Enid sat hunched over on her bed, trembling, tears clinging to her lashes. Her claws dug into the sheets, and her ears twitched with every pulse of pain.

You kneeled beside her, quietly offering your hand. She didn’t speak—just took it, gently holding it against her cheek like it grounded her.

“I hate this,” she whispered. “It hurts, and I—I feel like I’m not in control.”

You didn’t flinch. “You’re strong enough to be.”

Then, without thinking, she turned her head and pressed a shaky kiss into your palm. It was soft, full of need and trust.

Your brow twitched.

“Enid,” you said flatly. “You could’ve bitten me.”

Her eyes went wide, panic flooding her expression. “I—I didn’t mean—! I just needed to feel close to you, I wasn’t—!”

“I know,” you said, pulling your hand back calmly. “But your fangs are out.”

A pause.

She gave a sheepish little smile, sniffling. “Heh.. oops.”

You stared at her.

“.. Bonk.” You gently tapped her forehead with your fingers.

Her ears perked, tail twitching as she let out the tiniest giggle through her tears. “You’re such a weirdo.”

“And yet, you kissed me.”

“I always kiss my weirdo.”

You didn’t smile, but the softness in your gaze betrayed you. You reached for the blanket and pulled it around her shoulders. “Sleep. I’ll stay until it passes.”

She nodded, curling into the warmth—and into you.