The door clicked shut behind us, shutting out the outside world. The familiar warmth of the apartment wrapped around me like an old blanket—soft lighting, mismatched furniture, and all of my carefully raised plants. Jin stepped in quietly, her gaze sweeping the room as her tail gave a slow, lazy swish. She was just as happy to be home as I was.
Vivi didn’t hesitate, striding past us with the ease of someone who’d been here a thousand times. They tossed their bag onto the armchair and stretched dramatically. “Ah, home sweet Rak’s home,” they declared, flopping onto the couch with practiced flair. “Still cozy as hell. I’m telling you, you should charge for this kind of vibe. People would pay.”
I raised an eyebrow, shrugging off my jacket and hanging it on the hook by the door. “Yeah, and I’d never see the end of you freeloading.”
“Harsh, Rak',” Viper said, clutching their chest like I’d shot them. “And here I thought we were family.”
I snorted, shaking my head as I headed toward the hallway closet. “You want family treatment? Here.” I grabbed a blanket, tossing it over my shoulder before turning back toward the living room.
I walked over, shaking the blanket loose and draping it onto Viper with exaggerated care. “There. You’re officially part of the décor.”
They grinned, tucking the blanket around them like it was some grand luxury. “I’m a work of art. Thanks for noticing.”
“You are, but don't tell anyone I just agreed with you. Coffee’s in the kitchen,” I said, already heading toward the hallway. “Knock yourself out.”
“Don’t mind if I do,” Viper said, springing up from the couch and heading toward the familiar cabinets. “You still have that weird caramel creamer?”
“Top shelf in the left cabinet, as always,” I called back, glancing at Jin as she padded closer. “Ready for bed?”
She tilted her head slightly, her ears flicking forward. The relaxed set of her shoulders was answer enough.
“Good,” I murmured, brushing my hand briefly over hers before stepping into the hallway. “Because I’m about ready to pass out.”
----------------------------------------
The soft glow of the bathroom light spilled over the tiled walls, warm and inviting. I grabbed a fresh towel from the rack, draping it over the counter before turning to Jin. She stood just inside the doorway, her gaze flicking to the sink and then to me, her tail swaying in a slow, deliberate arc.
“You know the drill,” I said, reaching for her toothbrush and squeezing a line of toothpaste onto it. “Come here.”
She stepped forward cautiously, her eyes narrowing at the toothbrush like it had personally offended her. Her claws were out, faintly glinting in the light as her fingers brushed against the counter.
I reached out, covering her hand lightly with mine. “Claws,” I said gently, meeting her gaze. “Retract them. It’ll be easier.”
Her ears twitched, and for a moment, she hesitated. But then her claws slid back, leaving her fingers smooth and unthreatening. She picked up the toothbrush, holding it awkwardly between her thumb and forefinger.
“Good,” I said with a small nod. “Now, give it a try.”
Her first attempt was hesitant, the motions stiff and uneven. She grimaced immediately, her nose wrinkling as the minty taste hit her tongue. Her tail gave an annoyed flick, and she lowered the toothbrush with a huff, glaring at me like I’d suggested something absurd.
“It’s not that bad,” I said, leaning back against the wall. “You’ve dealt with worse.”
She didn’t look convinced. Her ears flattened slightly, and she turned the toothbrush over in her hand like she was considering throwing it.
One step at a time, I suppose.
“Alright,” I said, holding out my hand. “Let me help.”
She hesitated again, her sharp gaze flicking to mine before she finally handed over the toothbrush. I stepped closer, tilting her chin up gently as I started brushing her teeth with slow, careful motions. Her tail curled around my leg, the subtle pressure grounding as her sharp eyes locked onto mine.
“See? Not so bad,” I murmured, the corners of my mouth twitching into a small smile at her indignant look.
She huffed softly, her claws flexing slightly against the counter but never quite extending. Progress. Her tail gave another flick, less agitated now, as I finished brushing.
“There,” I said, rinsing the brush and setting it back down. “Easy, right?”
She continued looking at me blankly, unimpressed as ever.
“You’re welcome,” I said dryly, turning to grab my own toothbrush. The routine was quick and familiar, the minty tang of the toothpaste almost comforting after the long day. By the time I finished, Jin had shifted closer, her presence warm and steady at my side.
“Ready for bed?” I repeated my earlier question, meeting the tired succubus' eyes.
The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
She tilted her head slightly, her tail brushing against my leg in a quiet affirmation. Her hand grazed mine as she sought my touch.
We stepped out of the bathroom together, the warm light giving way to the softer glow of the living room. Vivi was sprawled on the couch, their coffee mug resting precariously on the edge of the table. They glanced up as we passed, raising a hand in a lazy wave.
“Sweet dreams, lovebirds,” they called, their voice as tired as my thoughts.
“Don’t stay up too late,” I replied, my tone dry as Jin and I headed toward the bedroom. Her tail brushed against my leg again, her steady presence anchoring me as we left the day behind.
----------------------------------------
The bed creaked softly under our combined weight as I settled into it, Jin following close behind. She didn’t wait for an invitation, curling against my side like she belonged there, her warmth a steady contrast to the coolness of the room. Her tail looped loosely around my leg, brushing against me in a gentle, grounding rhythm. Like several times before at this point, I wondered when I'd gotten so used to the comfort of her touch.
I let out a deep sigh, the tension of the day ebbing away with each breath. My fingers idly trailed along her back, tracing small patterns over the soft fabric of her shirt. She hummed softly in response, nuzzling closer until her horns brushed against my jaw.
Her hand slid lightly over my chest, her claws barely grazing the runes etched into my skin as she shifted closer. There was no mistaking the deliberate nature of her movements—the way her lips brushed against my neck, her warm breath sending faint shivers down my spine. Her tail tightened slightly around my leg, and I could feel the anticipation radiating from her in waves.
“Jin,” I murmured, catching her hand in mine as she started to explore more boldly. Her eyes flicked up to meet mine, wide and questioning, though there was a flicker of playful mischief in their depths.
Her tail twitched, brushing against me again, but I kept my hold gentle, firm. “We need to talk,” I said softly. Especially after earlier today, this talk really needed to happen. For both of us.
She tilted her head slightly, her ears perking, but the slight crease of her brow showed she knew I wasn’t simply teasing her. Her claws poked me as she flexed and then retracted them, letting a hand rest on my sternum.
I cupped her cheek with my free hand, guiding her gaze to mine. “Earlier today,” I began, keeping my voice steady but gentle, “when I told you ‘later,’ you didn’t stop pushing. And I know it’s hard to stop when you’re feeling this... when you want something so badly. But when I set a boundary, Jin, I need you to listen. Do you understand?”
Her gaze searched mine, her tail curling and uncurling as her claws tapped lightly against my skin. Slowly, she nodded, her expression turning thoughtful. Her fingers brushed over the back of my hand, her touch electric.
“I know it’s not easy,” I continued, brushing my thumb over her cheek. “Especially when everything feels so... overwhelming. But this is about trust. I trust you completely, and I need you to trust me when I say no, or later, or not now. Because that trust—it’s the foundation of everything between us. Without it, we have nothing.”
Her ears drooped slightly, and she let out a soft, apologetic hum, pressing her forehead lightly against mine. Her body language shifted, her recently growing confidence nowhere to be seen.
“And I’m not perfect at this either,” I admitted easily. “I know I’m not great at enforcing my own boundaries sometimes. Especially with you. But that’s something I’m working on. And I need you to meet me halfway.”
There was a sincerity in her eyes that eased the knot of tension I hadn’t realized was sitting in my chest when she finally nodded.
“Good,” I murmured, my smile softening. “Because I trust you, Jin. And now that we've established that...” I leaned back slightly, letting my hand trail from her cheek to her waist. “Now you can indulge.”
Her ears perked up instantly, the hint of playful mischief returning to her expression. Her hands slid up to my shoulders, her grip steady as she leaned in. Her lips met mine in a kiss that was anything but hesitant—soft at first, then deepening with a growing intensity that sent warmth spiraling through me.
I kissed her back, my hand finding the curve of her waist and pulling her closer. Her tail coiled more securely around my leg, her body fitting against mine like it was where she’d always belonged. And maybe, it was. Her fingers slipped into my hair, tugging lightly as the kiss deepened, her breath hot against my lips.
Her hips shifted against mine, the motion slow and teasing, and I couldn’t hold back the faint groan that escaped me. She smiled against my mouth, her sharp eyes glinting with satisfaction as her hands trailed over my chest, brushing over the lines of my runes and making them flare pink beneath my shirt.
Her weight pressed me into the mattress as she adjusted her position, straddling my thigh and moving with a slow, deliberate rhythm that left me breathless. My free hand slid up her back, finding the base of her neck and brushing against the curve of her horns.
The thought flickered at the edge of my awareness: Was this her succubus nature— or even the soul-bond between us—amplifying my reactions, driving me to respond with more fervor than I’d normally feel? But as her lips moved against mine, her touch steady and reverent, the thought faded. Did it truly matter? Whatever the bond’s influence might have been, it didn’t matter. The emotions were mine, raw and unfiltered, and they felt undeniably real.
My fingers tangled in her hair, pulling her closer as the kiss grew more fevered. Her hum of approval vibrated against my lips, her claws grazing lightly against my chest before trailing lower, resting against my ribs. The faint scrape of her nails was enough to send a shiver through me, my own hands finding her waist and gripping firmly.
Her hips pressed harder against mine, the thin barrier of our clothes doing nothing to dull the heat that built between us. My breath hitched as her tail coiled tighter, her body moving with a rhythm that left my thoughts spinning.
But even as the sensations threatened to overwhelm me, I felt the edge of exhaustion pulling at my awareness. The day’s chaos—the drills, the debrief, the weight of Crone’s words—had taken their toll, and I knew I couldn’t keep up with her energy tonight.
I shifted slightly, catching her hands and pulling back just enough to break the kiss. Her eyes flicked up to meet mine, wide and questioning, her lips parted as she caught her breath.
“Jin,” I murmured, my voice strained as I became aware of just how tired I was. “I need to slow down.”
She stilled, her tail loosening its grip on my leg as her hands rested lightly on my chest. Her expression softened, and she nodded, her body relaxing against mine as she leaned her forehead against my shoulder.
I smiled faintly, brushing a hand through her hair. “Thank you,” I said softly, catching my breath, “For listening.”
Her claws poked me once and then retracted, her grip on my shirt gentle now as she shifted to settle beside me, head on my chest and tail draped over my legs, as per usual.
I pulled the blanket over us, letting my arms curl around her as the tension in my body melted into something softer. Her warmth was immediate and grounding, her steady breathing lulling me closer to sleep.
“Goodnight, love,” I murmured, pressing a soft kiss to the top of her head.
Her only response was a content hum, her arms tightening around me as she nestled closer.
I closed my eyes, waiting for sleep to claim me and end this day.