The couch had claimed me as its prisoner, and I wasn’t fighting it. Jin was sprawled across my lap, her tail curled possessively around my leg, her soft hums vibrating through me. Her fingers were resting lightly on my arm, but the grip was firm enough to say: you’re not going anywhere.
Across from us, Viper lounged in the armchair, their feet propped on the table and the crumpled takeout bag on their stomach. They'd made coffee for themself at one point, sipping loudly as their gaze drifted between Jin and me with barely concealed amusement.
“You know,” they said finally, setting the mug down with a deliberate thunk, “I was gonna say something nice. Like, ‘Oh wow, look at you two, all cozy and adorable now that you've tired yourselves out.’” They paused, wrinkling their nose. “But then I caught a whiff. And now I’m thinking more like, ‘Oh wow, look at you two, all cozy and rank.’”
Jin stirred slightly, her tail tightening around my leg as her claws twitched faintly against my arm.
“Vivi,” I groaned, not bothering to open my eyes. “Go find someone else to annoy.”
“Believe me, I would,” they replied, leaning back and gesturing at the two of us with a half-eaten dumpling. “But this? This is prime entertainment, better than porn. And honestly, Rak', you need me right now. I’m doing you a favor.”
“Oh, are you now?” I said dryly, opening one eye to glare at them.
“Absolutely,” they said with a nod. “Because if I don’t save you from your own stench, the next poor soul who gets within a five-foot radius of you will file a complaint. And I really don’t think HR is ready for that conversation with your landlord.”
Jin let out a soft growl, her claws flexing more noticeably now.
“See?” Viper said, pointing the dumpling at her. “Even she agrees with me.”
“She does not,” I muttered, running a hand over Jin’s hair to soothe her, scratching at the base of one of her horns. She huffed softly, burying her face against my chest as if trying to block Viper out entirely.
“Uh-huh,” they said, standing and stretching. “Alright, if you’re gonna be stubborn about it, I’ll just do this myself.”
Before I could ask what they meant, they crossed to the window, wrenching it open with unnecessary flair. Cool air rushed in, cutting through the stuffy warmth of the room.
“There,” they said, dusting off their hands. “Step one: ventilation. Step two? You two dragging yourselves into the shower before one of your neighbors calls the hazmat team.”
Jin growled again, a sharper sound this time, as her tail thumped lightly against the couch in protest.
“Five more minutes,” I said instinctively, already regretting it as Viper turned to grin at me.
“Rak', you’re enabling her,” they said, crossing their arms.
“I’m comforting her,” I corrected, my voice barely above a mutter.
“Enabling,” they repeated firmly. “Look, I get it. She’s cute. She's hot. She’s clingy. It’s adorable. But you know what’s not adorable? Walking into HQ reeking of sex.”
I sighed, shifting slightly under Jin’s weight. Her tail tightened further, and she let out another low, disgruntled sound.
“You’re not helping,” I told my best friend.
“Oh, I’m helping,” they said, leaning against the wall. “Because if you two don’t get up in the next sixty seconds, I’m dragging you to the shower myself. And believe me, nobody wants that.”
Jin huffed, finally lifting her head to glare at Viper.
“There she is,” Viper said with a grin. “Go ahead, glare all you want. But I’m not wrong.”
I sighed again, gently untangling Jin’s tail from my leg. She shot me a betrayed look, her claws flexing against my arm sharply as if to call me a traitor.
“Come on,” I said softly, brushing a hand over her shoulder. “Before Vivi actually makes good on that threat. We’ll feel better after.”
Her growl softened into a reluctant hum, and she slid off me with slow movements that made it clear she wasn’t happy about it.
Viper gave a mock round of applause as we stood. “There we go! Progress!”
“Viv, if you say one more word—”
“I’ll keep going,” they interrupted, already grinning as they picked up their bag of takeout. “And you’ll love it. Now go, before I grab a bucket.”
----------------------------------------
The bathroom was quiet except for the steady hiss of water hitting the tile. The steam curled lazily around us, wrapping the small space in a soft haze. I stepped under the spray first, sighing as the warmth hit my skin, washing away the lingering grime and tension.
Jin followed, her movements unhurried as she stepped into the shower. She stayed close, her tail brushing against my leg while adjusting to the water’s heat. Her hands came to rest on my waist, steadying herself more than me, but the touch felt grounding.
“Hey there,” I murmured, reaching for the soap.
She hummed softly, her chin dipping against my shoulder as her arms looped around me. Her tail flicked lazily, a stark contrast to the tense sways I was so used to seeing.
“Long morning,” I said, lathering my hands with the bar in absence of shampoo. I turned slightly, catching her gaze. “Well worth the exhaustion, though.”
Her lips curved faintly, and she leaned into me as I fully turned and began working the soap through her hair. The motion was soothing, the warm water cascading over us in steady waves. My fingers combed through her damp strands, careful and deliberate, as I worked away the tangles.
“This is nice,” I said absently, mostly to myself, as I tilted her head slightly to rinse the lather from her hair.
Jin responded with a soft hum, her hands sliding up my back to rest on my shoulders. Her touch was warm, her claws carefully retracted as her hands squeezed and massaged wherever they touched.
“You spoil me,” I teased, my voice low and tired.
Her response was to lean closer, pressing her lips softly against my shoulder.
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“Jin,” I murmured, smiling despite myself. “You’re going to make me fall over.”
She shifted slightly, her tail wrapping loosely around my leg as though to steady me. Her hands moved lower, skimming the runes etched across my ribs before she pulled back just enough to meet my gaze. There was no demand in her expression, only quiet contentment.
I brushed a strand of damp hair from her face, letting my thumb linger against her cheek. “I'm lucky to have you,” I said softly.
Her hum deepened into a faint purr, and she tipped her head forward, her lips brushing against mine in a kiss that felt more grateful than insistent. My hands slid down her back, tracing the curve of her spine as I pulled her against me.
The moment stretched between us, entirely unhurried, until she shifted to grab the soap herself.
“My turn?” I asked with a faint laugh, stepping under the spray to rinse off.
She nodded, her hands moving over my arms and shoulders with deliberate care. Her touch was light, her fingers smoothing over the knots in my muscles as though she could coax the tension out of my body through sheer will.
I let her work, leaning against the wall as her hands traveled to my chest, tracing the faint lines of the runes etched into my skin. She lingered there, her palms warm against my skin, before stepping back slightly to let the water rinse the suds away.
By the time we finished, the fatigue that had clung to me earlier felt dulled, replaced by a faint, comforting warmth. Jin stayed close as we stepped out of the stall, her tail brushing against my arm as I grabbed a towel.
“You’re gonna fall asleep standing up if you’re not careful,” I teased, wrapping the towel around my waist.
Her response was a soft huff and a raised eyebrow, as if asking me who I was to talk.
“Alright,” I said, brushing a hand through her damp hair. “Let’s face Vivi before they start breaking down the door.”
The air outside the bathroom felt sharp and cool against my damp skin as I stepped into the bedroom, the towel draped loosely around my waist. Jin padded behind me, her tail brushing against my leg every so often as she followed close.
I opened my closet, rummaging through the sparse collection of neatly folded work clothes, perfectly opposing the pile of other items. My hands moved mechanically, grabbing a clean shirt and a pair of pants for myself before turning to look for something for her.
“These might work,” I said, holding up a soft black sweater and a pair of fitted joggers. They weren’t exactly tailored for someone with hooves, but the stretchy fabric would do in a pinch.
Jin tilted her head, her gaze flicking between the clothes and me before she took the offered garments. She hummed softly to herself as she turned toward the bed to dress.
I focused on getting dressed myself, slipping into my pair of cargo pants and a fitted top emblazoned with the red crescent of the Crimson Reverie logo before turning back to check on her. Jin was struggling with the waistband of the joggers, her tail swishing with faint irritation as she tugged them over her hips.
“Need a hand?” I asked, biting back a smile.
She shot me a mild glare, her claws flexing briefly before she managed to adjust the fabric properly. The joggers clung snugly to her frame, sitting low enough to accommodate her tail, and the sweater hung loosely over her shoulders, the sleeves slightly too long.
“You look good,” I said, earning a faint huff as she adjusted the cuffs of the sweater. "We'll have to look into picking up some clothes adjusted to fit someone with a tail, though."
Satisfied, I grabbed my jacket and slung it over my shoulder, brushing a hand through my still-damp hair.
“Come on,” I said, nodding toward the door. “Viv’s probably already raiding the fridge again.”
The moment we stepped back into the living room, the crisp smell of fresh air hit me, a stark contrast to the heady warmth that had lingered before. Viper was lounging on the arm chair, their feet again kicked up on the coffee table, looking far too pleased with themselves.
A neatly packed duffel bag sat on the floor beside them, and they were flipping through something on their datapad with an air of studied nonchalance.
“Look who’s finally presentable,” they said, glancing up and grinning. “Took you long enough.”
“Thanks for the commentary,” I muttered, running a hand over the back of my neck.
Viper sat up, tossing the datapad onto the table and gesturing toward the duffel bag. “I took the liberty of packing your essentials. Figured you’d want to hit the road quickly.”
“Why?” I asked, frowning as I picked up the bag.
“Oh, didn’t I mention?” they said, their grin widening. “We’re late.”
“Late for what?”
“Drills,” they replied casually. “Reaper called us in an hour ago. Said it was mandatory.”
“What?” I froze, my mind racing as the words sank in. “Why didn’t you—”
“I did,” they said with a shrug. “You were a little... preoccupied.”
Jin growled softly, her claws twitching at her sides as her tail flicked sharply.
“Relax,” Viper said, holding up their hands. “I packed everything you’ll need, and I brought your car around. You’re welcome.”
I exhaled slowly, trying to suppress the rising frustration as I slung the bag over my shoulder.
“Thanks,” I muttered, though the word felt begrudging.
“Anytime,” they replied cheerfully, grabbing their own gear. “Now let’s get moving before Reaper has us running laps for the rest of the day.”
Jin clung close to my side as we walked to the car, her tail brushing against my leg with every step. Viper strolled ahead, spinning my keys around one finger like they didn’t have a care in the world.
My beat-up sedan had seen far better days, not that I'd let it go anytime soon. Viper tossed me the keys without warning, grinning as I barely caught them.
“Your turn to drive,” they said, slipping into the passenger seat.
Jin climbed into the back, settling behind me with a wary expression. She was quiet and her claws tapped lightly against the seat, a faint rhythm that betrayed her unease.
I started the engine, the familiar rattle and hum filling the cabin as I pulled away from the curb.
“You didn’t eat, did you?” Viper asked, glancing at me with a raised brow.
“I was a little preoccupied,” I replied flatly.
“That’s a shame,” they said, reaching into their bag and pulling out a wrapped sandwich. “This one’s mine, by the way. Thought I’d save you the trouble of wondering.”
“Generous,” I muttered, focusing on the road and blindly reaching for the sandwich anyway. My best friend giggled and handed Jin a sandwich as well.
The drive to HQ wasn’t long, but every mile seemed to stretch as the weight of the morning settled heavily in my chest. Jin stayed quiet in the backseat, her claws tapping faintly, her gaze fixed on the passing scenery.
“We’ll figure it out,” I said softly, glancing at her through the rearview mirror.
Her tail flicked slightly, but she didn’t respond, her pink gaze lingering on the horizon.
“Hey,” I added, keeping my tone gentle. “You’re coming with me. You won’t be alone.”
Her claws stilled, and after a moment, she nodded faintly. Good enough.
----------------------------------------
The Crimson Reverie HQ loomed ahead, its sharp angles and heavy concrete walls as intimidating as ever. I parked in the outside lot for once, the car’s tired engine sputtering as I turned it off.
Viper hopped out immediately, slinging their bag over one shoulder. “Ready for the warmest welcome Reaper’s ever given?”
I sighed, opening the door and stepping out, grabbing my own bag. Jin followed closely, her gaze darting between the building and the scattered groups of mercenaries moving across the lot.
She stuck close as we walked inside, brushing against me with every step. The faint hum of activity filled the air—voices echoing in the hallways, the metallic clang of equipment being moved, the buzz of overhead lights.
The squad’s space was already bustling when we arrived. The sharp bark of Reaper’s voice carried over the noise, cutting through the room like a whip.
“You’re late,” he said, his gaze locking onto me and Viper as we stepped inside.
“Traffic,” Viper replied breezily, setting their bag down with a loud thunk.
Reaper’s glare didn’t falter. “You missed most of the briefings. You’ll make up for it in drills. No breaks. No excuses.”
I stifled a groan, my tired muscles already protesting at the thought.
Jin stayed close, her tail curling around my waist as I guided her toward the back of the room. The squad’s usual setup was tight, with rows of chairs and tables crammed into the space.
Unfortunately, with the team back at full size, seating was at a premium. Crone was back from her injury leave, sitting with her usual stoic air, and even the Rookie—Paul—was taking up space with his stiff, awkward academy posture.
The only other free seat was my own, so Jin ended up in my lap, curling up like she belonged there. Her tail looped securely around me, and her claws brushed lightly against my arm as she settled in.
The room went quiet for a moment, the squad’s eyes entirely on us.
“Well,” Breaker said finally, sliding a mug of coffee toward me with a faint smirk. “Someone looks like they had a rough morning.”
“Thanks,” I muttered, taking the mug gratefully.
Viper grinned, leaning back in their seat. “You don't know the half of it.”
“Shut up,” I warned, but the heat in my face betrayed me.
“Hey, no judgment,” they said, raising their hands in mock surrender. “I’m just saying, Succupuss here seems pretty attached.”
Jin huffed softly, her tail tightening around my waist as she nuzzled against my shoulder.
“Adorable,” Viper added, clearly enjoying themselves as they reached to take the mug from me.