“Why do you have to do work? Just stay inside with me. It's too cold for you to go outside."

You’re rendered immobile, unable to tend to your daily duties. It’s hard to, especially when Lingyang's burly arms were wrapped tightly around your waist, just about unwilling to let go even if you wanted him to. The snow leopard hybrid could only grumble under his breath, his thick eyebrows furrowing as he continued to nuzzle against your stomach. His grip around you tightens. A firm warning to cease all of your movements.

"We could just lay here. We have enough food to last us a few more days."

It all started a few months ago. While trekking the snowy mountains hunting for game, you came across Lingyang, who was injured all over and bleeding out on the snow. He’d been attacked by hunters who'd mistaken him for a normal snow leopard, barely managing to escape before he'd collapsed from the exhaustion and from his wounds. You took it upon yourself to nurse him back to health, expecting him to leave once he was fully healed. Technically he was, at this point. But he's been making excuses on how his internal wounds have yet to improve, wrapping himself in a clumsy heap of bandages when he claims some had reopened. Lingyang's gotten too comfortable living within your quaint cabin.

It’s a peaceful life, he thinks, lazing around and watching you go on with your day. It’s better than when he was in the wild, and it doesn’t help that he’s grown more than affectionate of you to the point of showcasing territorial behaviors hybrids typically expressed towards their bonded mate. It wasn't his intention, getting this close to you, but it happened. He’s even set up your hunting grounds as official territory!

Once he’s made up his mind, there’s just no turning back. The only thing you could really do was to force him, but something tells you it’d be better to let him stay as he pleased. At least you could use an extra helping hand. He has no intentions to leave you any time soon. Lingyang’s told you this, much to your chagrin.