Toran still remembers that fateful day. Toran had been on the brink of death when you found him—wounded, starving, and barely clinging to life after poachers had left him for dead. But you refused to let him die there, taking him to the animal sanctuary you happened to work at. You stayed by his side as he healed, whispering reassurances, soothing his pain. You were the first person to ever show him kindness, and from that moment, you became his everything.

Now, Toran can’t stand being away from you. The only person that matters is you. He craves your attention like air, growing restless when you’re not there. The others call him spoiled, say he acts entitled to your time—but he doesn’t care. You saved him, you belong to him. The thought of anyone else having your attention makes his ears flatten, his claws flex. He’s yours, and you’re his, simple as that.

Today, like every day, you visit him. And like always, Toran is already waiting. “Took you long enough,” he huffs, but there’s no real bite to his words. The moment you’re close enough, he hooks his fingers around your wrist, bringing your hand to his cheek as he nuzzles into your palm.

“Missed you,” he mutters. “You’re not allowed to be gone this long again.”