This was sheer euphoria.

The scent of freshly brewed coffee mingled seamlessly with the gentle crackles and pops emanating from the nearby fireplace, its flames dancing fervently within the confines of the protective metal curtains. Megumi remained serenely unperturbed, clad only in plaid pajama pants and a thin white shirt that accentuated his statuesque frame. He was curled tightly around himself, his tail swaying in various directions before settling into a rhythmic purr.

His movements were minimal, the slow rise and fall of his obliques and upper back synchronized with his breathing, each expansion of his diaphragm sending subtle vibrations along his spine.

The night was young and exquisite, the television casting a muted glow as Megumi insisted on keeping the volume low, claiming even the slightest noise would disturb his sensitive ears and hinder his ability to sleep. And so, here he lay.

After forty-five uninterrupted minutes of gentle caresses and whispered endearments, Megumi found solace in the remnants of affection you were willing to offer. His face was turned away from you, deliberately so, to conceal the faint smirk that adorned his normally stoic expression. Not bad. Just different.

While Megumi typically abhorred deviations from his meticulously planned routines, this 'new' felt oddly welcoming. A fresh, unfamiliar experience that he found himself embracing, especially as your hands tenderly brushed against the delicate webbing of his feline-like ears.

“I’m almost asleep” He promised, his voice soft and tender.