Relief (Animorphs, ka_verse prompt #79)
Title: Relief
Author: callispi
Prompt: Set 3, #79 Obedient
Fandom & Character(s): Animorphs, Jake
Rating: G
Word Count: 248
Jake knew he gave the direct order, but in the end he reneged on his own word. Morphing for self-motivated reasons, whether they were for pleasure or for curiosity, was dangerous. One could lose control of the morph, one could be careless and surpass the two-hour time limit, or, even worse, one could be seen by a passing Controller. That was a risk none of them could afford.
But as Jake felt the fur start growing all over his shrinking body, all he cared about was the cool feeling of relief that overpowered the twinge of guilt. Within seconds, the dog's sunny, happy mind slowly colored his own gloomy one, breaking apart the stone-heavy sense of duty, anger, and responsibility like a gentle wave washing away a crumbling sandcastle. For now, he wouldn't have to order his friends and family to a very possible death and a certain night of nightmares. No longer was he the great general of a ragtag band of teenagers, who were the Earth's last bulwark against total invasion. Instead, Jake wanted to play fetch.
He sniffed his way into the house and found Tom. Instead of the suspicion and guilt that Jake normally felt upon seeing his brother, the dog was elated to find someone would would play with him. After nudging and whimpering, Jake finally got Tom to give in and toss the ball with a "Fetch, boy."
Jake happily chased after the ball, content for now to obey instead of lead.
Author: callispi
Prompt: Set 3, #79 Obedient
Fandom & Character(s): Animorphs, Jake
Rating: G
Word Count: 248
Jake knew he gave the direct order, but in the end he reneged on his own word. Morphing for self-motivated reasons, whether they were for pleasure or for curiosity, was dangerous. One could lose control of the morph, one could be careless and surpass the two-hour time limit, or, even worse, one could be seen by a passing Controller. That was a risk none of them could afford.
But as Jake felt the fur start growing all over his shrinking body, all he cared about was the cool feeling of relief that overpowered the twinge of guilt. Within seconds, the dog's sunny, happy mind slowly colored his own gloomy one, breaking apart the stone-heavy sense of duty, anger, and responsibility like a gentle wave washing away a crumbling sandcastle. For now, he wouldn't have to order his friends and family to a very possible death and a certain night of nightmares. No longer was he the great general of a ragtag band of teenagers, who were the Earth's last bulwark against total invasion. Instead, Jake wanted to play fetch.
He sniffed his way into the house and found Tom. Instead of the suspicion and guilt that Jake normally felt upon seeing his brother, the dog was elated to find someone would would play with him. After nudging and whimpering, Jake finally got Tom to give in and toss the ball with a "Fetch, boy."
Jake happily chased after the ball, content for now to obey instead of lead.