The water poured down around us, a steady rush of warmth that drowned out the world beyond the stall. Steam curled up in soft tendrils, clinging to every surface, turning everything into a hazy blur of movement and heat. My eyes felt heavy, the warmth lulling me into a recently annoyingly rare moment of peace.

Jin’s hand pressed against my arm, her claws gently tracing the line of a rune near my elbow. Her touch was light, curious, like she was following the patterns just to feel the texture. The warmth of her palm seeped into my skin, and I let out a slow breath, leaning further into her.

But in front of me, Viper wasn’t one to be ignored.

“Don’t get too cozy,” they muttered, turning their head just enough for their voice to cut through the rush of water. “I’m still here, you know.”

I felt their back shift against me, the slick press of skin on skin. Viper leaned back, letting their weight settle more firmly against my chest. Their locs, damp and clinging to their head, brushed against my chin. They rolled their shoulders, shifting just enough that I felt them, really felt them.

“Careful, Vivi,” I muttered, tilting my head forward to rest my forehead lightly against their back again. The water ran in slow rivulets down both of us, pooling at the base of my spine before trailing lower.

“Careful?” Viper said, their grin audible. “Pretty sure I’m the one in control right now.” They shifted their hips, slow and deliberate, grinding against me just enough to make a point.

I sucked in a slow breath through my nose, my eyes narrowing as I glanced down at them. “You’re playing with fire.”

“Yeah?” Viper shot back, their voice low and teasing. Their hips rolled again, this time slower, the motion smooth as silk. “Then burn me.”

Jin’s tail whipped sharply behind her, the soft thwap barely audible over the sound of the water. Her hand on my arm shifted, her claws pressing a little harder—not enough to hurt, but enough to remind me she was there.

Her eyes flicked toward Viper, then up at me, her gaze sharp and focused like she was sizing me up. Without a word, she stepped in closer, the warm softness of her chest pressing against my side. Her other hand slid up my arm, fingers curling possessively against the muscles of my bicep.

“Easy, love,” I said softly, meeting her gaze head-on. “This is normal.”

Her lips parted slightly as she tilted her head, eyes narrowed, expression somewhere between curiosity and challenge. Her tail curled slowly around my leg, looping once before giving a sharp tug, pulling me just a fraction closer to her. She put a hand on the back of my head and pulled me down to her, pushing her tongue into my mouth in a sloppy kiss, as if making sure I knew whom I belonged to.

Viper let out a soft laugh, glancing over their shoulder at us. “See? She knows what’s up.” They pressed back against me once more, slow and deliberate, like they had all the time in the world. Their voice dropped lower, turning into a near-purr. “Bet she’s thinking the same thing I am.”

“Doubt it,” I said flatly after breaking the kiss, giving them a firm nudge with my knee against the back of their thigh. “You think with one thing and one thing only.”

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“Don’t act like you’re any better,” Viper shot back, their eyes narrowing with mock offense. “I know exactly where your head’s at, and it’s not any higher than mine.” They tilted their head, just enough for their cheek to brush against my jawline. “Admit it, Tats. You like it when we push.”

Jin’s gaze darted between us, sharp as a blade, and I swore I saw her eyes narrow just a little more. Her fingers dug into my arm, claws pressing lightly into my skin as if to say, Mine.

My gaze shifted to her, and I tilted my head just enough to bump our foreheads together. “You alright?” I asked softly. “I know this is… different.”

Her eyes stayed on me, unwavering despite the lack of distance. Her hand on my arm slid down, her fingers curling over my wrist as she pulled it toward her. Her intent was clear even before I felt her guide my hand to her hip, pressing it firmly there like she was daring me to move it.

Alright, then.

I let my hand rest there for a moment, feeling the slow shift of her muscles under her skin as she adjusted her stance. Her eyes stayed locked on mine, unwavering, expectant. Deciding to indulge her I squeezed, just enough to let her feel it. Her eyes half-lidded, her ears twitching faintly as she leaned into the contact.

Viper clicked their tongue, watching the exchange with obvious amusement. “Look at you,” they teased, leaning their head back just enough to catch my eye. “Caught between a storm and a wildfire.”

“Yeah, well,” I muttered, my voice low and rough, “at least I’m warm.”

Viper’s grin widened. “Could be warmer.” They turned fully, hands braced against the wall behind me as they leaned in, their nose close enough to brush against mine. Their eyes searched mine, their grin shifting into something a little more sincere. “We always did keep each other warm, huh?”

“Don’t get sappy on me,” I said, but the words came out softer than I meant them to.

“Too late.” Viper’s eyes flicked down to my lips for half a second before they pulled back with a grin. “You know how I get after a fight. Well… watching one, in this case.”

Jin’s tail flicked, the sharp motion drawing both of our attention. Her gaze was locked on Vivi, steady and watchful. She didn’t growl, didn’t bare her teeth—she didn’t need to. Her posture said everything.

“Alright, alright,” Viper muttered, holding up their hands in mock surrender. “I get it. I’ll play nice.”

Jin didn’t move for a moment, her eyes still locked on them. Then, slowly, she leaned in, pressing her face against my shoulder, peppering me with kisses. Her breath was warm against my skin, her body molding against mine in a way that made it clear where she thought I belonged.

Viper snorted softly, grabbing the soap and lathering up. “Not bad, succupuss,” they said, turning to face the water. “You’re learning fast.”

“Don’t push her,” I muttered, running a hand lightly along Jin’s back, feeling the warmth of her skin under my palm. “I’m not holding her back if she decides to push you into a wall.”

“Wall, huh?” Viper shot me a grin. “You know me, Tats. I like it rough.”

The words hung there for a moment before I heard Jin’s low, rumbling huff. I glanced at her, catching the faintest glint of amusement in her eyes. Her tail again looped once around my leg, giving a light, playful tug.

The weight of everything else—the drills, the punishment, the constant hum of exhaustion—all of it faded for just a moment. It was just the three of us, warmth and water and laughter echoing softly in the steam.

The closeness wasn’t something I’d asked for, but it was something I needed nonetheless.

Viper scrubbed the soap over their chest, glancing over at me with that same cocky grin they’d worn since we were kids. “You know, if she’s gonna get all cuddly, you could at least let me have one of your arms.”

Jin’s tail swatted at them.

Viper somehow dodged it, laughing as they grabbed my wrist and pulled it toward them, draping it over their shoulder like we’d done countless times before. They leaned back, letting their weight rest on me, head tilted just enough to bump against mine.

“Lovebirds,” they muttered, eyes closing as their grin softened.

“Shut up,” I murmured, letting my eyes close as well, my body caught in that place between warmth and weightlessness.

“Make me. You know you’ve got something to put in my mouth,” they countered, and I could hear the grin in their voice.

I didn’t bother responding, instead listening to the background chatter of the other mercs around us.

The three of us stayed in the quiet rush of steam and water, unwilling to move.

Not yet.