#underworldworks

Being the newest in the office meant you had to prove your worth. You had to be quiet, efficient, always keeping to your tasks and never straying from your lane. Before long you weren't the newbie anymore, you were a worker—and because of that, nobody really noticed or payed attention to you after the first month.

…Well, there were two people who did pay attention to you.

The thing is, you’re a bunny hybrid—and you try very hard to hide it. The subtle twitch of your nose when you’re nervous, the way your ears flatten more against your hat when people raise their voices, how you avoid being touched anywhere on your face or fingers because you know how sensitive you are.

Rio figured it out from the first time she saw you. She could smell it on you. She watches you everyday, your little habits, what makes you happy, what makes you thump your foot against the floor angrily. She kept waiting for when you would show up at work with your fluffy white bunny ears out, but no, you always managed to hide them. It didn't help that you were always in your office with the door closed and no windows. You insisted kindly for everyone in the office to knock before coming in, partly so you could shove your hat or beanie back on before anyone could see. It always left a pang of disappointment in Rios heart whenever she saw you. Its not like there wasn't hybrids in the office, in fact Rio herself had her canine features out all of the time.

When Rio finally brought it up to Agatha when they were having lunch together one day, Agatha just chuckled slightly "Charming to hear you have a little bunny chase going on, Vidal." despite Agatha's teasing, she herself was curious. Most of the Hybrids around the office were those of carnivores, because of that, food options in the area were usually meat based. You however, had to bring your own food because they offered almost nothing to herbivores. Agatha didn't know why, but that thought troubled her. She wasn't even a Hybrid herself, but the thought of you having to meal prep every day just because the workplace wasn't accommodating made her feel like she needed to help somehow, especially because you were always so sweet to everyone else.

At first, neither of them say anything directly to you that could imply they were showing interest in you.

Until Agatha starts leaving snacks near your workspace—sweet things, fresh fruit, little carrots with homemade dip with a new note from her every time.

And Rio lowers her voice when speaking to you, never sneaking up on you, always announcing herself softly like she knows sudden noise rattles you.

The turning point comes during a particularly stressful workday. Everything’s going wrong—missing deadlines, insufficient training, work overloads, usually normal for a stressful day in the office—until someone raises their voice at you as soon as you suggest taking on one of the larger projects since you're all caught up on your previous projects.

"You've been here… what? A couple weeks? You're fucking stupid if you think you can take on this! Stay in your fucking lane, cotton brain!"

Your ears immediately drop and shift underneath your beanie. You freeze. Your fingers twitching against your pants. It’s subtle, everyone in the office chuckles and giggles at the banter, but your eyes get glassy as your bite your lower lip and return to your office in embarrassment. Nobody notices. But they do. Both of them.

Agatha shuts everything down, very fast. Rio’s already knocking at your door.

Instead of making a scene (much like Agatha is doing while yelling at the whole office,) Rio quietly enter your office and shutting the door.

"Hey… uh—"

Before Rio can even continue her train of thought she notices you aren't sitting in your office chair. She tilts her head before coming around the desk.

"Bunny?"

Her voice is a slight whisper, a soft concerned tone before she sees your curled up under your desk with your knees up to your chest and your hands are trying to wipe away your flowing tears.

"R…Rio?"

Rio's heart feels like it cracks on the spot. She kneels slowly in front of you.

"Hey, hey its okay.. I'm here, I got you.." She murmurs while bringing her hand out towards you before hesitating.

Your glassy eyes peak up at her, but you don't flinch away from her hand. You don't know why, but somehow, Rio feels so calming. Usually so sarcastic and cocky around the work place, but she put effort to make sure you feel important, recognized. So when you press your head against the palm of her hand, her fingers tremble slightly. The sound of Agatha yelling outside of the office drowns out as Rio runs her hand along your head, your hair and ears were out, the first time Rio had ever seen them. She pulls her hand away, before talking softly again.

"Do you, uh. Want a hug?"

Her face blossomed into a light pink, soft brown eyes looking at you intently as her wolf ears pinned against her head, almost like she was trying very hard not to scare you in any sort of way.

"I… Yes, p-please…" You trail off, getting lost in the grounding comfort of her eyes before you shift to get closer to her, and coming out from underneath your desk.

Rio shifts from her kneel into a sit as she holds her hands out. You almost knock her down as you nearly throw yourself into her arms and gripping her green sweater tightly. She grunts and slowly snakes her arms around you and holding you close. She hums, low and warm, a small tune that makes you nearly turn into a puddle. You don't know how long you're like that, but all you can focus on is hearing Rios humming and heartbeat within her chest, her nails gently caressing your back, the smell of cedar wood with a hint of citrus. Your eyes eventually close, your tears stop and breathing calmed.

"Thank you…" You mumble against her shoulder.

"Don't worry about it… be hoppy."

You give her a deadpan stare. "Bunny pun, really?" But your face cracks into a small smile and you giggle before being able to keep up your seriousness.

"What? Made you smile didn't it?" She gives you that signature cocky grin, her sharp canine teeth on full display. But it didn't make you feel uncomfortable, no, oddly enough it made you feel safe.

Before you can say anything back there's a gentle knock at your door, you freeze again and pull away from Rio, which you now have realized that your shared hug had turned more into her holding you in her lap. You see her almost disappointed look when you pull away but you're more concerned with who's at the door.

"Who—"

"Its Agatha." She cuts you off, her voice firm, but lowered.

Your bunny tail, which now Rio has taken notice of since you're facing away from her and towards the door. She tries to hold back another stupid grin on her face once you tell Agatha to come in. She quickly shuts the door behind her with a gentle click, before giving you a small smile.

"Hey there, how are you feeling?" She kneels down next to you and Rio, her blue eyes swirling with concern.

"Better… I think." You say quietly, your fingers gripping your hoodie slightly.

"Stupid senior designers think they can yell at anyone…" She mumbles before her eyes catch your ears, her expression lightens a bit.

"Big bad fox got Tony, is that right?" Rio chimes in, grinning at Agatha.

"Stark is an asshole and needs to learn his place. And stop calling me a fox, its misleading." Agatha's eyes never leave your bunny ears, her fingers twitching ever so slightly before coming up and wiping a stray tear left on your cheek. Your face heats up slightly, you can smell lavender and sandalwood on her wrists, you lean into her touch more, closing your eyes again. Rio puts a hand on your back, continuing her soothing strokes as you sit with both of them in silence.

When you don’t pull away, from either of them, that’s it.

They melt for you.

Their little bunny.

From that day, it becomes this quiet, shared understanding. Rio is openly affectionate, doting, always finding excuses to touch your hands or shoulders. In or out of work, she doesn't care. Agatha is more controlled, but she adores brushing your ears or steadying you when you get overwhelmed. It wasn't long before you three become accustomed to your relationship dynamic. You are theirs, as they are yours. One awkward date turned into five. Five dates turned into crashing at Agatha's place. Crashing at Agatha's place became you and Rio's second home.