#roseyodditea

"I can't help it. You look cute all sprawled out, sunbathing like a lizard."

You couldn't hold back how upset you were. You gather yourself and stand up, walking away from the couch. Lighter seems genuinely surprised.

"I didn't mean it. I just… I've seen you walk off worse injuries than-"

You glare. "If you're smart, stop talking."

Lighter stares for a moment, weighing his options. It was so cute how your face scrunched up when you were upset, but he stopped. "I'm sure it's that bad. I'll stop bothering you."

"Thank you." You sigh and move away. "I'm going to go take a nap in your bed. Please have a more genuine apology ready before I get back."

"I will." He promises softly.

He was left standing there when he heard a laugh behind him. "You're in trouble~" Pulchra teased.

"You gotta help me out." He begs, turning to look at her. "How do I fix this?"

Pulchra things for a moment. "Hey! (Y/n)!" She calls out. You turn to see her raise a stun gun before pulling the trigger, Lighter immediately falling to the ground and groaning in pain, his sunglasses clattering to the ground.

"Pulchra!" You shout and jog over, seeing Lighter still doubled over.

"Oh don't worry." Pulchra holds out the stun gun so you could feel how powerful it was. You looked at the cartridge and felt the way it buzzed against your skin. "Low voltage."

"You're making him feel something like period cramps." Your eyes light up, thankful.

Pulchra claps your back. "Yeah. He does this to all of us. Felt like it was time he got humbled a bit."

Lighter was still on the ground as you pick up his sunglasses. "What's wrong, Lighter? What happened to the big tough guy I've seen fight ethereals?" You throw his words back out to him. "Look at you! Reduced to nothing!"

Lighter groans, finally sitting up. "You are a wicked, wicked woman."

"Apologize."

"It's-"

"Say 'I'm sorry'" You smirk.

"I'm sorry."

Pulchra scoffs. "Doesn't seem genuine enough," she raises her hand to stun Lighter's stomach again.

"Okay that was a bit much." You giggle, playing with Lighter's hair to comfort him.

"You better spoil her next time." Pulchra comments before leaving you and Lighter.

"I will." He promises, reaching out to squeeze your hand.

Lycaon

"Here, hold these." You offload the bags from the store you just walked out of into Lycaon's arms.

"Very well." Lycaon says with that soft, gentlemanly smile on his lips. He watches as you continue to walk through Lumina Mall, eyeing the displays in front of the stores and bouncing back and forth between windows. "What about this store? I believe it has the new sweater you mentioned."

You hum as you glance into the store. "Nah… I've read the reviews. It pills really badly in the laundry."

Lycaon thinks for a moment. "I am sure I can find a way to avoid that. If not, Rina might have an idea."

"Hate to break your heart, but I just throw all my laundry in the machine at once. I don't want a piece of clothing that can't survive that." You laugh, looking back at the many shopping bags Lycaon was holding. "I think we're done for the day. Let's head out and get some dinner."

"Wonderful idea." He agrees and starts to weave through the crowds to leave.

You spot a new kiosk and stop. "Wait, Lycaon."

"Yes, darling?"

"Look. Period cramp simulator! I promised Ellen I'd make you try it out if we ever saw it at the mall."

Lycaon's ears twitch as he remembers the conversation. "I remember. Ellen said 'never mind' because she thinks I'll stop giving her time off for it."

"C'mon." You drag him to the stall and talk to the person running the stall.

"How do you expect to do this through my fur?" Lycaon chuckles softly as your face contorts, but the person reassures you that it'll work before using some gel to smooth some fur on Lycaon's stomach down before placing the electrodes down.

"Alright… Level one!" You press the button and try to watch Lycaon's micro expressions to see if he was feeling anything. The only thing you picked up was how his ear twitched slightly.

"Okayyy…. Level two." Click. Once again all you saw was an ear twitch. You kept progressing up the levels. Around level five, the gentle swish of Lycaon's tail stopped. Level seven saw his fists clenching around the bags in his hands. Level nine caused him to instinctually bare his teeth a bit.

"Alright. That's enough." He growls out. He was silent as the pads were removed and the two of you left the mall.

You were still watching his face when you broke the silence. "What's on your mind, love?"

"I deeply apologize for letting you do anything during your period. Please let me take care of everything next time."

Manato

Yuzuha had actually bought it… with Alice's credit card. She was sitting on the checkout counter in Mystic Wares, playing with all the buttons.

"You said yours was at a four?" Yuzuha asked and Alice nodded. "I think mine is closer to a five. It seems a lot less bad without the headache."

You lean over, curious. "Alright, my turn, my turn." You stick them on you and feel the buzzing. "Oh my cramps are way worse than this." You keep clicking the button up, not at all flinching.

The bell on the door rings before heavy footsteps thump across the floor. "What are you three up two?" A gruff voice calls out.

"Trying out a period cramp simulator." Yuzuha responds as she slides off the counter to start straightening up merchandise. "We wanted to see how strong each other's cramps are."

"Well my cramps are really terrible." Manato jokes, his voice deadpan. "Truly the worst, absolutely debilitating."

Yuzuha get's that smile on her face. "Wanna try it, Manato?"

He shakes his head. "No I'm good. I've seen how you guys react. I believe you that they're bad."

You get the same idea. "Oh but Manato, how can you possibly sympathize unless you've felt it first hand!"

He takes a few steps back. "No no I don't sympathize. I understand and take care of you guys."

Yuzuha glances to you and Alice before pointing to Manato. "Get him!"

"Wait wait wait!" Manato tries to walk backwards, already laughing, but between the three of you, the large man has no chance. You get him on the ground, his head in your lap in a gentle headlock, Alice and Yuzuha each pinning down a leg and a arm. "Wait! Wait!"

Yuzuha laughs wickedly, sticking one of the pads on his stomach. Alice takes her time to make sure the other one was on the exact opposite side. You grabbed the controller and had it cranked to the lowest setting.

Manato takes a few breaths to catch his breath from laughing. "Okay, okay. This isn't that bad. This is only level one, yeah? I can take it."

"My cramps sit at a four." Alice says as she presses the button a few times.

"This is only a four!?" He growls, legs twitching but the three of you still hold him down.

"Come on, Alice, give him all of it!" You laugh, leaning over to press the buttons.

Manato whimpers, curling in on himself. "Okay that's enough! I get it!"

There was some more wrestling, coupled with more pained whines from Manato until the three of you were thrown to the ground, Manato ripping the cords off. "That's enough." He growls, brushing himself off.

"Alright, we're sorry." You laugh, taking his hand so he can help you up.

"Are you guys done abusing me? We have dinner reservations." He wraps an arm around your waist, his ears flat against his head, frustrated.

"Let's go." You take him out of the building while Yuzuha and Alice were still talking. When the door closed, Manato stopped you.

"Is that… really what it feels like?" His voice gentle and gruff.

"Yeah. It's bad."

He pulls you closer. "You've still cooked for me while feeling like that…"

"I've learned to live with it. It's okay Manato-"

He picks you up in one, swift movement. "No. I'm taking care of you next time. That's final."

Wise

Growing up around Belle, Wise had a general idea on how bad period cramps could be, so he was always caring and gentle around that time of month. He'd always cook and clean for you, prepare you whatever would help as you curled up on the couch or sprawled out awkwardly on the floor for any sort of relief. However, he was still a bit oblivious, and one comment he said only got on your nerves.

"Maybe walking around for a bit would help?" Wise asks, fingers gently massaging your stomach.

"Are you serious?" You grumble, looking up a him. "You see how I'm laying. You've seen how little I've moved all day. You think walking around would help me right now?"

Wise immediately looks guilty. "I'm sorry, I read somewhere that it might help. I just wanted to help."

You take a deep breath to settle yourself. "I know, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap. I'm just hurting."

"Master-in-Law", Fairy's voice calls out from the stack of monitors against the wall. "I have purchased an item I believe will help this argument."

You sit up, surprise outweighing your pain. "Fairy can just spend your money?"

"I thought I fixed that…" Wise grumbles and leaves you on the couch to fix it before the AI drained his bank account.

A few days later, you were helping retie Eous's bandana when Wise walked into Random Play, holding a box.

"What's that?" You ask, watching him take out the controller and electrode pads.

"Fairy?" Wise pokes his head into the back room. "What did you buy?"

"That is a period cramp simulator. I recommend Master tries it so Master-in-Law doesn't snap at him again."

You furrow your brows and don't even hesitate as you start to plug in the wires. "I didn't think that snappiness wasn't that bad."

"It's not. Ignore Fairy." Wise sighs and helps you, reading the instructions.

You stick it on yourself and turn it on, cranking it up to the max level without breaking a sweat. "Y'know… That's not too far off. Here, you try."

As soon as they stick to Wise's skin, his knees buckle and he crouches on the ground, taking a few deep breaths.

"Wise?" You kneel down with him. "This is only level two."

"Level… two?" He looks up you like a deer caught in headlights. He moves to sit down all the way, taking a few deep breaths. "Every month?"

"Oh no, mine are normally here." You crank it up as high as you could and Wise just let out a whimper, now curled like an egg on the ground. "Mercy?"

"S-Sorry. I won't ever suggest you walk around a bit again."

You put the controller down just out of his reach and ruffle his hair. "Good. Now go get it. I'll be in the back room. Fairy! Load up the show we were watching!" You leave Wise there, letting your small payback simmer as you scoop up Eous to go cuddle and watch the bad reality TV show you two had been enamored with.

"Got them!" The gruff voice pulls you out of your thoughts. You turn to look where it came from and saw Manato with the two girls behind them. "Let's go. We need to get out of here."

"You guys go. I'll hold them back." You offer a smile, hiding all the pain as you adjust your grip on your weapon. Alice and Manato, as thirens themselves, were able to dissect every micro movement of your tail and ears. You knew they could see the pain, so you straighten up, offering a simple thumbs up. "I've got this."

Manato glances between you and the exit of the hollow, his ears flat to his head. "Alright. Alright. Be careful, okay?" He doesn't wait for an answer before he turns on his heel, the three of them dashing towards the exit.

You pick up your weapon again. You took a deep breath, now you have something to fight harder for. You dodge, dash, parry, counter, and destroy any ethereal standing in front of you, giving it your all. You push until you can't push yourself anymore, and then you keep fighting. You refuse to give. You promised to protect your friends, to guard the ones you care about, and you were going to hold that promise or die trying. Ethereal after ethereal fell to your blade, until you almost fell to one.

Your back slams against a wall, the air being forced out of your lungs, your blade clattering too far away. You try to reach out for it, the armored hati stalking closer. It lunges, and you brace for the end, only for the heat of fire engulfing the hati in front of you, a large figure rising out of the smoke.

"Manato?" Your voice cracks, followed by a wince of pain as you collapse. Manato picks up your blade with one hand and scoops you up with the other one.

"You should have run." He growls.

"I had to save-"

"You should have run." He interrupts you, shifting you in his arms. For such a large, broad man, he was oddly gentle. "We're getting you to a hospital."

"No! No… No hospital." You plea, fingers gripping the lapels of his jacket. You watch his face harden before softening to an impossible level.

"Alright. We're going to my place. I'm going to patch you up. Then we'll have dinner and you can crash on the couch. You need rest."

"What about the kids?"

"Oh they'll like you." He chuckles, the sound warming you all the way down to your core. "Just… watch your language in front of them, okay?"

"Yeah… yeah… I can do that." You murmur, letting your head drop against his shoulder as he carries you with one arm. You felt the world get fuzzy, before you finally drift off.

"There! All better!" A young voice cuts through the air, the feeling of small hands smoothing something against your skin.

"Careful, A-Yuet. They're hurt." Manato's voice was soft in the living room, the two kids sitting beside the couch you were laying on making a disappointed sound

"We're trying to make them better! Look we even gave them cartoon bandages." A-Cing pointed as you started to sit up. "Look it's working!"

"Woah woah," Manato drops what he's doing and guides you to lay down. "Don't get up. You're all bandaged but you need rest."

Your eyes weakly trace over his body, confusion written on your face. "Is your apron… pink?"

His tail starts to wag as a smile breaks across his face. "Yeah. It is." He reaches out and guides your head to a pillow, petting your ears gently as he settles you down. "Rest. I'll watch over you, okay?"

Your ear twitches in his touch and you let out a huff, curling into the blankets piled on top of you. "Yeah. I'll rest."

You spent the next couple hours watching Manato chase the kids around the apartment. He eventually got them into bed and had cleaned up the kitchen before walking over to the couch, crouching in front of you.

"C'mon, let's check you out again." He guides you to sit up, his fingers feeling over your bones to make sure there were no breaks.

"Manato, I doubt you missed something the first three times you checked." You tried to snark but his as his fingers ghost over a bruise.

"If I don't check, you certainly won't." He points out. Once he was satisfied he went to pick you up again. "You get to rest in my bed tonight. It'll be more comfortable now that I'm confident nothing is broken." He mindlessly rambles before setting you down in his blankets. He straightens up his room before grabbing a brush and settling on the mattress next to you, brushing out your fur. "It bothers me, y'know…"

His words and gentle actions surprise you. You knew he cared deeply for Spook Shack and the kids, but you hadn't seen his gentle giant nature so clearly before. "What bothers you?"

"How reckless you are. You fight like you've got nothing to survive for." He reads you like an open book. "You risk yourself for others."

"So do you." You snark back and watch as Manato avoids eye contact, his tail twitching under your scrutiny.

"Yeah… I do. It's hard not to. I'm used to protecting."

"And so am I." You retort.

"Then… Let's make a deal. Let's be careful for each other, yeah? I won't risk myself, you won't risk yourself. We'll survive… for each other." His voice breaks as he puts down the brush, giving your face his entire attention.

"…Yeah." You reach out to pet his ear and watch as he leans into it so hard he falls onto the mattress next to you. "We'll survive for each other." You promise and shift to rest against his broad chest. He holds you close against him, tail wagging between attempts to wrap around yours.

"I need you to help coordinate the next supply run for Piper."

The sound of your rattle shaking caught Lighter by surprise.

"Don't sass me." He teases, lifting his boot to push you off of the rock. You yelp as you fall off of the rock, the sound of your rattle clattering against itself makes lighter laugh. He reaches down and helps you up. "C'mon, we can do it together."

"I can think of a few other things we could do together." You teasingly stick out your tongue, slapping his ass with the rattle of your tail.

"Alright, that's enough." He smirks, grabbing and shaking your tail himself. "You're trouble."

"You love it."

"You know I do."

Manato - Leopard Gecko Thiren

You and Manato were running side by side, jumping over rubble, deflecting blows from the ethereals chasing you both. You ducked behind an old, abandoned car, both of you breathing heavily.

"Alright. I'll distract them, you run." Manato growls out, grabbing his sword. He was silently bracing himself, knowing he'd end up taking more damage than he'd want to, but it would be worth it if you were safe.

"Are you crazy!?" You scold, pulling the sleeve of his jacket. "C'mon, let's just run. According to the carrot data we're getting close to escaping. If we just make a break for it, it'll be alright!"

His eyes darted between you and his sword. "I can't risk you getting hurt."

"If we can't run fast enough, then you can stay back and fight for my honor, or whatever."

"Deal."

You both make a break for it, the ground moving quickly underneath your feet. The etherals behind you were gaining ground.

"Shit!" You let out a fearful yelp, your instincts taking over as you dropped your tail.

"WHAT THE FUCK!?" Manato shrieked out, terrified.

"Ignore it, run!" You pull him as the etherals stop to sniff at the tail you had dropped, giving you and Manato the chance to escape. As you left the hollow, Manato looked at you terrified.

"Are you okay!? What happened?"

Your fingers ran over the stump of what used to be your tail. "Yeah… That happens. It'll be fine. It'll just be a pain waiting for it to grow back."

"…IT GROWS BACK!?"

Seth - Prehensile Tailed Skink Thiren

It was an odd time for all thirens. The winter months tended to make animal instincts to haywire. Bear thirens would often eat big lunches and take a nap, canine thirens would group together, and you, a reptile thiren, slowed down a lot. You were trying to focus on the paperwork sitting in front of you, some boring report about a patrol. You tail lashed behind you without you noticing, until you heard paper drop and a hand grab your tail.

"…Seth?" You ask, half laughing as you saw his pupils blown wide, his hand on the tip of your tail as he crouched on the ground.

A blush explodes across his face as he stares down at his hand. "I… am so sorry." He squeaks out.

You burst into laughter, "no worries! It's cute!" You shift your tail again, watching his pupils blow wide, hands chasing your tail like a playing kitten. "The same Seth who lectured me on workplace harassment is the one workplace harassing me!" you tease.

"Stop it!" He huffs, but literally can't stop his instincts as he tries to grab your tail. He reaches particularly fast and you coil your tail tightly around his wrist, getting his attention.

"You can make it up to me by taking me to lunch, yeah?"

He stares in shock, feeling your scales against his skin. "Y-yeah… Lunch…"

You shrug, stirring your drink with your straw. "I'm your number one fan, I gotta have number one fan level of merch."

"This isn't just number one fan level of merch," Harumasa manages to get out between more laughter. "This is like 'I need to get a restraining order on you'."

You kick him lightly under the table before speaking again. "Do you like it?"

"I love it." The genuine layer of warmth in his voice was obvious even beneath all the giggles and jokes. "It's adorable."

"Thanks. My plan is to throw it against the wall when I'm angry at you."

"What!? No!" Harumasa pouts. "Look at his face. You can't hurt him like that. He's just an innocent little guy!"

"The button eyes make a nice 'clink' sound on the wall and then again on the floor-"

"Nooooo you're so mean! That's literally me right there. That's me you're throwing so heartlessly against the wall."

"Smack!"

"Nooooo!" He laughs and clears his through as he realizes how loud and odd the two of you are being in a very public restaurant. "Well, that's my lunch break." He tosses enough dennies to cover both of your meals before getting up.

"Be safe, okay?" You say, standing up to hug him tight.

"You know I won't be." He smiles and turns to leave.

"Haru?"

"Hm?"

"Give him back to me." You hold your hand out, looking down at the key chain.

"Nope he's mine now."

"I put a lot of effort into him!" You launch forward, trying to steal the plushie back. "He's mine!"

"I'll give him back! I need a good luck charm. Are you really trying to fight someone so sick~"

You gasp and back up a step. "You're pulling that card?"

"Yes I am." Harumasa smiles and kisses your forehead, clipping the plushie of him on his belt loop and walking away.

"Asshole."

"You love it~"

Lighter

A recent dust storm had ripped through Blazewood, so of course you offered your time to help. The townsfolk had all been working together to repair damaged buildings, get debris out of the street, and sweep all sorts of sand out of every crevice you could think of. It was day two of cleanup lead by the Sons of Calydon when you were relaxing on the couch, letting your sore muscles take a break after helping repair the roof on Cheesetopia.

The couch next to you dips, the sound of leather on leather drawing you out of your relaxation.

"…Lighter?" The man seemed unusually solemn, staring off into the distance. "What's wrong?"

His shades slipped down his nose and he lets out a deep breath. "That's a sick kid… Some sort of respiratory thing because of the dust. I just got done with my shift taking care of her."

You sit up, worried. "How's she looking?"

"Physically, she's recovering… but mentally…" He shook his head. "She seems… down. Keeps crying about the sandstorm. Her house was damaged so a lot of her belongings had to be thrown away."

Your eyebrows furrow. "Give me one of your ripped up shirts."

"…What?"

"I know you keep them. Go, go grab one. A ripped up shirt, some sort of button up, and a pillow you won't miss. Chop chop." You start to push him away. He decides not to argue, figuring you had a plan.

Lighter comes back with the items by the time you had scrounged up some needle, thread, and scissors. He sits down, curious.

"Do you think she'll like a bunny or a bear more?"

Lighter watches as you take the old ripped up shirt and start to cut it. "Uhm… Bunny, probably." He sits with you as you start to sew the small, simple plushie together. "I didn't know you could sew."

You shrug as you stitch the fabric together. "It's a hobby. Keeps my hands busy."

Lighter decides to help, gently starting to pull the stitching of the pillow away so you could get to the stuffing without making a mess. "It's nice… That you'd do this for a kid you don't even know."

You raise an eyebrow and glance over at him. "What are you dancing around saying?"

Lighter blushes and looks away, realizing he had been caught. "Growing up… I never had a stuffed animal…"

You smile, leaning your head on his shoulder. "Do you want a bunny or a bear?"

"Bear, please."

Manato

"Okay so this one is for A-Yuet and this one is for A-Cing, got it?" You instruct, handing the plushies to Manato. "Don't mix them up because you know how they fight."

He looks between them and shakes his head. "You're going to spoil them, y'know. You really don't need to spend this much money on them."

Giggles spill past your lips before you can stop it, "It's sweet you think those are good enough to be bought, but I made them."

"What?" Manato asks, not out of disbelief, but out of excitement. He looks down at the plushies with a new sense of appreciation, his tail starting to swish. "You made these? Like… Made them made them?"

"Yeah, like sewed them from scrap fabric and destroyed a pillow to stuff them." You respond proudly, puffing out your chest a bit.

"Can you make me one?"

"What?"

"I want a plushie made by you."

"Manato, you're a grown ass man."

He seems a bit hurt by that statement, his ears flattening low enough to break your heart. "Is that a no?"

"Of course I'll make you one, Manato. What do you want?" You smile as his tail picks up speed again.

"Whatever you want. I just want something made by you."

You, of course, see the irony in it, but you couldn't help it. You knock on the front door of Manato's apartment, holding the wolf plushie out in front of your face so he would see it instead of you. The door opens and the plushie is lifted out of your hands.

"Wow look at it!" Manato says excitedly. It wasn't often you saw him in these casual clothes, with that carefree smile… It was cute.

You step inside and watch Manato scan the plush. "It reminded me of you so I had to make it. The fabric came from a faux fur coat I thrifted and the stuffing-"

Sniff

"Uh… Manato?" You really weren't used to seeing his more… puppy like behaviors.

"It smells like you. I love it." His tail wags harder as he catches more of your scent woven into the fabric of the stuffed wolf.

You were stunned more than anything. You watch Manato walk to his bedroom to put it up and glance over to see A-Yuet and A-Cing sniffing their own plushies, mimicking Manato's behavior even if it was a little… odd.

"Your brother's weird."

"We know." A-Cing giggles.

"Is he normally like that?"

"Only with you."

You gasp, walking to follow Manato into his bedroom. "Manato! You're adorable!"

He hides under his blanket but you can see how his tail is still wagging. "Shut up…"

Lighter is hesitating. You know it. He knows it. He shifts on his feet as you watch.

"Lighter? Is everything alright, love?" You step close, seeing his hesitance and hopping it wasn't because he was suddenly uncomfortable or insecure.

He frowns, holding your hand. "Don't be upset. I lost a bet with Lucy."

"A bet?" You stop everything you were doing, now insanely worried. He hasn't even seem this nervous in front of you before. Whatever it was must have been really bad.

"It was a stupid thing we were doing on a supply run in Lumina Square and-" He was rambling, trying to stall the inevitable.

"What happened?"

"We were passing the salon and-"

"Lighter. What. Happened." You were not going to play around. He wasn't going to be able to hide this from you.

He looks down in shame and takes his shirt off. What you see is just skin. Slightly red from being irritated, but it was so smooth. What else could you do? You laugh. You laugh so hard you have to lean against the counter, lungs aching.

"Stop laughing! It really hurt." His voice cracks, unable to maintain that gruff tone he tries to live in. "The wax was hot and it hurt when it was ripped off-"

You stumble forward, head resting against his chest as you laugh even harder. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry You lost a bet with Lucy and have to wax your torso!?"

Lighter stiffens, his hand cupping the back of your head instinctually. "…and my legs."

The laughing chokes you. You stumble, coughing as you attempt to catch your breath, collect yourself, anything. "YOUR LEGS!! SHOW ME, SHOW ME!"

Lighter blushes and takes off his pants, showing you all of the skin that used to be buried underneath a forest of thick, wiry hair.

You gasp, seeing him in a way you never have before. "Oh god you're so pale-"

"Alright that's enough." He growls and picks you up, carrying you out of the bathroom before tossing you on the bed. "I'm taking a shower alone." He, of course, isn't actually upset, just tired of your joking around.

"Wait, Lighter, no~" You reach out playfully but it was too late, Lighter had already closed himself in the bathroom.

You knew he was only safe for a manor of time. The second he stepped out of the bathroom again you'd be all over making fun of him.

Manato

You drop your phone in pure horror. It landed with the screen up on the bed, so even if it was far away, the text still stared at you like a threat.

{Manato: "Got some new clippers, gonna try shaving with them today."}

That text was terrifying for so many reasons. Images of dogs coming home from the grooming shop with bad haircuts superimposed on Manato's thiren features. What if he messed up his beautiful tail? Or, god forbid, the hair on his head. You pick up the phone, hitting the call icon.

"Hello?" The gruff voice answers, like he was in the middle of something.

You sound borderline panicked as you speak up, "please tell me you haven't done it yet! Put down the clippers Manato!"

He laughs, the sound booming even over the phone. "Babe, it's not that bad-"

"No, NO! Put it down! I'll be right there. I'll help brush and trim any matted fur, just don't touch it!"

He sucks in a sharp breath. "Well, calm down. I haven't touched any fur besides my shoulders."

"No…" You cover your mouth in horror, realizing what that meant. "You shoulders? So that means…?"

"Yes, I shaved my torso."

"WHY!?" You shriek, devastated.

Manato laughs even louder, insulting your distress. "It's uncomfortable under my shirts. Gotta tame the jungle."

You think for a moment, try to see if there was anyway you could get back at him. An idea pops into your head. You straighten up even if he can't see you. "I'm shaving the bush."

Manato stops laughing on a dime. "Wait wait, I'm sorry-"

"Nope! You made me do this. This is all your fault."

"BABE PLEASE I-" you hung up on him, laying back down in bed. You weren't actually going to get up and shave, you just think it's funny to stress him out.

Well…. it was funny until there are three sharp knocks on the front door. You open it and Manato is looking at you with the biggest puppy eyes imaginable. "Tell me you haven't done it yet." He pouts.

You pull him in and close the door. "Take your shirt off, let me see the damage."

He pulls his shirt off and looks ashamed. The lovely fluffy fur on his shoulders had been shaved down. But worse than his lush thiren fur being shaved, his chest had been shaved down too. Your hand slapped across your mouth as you tried to jokingly summon tears. "You look bald."

He huffs, offended. "It get's warm, okay!?" He tries to defend himself, running his hand over what was now just smooth skin.

"No. I can't deal with this." You cross your arms. "You have to wear your shirt when you sleep over now. I am not feeling that against my face."

"What, this?" He grabs you faster than you can back up, pulling you into his broad frame, rubbing his shaved chest over you as you try to shove him away.

"Stop! No! Save me!" You squirm, both of you laughing and play fighting. You eventually ended up pushing him against the couch, now in a loose cuddle pile. You sit up a bit, tracing the fur on his ear with your finger. "Look. You can thin out the thiren fur, I know it get's hot. But…" your hand drifts down to his chest and lower stomach, "don't touch any of this."

"Deal."

"Way too long…" She shifts her hips and let out a small whine when you grabbed her hips to make her not move.

You stand up, dragging her with you. "C'mon. You're better than to just be on the couch after so long."

She lets out a pleased laugh, following you into the bedroom. She lays down, biting her lip and running her hands over her sides. "You want me?"

You crawl over her, kissing her lips and down her jaw. "I want you to feel good. Which means you shouldn't have to put in a drop of effort."

Jane lets out a surprised, playful gasp. "You're gonna take care of me?"

"You know I am, baby." Your hands move under the hem of her shirt. "Let's get you comfortable, yeah?"

Jane helps you get her shift off, relaxing against the bed. "S'been a while since you've seen this, hm?"

"Too long." Your voice drops as you kiss down her neck, leaving gentle nips just to hear the way she gasped from surprise. "I've missed this so fucking much," you breath out as your tongue flicks against her nipple, the sensitive flesh perking up under your touch.

"Don't tease me~"

You hum, taking her nipple in your mouth, your hand massaging her other breast, taking the weight off of her chest. "You know it feels so much better after I tease you. I know it'll take a while but won't it just feel so good…"

Jane wasn't able to keep up the teasing exterior anymore, gasping and fully submitting underneath you. "Yeah… it'll feel good…."

You continued to massage and suck at her chest, making sure to take your time just to work her up. "I've missed you so much. I'd fucking dream of you every single night you weren't here in my bed. Wake up and feel so lonely without you here."

"Fuck…" Jane whimpers. "Missed you too… I just want to savor this moment as much as possible so I have something to remember you by…"

You kiss down her stomach, your hands tugging at her sweatpants. "You're talking in too many compete sentences. I'm not doing good enough."

Jane laughs, lifting her hips so you can get off the rest of her clothes off, leaving her bare beneath you. "And how do you plan on fixing that?"

You slide a pillow under her hips, propping them up. "Tell me about the mission. In as much detail as possible." You hum between her legs, kissing her inner thighs instead of where she really wanted it.

"Well, this most recent one was a simple infiltration. I got in and needed to find the hideout… I- oh~"

You placed a loving kiss right on her clit, finally putting your mouth where she wanted it. Your fingers move to spread her lips, your tongue slowly tracing towards her entrance. Jane's thighs squeezed around your head lightly, so sensitive since she hasn't felt this in so long.

"I- fuck- I did the simple initiation and-" Jane let out a desperate cry and shifted her hips. "Please don't make me do this right now. Please? I just… I need you. Please just give me what I want." She pleads, her hand finding it's way into your hair. Her nails dug lightly into your scalp.

"Of course, my love." You let your tongue dip into her entrance, coaxing out the tangy flavor you loved so much. Jane tossed her head back, already letting out a beautiful sound. Her fingers tightened in your hair, trying to pull you closer. Instead, you pulled back. "So needy…"

"You said you wouldn't tease me!" She gasps at the loss of the feeling.

"I know, I know, I'm sorry." You hum, letting your drool fall in between her folds, letting your fingers push it around to lube her up some more. "I'll take care of you." Two fingers push into her entrance and she immediately tries to move her hips, wanting more.

"Yes~ Please~" She whimpers, not scared of being vocal. She wanted the neighbors to hear.

You move your fingers slowly, massaging her spongy wall, crooking to rub against that exact spot you know she loved so much. Your tongue found her clit again, coaxing it past your lips to gently suck on it.

"Oh yeah… right there…" She lets out another melodic moan, rocking her hips in time with your fingers. She was always so reactive and vocal. You feel the way her pussy tenses around your fingers, trying to draw them deeper. You feel the way her thighs squeeze around your head, holding you in place so you couldn't take a breath even if you wanted to. You feel the way her fingers tighten in your hair, more so grounding herself to reality than anything else.

Your free hand slides up to find hers, interlacing fingers sweetly. Your thumb rubbed circles against hers in the same rhythm your fingers inside of her moved. You were making out with her clit like it was the most delicious thing you had ever tasted.

Her whines and moans were getting higher pitched, closer together. She let out a squeak like she couldn't breathe. Until, she held per breath, her thighs tightened enough to where it would probably crush your head. Her hand holding yours trembled and her cunt squeezed your fingers so tight they could barely move. You guided her through her orgasm, not changing a thing until you heart that telltale deep gasp for air.

"There you go." You place one last gentle kiss against her puffy clit. "Do you want more?"

"N-No…" She whimpers and you pull away immediately. "Sensitive…"

"Ah… I gotcha, my love. C'mere." You lay next to her, pulling her against you and drawing a blanket around the both of you. "Just one tonight?"

"Yeah… Just one tonight." She sighs, satisfied. "We'll marathon tomorrow."

"Deal…"

"C'mon! Don't be mean to me I've had such a long day~" He leans on you, placing a hand on his forehead, barely cracking his eye open to see if you were still paying attention.

"Long day of what? Sleeping in the office and avoiding Yanagi?"

"It's a hard job. She always seems to know where I am." He laughs, moving away to grab another pot and filling it with water.

You didn't need to be asked to go grab a box of pasta out of the pantry. You hesitate for a moment before tossing it at his head. Normally he would have caught it - he was always insanely quick - but this time he let it smack into the back of his head and acts out stumbling backwards into the fridge, his hand over his heart. "Ouch! You wound me! Hurt and scarred by my own beloved!" He slides down the fridge, now just lying on the floor. "And now you've killed me. I'm dead now, and it's all your fault."

You crouch down and poke his cheek. "If you're dead, does that mean I get your gaming consoles?"

He shoots up, eyes wide. "No!"

"Oh look! You're cured!" You clap, picking up the box of pasta and placing it next to the pot of water, waiting for it to boil. There was a suspicious amount of silence that filled the air afterwards, but you didn't comment on it, instead tasting the sauce and adding some more seasonings. You pick up the seasonings to put away in the pantry but notice that Harumasa was still sitting on the floor, now leaning against the fridge with a soft smile on his lips. "…What?"

He just shrugs. "You look good, is all."

"I haven't even showered today." You scoff, moving past him. You hear his footsteps but don't react as two hands wrap around your midsection, the chill from them seeping through the thin shirt.

"Doesn't matter. You look wonderful." His voice held a soft and genuine tone that was kept for only the most special of occasions. He spoke lowly, the words meant for you and you alone. "I'm one lucky guy." You heard the way his tone shifted up at the end. You knew what was coming next.

"Haru, don't you dare."

"Don't I dare, what?" He teases, but his arms tightened a bit, anticipating you trying to move.

"No no no!" You giggle preemptively, wiggling.

"I'm not doing anything!" He laughs, but you feel the way his right hand starts to shift.

"Don't tickle me! I'll bite you!" You shriek out.

"Bite me how!? I've got you!" He picks you up, tickling you as you laugh and thrash until your lungs hurt, eventually crying out for mercy. Harumasa sits you on the counter, tapping your thigh. "I'll finish dinner. You just sit there and look pretty."

Your giggles die down as you watch him work. "You seem to have a lot more energy today," you comment mindlessly, leaning back on your hands.

Harumasa paused for a moment, thinking. "Yeah? Guess I slept well last night. Or maybe it's all the naps I took at work."

"Orrr… maybe it's because you enjoyed sharing the bed with a certain someone last night."

"Oh, not that. The certain someone snored too much." He pours the pasta into the water before tossing the box, his eyes finding yours.

"You told me you always have nightmares." You don't let him get away with joking, the energy in the apartment shifting into a new direction.

Harumasa's lips tighten as he turns down the speakers. "What about it?"

"You didn't seem to twitch last night. Didn't wake up to my knowledge either."

"Yeah. I told you, I slept really well last night." He shrugs again, not wanting to push you in one way or another.

You reach your foot out, looping a toe in the belt loop of his work pants, yanking him to you before capturing him in a hug. "Can I spend the night again?"

"If you want."

"That's not the right answer."

"…I'd love it if you spent the night."

"There we go, better!" You pat his head, ruffling his hair. "Show me some enthusiasm."

He grabs your wrist. "Alright, that's enough. Dinner will be ready soon, go put in the movie."

You hop off the counter and set up the movie, grabbing blankets and pillows to set up the couch as a cozy safe haven. Harumasa came over with two bowls, sitting against the edge of the couch and happily accepting you against his side before handing you your bowl. You both ate and watched in silence, moving to lie down and cuddle once all the food was gone. Harumasa's cat even jumped up and curled up in your lap.

Harumasa had been uncharacteristically quiet, just watching the movie, an arm wrapped around you securely. You watch the lead romantic couple say tearful goodbyes on the screen before Harumasa pulls you closer. "You're not going anywhere, right?"

"Well obviously I'm not going to get on a plane and try to do cool flips and die in a crash because I never got my pilot's license," you poke fun at the movie mindlessly.

"I'm being serious." Harumasa's voice holds that soft tone again. "You know you have limited time with me. I would understand if you'd rather cut your losses."

"Oh, don't sound so insecure." You pause the movie, gently move the cat, and roll over to look at him, brushing his bangs away from his eyes. "I chose you. I knew what I was getting into, and I still know. And I'm still here. Because I love you, and only you."

He closes his eyes, nuzzling into your hand. "I know. I just can't help but wonder. Maybe it's cruel and selfish for me to keep you close to me until I die."

"Haru?"

"Yeah?"

"If I wanted to get away, all I had to do was like… jog away at a slightly fast pace during one of your bad days to get away."

He can't fight back the laugh, his smile so wide you see his cute little fangs. "Alright alright, I get your point."

You kiss the corners of his mouth before giving him a proper kiss. "Don't doubt my love for you, you silly man. I'm here because I want to be."

Harumasa smiles and rests his forehead against yours. "Fine, fine… I don't doubt you."

Silence settled between the two of you before he broke it again. "You gonna turn the movie back on?"

You think for a moment. "Nah. I wanna focus on you." You yawn and settle in, listening to his heartbeat and breathing, grounding you both together.

You fell asleep soon after, soft snores filling the apartment. Harumasa just smiled softly before scooping you up and placing you in the bed. He walks to the bathroom and takes his meds, looking at the pile of pill bottles. Sometimes he thinks taking all of them isn't worth it. It's only delaying the inevitable. But those thoughts always crept in less and less when he looked into your eyes. He smiles to himself and closes his medicine cabinet, his eyes catching the "I love you, Haru!" sticky note you had stuck there weeks ago. He walks to the bed, sinking in with you, wrapping you in his arms like you were the only thing that mattered.

Because to him, you were.

"Where'd you get this?" She asks sweetly, taking the paper off of the fridge and looking at it. "This is… amazing…" She traces a finger over the drawing of herself. She had some insecurities about her face, but whoever drew this drew them in a way that seemed… loving.

"I drew it." You confess awkwardly. You never show off your art, letting it be something private that just you enjoy. "I… missed you. And as good as pictures are… I just wanted an excuse to study every detail of your face."

Jane draws in a shaky breath, hanging the drawing back up on the fridge, at exactly your eye height. "That's… beautiful. I never knew you were so skilled."

"Oh come on," you interrupt, laughing, "tit's not that good. I mean look at it. The shading is off, the proportions-"

"I think it's the prettiest I've ever looked. If that's how you see me… god you can stare at me whenever you want."

"Jane!" You blush, gigging as you hold her face in your hands. "You can't just say things like that."

She melts into your hands. "Can you draw a self portrait? Maybe something that'll fit in my wallet? I've already got pictures of you, but you're right. There's something so beautiful about it being artwork."

"I mean… If you really want that I guess I can…." You smile as you see the pure look of adoration in her eyes. "Yeah… I'd love to make some art for you."

Lighter

Blazewood was… boring. There was no nice way to say it. It was boring, there way very little to do, and it was hot. You found a table in Cheesetopia to call yours, sketching on some paper to kill some time. You were waiting for the Son's of Calydon to get back from whatever they were doing, since Lighter was your ride back to New Eridu.

Oh Lighter… There was something so inspiring about him. The Undefeated Champion wearing that bright red scarf and those dark shades hiding whatever emotions were behind their lenses. You didn't stop your hand as it glided against the paper, tracing the contours of the handsome man that consumed your thoughts.

"Oh come on. My pecs are bigger than that. If you want to draw me, at least highlight my bulging muscles." Lighter's voice caused you to jump and turn around to stare at him.

"Really, man? Could you not sneak up on me!?"

"What's the fun in that?" Lighter sits down next to you, removing his shades to pick up your sketch book.

"No no! Give that back!" You lunge forward, trying to grab it from him.

Lighter was quicker than you. He pulls back, holding up the sketchbook. "I want to see what else you draw~"

"Lighter!" You try to push him, jump up, pull him down, anything you could to get that sketchbook back. You knew what other sketches were in that notebook.

He flips a page and your heart drops. Pages of "anatomy" studies you had drawn Lighter's face on. They were just muscle studies, nothing lewd, but with the way you blushed, it may as well have been. You tremble in embarrassment, shrinking down and hiding your face.

Lighter was surprised. He flips through a few more pages and closes the sketchbook. "Not bad. I'll have to show you where to draw the scars next time." He winks, putting on his shades before leaving you to gather your confidence before he had to drive you home.

Lycaon

"Hold still." You command, Lyacon straightening up instantly. You let the paintbrush dance across the canvas. "You can't commission art of all of Victoria Housekeeping and expect me not to paint you."

Lycaon lets out a small huff. "If I remember correctly, I only paid you to paint portraits of Ellen, Corin, and Rina. I was never part of this arrangement."

"Yeah? Don't care. You deserve to have a nice painting of you hanging up in the headquarters as well. Think of it as advertising."

"If clients are already entering the headquarters, what could would painted portraits be for advertising?"

You stop mid brushstroke… he had a point… "Fine. I want to paint you."

Lycaon smiles slightly, but stays still anyway.

After a few minutes, you stepped away from the easel. Lycaon's eye followed you as you stepped close. "Don't move, I'm fixing your bangs because you look emo." You joke, a hand under his muzzle to make him tilt his head up. His tail wags slowly as you toy with his hair, fuzzing over it. "There's my pretty boy." You sigh, moving back to resume the painting.

It took another half hour before you backed away, smiling. "Come see."

Lycaon silently gets up, looking at the painting from behind you. "It is wonderfully done. I like it."

You lean back against Lycaon, knowing he'd always support you. "I just wanted an excuse to look at your cute face for a while."

Lycaon laughs, the sound deep in his chest. "Yes I figured. Although I think you were a little distracted by my 'cute face'. The eyepatch is on the wrong eye."

You blink, your eyes scanning the painting and looking back at Lycaon. "…How'd I even manage that?"