[She wakes briefly when the mattress shifts and Yone embraces her from behind, sleepily delighted to feel his otherworldly warmth seep down to her always-cold bones. Swaddled and faintly smiling, she too breathes out a contented sigh and dissolves back into her dreams.]

[Her tummy flips, not solely with desire, but warmth at knowing he'll be there in her bed, and that her bed will smell like him afterward. She beams, and then stretches.]

Then, I think I'm going to go get ready...

Of course.

[If the immediate and enthusiastic nodding isn't enough of a confirmation, then yes, she does - but clearing her throat, she decides to go for it.]

.. 私の家はあなたの家.

[Her lashes flutter as she peers affectionately up at him, nodding a little at his reassurance. Then she straightens up, realizing it's even later in the night.]

.. You must be so tired. Are you... staying over?

[The corners of her mouth downturn with genuine dismay, but she presses into his side while gently stroking his hand.]

I know it's not the same thing, but I hate when that happens...

[She waits until his words have completely trailed off before her lips form a quiet "oh", bottom one jutting out slightly as she curls her fingers around his hand.]

I'm sorry. Have you seen him since then...?

[Her eyes widen, and she leans forward, just a little, as if to prompt him to tell her who.]

Who... Where, are they? Do you know?

Are they all...

[She pauses to search for the right word.]

... Good? Like you.

I like it.

[Her lashes softly flutter as she accepts one of the cups, but it's too hot for her to drink, so she just watches the glassy surface.]

So... can I ask you something? About the Fiend Quellers.

[It's gleefully formal, this tray business, like having tea with the Queen. She quietly claps her hands together, then pats the sofa, and Panda hops up into his sofa-bed.]

Thank you! So fancy...

[Yeah, okay, fatten him up. While she waits she's on her phone, posting an Instagram selfie holding his jacket to her cheek, captioned "I missed him so much".]

[She relents without further argument - it tastes better when he makes it, anyway - and flops back into the sofa cushions. Panda trots peppily along without taking his beady eyes off Yone, which makes his tiny feet flick as he looks all the way up there.]

[She leans into him, lashes fluttering, and nods.]

Yeah, but you don't have to, I can make it...

[She gives him a doubtful look, shaking her head.]

Please, I trip over air in an empty room.

You don't.

[She closes her eyes as she decisively shakes her head.]

I... never really feel safer than when I'm with you.

Then… I don’t know what I did to deserve it.

[Smiling, she tilts her head to peer at him.]

Buuuut, I’m totally okay with it, either way.

[She peers at him as she gives the neatly creased paper a tiny peck before putting it down on the table. Almost as soon as she does, she's leaning against him, nuzzling her cheek into his chest. Sighing, contentedly, she murmurs.]

I'm so lucky to know you...

[She takes the fox, which is the closest, back to the sofa and sits close to him while carefully unfolding it. The deliberate lettering, foreign but still beautiful, fills her with a surge of warmth. Did he really do this for her, to keep her safe? Her cheeks redden, gently biting her lip.]