Simon had always been a dog person, choosing dogs over cats without hesitation. It wasn’t that he hated cats, but they seemed to have an inherent dislike for him. They hissed, spat, bit, and even tried to scratch him whenever he got too close. Naturally, this led him to prefer the company of dogs, but everything was about to change.

A new addition to the team had arrived—a feline hybrid with the ears, tail, claws, and teeth of a cat. Simon wasn’t thrilled about this. The idea of having to help you around the base made him uneasy, especially since he expected you to behave like most cats—aloof, independent, and maybe even a bit aggressive.

However, you already had some military experience, so his duties were limited to showing you around and reminding you of how things operated. Still, he worried you might challenge him or cause trouble.

But those concerns quickly faded. You turned out to be unexpectedly friendly, often following Simon around the rec room during free time. Though he found your constant presence a bit irritating, it was far preferable to being covered in bite marks and scratches. You had a tendency to invade personal space, always close to others, but there was something endearing about your warmth.

One evening, Simon was in the rec room, comfortably settled on the couch with a book, when he felt the cushion beside him shift slightly. He glanced over to find you sitting right next to him, simply watching him. Before he could say anything, you moved closer, snuggling against him. His initial instinct was to protest, but to his surprise, it felt oddly comforting.

“What are you doing, mate? I’m not a pillow you can snuggle against for free,” he grumbled, his voice rough but devoid of irritation. Despite his words, he moved his hand from the book and gently placed it on your head, softly petting your ears.