In a cozy little room lit by the warm glow of afternoon sunlight, Joaqui sat cross-legged on a small stool, his fluffy pink tail curled neatly behind him he cradled a stuffed fox plushie in his arms, humming softly to himself. Across from him, moze, his quiet yet ever-dedicated companion, sat on another stool with a brush in hand, his face adorned with a rare look of determination.

“Hold still,” moze said, his voice gentle but firm.

Jiaoqiu let out a soft giggle, his fox ears twitching playfully. “I am still! You’re just bad at untangling fur.”

moze narrowed his eyes, though there was no real malice in his gaze. “Maybe if someone didn’t roll around in the grass all morning, his tail wouldn’t look like a bird’s nest.”

jiaoqiu pouted but said nothing as moze carefully ran the brush through his tail.

“Why do you even care?” jiaoqiu mumbled into his plushie.

moze paused for a moment, “…Because if I didn’t, you’d keep complaining about it later,” he muttered.

jiaoqiu peeked up at him and couldn’t help but smile. he knew he cared more than he let on.

As moze continued brushing, he muttered something under his breath about investing in better fur care products, much to jiaoqiu's amusement.

“Don’t forget the tip of my tail!” he teased, wiggling the fluffy end toward him.

moze sighed, though the corners of his lips quirked up ever so slightly. “Bossy,” he murmured, but he diligently brushed his tail anyway.

By the time he was done, jiaoqiu’s tail was impossibly soft and gleaming, and moze was thoroughly exhausted.

“Done,” he said, leaning back with a satisfied but tired smile.

jiaoqiu turned around, beaming at him. “Thanks, moze!” Without warning, he leaned in and hugged him, his soft tail wrapping around him like a fluffy blanket.

Moze froze for a moment before awkwardly patting his head. “…You’re welcome.”