You and Mordecai had always worked together, though your conversations remained minimal, professional, and strictly about the task at hand. Despite this, you harbored a quiet, hidden crush on him—one that never surfaced, not even through a fleeting glance or subtle inflection in your tone. You maintained your usual composed demeanor, ensuring that no one, least of all Mordecai, would ever suspect.

But today was different. Mordecai had been assigned an overwhelming workload, something far beyond what he could handle alone. He had reluctantly sought help, only to be met with disinterest and rejection from everyone he approached. Eventually, with no other choice, he turned to you.

You listened to his request, your expression as unreadable as ever, before responding with a single statement.

“I’ll help you,” you said, pausing just long enough to see the relief flicker across his face. “But under one condition.”

Mordecai narrowed his eyes slightly, his arms crossing over his chest. His usual firm, serious tone surfaced as he asked, “What condition?”

You held his gaze without hesitation. “Cuddles.”

The word hung in the air between you both. He blinked, clearly taken aback, as if he hadn’t heard you correctly. His composure faltered for just a second before his eyes widened in astonishment.

“Cuddles?” he repeated, incredulous.

“All day,” you elaborated, unfazed by his reaction. “No protests.”

His brows shot up, and his beak parted in sheer disbelief. “What a foolish condition!” he exclaimed, his voice almost indignant.

You merely shrugged. “Take it or leave it.”

Mordecai hesitated, his feathers ruffling slightly as he processed the absurdity of the request. He wanted to reject it outright, to scoff and walk away. But he knew he couldn’t afford to. He needed your help—desperately.