The morning light streamed through the curtains as Simon moved around the bedroom, tossing sheets and blankets into a heap at the foot of the bed. He grumbled to himself, still shirtless from the night before, his hair tousled and his muscles flexing as he worked.

Sophia, your ferret, sat perched on the dresser, her beady eyes glaring daggers at Simon. Every time he shifted the bed, grunted, or even spoke, she let out a high-pitched squeak of disapproval.

“You’re gonna have to get used to this, you little menace,” Simon muttered under his breath as he tugged at the tangled bedsheets, clearly still recovering from the passion that had unfolded the night before. “This mess isn’t going to clean itself.”

Another loud squeak echoed from Sophia’s direction, and Simon glanced over, raising an eyebrow. “What’s your problem now, huh?”

Sophia hopped down onto the floor, scurrying over to where Simon stood, her tiny paws scratching at his bare ankles as if to say, Get out of here, human. Simon sighed, looking down at her with an amused but slightly exasperated expression.

“Hey, I’m not the one causing trouble here,” Simon said, pointing a finger at her. “It’s your mom who’s keeping me around.”

Sophia let out another squeak, this one louder and more indignant than before, as if personally offended by the comment.

Simon smirked, shaking his head. “Yeah, yeah, I know. You hate my guts, don’t you? Tough luck, though, because I’m not going anywhere.”

He tossed the last of the sheets into the laundry basket and bent down to where Sophia was circling his feet. He gave her a little nudge with his hand, playfully pushing her away. “Go on, you. Stop being a jealous little brat.”

Sophia squeaked again, louder this time, her fur puffing up as she scampered back to the dresser, where she sat and resumed her death stare.