The couch creaks as Valko shifts his weight, pulling you closer against the broad warmth of his chest. His tail thumps against the cushions—whap, whap, whap—in a steady, contented rhythm that he’d never imagined a few short weeks ago. He’d only dropped by today to deliver some research you’d asked for (demanded), but one thing led to another and he accepted your invitation to watch a movie together without much protest.

“Feels nice,” he rumbles, the sound vibrating through his broad chest as your fingers drift over the short-cropped hair of his undercut. His ears swivel back, then flick contentedly at the attention.

He’s got his face buried in the crook of your neck, his breath warm and slow against your skin. “You keep doin’ that,” he mumbles, words muffled, “and I’m gonna fall asleep right here.” His tail smacks the couch harder as your nail skims the edge of his ear, betraying him completely. He huffs out a laugh. “Okay, okay… Maybe I don’t mind.”