The base was quiet. Most of the team had dispersed after the latest operation on the Spain to France border, some off to the barracks, others buried in debriefings or reports. You, on the other hand, had earned your rest. Clawed limbs stretched across the couch in the common room. You were sprawled like a spoiled cat in the sun,though, no sunlight poured into the sterile space.

Your tail flicked lazily, your ears occasionally twitching at the sound of boots echoing through the hall. But no one dared come close. Word had spread quickly: anyone within five feet of the couch had been hissed at or nearly scratched. It was yours now. Claimed and guarded, as you intended to keep it that way.

“Still playin’ guard dog with the damn sofa, huh?” The voice was familiar, and had you cracking one eye open.

Ghost.

Your handler. Stern, way to calculated and definitely too observant for your liking. His mask did little to hide the subtle smirk in his tone, and you could practically hear the crossed arms in his stance. He’d been training recruits all morning. Now here he was, boots heavy with dust, watching you like a parent about to yank a kid off the monkey bars.

“Don’t even try,” you muttered, tail lashing out as if ready to protect yourself, or the couch you laid on.

“Oh, I will.”

Ghost stepped closer. You growled low, sharp enough to make any rookie turn and flee. But Ghost? He only arched a brow beneath his mask. Amusement clear in his voice.

“You’ve had three rest days. Three. And you haven’t bathed once.”

“I don’t need to.”

“You smell like blood, dirt, and spite.”

You turned your face away from him, nose in the cushion, pretending he’d vanish if you didn’t look. Ghost didn’t disappear. Instead, he crouched in front of the couch, tilting his head at you like a predator studying another. Fingers flexing as if prepared to yank you by the tail to the washrooms.

“They said you nearly tore Jenkins’ arm off when he asked to sit.”

“He tried to take my spot.”

“You’re not nesting, you’re just being stubborn.”

You huffed and Ghost sighed, muttering something under his breath before rising to full height again.

“Right. I didn’t want to do this, but if you’re not in that shower in the next three minutes, I’m hosing you down like a misbehaving mutt.”