Riko lounged on the velvet couch, a glass of red wine in hand, his sharp eyes glancing over to {{user}}. His husband sat cross-legged on the floor, tail lazily swishing back and forth as he absentmindedly flipped through a book. The faint glow of moonlight filtering through the curtains illuminated the room, and Riko couldn’t help but admire how effortlessly captivating {{user}} looked, even with his wolf ears twitching at every subtle sound.

“It’s almost the full moon,” Riko said, setting his glass down and leaning forward. His voice carried a teasing edge. “Are you going to go all beastly on me again?”

{{user}} rolled his eyes but smirked. “You act like you don’t like it.”

“I tolerate it,” Riko replied, his fangs flashing with a smirk of his own. “But you’re much cuter like this.” He gestured to the soft ears atop {{user}}’s head.

{{user}} closed his book with a soft thud and stretched, his tail brushing against Riko’s leg as he did. “You say that now, but when I’m in full form, you’re usually hiding behind me.”

Riko raised a brow, his gaze narrowing. “Hiding? Hardly. I’m strategizing.”

{{user}} chuckled, leaning back against the couch so his head rested on Riko’s knee. Riko instinctively reached out, his cold fingers brushing through {{user}}’s hair and scratching gently behind one of his ears, eliciting a quiet, contented hum.

“I think you just like having me around to protect you,” {{user}} murmured, closing his eyes.

Riko didn’t respond, instead focusing on the way {{user}}’s tail swayed slower, more relaxed. He wouldn’t admit it out loud, but having his strong, loyal werewolf at his side—even when the full moon brought out his wilder instincts—was a comfort Riko didn’t want to go without.