Bo the Qilin (rough draft)

The night my son, Sebastian, was born, I swear I saw the color of the moon change. No one believed me, but as I got into the cab taking me to the hospital, it turned brilliant pink. I knew what I saw back then, and I still know. I don’t think I’m creative enough to make something like that up. For a while, I thought it was some sort of sign. I even thought it could be some kind of warning, so I was cautious when I first took Sebastian home.

After a couple of weeks had passed, I decided that maybe I had seen something, perhaps a trick of the light, but it wasn’t some omen. That was until Bo came into our lives. It was just a normal day, I was trying to get some things done around the house while Sebastian slept. I was used to people dropping by at this point, so when there was a knock on the door I didn’t think twice.

Answering it there was a tall, oddly dressed Chinese man standing there. He was smiling, and had extremely long pitch black hair that looked more like a sheet of silk than hair. He wore this elaborate robe covered in gold embroidery and he had this huge red gemstone pinned to the front of his collar. He wore those tiny round sunglasses too, so I could barely see his eyes.

“Good afternoon,Ms. Valynsia,” he said in a strangely soothing voice. “My name is Bo, and I have come to see the baby.”

“Are you out of your mind?” I asked him earnestly.

His brows raised. “I beg your pardon.”

“You do see what you look like right? I mean...my auntie dresses weird, but I know her. I’m not letting some strange man into my home to see my baby. Thank you for trying, bye.” I closed the door on him. But it wasn’t the last I had seen of Bo.

Bo came back the next day, asking to see Sebastain again. But as I was going to close the door in his face he pleaded with me.

“He’s a very special baby! I’m here to help him!”

I glared at him through the crack in the door. “What are you talking about?”

Bo sighed. “Your son is extremely special. His birth has been foretold for generations as the most powerful sorcerer this world will ever see.”

I scowled. “Is this Harry Potter?”

“No. I am serious. My kind have been watching over the great magic users and sages since the world was new. It is my responsibility to see to your son’s well being and teach him magic so he may use it wisely.”

“Your kind?” I asked.

“I am a qilin.” Bo laid his palms flat on his chest. “To put it in the simplest of terms, I am like a unicorn.”

This was a bit hard to swallow. “Then why do you look like a guy if you’re a unicorn? Where’s your horn?”

Bo huffed and had a rather disappointed look on his face. “This is a form I have to take in order to walk amongst humans. My real form is sealed until your son performs his first spell under my tutelage. I know this must be strange and even hard to believe. But this is extremely important.”

“I’m too broke to be buying nonsense. So either come back with some sort of proof, or stop trying to be weird around kids.” I was about to close the door when suddenly his hand is above mine. The ring on his finger shimmers brightly, leaving a trail of pink light behind it. The gemstone reminded me of the pink moon I saw the night Sebastian was born.

“Please, I only want to help, ms. Valynsia” Bo pleaded gently.

His expression was soft and gentle, dare I say he even looked beautiful, which made me soft. “The last time I let some strange man into my house I ended up pregnant.”

Bo’s brows pursed. “The child’s father is not around?”

“No. He vanished not long after I found out about the baby. So I am mother and father for as long as I have to be.”

“How odd, usually the father is supposed to-” Bo stopped and lifted his chin. “All the more reason I should be here. You won’t be alone, ms. Valynsia.”

It took some more convincing, as well as my own research online. Qilin are supposed to mean prosperity and good luck, and much like Bo said, they appear during the arrival of great rulers and sages. Bo visited each day for a while. Eventually I let him in to see Sebastian, and it wasn’t until then I realized there was real magic involved. Sebstian started floating, looking like some sort of Peter Pan baby. He instantly took to Bo too, in fact, after that first meeting, it was hard to seperate the two. Sebastian would cry and scream when Bo was not around. It started creating havoc in the house, as his cries made things fly off shelves, walls move, and even changed the layout of his nursery.

At wits end, I let Bo in.

It was strange at the beginning, having this man in my home. Bo was odd, the way he dressed and walked around, not to mention he wasn’t exactly human. But Sebastian adored him, and after some time I got used to him too. Having Bo there was actually a blessing, especially when I went back to work.

Time passed, and Bo just became a normal part of our lives. Along with that, I was able to help Bo try to acclimate to human behaviors. I helped him get a new wardrobe, although his taste was still suspect. He also helped me understand Sebastian’s abilities and importance, although it stilled terrified me.

“He is meant to do important things, but he will always be yours,” Bo told me. “He will always have your wisdom and strength with him, which is part of what makes him so powerful. Because you’re a good mother, he will be a good leader.”

I sighed and rubbed at my cheeks. “You’re going to make me cry, Bo.”

Bo chuckled. “It’s true, Ms. Valynsia.” He placed his hand upon my back and his palm felt so warm.

It was around Sebastian’s sixth birthday, and I had been busy planning the party. Sebastian was excited, as he had so many new friends from school to invite. For him, this was his first big boy birthday party.

“Six is a big age,” Bo was telling him over breakfast one morning. “Six is a very powerful number.”

“Really?” Sebastian looked up from his plate.

Bo nodded. “Six is a sign for happiness and harmony, which means this could be a big year for you.”

“Every year seems big,” Sebastian said in awe.

The smile on Bo’s face as he looked at Sebastian always made my heart flutter. Something about it was so adorable, but also so happy. I could tell he loved my son, which meant more to me than I thought. “This one is going to be extra big.”

“Whoa!”

I chuckled and handed Sebastain his lunch box. “Hurry up and finish eating, your bus will be here soon.”

“Okay, Mommy. Thank you.” He picked up his toast with both hands to eat.

“Is there anything you’re wishing for? Since it’s going to be such a lucky year for you, it will probably come true.”

Sebastian got a look on his face I couldn’t quite read. “Will you and Mommy be getting married?”

Bo choked on his tea and I very nearly put the knife I was cleaning through my palm. “Sebastian, what are you talking about?”

“What?” He said with a slight pout.

“As honored as I would be, your mother and I are not-” Bo hesitated and he adjusted his glasses. “Your mother and I are indeed very close, but there is nothing uhm-” He seemed to be having a hard time saying that word.

“The bus!” There was no time to think about it now. I rushed Sebastain out to get onto the bus. When I came back inside there was a curious tension in the air.

“I had no idea he had such thoughts in his head,” I sighed. “That boy.”

Bo sighed. “It is not so silly when you see things from his point of view, Ms. Valynsia. He has two people who have cared for him all his life. Two people who love him. Of course he would get that idea in his head.”

“Well-” I murmured, unsure of where I was heading.

“It’s hard to say what he knows of romance aside from those cartoon movies he adores.” Bo had a strange expression on his face. “He may assume more than we know.”

I put the dishes away and stood there for a second. “Didn’t you say that his words have power once?”

“All words do,” Bo said softly. “Sebastian though has a funny way of knowing what’s true, even if he doesn’t grasp it yet.”

I made myself laugh. “It’s silly though!”

“Yes,” Bo looked distant. “It is.”

I screwed my mouth into a tight line. “I have to get to work. You don’t mind picking Sebastian up today do you?”

“Not at all. I’ll be happy to see him. Is there anything you’d like for dinner?” He asked.

I shook my head. “Whatever you make will be fine.” The tension was there and it was growing.

A big storm came that weekend, and we had to reschedule Sebastain’s birthday party. He was a wreck, he stayed snuggled up with me or Bo all day. I read to him and made a blanket fort in hopes of cheering him up.

That evening, in hopes of lifting his spirits, I let him go stay with his grandparents who promised to spoil him rotten the next day. He always loved staying the night with them as they had a bigger TV and his grandmother made his favorite food.

After he was gone I felt a bit heavy. I was disappointed too, as I had been working so hard to plan for this big party, now it had to wait. I went back into the living room to clean up the blanket fort and I noticed Bo was inside.

“What’re you doing?” I knelt inside.

Bo quickly put his glasses back on. “I’m sorry, Ms. Valynsia. I was going to clean up but it seemed cozy in here.” He smiled up at me. “Did he seem excited to be going to his grandparents?”

“He was still a bit pouty.” I sat down with him inside. ‘I thought six was supposed to make him happy.”

“It will, just in ways that won’t seem obvious at first.” Bo smiled at me. “Even this disappointment will have meaning for him.”

I smiled back then looked down at the book we had been reading. I went to pick it up, but Bo reached it the same time I did. Our fingers touched and while I started to chuckle, Bo’s cheeks bloomed bright red.

“Are you hot or something?” I reached up to touch his forehead and he pulled back, grabbing my hand to keep it away.

“No, I’m fine.” He scooted back until his head got stuck into the blankets.

“You’re acting weirder than normal, and that’s saying something. You’ve been a little iffy all week. Is something wrong?”

Bo huffed and pulled his hair over his shoulder, stroking it through his fingers. I had only noticed him do this a few times before. Once when Sebastian had an extremely high fever and had to stay overnight in the hospital. Another when he had a bad splinter, and then again when he went to school for the first time.

“Somethings up, now if you can’t tell me, then I’m going to worry.”

Boo shook his head and had a slight frown on his lips. “It’s not something that needs to be worried about. Not by you at least.”

I gave him a cross but concerned look. “That sounds like I need to.”

Bo licke dhis lip then tucked it between his teeth. “This isn’t something that should happen. It’s strange.”

“Bo!”

He looked back up at me and his cheeks went red again. “What Sebastian wants for his birthday, what he told us a few days ago-” His voice cracked and he turned away again. “I don’t think it is entirely ridiculous.”

A jolt went through my heart. “That we should get married?” I laughed.

“Yes. I have been dealing with some complicated feelings for a long time, but I did not want to admit it until Sebstian so boldly announced his wish.”

I held my breath then and Bo continued to stroke his long hair.

“I do have feelings for you,” he breathed. “For a long time, actually.”

My heart was racing. “You do?”

Bo couldn’t look at me, he kept his head down. “This isn’t supposed to happen. The legends stated the child would have parents who embodied wisdom and kindness. I am not supposed to fall in love with-” He stopped and bowed his head down lower.

“Bo I-”

Bo shook his head. “You don’t need to say anything. You don’t have to tell me it will be okay or that you care for me. I know you do, and I understand if you do not feel the same. Sebastian is what matters, and I will overcome these feelings with time. All I require is your friendship.”

I placed my hand upon his cheek and raised his head. At first he fought, but he then gave in and let my palm meet his cheek. I couldn’t stop myself from kissing him. I sat up to reach his lips and I felt myself melting into him. Bo’s lips parted slightly from surprise and then he placed his hands upon my shoulders. His long fingers slowly moved up, touching my face as the kiss deepened.

“Ms. Valynsia,” Bo whispered as we parted. “I don’t think my heart can take this.”

“You don’t have to call me miss. Just call me by my name.” I smiled softly at him before I leaned in to kiss his cheek.

Bo turned slightly, our lips brushing together again. It felt so right, felt so needed. His touch was gentle, his hands shuddered. Both of us were nervous, but so sure of what we were doing. I ran my fingers through his hair, Bo took hold of my braids and let them sift through his fingers.

“Alright,” he breathed, a small smile appearing. “Valynsia.” He then made a face. “It sounds so weird, I’m sorry.”

I kissed him again. “You’ll get used to it.”

I woke the next day inside the blanket fort with Bo’s arms wrapped around me. His glasses were set to the side, but his eyes were closed. I’d never seen him with the sunglasses off. He had always been beautiful, but in slumber there was a sleeping beauty quality to him. His long lashes fluttered in sleep, as I rose he began to stir, although he fought rising.

Last night, when he confessed to me his feelings, I had been too overwhelmed tofully voice my own. All these years the fondness for him had grown. The more he loved Sebastain, the more I fell in love with him. His smile, his odd ways, even his odd dress, I adored them all. I suppose I had been afraid all this time, afraid of falling in love again and being that vulnerable around someone. In fact, I was still afraid.

Bo’s eyes fluttered open and I saw a bright flash of pink. He quickly put on his sunglasses again and sat up. “Good morning.”

“Morning,” I muttered.

He smiled shyly. “So-” he looked around, confused. “Morning.”

I chuckled to myself. “I hope your back is okay having slept on the floor all night.”

“I’m fine. Are you?”

I look at him and my heart rumbles again. “Mhm,” I nodded.

“Oh, good, good.” His cheeks began to rouge. “Well uhm...let's clean up, or I can make breakfast. Either way.” His voice cracked. “You probably want a shower. You should go first. I’ll uh...I’ll wait here.” He stroked his hair.

“Is something wrong?”

“Yes there is and it is mortifying!” Bo huffed. “Please, just give me this grace.”

I glanced down to his lap. “Are you-?”

Bo placed a pillow over his lap. “Ms. Valynsia!”

I smiled and started laughing. For some reason, this helped me to feel less nervous and anxious. I couldn’t help giggling and grinning. I couldn’t help kissing him lovingly. “Okay, I’ll go get a shower.” I kissed him again, not really wanting to leave.

“Don’t laugh,” he started to chortle. “Ms. Valynsia, it isn’t funny.” He kissed me in return, laughing between each embrace. “You’re making it worse.”

I grinned. “I thought you were some proper, slightly stuffy gentleman. I’m a bit shocked.”

Bo’s smile was big and beautiful. “Even proper, stuffy men like me can be felled by a beautiful woman. Now I beg you again, leave so I can calm myself again.”

“It’s natural, you don’t have to be so ashamed. But I will leave you be.” I rose to crawl out of the blanket fort. “But maybe we should have a better talk later. About last night.”

“Yes, of course.” Bo said from inside. “I’ll make breakfast.”

I took my time in the shower, allowing myself to cool down as well. Once I was done, I changed into comfortable clothes and went into the kitchen. Bo was cooking, and was wearing a new change of clothes as well. His hair was tied back and I could see the elegant nape of his neck, which looked kissable.

“I know you’re there,” he said.

“I know you know,” I balk. I stood beside him, seeing he was frying eggs. “Do you feel better now?”

“I’m still mortified,” he scoffed. “But I will survive.”

“I do love you,” I murmured.

He stabbed the yolk of the egg then quickly moved the man aside. “Don’t startle me like that!” Bo frowned down at me. “I love you too,” he huffed.

I could almost cry. “I have for a long time, just like you said. But I was so scared, Bo. Scared it would hurt, scared it would hurt you and Sebastian. I was...am terrified of opening up like that again.”

“You don’t need to explain anything to me, Valynsia. I was scared for the same reasons. I mean, this job is important. Sebastian is everything to me, not just because of my responsibility, but because I love him too. You’re both-” I saw tears slip down his cheek from under his glasses. “There is so much at stake here.”

I stood on tiptoes to kiss him. “And that is what made me fall in love with you.”

Bo took off his glasses and I saw the pink moons in his eyes. I wiped away the tears on his face and he held my hand there, kissing it lovingly. We decided to take it slow, that it would be best for us as well as Sebastian.

Not long after his sixth birthday party, he came running up to me, more excited than I had ever seen him before. “Mommy! Mommy!” he tackled my legs and nearly knocked me over.

“Easy, baby, easy!” I knelt down to be face to face with him. “What’s got you so excited?”

“I finally did it! Bo taught me!”

Bo came into the room, having chased after Sebastain from the yard. “Show her, go ahead!” He sounded just as excited.

Sebastian held up his hands and he concentrated really hard for a moment until his fingertips began to glow. Small sparks of light flew between his palms and then a ball of light began to form. It grew bigger and bigger then folded out and created petals. He then held a lotus blossom in his hands.

“I did magic! Like Bo said!” Sebastian bounced excitedly, showing me the lotus he had made.

It was his first spell.

Sebastian raced back over to Bo with a big grin upon his face. “Remember your promise?”

“I do,” Bo said softly. “Now that you’ve mastered your first spell, it means I can show you what I really look like.”

I had forgotten about that. Back when Sebastain was still a baby, Bo had told me his appearance was locked until this milestone. Only then could he reveal his true appearance.

Bo took off his glasses, and his eyes began to glow. Sebastain stepped back, standing with me as Bo began to change. The light in the room shifted, flickering and dancing, turning pink around Bo.

Bo then shook off the light, standing before us as the mystical beast he was. His hair had formed around his long neck, and pink flames rose around his face and legs. Dark purple scales covered his body, and a single horn jutted from his forehead. His back legs were hooved, but his front were clawed fingers. He extended his hands out to us.

“So, how do I look?”

“Cool!” Sebastian ran up to him, touching the pink flames which didn’t burn and giggling over how cool his best friend looked.

Bo turned to me, looking expectantly at me.

I approached him and smiled. “You’re so beautiful.”

His gaze softened and he chuckled. “You don’t think I’m odd?”

I took hold of his hand. “Of course I do, but I still adore you.”

Sebastian went to bed easily that night. Mastering a spell and seeing Bo’s true form really tired him out. He snored loudly as I tucked him in and shut his door. I headed towards my room to get ready for bed, but I hesitated. I instead went to Bo’s door, which had once been a closet, but he had magicked it to open to a room.

I knocked on his door and nervously waited.

“Come in.”

I stepped into Bo’s room, seeing he was still in his qilin form. He looked up at me and suddenly shifted back to being human in guise.

“Why did you switch?” I asked.

“I figured you would-” He stopped and shrugged. “I’m a bit nervous.” He sat down on the foot of his bed.

“I think you’re handsome both ways.” I sat down beside him and placed my hand into his. “I’d like to see it again.”

“Really?”

I leaned in and kissed him, feeling a slight change to his lips, his mouth. I saw those pink moons as I pulled back, and saw the dark scales as well. I smoothed my hand over his long face, gently running them through his mane.

“Is there something you wanted?” He asked shyly.

“Just you.”

His eyes went wide. “Really? Are you sure?”

“Only if you want me too, that is.” I ran my hand down his thigh.

Bo took a breath. “Of course I do. I just don’t want to rush. But I so want you.” He smiled. “Ever since that morning in the blanket fort, it’s always been a thought, a little wish.”

“Wish granted.” I kissed him, falling over onto the bed as it deepened. I lost my breath for a moment, his kisses went down my body, and I was not prepared for the exceptionally long tongue he had. I hadn’t been so pampered like this, touched and comforted, lit aflame.

“You’re so wet,” Bo breathed against my thigh.

“It’s been a while,” I caught my breath. “And you’re uhm…”

His long tongue pushed between my folds and flicked up, hitting that very sensitive bud. Bo moaned and pressed more kiss, and it was almost becoming too much for me. I had to push him aside and lay him out, kissing him as I reached below.

“Ms. Valynsia,” he breathed.

“Shh.” I took hold of his shaft, gently caressing it. He was surprisingly thick with a flared hood. “Let me take care of you now.” I kissed him again, grasping his length and stroking slowly. “There,” I breathed. “Have you been wanting this?”

“Yes,” he whimpered.

I kissed his cheek. “Is this how you imagined me touching you?”

He grunted in reply.

“Or did you picture something else?” I teased.

“Where did this come from?” Bo panted. “I didn’t imagine you being so...so verbal.” He whimpered and jerked his hips as my touch became more intense.

“I like seeing you fidget like this.” I kissed him hungrily. “Now tell me, is this how you imagined it?”

Bo whimpered.

“Or do you want something else?” I purred. I moved my hand away and hiked my leg over his. I straddled his thighs then moved myself up.

Bo’s mouth opened and he breathed. “Valynsia, this…”

I slowly took him inside. He was quite thick, so it took me a moment. His eyes glowed brightly, his flames shuddered. I whimpered once he was all inside.

“Like this.” His hands wrapped around me, holding me firmly. “I wanted to see you like this.”

“Oh Bo.” I squeezed around him, rubbing him deeply within me. “Touch me.”

His hands roamed my body as I lifted myself up. I lowered down again, feeling him fit more easily. The more I moved, the better it felt. I watched him, eagerly taking in his pleasured expressions and voice. I rode him harder and harder. My legs would be useless come morning, but it didn’t matter. I wanted him, I needed this, and it felt so much better knowing he felt the same.

I woke to Bo’s kisses on my shoulder. His sweet smile greeted me when I opened my eyes. “I’ll go get breakfast started,” he whispered. “I’ll bring you some clean clothes after I check on Sebastian.”

“Wait.” I pulled him down and kissed as passionately as I could. “I love you.”

Bo grinned. “I love you too, Valynsia.”