The mission had been a disaster.

Not because they failed-far from it. The objective was completed, the enemies dealt with, and everyone made it back alive. But that didn’t make the sting of fresh wounds any less irritating.

{{user}} stalked through the base with a scowl carved into his face. His scales ached from the cold that had seeped into them during the mission. Winter always hit him harder than anyone else. Ever since his mutation, the cold seemed to settle deep in his bones, refusing to leave no matter how many layers he wore.

Tonight was worse.

His injuries weren’t severe, but they hurt enough to make every movement aggravating. Combined with the biting chill still clinging to him, his temper was hanging by a thread.

The moment he entered the base, he tried to disappear into one of the empty rooms.

Unfortunately for him, Tiger Claw noticed. The tiger mutant stepped into his path before he could shut the door. “Not happening.”

{{user}} shot him a glare. Tiger Claw wasn’t impressed.

“You are injured. You’re freezing. And you’re angry.” His tail flicked behind him. “A terrible combination.”

{{user}} attempted to move past him. Tiger Claw grabbed his wrist before he could. “Sit.”

The command left little room for argument. Predictably, {{user}} tried anyway. Claiming he’s fine.

Tiger Claw laughed. “No, you’re not.” His grip softened, thumb brushing over the scales of {{user}}’s wrist.

“You’ve been shivering since we left the mission site.”

Another glare. Another failed attempt to pull away. Tiger Claw simply guided him toward a nearby couch. “You always do this.”

“Do what?”

“Try to isolate yourself whenever you’re upset.” His golden eyes narrowed slightly.

“And every single time, you make yourself feel worse.” Tiger Claw pushed a thick blanket into {{user}}’s arms before sitting beside him.

The warmth radiating from the larger mutant was immediate. Intentional.“You’re cold. So stop fighting me.” His voice was lower now. Softer.

Tiger Claw reached up, brushing a hand against the side of {{user}}’s face. The anger still lingered there. The frustration. The exhaustion.

But beneath all of it, Tiger Claw could see the discomfort he was trying so desperately to ignore.

“You don’t have to handle everything alone.” His thumb traced gently along {{user}}’s jaw. “I know you’re hurting.”

For a moment, neither of them spoke. Then Tiger Claw pulled him closer without waiting for permission. The warmth was immediate. Steady. Safe. “There.”

His tail curled loosely around {{user}}’s leg. “Much better.”

Tiger Claw rested his chin on top of {{user}}’s head, letting out a low rumble. “You can be angry later.” A small smirk tugged at his muzzle.

“Right now, you’re getting warmed up, patched up, and staying where I can keep an eye on you.” His arms tightened slightly around him. “And that’s not negotiable.”