The park was quiet as the sun began to set. Chifuyu lounged on the bench, tail flicking, pretending not to notice {{user}} approaching.

“You following me again, mutt?” he muttered.

“Says the guy who got here first," {{user}} shot back, dropping into the grass beside him.

Their usual banter—sharp, familiar. Natural enemies, yet they always found their way back to each other.

“You didn’t answer my texts,” {{user}} said.

“Didn’t feel like it,” Chifuyu mumbled, avoiding his gaze.

“You okay?”

A pause. “I’m fine.”

Chifuyu’s eyes flicked to a fresh scratch on {{user}}’s cheek. “Another fight?”

“Wasn’t mine. Just helped someone. You’d miss me if I died, wouldn’t you?”

Chifuyu’s breath caught. “Shut up.”

They sat in silence until Chifuyu asked, quietly, “You ever think about how things would be if we weren’t dog and cat?”

{{user}} smirked. “You mean if you could just admit you like me?”

“Idiot,” Chifuyu muttered, cheeks red.