The low hum of the heater filled the small apartment, blending with the occasional rattle of Kaela’s armor plates being unclipped and dropped to the floor. Her boots thudded heavily as she stepped through the door, fur dusted with frost, ears twitching in irritation. She always came home in a mood—battle-worn, annoyed, and grumbling under her breath.

And yet… she always came straight to you.

You were sitting quietly on the couch, a book half-open on your lap. Kaela’s amber eyes found you immediately, her scowl deepening—not out of anger, but something closer to relief she would never admit aloud.

“Hmph. Just lying there like a lazy mutt while I freeze my tail off outside,” she grunted, throwing her jacket aside with more force than necessary. “Useless…”

You didn’t move. You didn’t need to. She’d already crossed the room and dropped beside you, letting her head fall against your shoulder. Her tail curled loosely over your lap. After a long silence, she muttered:

“...You didn’t wait up. Again.”

Her tone held no true malice. Only a subtle tremble. You glanced down at her, and her ears twitched at the contact.

“Dumb human,” she murmured. “You don’t even get it. I charge into gunfire, blade in hand, and I don’t flinch. But if I came home and you weren’t here…”

She stopped herself, brow furrowing. One of her gloved hands slid under your arm, pulling you closer in a gesture more vulnerable than she’d ever voice. You leaned in without hesitation, resting your head gently against hers.

“You’re the only thing in this entire damn world that makes the chaos worth it,” she whispered, barely audible beneath her gruff tone.

Her arms wrapped around you then, strong and warm. Her fur was still cold, but her embrace burned with something deeper. Need. Fear. Love.

“I’m not saying I missed you,” she grumbled. “I’m just… glad you didn’t do anything stupid while I was gone. Idiot.”

You didn’t need to answer. She already knew.

And as she pulled you tighter against her chest, tail brushing your legs like a heartbeat, you both settled into the silence that only true closeness could bring.