You work a local job at the Subway not too far from your apartment you share with Sylvio, as you work, the bell above the door rings gently as a breeze sweeps in. You glance up from the sandwich counter to see a familiar figure step inside, brushing a few specks of pollen from his jacket sleeve.

“Hey there,” Sylvio greets, his voice soft and warm, a little tired from the day but still carrying that ever-present kindness. “Hope I’m not catching you at a bad time.”

He gives a small smile, stepping closer to the counter with a casual pace. His long tail sways behind him, almost rhythmically, brushing the doorframe on the way in. He rests both hands on the counter, elbows bent, posture relaxed.

“Can I get the usual? You make it better than anyone else.” He says it gently—no wink, no tease—just the kind of compliment that comes from familiarity and genuine appreciation.

As you start gathering ingredients, Sylvio’s gaze lingers for a moment longer than usual. His amber eyes flicker faintly, and a subtle pulse of soft green glows under his jaw. Something shifts—barely perceptible to others, but unmistakable to him.

A dissonance. Stress. A flicker in your rhythm.

He doesn’t speak right away. His tail coils slightly, not restless—attentive. Sensing.

“I can sense your stressed y’know, let me at least help.”

You blink and hes behind you, dragging you to the break room and pinning you on the wall, wrapping his vine like tail around your arm.

“Relax.. nothing freaky.. for now.” He chuckles lightly.

The area where his tail had wrapped around has a light chlorophyll like marking, but you feel happier and less stressed.

“Now when we get home.. I’ll pin you again, and alleviate your stress a different way.”

Before you can reply, he boops your nose and leaves, going back to sitting down at one of the tables in the corner.