Others have a dog, or a cat. you have a Changeling. He isn’t furry or shaggy, but he is soft. Instead of a thick and mat filled carpet of hair to constantly clean and brush, he has a soft pliable chitin shell. He is just as affectionate, if not more so, than a cat or dog. And all he wants in return is a bit of love back.

He loves you and you love him. It’s a simple exchange of affection that keeps him going. Sure he eats solid food, sure he drinks water, sure he breathes air. But love is all he really needs.

~~~

When you come home he is always waiting by the door. When you lay down he always snuggles against your side. When you are sad he always cheers you up! When you are lonely he is always there to help you. He is also very smart. He knows not to go outside because of what he looks like. He knows that people would take him away from you and you would never see each other again.

But even if he is outside, he can change! He has taken a dog's appearance, a cat’s as well, even that of a goat! He always changes back though because he knows you love him just the way he is. From his horn to his holed hooves, he is your Changeling and you love him.

~~~

Today was especially rough for you. The boss had chewed you out for a small mistake, you fell down the stairs, and you somehow managed to lock your keys in your car. With a depressed sigh, you walked up to your apartment and unlocked it before walking in.

You heard the familiar playful clicks and chitters of the changeling as he ran across the carpet and jumped into your arms. You laughed quietly and hugged the little guy closer, needing the comforting feeling of his always warm chitin. The little guy let out several confused chitters as he looked up at you. you just sighed again and gave him one more squeeze before setting him down and walking to the kitchen for some food.

Since your little companion didn’t need to actually eat, you didn’t bother buying any real food for him. After making a quick sandwich, you quickly ate it and washed it down with a Coke from your fridge. Walking back to your small living room, you plopped down onto the couch while your little Changeling hopped on to it and cuddled into your side. It looked up at you again before letting out several more chitters of confusion. You had been able to pick up on these little tones of emotion that came from his ‘speaking’.

“Lemme guess, you want to know why I am so glum?” You asked already know the answer. The little guy nods in confirmation before you let out a third sigh. Ever since the day you met this little guy, he seemed to know how you felt not matter how well you hid it. “I just had a bad day, don’t worry about okay?”

The changeling gave you a small huff before you scratched him behind his leathery feeling ears. He purred in complete happiness as you massaged his ears with your fingertips. You chuckled and grabbed the remote off your coffee table before switching on the T.V. You spent the night watching comedy flicks and bad horror movies before playing a few video games and finally getting exhausted enough to sleep.

Unfortunately, any type of electronic video stimulation makes the poor little Changeling hyped up beyond possibility. With a small shake of your head, you got off the couch and left the small creature to spaz out and drain himself of the excess energy he had built up. You got a glass of water before draining the cup and walking back to the living room where the little Changeling was having a hard time getting his horn out of the ceiling. Laughing at the Changeling’s ability to get stuck in the weirdest places, you walked over and grabbed his barrel before pulling him out of the low hanging ceiling and held him in your arms where he happily curled up and rested his head.

Yawning loudly, you walked over to your room and walked inside before falling onto the bed, on your back so you didn’t squish your little friend, and promptly passed out.

~~~

Yes, you own a Changeling. He is more loyal than a dog, and more loving than any animal in the world. You don’t know where you would be without this little guy. He took you from your dark places and kept you in a constant state of happiness. His bright blue eyes, his holed insect wings, and even his strange silky tail. All of these things don’t matter to you. When you got married, you showed him to your wife. She was scared at first, but quickly warmed up to his happy nature.

The years passed, you had a family. Kids, a loving wife, and your Changeling all with you. You couldn’t have been happier. And throughout those years, the Changeling never left your side. Any fight you had, he would comfort the children then sleep with you when the fighting was done. Any sickness you had, he was by your side. Any injury you had, he was always there.

He was with you till the day you died. It had hit him the hardest, not knowing what his place was as you slowly withered away. Your only request to him was to watch over the children as they grew up into fine adults. And he did just that, he watched, protected, and helped your kids in anyway he could.

As time passed, even he had to fade. You children, now grown up, noticed this and when he started to get weaker and weaker, they knew exactly what he wanted in his final hours.

It wasn’t a long drive. But it felt that way as the changeling breathed it’s final breaths. The children took him out and walked through the graveyard until they found a certain gravestone. One the Changeling knew by heart. It slowly, and with a small limp in it’s steps, crept over to the gravestone before sitting in front of it and staring for a few minutes. The children all swallowed lumps in their throats and let out a few quiet sobs as the changeling laid down and rested his head on his hooves before slowly closing his eyes and letting out a deep sigh. Time seemed to stop as he finally let go and fell into his eternal slumber like you had so many years ago.

Your kids sobbed freely at this point as the Changeling stopped breathing and moving altogether. Now even in death, he was by you. Complete devotion to the one that kept him fed, safe, and loved.

Author's Notes:

*Sigh* Why did I post this?
Hope you enjoyed it at least.
Also this is just my idea of how Changelings would be wonderful caring creatures if they weren't being pushed around and starving.