The morning light filtered through the curtains, soft and muted, casting long shadows across the room. I blinked awake, the warmth pressed against my side grounding me before the haze of sleep fully lifted.
She was tucked against me, her breathing steady and soft. At some point during the night, she had shifted even closer, partially laying on me with her tail draped over my leg. Her horns pressed lightly into my shoulder, and the oversized shirt I’d given her had ridden up slightly, exposing her thin legs.
I stayed still for a moment, unwilling to disturb her. She looked so calm like this, so unlike the wary, guarded creature I’d pulled out of that basement. It was a rare moment of calm, and I wasn’t sure how long it would last.
“Good morning,” I murmured when I eventually felt her stir, my voice low so as not to startle her.
Her ears twitched at the sound, and her eyes fluttered open, still heavy with sleep. For a moment, she simply looked at me, her gaze soft but searching. Then, as though realizing how close she was, she blushed and let her head sink back onto my chest, her tail brushing against my leg before curling loosely around her own.
“Wish I could stay in bed,” I said, gently rolling her off me as I sat up. “But I've got things to do today.”
I swung my legs over the side of the bed, running a hand through my hair, which had gotten just long enough that I’d need to shave it again soon. The low hum of the heater was the only sound, the room quiet and still. But the moment my feet touched the floor, her tail uncurled, and she sat up sharply. Her claws flexed briefly against the blanket, her gaze snapping toward me with a faint growl.
“Easy,” I said, holding up a hand. “I’m not going far. Just getting ready for the day.”
She didn’t relax, her tail swaying in short, sharp arcs as her gaze followed me to the dresser. I grabbed a clean shirt and a pair of cargo pants, throwing them on quickly before glancing back at her. She was still perched on the edge of the bed, her posture tense and her claws retracted but twitching faintly.
“Workday,” I said, pulling on my boots. “I’ve got meetings and drills at HQ. It’s nothing dangerous.”
Her growl deepened slightly, and her tail lashed once.
“I’ll be back,” I added, crossing the room to crouch in front of her. “It’s just for a few hours. You’ll be fine here.”
Her breathing quickened, and her claws flexed fully now, digging faintly into the blanket.
“Hey,” I said softly, reaching for her hand. “You’re safe. No one’s coming in here. No one’s going to hurt you.”
She pulled her hand back with a sharp exhale, her gaze darting toward the door. I sighed. “You don’t want me to leave.”
Her ears flattened slightly, and she let out another low growl, her hands holding onto my hips.
“It’s just for a few hours,” I said, my tone steady. “Meetings, drills. Nothing dangerous.”
Her claws twitched against my sides, though they didn’t extend far, and she continued growling and rumbling.
“I’ll be back before you know it,” I added.
Her breathing quickened, and she let out another growl, this one sharper, her tail striking against the mattress with a soft thump.
“I can't get you to stay, can I?” I murmured. She huffed again, louder this time, and her claws flexed briefly before retracting.
“Fine,” I said, exhaling slowly. “You can come with me. But you’re staying in my quarters at HQ. No wandering, no interacting with anyone for now. Just... wait there until I’m done.”
Her tail flicked once more, slower now, and the low rumble she made in her throat felt almost like agreement.
"You'll have to wear something else though, you can’t wear pajamas all day," I declared as I wiggled out of her grasp.
I crossed the room to the closet, sliding the door open with a faint creak. The collection of clothes inside was a mess—barely organized work uniforms, shirts that didn’t fit anymore, and the odd jacket I’d kept for no real reason.
“Gotta find something that fits somewhat,” I muttered, pulling out a loose shirt and a pair of drawstring pants. “Maybe these.”
Her ears perked slightly, and she let out a soft huff as I turned back toward her.
“They’ll fit better than those shorts,” I said, holding the clothes out to her.
She hesitated, her claws again flexing before retracting as she reached for the bundle.
“Go ahead,” I said, stepping toward the dresser. “I'll be in the living room to grab a few things.”
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The sound of rustling fabric was quiet behind me while I packed some food and water for her, along with my datapad and door pass for work. She didn't take long to change, the sound of her hooves on the floor behind me soon drawing my attention. When I turned, she was adjusting the drawstring pants, her tail swishing faintly behind her as she tugged the oversized shirt into place.
“Not bad,” I said with a faint smile. “Better than pajamas, right?”
She huffed softly, her tail swiping once as she eyed me.
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The drive to HQ was quiet, the gentle rumble of the engine filling the silence between us. She tensely sat in the passenger seat, her hands resting in her lap, her claws fully retracted but twitching whenever the car hit a bump in the road.
I glanced at her briefly as we pulled up to the towering gray walls of Crimson Reverie’s compound. The place was as unwelcoming as ever, its sharp angles and reinforced gates looming like sentinels, guarding my home away from home.
Her breathing quickened, her tail twitching as the car slowed to a stop.
“It’ll be fine,” I said softly, turning off the engine. “Just a few hours. Then we’ll head back.”
Her claws flexed briefly, leaving small scratches on the seat, but she didn’t growl or make any move to resist.
The guard at the gate waved us through, his gaze lingering on her for a moment before returning to his post. I parked in the underground garage, stepping out and motioning for her to follow. She hesitated for a moment, her tail curling tighter around her leg, before climbing out of the car.
“Stay close,” I said, my tone firm but calm.
Her hooves clicked against the pavement as she followed me into the building and toward my quarters, her posture tense but steady.
I keyed the door and it slid open, revealing the small room.
“You’ll be fine here,” I said. “No one’s going to bother you.”
She let out a low growl, her claws flexing faintly before retracting as she perched on the edge of the familiar cot. I unzipped my bag, setting out water and food for her.
“I mean it,” I added, crouching before her. “You’re safe. Just stay put until I’m done.”
Her tail curled around her legs once more, and she huffed softly, her gaze darting toward the door.
“I’ll be back soon,” I said, stepping out and letting the door close behind me.
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The day at HQ dragged like lead, every second punctuated by the faint buzz of unease in the back of my mind.
Drills were a blur of precision and repetition—Reaper’s voice barking orders, the clang of boots against metal, and the clatter of weapons as we moved through formations. I kept my body in motion, but my thoughts were locked on the small, dim quarters where I’d left her.
“Pick it up, Tats!” Viper called, one of their daggers spinning lazily in one hand as they lounged at the edge of the yard. “You’re moving like you left something important behind.”
I scowled, my mood not up to our usual banter. “Focus on your own drill.”, I barked.
“Feisty,” they said with a grin.
Reaper’s sharp “Viper, shut it!” spared me further commentary, but the tension in my chest remained.
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By the time I made my way back toward the quarters many hours later, the quiet unease I’d carried all day had sharpened into a tangible knot in my chest.
Then I heard it.
The sound wasn’t loud at first—just a distant wail that sent a shiver down my spine. As I drew closer, it grew louder, sharper, until the keening cry became unmistakable.
Her.
I broke into a run, my boots pounding against the floor as the sound guided me.
When I reached the door, I slammed my hand against the panel, and it hissed open with a low, mechanical groan.
The sight inside stopped me cold.
The room was in shambles. The cot was shredded beyond recognition, its mattress torn apart and the frame bent at awkward angles. The desk was clawed and splintered, deep gouges running jagged lines across its surface. Shreds of wallpaper hung limply from the walls, and the chair was reduced to scattered, broken pieces.
And there she was, crouched in the corner, her claws fully extended as she clutched the remains of the blanket. Her tail lashed violently, striking against the floor with a sharp, rhythmic thud. Her breathing was erratic, her eyes wide and wild as she stared at nothing, rocking herself.
“Hey,” I called out, stepping into the room.
Her head snapped toward me, and a guttural growl tore from her throat.
“It’s me,” I said quickly, raising my hands. “You’re okay. It’s just me.”
Her claws twitched, her tail curling tighter as she crouched lower, her breathing hitching in uneven gasps.
“I’m back,” I said softly, inching closer. “You’re not alone. I’m here.”
Her growl faltered, breaking into a low, trembling whimper. Her claws retracted slightly, but the tension in her frame didn’t ease.
“You’re okay,” I murmured, dropping to a crouch. “I’ve got you. Whatever it is, it’s over. You’re safe now.”
Before I could say more, she darted forward, her hands gripping my shoulders as she buried her face in my chest. Her claws extended again, raking across my back in deep, searing lines that cut through fabric and skin as she clung to me.
I hissed sharply, the sting cutting through the adrenaline already surging in my veins, but I didn’t pull away.
“It’s okay,” I said, my voice steady despite the pain. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Her tail coiled tightly around my leg, her body trembling against mine as sobs wracked her small frame. Her claws scraped against my back again, her grip desperate and unrelenting.
“I’ve got you,” I murmured, running a hand lightly over her hair. “You’re safe. No one’s going to hurt you.”
Her cries grew louder, her breathing hitching with every broken sob. She pressed herself closer, her claws still not quite retracted as her tail uncoiled from my leg and thumped violently against the floor.
Her hands shifted suddenly, gripping the fabric of my shirt as she tilted her head upward. Before I could react, she pressed her lips to mine in a kiss that was anything but gentle.
The motion was desperate, almost frantic, her body pressing against mine as her tail tightened its hold around my leg. Her hands clutched at me frantically, holding onto whatever fabric they could tear into.
She shifted against me, grinding her hips into mine as though trying to draw me closer, her muffled cries breaking through the kiss.
The sheer intensity of it left me frozen, my mind scrambling for balance as her hands roamed, gripping my shoulders with bruising force, even for my hard skin.
When she pulled back slightly, her forehead rested against mine, and her breaths came in shuddering gasps. Her tail loosened its hold, swaying slowly as her tears soaked into my shirt.
“You’re safe,” I whispered, my hands steady on her shoulders, trying to stay calm for both of us. “I’m here. You’re not alone.”
She pressed into me again, her sobs quieter now but no less desperate as her legs locked behind me, not giving me any chance to let her go.
The room was still a wreck. My back stung with every small movement, the lines her claws had carved into my skin burning like fire. But none of it mattered.
All that mattered was her, held tightly in my arms, her quiet sobs slowly fading into silence. She needed me, and when I'd saved her that day I knew I couldn't fail her.
Maybe today, I had.