The hiss of the shower tapered off, leaving only the soft patter of water droplets falling from our bodies to the tiled floor. The warmth of the steam lingered in the air, curling in soft, ghostly ribbons around us. For a moment, none of us moved. The weight of the heat, the water, and the shared closeness felt like something that didn’t need to be rushed.

Viper was the first to break it, peeling away from where they’d leaned against me. They flicked water from their hands with sharp, deliberate snaps, grinning like they’d just pulled off a heist.

“Alright, lovebirds,” they muttered, grabbing their towel from the hook just outside the stall. “Time to make ourselves presentable. I know Reaper said we’ve got an hour, but if I show up soggy, he’s gonna have a field day.”

“Let him,” I muttered, tilting my head back against the wall for just a second longer. The warmth of the water still lingered on my skin, a slow pulse of heat that refused to fade.

“Big talk for someone who was punished alongside me,” Viper said, tossing their towel over their head and ruffling their hair like a dog shaking off rain. “Bet he calls you out anyway.”

“Yeah, yeah,” I grumbled, pushing off the wall.

Jin’s tail uncurled from my leg as I moved, her eyes tracking me with that steady focus she always had. Her gaze flicked briefly to Viper before settling on me again, her claws tapping idly against her thigh as she watched, her posture speaking volumes. Close. Stay close.

I reached for the shower’s lever and turned it all the way to the right, cutting off the last of the water. The absence of it was jarring, the cold air nipping at my skin almost instantly. I shivered, brushing a hand over my arms to chase away the chill.

Jin moved with me, her hands resting on my waist as she leaned in close. Her horns nudged the side of my jaw, and I felt her breathe me in like she was committing the scent of me to memory. I could feel her breath against my neck, warm and soft in the humid air.

Her breath hitched softly. Her fingers dug in just a little more firmly on my hips.

I glanced down at her, catching the flicker of something sharper in her eyes—a look I knew all too well. The corners of her lips quirked into a sly little smile, her eyes half-lidded and focused solely on me.

“Here?” I murmured, leaning my head down to meet her gaze, water still dripping from my hair.

Jin responded by making a soft mewing noise. She tilted her head just enough to press her lips to mine, soft at first, then firmer, needier. Her hands gripped my waist more tightly as she pulled me in, her body still slick and warm from the shower. The faint scrape of her claws barely registered past the slow roll of her hips against mine.

My breath hitched, and I felt her smile against my mouth. Little troublemaker.

I kissed her back, one hand settling against the small of her back, the other slipping up to her cheek. Her skin was soft, damp with steam, and the warmth of her body pressed so perfectly against mine that it felt like we’d always fit like this. She hummed softly, her hands sliding from my waist up to my ribs, her thumbs brushing over the runes etched into my sides.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

“Not right now,” I muttered between kisses, but I didn’t pull away. Not immediately.

Her tail coiled slowly around my leg, tugging me closer, her chest pressing firmly against mine. I bit back a groan as her hands explored more freely, her fingers daring to wander.

“Jin,” I warned softly, pulling back just enough to look her in the eye. Her pupils were wide, her breathing slow and heavy. “Later.”

Her eyes narrowed at that, her claws pressing into my sides just enough to make me hiss.

“Later,” I said firmly, leaning in to nudge her forehead with mine. She huffed, her breath hot against my neck, but she didn’t push further.

Her lips brushed against the side of my jaw before she finally relented, stepping back just enough to give me space. Her gaze lingered on me like she was making sure I knew she wasn’t done with me just yet.

Yeah, I got the message.

Viper’s voice cut through the fog like a slap. “You two gonna stand there making out, or are you actually getting dressed today?”

“Be honest Vivs, you're enjoying the show,” I muttered, reaching for my towel and draping it over my head.

They winked at me. “Maybe.”

The mood shifted, from slow, steady touches to the familiar shuffle of post-shower routine. Towels were pulled from hooks, lockers clanged open, and the room buzzed with the low murmur of our squad mates exchanging tired words.

I scrubbed at my hair, toweling it dry before wrapping the towel around my waist. Jin followed close behind, her sharp gaze flicking between me and Viper as she reached for her towel. She didn’t rush like the rest of us—every motion of hers was deliberate, calm, so long as she was close to me. She moved like she had all the time in the world.

Then again, she’s not running on soldier time like the rest of us.

Her eyes landed on my towel, an expression I'd grown to recognize by now on her face.

"Eyes up here," I chided her gently, to which she responded by staring at my tits instead with a grin that said she knew exactly what she was doing. I nudged her shoulder. "Very funny."

Viper had already tugged on their tank top, their hair still damp and curling slightly at the edges. They grinned at me as they pulled on their jacket. “Don’t keep Reaper waiting, Tats. You know how he gets when his schedule’s thrown off.”

“I was reminded enough of that today,” I muttered, pulling on my pants and reaching for my shirt. “You heading to your quarters?”

“Got a thing to grab,” they said, rolling their shoulders like it was nothing. “I’ll meet you at the mess if I’m not dead first.”

“Don’t make me fetch you,” I warned.

“Fetch me?” They raised a brow, grinning like a devil. “What am I, a stray?”

“Strays have better survival instincts,” I shot back.

They laughed, slinging their bag over their shoulder. “Careful, Rak'. You’re starting to sound like me.”

“Gods help me,” I muttered, shaking my head.

Viper stepped toward the door, pausing just long enough to glance back at us. Their grin shifted, softer, almost fond. “One hour, lovebirds,” they called, pointing two fingers at me. “Don’t be late.”

The door swung shut behind them, and the room fell quieter in their absence. I pulled my shirt over my head, letting it settle on my shoulders. The familiar weight of it was a small comfort.

Jin perched herself on the bench, watching me with a look that was far too focused. Her tail flicked once, curling around her leg, but her eyes stayed on me. Her ears twitched slightly, like she’d heard something I hadn’t.

“Come on,” I said, offering her a hand. “Let’s get to the mess before they run out of something decent.”

She let me help her up, her hand fitting into mine like it had always belonged. Her grip was firm but not forceful, her claws retracted as her fingers laced loosely with mine.

The walk back through the halls was quiet but not silent. The hum of overhead lights buzzed faintly, distant echoes of squadmates' voices carrying from around the corner. The cool air felt sharp against my still-damp skin, but Jin’s presence at my side made it bearable. Her tail flicked lightly behind her, swaying in time with each step.

The smell of food hit us before we even reached the mess hall. Warm spices, bread, and the faint scent of something fried. My stomach let out a deep, hollow growl, loud enough to make Jin glance at me.

“Don’t,” I muttered.

Her ears flicked once, and a small smile tugged at her lips.

We stepped into the mess together, the hum of conversation wrapping around us like the warmth of a hearth.