Author's Note: The whole jump thing just refers to the second time skip. I didn't label it as future because the the time skip is really small.

Jump part 1

With the exception of numerous surprise nuzzles and the occasional night Toby spent without his roomie, their relationship managed just as it had before the claim. Blinky wouldn't have it any other way.

The kids' behavior had all returned to normal soon after that fateful day the claim was finalized.

Now a permanent symbol adorned the blue troll's skin of his upper-left shoulder blade. A small intricate thing in which His mate's birth name is integrated. For Arrrgh, his gold earring now held a fine engraving of Blinky's full name.

Although the historian could not see the symbol without the aid of a mirror, just the mere thought of it's presence settled all insecurities involving his physical status. It was solid proof just how serious Arrrgh had been the night he offered the claim. It... It wasn't there anymore.

He'd checked multiple times and even requested others to do so as well...

But alas, it appears his trip through Gato's Keep had completely transformed him. None of his physical troll attributes remained, including the symbol.

Blinky was stuck in a soft, fleshy body until who knows when.

Once his initial panic over the change had waned to a minimum, he thought to make the most of it. So he did just that with the aid of his favorite three teenagers. It was great... 'was' being the key word.

As of late, he noticed a sort of rift forming between Arrrgh and himself. The large troll began distancing himself and stopped bynear all forms of physical contact.

How could such a smooth, unblemished relationship take a turn for the worse in so little time.

Blinky narrowed it down to his being a human.

Maybe Arrrgh too found the absence of the symbol disturbing as well, or maybe it had to do with his scent (which had undoubtedly changed). Maybe the body in general was an eyesore after the initial hilarity of his predicament had worn off.

Either way, the stout tr- uhh... human planned on getting to the bottom of his mate's recent behavior.

Whatever the problem, it was far from healthy for their relationship, and as Arrrgh once again shifted away from him with a light grunt, Blinky drew the line.

"You don't have to hide it from me. I may have only two eyes but I can see clear as day. It's obvious." He said turning to face his mate,"Ever since my human deformity you have been... distant."

He hoped he didn't sound too clingy or anything. The sudden change just left him a tad bit concerned.

"Uh. Yes, Distant." The troll simply agreed.

"I may look different, but I'm still the same Blinky." He insisted, voice growing in volume.

The historian couldn't make heads or tails of Arrrgh's expression. It appeared strained, yet relived, yet sad all wrapped into one.

It then occurred to the man that maybe the pacifist felt similar. Blinky had spent most of his time in his daylight-immune body on the surface.

"How about to cheer you up, maybe later today I could rent a minivan. We could go for a drive. Something with tinted windows of course. I hear we're not too far from the world's largest thermometer. I bet you could eat it."

He splayed his two arms out and tried for a smile. It wilted, however, when Arrrgh turned his back to him.

"Not today." Arrrgh mumbled.

Something caved within Blinky as he watched the troll go. All energy seemed to have dissipated and he felt tired... resigned, really.

It took an actual effort to say, "Perhaps another time, my dear friend."

No reply came, and though he didn't expect one, he wished for some reassurance.

Blinky pushed away the urge to follow after the troll, for he would respect his mate's obvious desire to be alone. By Deya's grace, the historian was guilty of seeking out solitary on multiple occasions. He would respect Arrrgh's decision.

Besides, there was a far more pressing matter at hand with Angor Rot targeting Jim. That took precedence over... whatever was bothering the pacifist.

AN: That conversation is from episode 20, I think? I didn't change Blinky referring to Arrrgh as his 'dear friend' because I think that he's been referring to him as his 'friend' for so long that it's just plain habit.