which of course is a classic "questionable foundation" trope but... this isn't teen-drama doting-begets-crush.
this is the tried and tested certainty that I am seen in all my fearsome splendor, all my terrifying monstrosity, and cherished not despite but for the uncountable eyes, the hooves and horns and salve and coagula, the voracious maw and leatheren wings and wicked claws and impenetrable hide and occasional stray tentacle.
if someone sees all that and only wants to be closer, not merely to worship and bask and shelter beneath but to embrace and support and nurture, to take inspiration and find their own terrible splendid form to rampage in tandem—
shit, how am I supposed to ignore such good taste?