yet touched was.
Sollit, alerted by his confusion and curiosity, crawled up on the bed, following his gaze. It didn't take him long to spot what it was and they shared a confused look.
“Guys?” Leah turned her head, looking back at them. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
Her face was pink from the orgasm they’d just given her with their hands. And it sparkled. Most especially on her lips. How had they not seen that before?
Their stares made her concerned and she turned, touching her cheeks. “What is it? What’s on my face?”
Tillos cocked his head, confused. Why was she glittery? How long had she been doing that? None of her lotions, creams, or oils had shimmering effects. So, why?
Sollit’s sudden leap in his chest was followed immediately by a gasp. He grabbed Tillos’ arm.
“Ow. What?” He frowned, looking at his brother.
“She’s golden!” He declared.
“Yes, I know. Why did that necessitate you grabbing me like that?”
“No! You-” Sollit shook his head. “Tillos, our human mate has golden flecks!”
“Yes? I know. Leah, are you using a new cream?”
“No.” She frowned, looking at her hands. “That’s not… Wait, how long has that been happening?”
“No,” Sollit groaned, annoyed. “You don’t get it. Tillos, our human mate is displaying traits of our species!”
“Sollit, that’s-” Tillos’ voice cut off as understanding dawned. “Oh! You think-”
“I do!”
“She’s sparkling!”
“She’s sparkling!” Sollit agreed, bouncing as their elation fed off of each other, doubling in a positive feedback loop of delight and excitement.
“Er,” Leah frowned between them. “Glad you two are excited. Anyone want to clue me in on what is going on?”
“You are displaying traits of our species!” Tillos declared like that should be enough to understand.
“It looks like I’m wearing a body shimmer,” she said, turning her arm around. “I mean, I’m not mad about it. It’s not super obvious. It is weird though. You two didn't even spread your, er, stuff on me this time.” Her pretty face was hot pink at the idea of them massaging their seed into her skin. Which didn't actually leave that golden sheen when they did.
“That sheen isn’t under your skin, aevea . It is your skin,” Tillos said. “It’s a fairly uncommon trait in our species, but some people are randomly born flecked with gold like this.”
“Some people are even lucky enough that it looks like their scales are dotted with gold. But that’s pretty rare,” Sollit beamed.
“Okay, so why is it showing up on me?” She asked, dropping her hand back to the mattress.
They chuckled at her. Tillos lowered himself, pressing his lips there against the swell of her belly. “It is known, aevea , that humans adapt well to their mates. Very well.”
“It is why you can always take us, even when we are bigger than you,” Sollit said, running his fingers under her breast. “You adapt to your mates. You adapt even better to our young.”
“Huh?” She blinked, startled.
Tillos smiled, stroking her belly. “Humans begin taking on the traits of their mates’ species when they are carrying their young. And you, aevea , are glittering gold.”
“Wait, do you think-?!” She gasped.