#crocorca

💖credits💖

croc divider by saradika-graphics

icon art by seddient

blog header art by sleepawink

Canyon feels out of place.

The event is casual, nothing more than a social get-together for pro heroes without the press and public being as oppressive as they normally are outside the walls of the building. She's grateful for that considering she isn't in the mood to bring all her years of PR training to the forefront anytime soon, especially when being bombarded by questions and statements regarding her "retirement" months ago.

Still, Canyon makes sure to keep close to her friend and previous work colleague, who also works a sidekick position at Shishido's agency.

A few other pro heroes have already approached and spoke to them since their arrival at the function. Canyon maintains her cheery, socially engaged front that has long since become second nature to her. She truly does miss mingling in the company of pro heroes and those closely working with them, but understandably Canyon has been reluctant to reach out.

Even while being included in conversation, and spoken directly to, she feels a sense of separation. She also doesn't doubt that there certainly has to at least one or two individuals here that are questioning her own presence. Regardless of the fact she's been invited.

Questioning why she's "given up". Though that's not how she'd phrase it.

In a pro hero dominated world, Canyon knows her renouncement of her career no doubt looks weak in the eyes of others. Perhaps selfish to some, considering she worked to protect the public. Others surely have no idea of the reality of the mental health hurdles she has and still faces on a daily basis, something that can easily be chalked up to as a mere excuse to get out of the line of work according to some.

Canyon tries to re-center her attention back to the conversation at hand, really not wanting her mind to wander when she needs to focus on appearing as well-adjusted as possible in front of her once professional colleagues.

Out of the corner of her eye, she spies a familiar figure dressed in all-white. They try not to think much of it.

It's a pro hero function, of course Kugo will be here. Though she's a tad surprised he didn't have anything more pressing going on than a social event, but then again she is simply assuming.

They hate that they can feel another wave of self-consciousness building now having realized Kugo is in attendance. Though Canyon sees this as nothing more than the fact it's sourced from understandable awkwardness. The two of them did have a single dinner date close to a year ago, after all.

It didn't mean anything, of course. A harmless private dinner at one of the more pro hero conscious restaurants in the city, meaning they always took extra lengths to create a true space of privacy from the media and public.

And said dinner was propositioned after the pair had spoken to each other at length during and after a joint-public appearance - alongside other heroes. The two enjoyed the outing, having told each other so, and went on to remain amicable work acquaintances. They spoke to each other here and there afterwards, both of their careers at the time not leaving much room for their relationship to develop further.

Now, here Canyon is and there Kugo is, and she suddenly feels the need to smooth out her casually professional outfit she had chosen for the night. They remain engaged in the conversation around them, smiling - in their own crocodilian way - and attempting not to fidget too much.

She can't help an occasional glance over in Kugo's direction, who seems to be just as occupied in speaking to others with a hand coolly resting in his pants pocket.

Being a seven foot tall woman always has its advantages and disadvantages, and currently she's not sure whether her quality of being so easily picked out in a crowd fell into one or the other. Part of them wants to remain out of his sight, magically blending in with the rest of the people around her.

However, the other half of her can't help the hope of Kugo's gaze coincidentally falling upon her...and then what?

Canyon's not sure if she's even in a position to maneuver through the possibility of him actually approaching. Yet, even still they can't help the slight elevation of their heart rate at the idea of it.

She feels childish, like a high schooler hoping a crush will suddenly notice and approach to talk to her.

Could she even consider the interest she has in him as a genuine crush? Canyon isn't sure, though what she is sure of is that she's open to the idea of becoming friends with Kugo at the very least.

He is indeed very handsome too, and always just as handsomely dressed, even when out of his pro hero uniform. Which Canyon has only seen one time, on their dinner date- get together. Despite the somewhat stern rigidness of his outward manner, Kugo had in fact been easy to converse with in private. He's a bit soft-spoken away from the public eye, but still maintains his confidence and relaxed engagement in their conversation.

Canyon glances over once more, suddenly feeling their heart practically leap out of their broad chest upon realizing their gaze locked with Kugo's directly. Only for a split second, but it still felt long enough for their wave of anxiety to through their entire body, tail included.

She internally chastises the part of her that hopes he's thinking to himself how pretty she looks after all this time, or at the very least adjusted. While nodding along with the conversation carrying on in front of her, Canyon is desperately trying to push that out of the forefront of her mind.

Kugo never even reached out to them since their career withdrawal. Not only because the pair are mere acquaintances at best, but because he still has a life as a pro hero to live. He has more important things to do than reach out to someone who couldn't cut it for their line of work, and he has more capable people to socialize and have dinner with.

-

The evening carries on a bit longer, and after what felt like an eternity of stamping down wayward thoughts inside their mind, Canyon has foregone letting her attention wander to Kugo. By now, a risky glance over invokes relief - and admittedly, disappointment - that he no longer is in the same spot. He must have moved away during a lapse of attention from her. Which is good, Canyon tells herself. It will help her relax.

Canyon now stands with a glass of water in her large hand, having relaxed enough to allow herself to take sips from it.

As she takes one such sip at the corner of her elongated snout is when she hears someone clear their throat from behind.

Hurriedly swallowing the small amount of water with a slight upward angle of her, Canyon then turns to politely face the individual. "Yes?"

Her gaze glances downward and meets Kugo's red eyes that stare back at her, "Canyon Croc, it's been some time." he greets.

-🌀🌀🌀-

(“Canyon Croc” was her pro hero name)

also just know that kugo has been attracted to canyon too, but they're the king and queen of being able to maintain professional composure at the cost of repressing things so!!

The sudden shift in weight distribution of their shared bed stirs Canyon from their slumber. They lazily crack open a slitted eye, nictitating membrane sliding over its surface just as slowly. It's still dark out, as evidenced by the dim lamp's light at their night stand providing the only source of illumination in the room.

She shifts her elongated snout from its resting place on top of her comfortably custom-made pillow, opening her second eye and looking over to her side. The empty space next to her indicates that her partner is absent from the bed, though she merely blinks and turns her gaze forward, knowing he most likely went to the restroom. Canyon glances over to the night stand, the digital clock's display showing there's still time before the first rays of sunlight even break through the dark night sky outside.

A few moments later, Canyon hears the toilet flush and the sink run from the restroom, confirming her assumption. It isn't surprising that Kugo woke up at this time, normally it's when he rises to get ready for his work. Fortunately, today is what feels like a very rare reprieve from his constant get-up-and-go schedule.

That is, unless something comes up. It wouldn't be the first time, nor the last.

Canyon merely adjusts her head ever so slightly to watch Kugo's silhouette appear as the restroom door opens, then they follow its fainter outline once he turns off the light and makes his way back to their shared bed.

He sits down at the edge of his side, reaching over to glance at his phone's screen, which was a bit too bright for the room at this hour.

"Anything?" Canyon mumbles, keeping her voice a true neutral tone laced with the drowsiness she's unable to hide.

The mattress shifts under Kugo's weight as he lays back down, turning over to rest on his left side so he can face his partner. "No." he rumbles his response, brushing a clawed hand against Canyon's exposed arm.

"Hm." she quietly speaks, "We'll see, it's still early."

She means to say it as a lighthearted joke and speaks it as such, but Kugo can't help the slight sting he feels at the words. It reminds him of past instances where Canyon would be crushed that he had to cancel their plans again and again because of his hectic lifestyle.

Ranking as Japan's number twelve pro hero nationwide comes from many personal sacrifices, and while Kugo has always known this since day one, it didn't stop the hurt he always feels when his career must come first at the cost of disappointing someone close in his life. Kugo sighs, retreating his hand as Canyon rolls on to her side in a mirrored stance to face him. She says nothing, and Kugo's hand reaches for her again but this time to take her own in his.

With his thumb lightly circling her scaled skin, he speaks, "I told them not to contact me unless it was absolutely necessary this time."

Canyon merely hums in response. You've done so before. Kugo can practically hear her unspoken sentiment in that hum.

"With the agency's recent sidekick hires, I believe we really will have this day to ourselves, love."

His crocodilian partner shifts so she can sit up a bit straighter, "That's good to hear." though they can't help the slight lowering of their snout despite their response.

Kugo knows she's internally doubting his words, which he cannot sway nor does he blame her for it. Whether he will truly have a full day alone with his partner or not, he plans to make the most of what time they'll have regardless.

He scoots his body closer to the center of their bed, taking a moment to appreciate how the lamp's light behind Canyon gives her body's natural shapes and color a beautiful faint glow from his perspective.

"It's a bit early to start our day." he observes the obvious, well aware that his partner always likes to sleep in until the sun has fully risen. Kugo moves closer to Canyon, who wordlessly moves to lay on her back as he raises himself to lean over her.

A hint of a smile forms at the edge of Canyon's snout as she reaches for his upper arm to give it a loving squeeze. "Mhm, I'd say so." she leans into his touch when he caresses the meat of her thick neck where it connects to her jaw.

They remain like this in silence for a few moments, admiring the other's form dimly illuminated by the nightstand's lamp. As early as it is, the world outside their home is quiet, making it all too easy for them to feel as if it doesn't exist beyond their bedroom's walls.

"You know I don't blame you, right?" Canyon breaks the stillness, her voice hushed. She's just as keen as Kugo is in recognizing when the sore subject of his work-home life conflictions pervades the mood.

Kugo sighs, but looks directly into their eyes and nods, "Yes, but even when something arises that I can't ignore, it doesn't mean I don't feel my own disappointment in knowing I'm sacrificing my time with you."

"I was a pro hero too, you know. I understand your priorities and duty, Kugo. Don't feel like you have to explain that to me, or that I don't get it."

As he begins to turn away, Canyon reaches up to cup his cheek and keep his head in place, "It's frustrating for you. It's frustrating for me. That frustration is allowed to exist, so long as it's not wrongfully aimed elsewhere."

It's a sentiment that's been said before, and originates from her private therapy sessions.

Kugo leans down, and angles himself to where he can press his forehead against hers. "You are truly good to me, love."

Canyon softly laughs, "And you are to me, Kugo." she pats his cheek before releasing it. "Now, as sweet as you are to butter me up this early, I think it's time we go back to sleep."

"Very well."

There will no doubt be a conversation about the matter later. One of amicable reassurance.

For now, Kugo knows he'd much rather forego his early riser routine - if only for another hour - to spend this drowsy start to the day with Canyon. No obligations on his schedule, so far.

Kugo adjusts his body's position to where he can comfortably rest the side of his head near the crook of her neck and chest, his dorsal fin considerately angled into the pillow rather than her thick skin. He leans to press the tip of his snout against their scales, his tongue peeking through to briefly peck the surface in his form of a kiss.

His partner's arm reaches around his neck in a loose embrace, as the two settle into a comfortable cuddled position. Sharing a bed like this comes naturally after trial-and-error in the early stages of their relationship.

Canyon turns the lamp off with her free hand, and the couple snugly settle to drift back off to sleep together.

-🌀🌀🌀-

ok so they went back to bed and didn't officially wake up, but my writing drive does what it wants sometimes lmao