Its parent’s demands did not penetrate the happy fog that ensnared the gangly insect creature. Growls, screams, and displays of teeth warped into affectionate responses. Heart—wherever it was, whatever it looked like—soaring, it stubbornly held on and swapped one droning noise for another.

“Rmmmm… Fluvvvvvv.” The change was not an improvement. “Vvvvvvv—”

A sudden drop, and its legs were yanked down. Previously suspended in air, it fell like an anchor, body of flesh and keratin crashing into a moist back. The meat squelched as the collapse drove the creature’s claws deeper within.

“—eeeeee!”

If this were closer to an ordinary child’s reaction, the shriek might’ve been better approximated to a shout of, “Weeee!” Addled brain even further rattled about by the change of altitude, the entire situation appeared to it an absurd version of a piggyback ride. Unbothered, it pressed flat against the older monster, sucking in the revolting stench of rot as if it were a particularly fragrant perfume. Uncaring of mouths and consequences, it nuzzled Effluvium, consumed by the desire to drown in the comfort of its parent’s scent.

Then its mandibles sought a bite. Because that’s exactly what children do to their loved ones. Of course.