#armallo

Inky seems quite frustrated, he notices.

She walks out of their room with purpose, tail flicking irritably. Her ears aren’t flattened, but they are laid back somewhat. How an animal can so clearly convey frustration, he does not know. He can’t help it-- a chuckle escapes him as she pads over to him.

“What’s wrong, miss?” he asks as he stoops over to pick her up. She goes willingly, only uttering a small “hrrm”. “Something certainly has you upset. Were you moved from a comfy spot? Did someone wake you?”

She huffs through her nose at him.

“I know what will help,” he murmurs to her, cradling her against his chest. Already, he is moving down the hall towards the room. Again, she huffs at him, but does not wriggle out of his arms. 

As he rounds the corner into the doorway, he suddenly understands her irritation.

The Slayer lies on the bed, positively enclosed in Armallo and his thick fur. From his torso to his feet, Vega can see no part of him underneath the sleeping beast. Armallo hardly pays him any mind as Vega steps into the room. The Slayer wriggles an arm out from under the beast and waves.

“This is… interesting,” Vega comments, bewildered. “Surely that can’t be comfortable.”

The marine makes a so-so gesture with his free hand. 

Quietly, Vega sits at the foot of the bed, in the mere inches of space left. “Does it...this...hurt?” he queries.

Somehow, beneath the bulk, he can see the Slayer shake his head.

Inky flattens her ears now, a low, menacing rumble that Vega can feel coming out of her.

Suddenly, it makes sense.

“Gods, Slayer, do you know what has happened?” He strokes Inky’s back gently to soothe her. “Someone is jealous.”

He hears an amused snort come out from under Armallo. Somehow, the Slayer manages to wriggle his torso out from under the hound, propping himself up with his elbows. He locks eyes with Inky, who stubbornly looks away and cuddles further into Vega.

“Who knew she had such a fierce attitude?” Vega hums. He rises to his feet, moving to stand next to the Slayer. Carefully, he moves Inky, gently handing her over to the Slayer. The man handles her like she’s glass, slowly enclosing her with his big hands and settling her in the crook of his elbow. 

Now, she seems content. Her eyes slit closed; her ears ease back into a neutral position. A different kind of rumble comes out of her this time, proving that she truly is happy now.