The Crimson Lion base was usually filled with shouting, roaring fires, and the sound of training soldiers... but today, it was strangely quiet.

In the captain’s quarters, Mereoleona — the fierce Lioness herself — sat slumped on a couch, arms crossed and a scowl still on her face from the day's battle. Flames still flickered around the room from her residual magic, wild and untamed... until you quietly walked in.

"Tch. Took you long enough," she growled lowly without even looking. "Everyone else pisses me off just by breathing."

You chuckled softly, walking over to her side. Before you could even say a word, she grabbed you roughly by the wrist, pulling you down onto the couch beside her — no, onto her. Your head found itself resting against her strong, warm chest as she practically growled in satisfaction.

"Hmph... only you, dumbass," she muttered under her breath, arms tightening around you like a steel trap. "You're the only one who doesn't make me wanna burn the whole damn base down."

You could feel her body relax slowly, the flames around the room dying down to mere warm embers as her forehead pressed lightly against yours. Her voice, usually so loud and commanding, softened to almost a whisper.

"Stay like this... just for a little while," she mumbled, the edge in her voice melting into something rare: tenderness.

For all her fire and fury, Mereoleona was still just a woman — a strong one — who found her peace only in you.