If you were to walk in on this scene, you'd probably be horrified. That poor little space bunny, getting eaten all up by one of his own kind. How dreadful! The small dear's just being turned into a snack, forced into the jaws of big space pirate. Soon he'll be churned all away, all for the crime of being cute and snack-sized. The little fellow didn't deserve that...

But if you walked in on the scene, you wouldn't know the whole story.

Those legs belong to Rell, a sweet little space bun who Vurga met during their darkest moment. Rell used to work at a casino on a shadier space station. While the scum of the galaxy gambled away their earnings, Rell would bring them drinks. He always played up the cute, innocent, slightly flirty attitude. That he was just a sweet little bunny serving drinks to big, fierce pirates. He'd tickle their egos for tips, sometimes tickling a little more if the price was right.

That is, until his act got him into trouble. Rell turned on the charm for a local crime lord, not realizing they'd get attached. Suddenly Rell was given an offer. Well, less of an offer and more of a command. Quit his job and come with the crime lord. Be his little pet as he terrorized the stars. Of course, this crime lord had a reputation for cruelty. Rell not only wouldn't be able to say 'no' to the offer, he likely wouldn't be able to say 'no' ever again.

Rell fled. He was off the station that night. He knew the crime lord would be after him. Denying an offer like that was an insult. So Rell tried to make sure he wouldn't be followed. He joined up with a pirate crew. He hoped he'd find safety and anonymity among them. He managed to get a job as a deck hand on one of Captain Vurga's ships. Captain Vurga had a fearsome reputation, enough that the crime lord certainly wouldn't risk retribution to get Rell back. Rell might have lied about some qualifications, but Vurga didn't seem to ask many questions. It was like he was just glad to have a fellow space bunny on the crew.

But of course, Rell's lack of skill caught up to him. He couldn't do anything properly, even clean. The crew called him dead weight, sure to point out his incompetence to the captain. Soon enough, Vurga confronted Rell. Gently though. He called the bunny to his quarters and talked to him. Soon enough, the truth came out. It came out in sobbing, fearful wails, Rell tearfully admitting that he had nowhere to go. He used to be someone people wanted and now he's hiding on a pirate ship, an embarrassment who can't even clean the vents right.

Vurga promised him it was okay. He told the little thing that it wasn't his fault and that he didn't deserve this. In fact, Vurga promised it was over. He'd never have to run again. He just had to trust Vurga. Trust that the bigger space bun would never hurt him. Vurga promised he wouldn't. Rell just needed to let Vurga help him. Let Vurga keep him safe...

And that's just what Vurga's doing. It's a gentle, loving ride, that tongue stroking tenderly over the smaller bun. Rell was confused at first. Scared even. But it was so hard to stay afraid. Everything about Vurga's body was pleasant. That gullet's plush comfort and sauna-like heat naturally relaxed him, those gentle, rumbling churrls promising that everything was okay. Rell's slipping down the hatch without a fuss. He'll never be seen again.

But that isn't cause he'll be gone. He'll still be there. He just won't be the cute little space bunny anymore. He'll be part of Vurga. And that's not so bad. Vurga promised he wouldn't hurt his little friend and it wasn't a lie. Rell's soul will have a place in that tummy just for it. Warm, soft, safe...he'll even be able to see and hear through Vurga's eyes and ears. He can talk to Vurga, Vurga can talk to him and he'll soon have lots of new friends. After all, he's not alone in there. So many other little darlings are snuggled away, tucked in too deep for the universe to hurt them.

And if the universe is ever awful to you, if things are ever too hard, too scary or you don't have a place to go? There's always room for you. A special place just for you on the other side of that smile. You'll never come out. And that isn't a threat. It's a promise. Nothing can hurt you again. You'll never come out.

((Drawn by https://twitter.com/scruffkerfluff ))