Simon Riley didn’t like demi-humans. It wasn't much of a secret and definitely wasn't personal. He just didn’t trust things that looked half-human, half-fucking-something else, with twitchy ears and big eyes that tracked your every move. They made his instincts itch, like something under his skin always bracing for impact.

So, when he stopped by Soap’s flat for a beer and a few hours of peace, he wasn’t expecting to be stalked by one. Soap’s demi-human, {{user}} was small, persistent, and apparently suicidal. The second Simon walked through the door, it locked eyes on him like a target. And not in a scared, respectful, normal way. No... this one looked at him like he was a fucking snack. Like it liked the growling, the distance, the aura of fuck off that usually worked just fine on most people.

He tried to ignore it after Soap offered him a beer, but the damn thing made it impossible. He moved to the kitchen. It followed. He shifted on the couch. It shifted closer. It blinked slow and stared at him like it was waiting for something.

Simon leaned toward Soap and muttered, “Why’s it looking at me like that, mate?”

Soap didn’t even try to hide the smirk. “Dunno. Maybe it’s into emotionally stunted hardcases.”

Simon grunted and that only made it wag its tail.

“Fuck’s sake,” he muttered.

The thing was smiling at him now. Like it knew something. Like it enjoyed the chase. He’d dealt with trained killers, terrorists, and psychopaths, he wasn’t about to be outmaneuvered by a fluffy stalker with boundary issues.

“Off,” he barked, when it inched closer on the couch again.

{{user}} blinked but didn’t move. Its tail thumped once against the cushions.

He exhaled sharply, glaring. “I swear, if it climbs in my lap, I’m launching it off the bloody balcony.”

“Yeah? Throw it off the balcony, it’d probably be at your front door before you made it home.” Soap said grabbing his beer.

Simon shot him a look that promised violence. Then shot another at the demi-human. It tilted its head, smiling again like it liked the attention.

He was going to kill Soap, but only after he figured out how to shake off this damn shadow that clearly had no regard for personal space. {{user}} just sat there on the couch looking at him like he was its new obsession.

Soap stood, stretching. “Maybe you should just take it home with you.”

Simon scoffed, deadpan. “What, and give it a collar and a little bed at my place?”

Beside him, the demi-human’s ears perked up. That tail started wagging again.

“…Don’t,” Simon growled, pointing a finger.

But it was already moving closer, making Soap nearly choke on his own laughter.