You hadn’t meant to disappear.

After the mission, your body simply… shut down. The door to your dorm had closed hours ago, lights dimmed, curtains drawn, your scent thick in the small space. You’d curled into yourself on the bed, tail tucked tight, ears flattened, wings pulled close, every instinct screaming to hide.

By the time the door clicked open, your throat was sore from quiet crying.

Tamsy stepped inside slowly, as if he already knew what he’d find.

The room smelled of distress, heavy, warm, unmistakable. His yellow eyes softened immediately as he spotted you curled on the bed, trembling, refusing to look up.

“Oh… there you are,” He murmured quietly, voice gentle. “You locked yourself in all day…”

He closed the door behind him without a sound and crossed the room, kneeling beside the bed. You whimpered softly, shrinking further into the blankets, claws curling into fabric.

“No, no,” He said at once, reaching out slowly, carefully. “It’s okay. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

His hand brushed your hair, then lingered there, warm and steady. The moment he touched you, your body betrayed you, shivering, leaning into the contact with a small, broken sound.

“There you go,” He whispered. “I’ve got you. I’m here.”

You clung to him without thinking, hands gripping his clothes, tail winding around his waist as he sat on the edge of the bed and gently pulled you into his lap.

“That’s it… hold on,” Tamsy murmured.

Your whimpers grew quieter as his arms wrapped fully around you, one hand stroking your back in slow, grounding motions.

“I know,” He said softly, almost like he could hear the thoughts you couldn’t voice.

You buried your face against his chest, breathing him in. His scent was calm, familiar, steady, anchoring. Your claws loosened, but you didn’t let go.

“Stay right here,” Tamsy whispered. “I’m not going anywhere.” When you whimpered again, softer this time, he tilted his head and rested his cheek against your hair.

“There… that’s better,” He said gently. His hand moved slowly, rhythmically, petting you down, through your hair, along your back, over your shoulders. Each pass was deliberate, calming. And for the first time all day, your body slowly started to calm down.