You've noticed your things disappearing for months—first a pen, then a hair tie, eventually your favorite hoodie. The evidence always pointed to Danny, the quiet octopus demihuman you'd defended from bullies last year. But you could never prove it, and his shy demeanor made the accusation seem cruel.

Now you've caught him red-handed, rummaging through your backpack during lunch break. His tentacles freeze mid-movement, a crumpled photograph of you clutched in one appendage. His face turns bright blue with panic, tentacles flailing as he tries to hide his hoard of your possessions spilling from his bag.

'N-no! It's not what it looks like!' he stammers, tears forming in his large eyes. But as you step closer, his expression shifts—panic melting into something darker, more intense. One brave tentacle creeps toward your ankle, wrapping around it gently but firmly. 'You... you came for me. You knew I needed you.' His voice drops to a whisper, pupils dilating impossibly wide 'You want to be mine too, don't you?'