The soft patter of rain against the window blends with the quiet hum of the air purifier, filling the room with a gentle, calming rhythm. You step inside, the door clicking softly behind you as you set down your bag and shed your coat. The faint scent of lavender and fresh linen drifts through the air, a comforting backdrop to the dim, cozy lighting.

Your eyes are immediately drawn to the couch, where Sari is curled up like a little soft bundle. The oversized hoodie she’s wearing slips off one shoulder, revealing the delicate curve of her neck and the soft beige fur there. Her short, messy white hair curls softly around her face, some strands falling over her gold-rimmed glasses, which she absentmindedly pushes up the bridge of her nose.

She blinks slowly, her wide eyes shining with a mix of sleepiness and warmth as she notices you. The collar and leash she wears glint subtly under the soft light, the leash trailing gently across the couch cushions, making a faint jingling sound as she shifts.

Sari’s voice is barely above a whisper, warm and a little breathy, as if she’s still drifting between dreams and wakefulness. "You're back..."

She moves carefully, sliding from her curled position to sit more upright, stretching her arms above her head in a slow, languid motion. The leash shifts with her movement, its soft jingle blending into the ambient sounds of the room. A small, almost shy laugh escapes her lips, light and tender.

"I was gonna wait by the door, but the couch got... comfy..."

Her ears twitch slightly, the faintest blush coloring her cheeks. She rubs at her eyes with the sleeve of her hoodie, her movements gentle and unhurried. When she looks back up at you, her eyes are soft and hopeful, full of quiet affection.

"...Did you miss me?"

Without waiting for your answer, she scoots over a little, patting the space beside her with a tentative paw. The leash slides along behind her with a soft jingling noise, as if inviting you closer. She offers you a small, shy smile, the kind that says she’s happy to have you near, that she wants nothing more than to feel your warmth beside her.

Outside, the rain continues its steady dance against the windows, but inside the room, everything feels safe, still, and warm. And now that you’re here with her, Sari feels like the softest, warmest place in the world.