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It started out as a simple innocuous question. Well, if you really wanted to get pedantic, it started with Shiori bringing home some reese’s shaped like hearts post a grocery trip to a group filled with non-humans.
“What’s up with those? Why’re they shaped like that?” Fuwawa asked in confusion as she unwrapped one of them, eying the strangely shaped candy. Weren’t they in like…
Uh… Actually, what would you call the shape of normal reese’s?
“Cause Valentine’s is around the corner.” Shiori said nonchalantly, putting the several microwavable meals she’d gotten in the fridge from the grocery bags.
“...Valentine’s?” Both of the demon dogs asked at the exact same time, tilting their heads in both confusion and a rather adorable display.
“...Oh.” Was Shiori’s only immediate response, slowly turning to face the two dogs. There was indeed utter confusion on their faces. They… They really had no idea what she was talking about.
…Made a mental note to find the warden of their prison specifically to drop-kick them into a volcano.
“Valentine’s day is a human holliday, you give cookies and chocolates to the person you like, I got these because it’s easier to eat the chocolate off and eat the leftover peanut butter.” Shiori shrugged, grabbing one herself and illustrating her point by prying off the top layer of chocolate with her fangs and eating the heart-shaped peanut butter blob left over.
Another perk to living with non-humans is no one could look at her like she was a heathen for eating candy ‘wrong.’
“Ohhh… We should make some cookies then!” Mococo nodded excitedly, glancing over at her sister who seemed equally excited about it.
“Well, if you do, keep it on the down-low, half the fun of valentine’s gifts is it being a secret.” Shiori shrugged, glancing up, only to snicker.
“Ah. Nevermind. Hey ‘Nessie, Biboo.” Shiori waved to the other two entering the room with the rest of the groceries.
Well. trying. Bijou had been given the grocery bag with the chips in it since it was the lightest, but she was also trying to carry in the milk carton with her other hand, and visibly struggling with it.
“Alright Biboo, we get it, you’re a big strong rock girl, now hand it over before you hurt yourself.” Shiori chuckled with a shake over her head, making her way over and carefully taking it from her trembling hand that looked like it could fall off at any second.
“H-Hey, I had it!” She pouted, lightly headbutting the human’s shoulder as she turned to put the milk away.
“Yes yes, we all tremble at the might of the gem of emotion. You wanna put the chips away?” Shiori giggled, ruffling her hair and heading off to put the milk away.
…Huh. Why was Bijou’s gemstone getting pink? Mococo didn’t really understand how that worked…
Oh, wait, more importantly, Nerissa was carrying a buncha heavy stuff!
“Hey, lemme help!” Mococo trotted over, tail wagging and holding out her hands to carry one of the 24 packs of soda she was carrying.
“You sure you can handle it?” Nerissa chuckled at the enthusiasm, shifting to hold one of them over her awaiting hands.
“Mhm, I wanna help you Nessie!” Mococo nodded enthusiastically, taking it from her hands without any issue. She did have superhuman strength after all.
“Heh, thanks there, puppy.” Nerissa smiled, now using her free hand to give the younger demon dog’s head a pat. Immediately her tail wagged even faster, so much so her entire body started wiggling, a happy little noise escaping her that made the demon’s heart melt a little bit.
…And caught the archivist’s attention with a fanged grin.
“So, what were you guys talking about?” Nerissa asked as she looked up at them, gently scratching behind the blonde’s ear and subsequently making her melt a little on the spot.
“Eh, nothing much. Also I know you like your PDA, but don’t forget you got ice cream that needs to go in the freezer in your other hand. Stuff in fridge now, puppy love later.” Shiori teased as she finished up helping Bijou with her own load.
Nerissa immediately pulled her hand away, much to Mococo’s disappointment as she scrambled to put stuff away, all whilst squawking indignantly.
…Mococo didn’t get it.
It was a few hours later, and Mococo was laying on her side on the couch, dozing on and off with a throw pillow hugged to her chest. After stuff got put away everyone just kind of scattered to do their own stuff, including Fuwawa as well. Well, mainly her having stuff to do and not wanting to drag a sleepy Mococo off the couch.
…Nerissa left too, something about one of her sisters forgetting an appointment or something and needing an emergency babysitter. It was basically immediately after she’d finished putting stuff away.
That sucks… Mococo wanted to talk to her some more! Now instead she’s just stuck laying here, not wallowing or sulking about it, thank you very much! She was just uh… Tired, yeah, tired!
The blonde nodded to herself, hugging the pillow tighter.
The pillow she most certainly didn’t grab because it was the one on the side of the couch a certain demon tended to sit on during game nights and the like. Definitely not because it still had her scent on it, definitely not because Mococo missed her and found it comforting, and she was most definitely NOT wishing she was hugging the demon of song instead of this pillow right now, nuh uh, no sir!
…
She held it closer, burying her nose in the pillow and taking a deep, calming breath. Her tail wagged just a little, though her ears drooped.
…What was wrong with her today?
Unfortunately, that was around the time that the universe decided she wasn’t allowed to definitely not mope in peace. Her ear flicked at the sound of heavy boots that definitely belonged to the Archivist, if the accompanying smell of old books and ink didn’t already give her away.
“Hey puppy, working hard or hardly working?” Shiori chuckled as she walked in, making her way over to the blonde. Paused for a moment when she saw what exactly she was doing.
Smiled that all knowing smile of hers.
“O-Oh, just, um… Sleepy…” Mococo mumbled sheepishly, poorly faking a yawn as she sat up and stretched, pillow still in her lap.
“Is that so? Did carrying the soda tucker you out?” Shiori chuckled as she took a seat now that Mococo’s legs weren’t in the way, ruffling her hair.
“U-Um… Not really, mostly the weird feeling in my tummy afterwards...” Mococo mumbled quietly, not making eye contact.
“Hm… After ‘Nessie scratched your ears, right?” Shiori asked, though her tone made Mococo wonder if this wasn’t as casual a question as it seemed.
“Yeah, how’d you know? It’s been bugging me since it happened, I dunno if I got sick or something!” Mococo huffed, glancing up at Shiori only to feel painted nails gently scratch behind her ear. She immediately melted into it, tail wagging and a happy sound rising in her throat. There were few people in this world she let touch her ears like this, and this house is where most, if not all of those people lived.
It was… Nice.
“Feel any funny feelings?” Shiori asked as she gently stroked the fur of Mococo’s ears, her smile turning a little gentler and less mischievous at the way the agitation started visibly fading from the blonde.
“Mmm… Nope, it just feels nice… Why’s it different?” Mococo tilted her head in utter confusion as Shiori stopped and withdrew her hand.
“...Ah. Exactly as I thought, huh…” Shiori mumbled under her breath. Mococo’s ear flicked, catching the words with perfect clarity but not understanding what they meant.
“...What? Do you know what tummy bug I caught?” Mococo asked, brow furrowed as she turned to face Shiori.
“...You wanna know more about Valentine’s day?” Shiori asked conversationally instead of answering the question, glad that everyone else was busy at the moment.
“...Um… I don’t know what this has to do with my tummy being sick, but okay!” Mococo nodded, sitting up more and turning to face the human(?) with a smile, weirdly glad for the distraction.
…Granted, considering the scheming look on Shiori’s face, she had a sinking feeling she was in for something a little bit wacko…
Ah well, Shiori’s the one human after all, if anyone would know, it’d be her.
…Right?
…Nerissa was having… A not so great day.
See, it started out nice, she’d gone on a fun shopping trip with some of her friends, got to bask in the ball of sunshine she so adored…
Only to get called away before she could properly thank said ball of sunshine and fluff because one of her sisters forgot about an appointment and needed a babysitter. It was fine, really, she was fond of the newest additions to her family after all!
…She just… Wanted to sneak out and try and find something to gift Mococo for Valentine's day. It was today after all, and she was losing daylight. Not to mention she needed to hype herself up a lot for it anyways, considering it was already hard enough to look at her face and not… Other places. That crop top and tiny little shorts were a menace to her sanity…
A-Anyways, even in her scramble to get everyone something, she couldn’t figure out what to get the blonde. It had to be special, but most of the ‘special’ things in the Valentine’s isle were either, uh, OSHA violations, or chocolates and she, quite frankly, had no idea if the twins could even eat chocolate! Which is part of why she just got Fuwawa one of those bundles of heart-shaped lollipops instead, but there weren’t really any good options past that outside of, again, stuff with chocolate.
She figured out the other two’s gifts well enough, for example, a cute new night light and cakepops for Bijou after seeing that the one right outside her room had broken. The gem hadn’t noticed yet, but she honestly kind of preferred having a replacement before it became a problem.
The last thing she’d want is to find Bijou curled up in a little ball in her closet trying to banish ghoulish reminders of the pitch black cell she’d been kept in with the security of such a small space where nothing could harm her.
…
She grabbed a few extra things. Some spare blankets for game nights so if one of them ‘mysteriously vanished’ after someone yelled a little too loud around the twins, it would be harder to notice the absence. …And harder to notice one of the twins sneaking off with something covered in the other’s scents to ground themselves.
Grabbed a new book for Shiori and more of that hot coco she liked along with some easy to eat, not super flavorful foods, just in case she had another flare up soon. It was always easier for her to keep down stuff that was blander, since… Well, all of those eyes meant endless sensory overload. Some comforting things and food could go a long way in making the Archivist recover faster from the pall she’d been locked away for.
Tried not to think too hard about the horrifying sight of her friend bleeding ink and covered in far too many eyes as some sick punishment for knowledge no human body could handle without consequence.
…
Maybe some extra batteries, the little sound machine she used to sleep at night was probably on its last leg as far as batteries went, and she’d really like to avoid starting to go to sleep, only to wake up thinking she was back in the total silence of her own dark soundproofed cell that had nearly driven her as mad as the humans Godkind claimed they were protecting from her. As they had with all the others.
So terribly, terribly… Cruel.
She shook her head as she browsed the Valentines candies. Now isn’t the time to think about the ghosts lingering in all their shadows. She came here to get everyone something nice for Valentines day, not get upset about an unchangeable past.
…
Would it be dumb to get the twins some of those rawhides shaped into hearts or with big bows on them? She’d seen them gnawing on the bones whenever they had fried chicken or steak, but she wasn’t sure if getting them dog treats would just be insulting.
…The last thing she wanted was to give Mococo something less than perfect, let alone potentially upsetting. So what did that leave? What could she possibly give her…?
She sighed softly, wandering towards the clothing section. Maybe a cute ring? Or would that be too forward? Ugh, this was impossible…
It was then that she walked past one of the large mirrors set up around the clothing section. Glanced up for a moment, then paused. Too note of her wings fluffed up from stress, and of the display of necklaces behind her.
…What’s something only she could give her little demon dog?
Something… Something money can’t buy.
Her wings folded behind her, slowly turning to the display.
…And maybe something bought with money as well.
Mococo was sitting nervously, constantly glancing between the front door and the small container in her hands all whilst trying desperately to look calmer than she felt.
It didn’t help that her sister wasn’t back, and, according to the group chat, probably wouldn’t be back until a fair bit later. Shiori said it was probably for the best, but Mococo had no idea what that meant and the Archivist refused to elaborate, so all she could feel is a little sad.
Mococo nearly jumped when the door began to open, fur bristling.
“Careful, it’s just Nessie, not a bomb.” Shiori chuckled from the kitchen, in the midst of making pasta for dinner with some help from Bijou. Well, as much help she could give when she couldn’t reach much higher than the counter.
…It was a good distraction from how much this day had sucked for her before she got locked up, with so many humans looking for pretty rocks to shove in a ring. Shiori wished those particular humans were still alive, just so she could read a little bit of her book to them and watch their heads physically explode.
“What’s got her fur in a twist?” Bijou leaned over to the Archivist, rousing her from her less than sunny thoughts. She glanced over, briefly checking her gem color. Still a cheery yellow… Good, sufficiently distracted.
“She’s got a big ole crush on Nessie but has no idea and Nessie’s too oblivious to notice.” Shiori whispered, not sure if Mococo could hear that or not considering, yknow, superhuman hearing. Her leg kept bouncing so she assumed she was a little too distracted.
“...Ohhh… Can’t imagine what that’s like.” Bijou huffed a little, pouting up at Shiori. …She had a pretty good idea as to why.
And also had a few big reservations keeping her from doing anything about that. Namely, being at least partially one of those awful creatures that treated her friend so poorly in the past.
So, she went for a second distraction.
“Oh, wait, sounds like she’s here-here.” Shiori commented, glancing up at the door handle that was starting to move after the sound of keys jangling.
“Hiya darlings, I got everyone some treats!” Nerissa smiled as she opened the door, arms full of grocery bags. Mococo rushed to put the container in her pocket and move to help with the bags.
“Sounds festive.” Shiori commented with a chuckle, setting down the knife she’d just cut a hunk of parmesan for the grater with to make her way to the living room.
“Well, I was already out and about, so I figured I’d get everyone a little something. Nerissa added as Mococo moved to grab one. Did the mental calculations on what was in that specific bag…
…Why didn’t she put Mococo’s gift in her pocket?
“Ah ah, no peeking!” Nerissa tried to play it off playfully with a smile. It seemed to work, though Mococo was pouting in response.
“I got most of you guys some candy and a little extra something, since I noticed a few things were almost out and figured I’d get everyone something.” Nerissa began to explain, setting down the rest of the bags and keeping only the bag she knew had only the extras in it.
“Oh? How chivalrous.” Shiori giggled as she stepped over, Bijou now in toe after getting down from her step stool.
“I saw the group chat, so I’ll be sure to set Fuwa’s stuff in her room later…” Nerissa said as she set the bag down on the coffee table, rummaging through it.
“Oh yeah? What’d you get us?” Bijou asked, interest piqued.
“Well, for starters, I noticed one of your night lights was out so I got you a new one.” Nerissa smiled at the gemstone as she pulled it out. It was a cute little bear made of plastic wrapped around the light part like it was cuddling the small bulb.
Bijou… Looked at it, for a few moments, gemstone flickering between colors before settling on a swirl of blue and yellow.
“Thanks Nessie, I… I really appreciate it.” The gem gave a small smile as she took the night light into her hands, the thought and care of the gift making the colors swirl more, until they mixed ever so slightly before returning to mostly yellow, tinged a little blue at the edges.
“Anytime, Biboo.” Nerissa smiled softly, gently ruffling Bijou’s hair and earring her a tiny giggle, a little on the weaker side, but that was okay.
“I also got you and Fuwawa some new blankets, though I was thinking of keeping them in here for movie night so if you ever need to nab a blanket we’ve all been using again, you can do that without stealing one of the ones we might be using already.” Nerissa pulled out the two folded blankets in question, both fluffy as can be, one pink, one blue, both covered in little patterns of cartoon dogs and bones, though there were a few hearts here and there on the pink one for no particular reason.
“R-Really?” Mococo stammered, tail starting to wag and ears a little droopy. That last part was mostly at the call out of how often she or her sister would nick one of the game night blankets…
“Mhm, so you two don’t need to feel bad about it. You guys deserve that much.” Nerissa smiled fondly down at the blonde, affectionately ruffling her hair and smile only brightening at the way that made the girl’s tail wag.
“A-Anyways, I got you some stuff for your next sick day, Shiorin.” Nerissa opted to hand the bag over to the Archivist since all that was left in there was for her.
Shiori’s carefree smile dropped for a moment.
“...Oh.” She squeaked out, looking down at the stuff she’d been gifted. She knew exactly what this was for. She loathed the fact that her friends knew all about it. Loathed louder that they insisted on helping her with her own issues now that they knew about them.
…
Still was touched by it. Her smile was a lot more fragile than before, but it was there.
“...Thanks.” Shiori’s voice was scarcely louder than a ghost, holding the bag to her chest.
“Any time, and remember, we’re here for you the next time something happens, you aren’t allowed to hide in the closet.” Nerissa nodded emphatically.
“H-Hey, I feel like I’m the only one not in the closet here!” Shiori joked in an attempt to shed the heavier atmosphere the conversation had taken. She was supposed to be playing wingman, not having a moment about people caring about her!
“I think Moco has something for you too, actually.” Shiori lightly elbowed the demon dog to get her attention away from making biscuits on her new blanket. Wait, that was a cat thing, what was up with that?
“Huh? O-Oh, yeah!” Mococo jumped at the reminder, setting the fluffy pink blanket down and pulling the container out of her pocket.
“I- I made you these!” Mococo got out in a rush, holding up the container.
“I think that's our cue to leave, let’s set up that night light. And Moco, remember the human tradition I told you about, don’t chicken out! Also you’re cleaning the dishes.” Shiori giggled as she led Bijou away by the hand. Yeah, it wasn’t actually a thing, but the blonde had no idea and she’d thank her later anyways.
…With that, they were alone.
“What did she mean by-”
Nerissa was cut off by a certain demon dog getting up on her tippy toes, face matching the highlights in her hair as she…
Pushed the box in her hands, and kissed the demon on the cheek.
It was very brief and nervous, but…
It made the demon’s face heat up regardless.
“H-Here, I, I um- I m-made you something…” Mococo mumbled as she pulled back, flustered as can be.
It took a solid few seconds for the demon’s brain to stop being stunlocked in the wake of what had just happened, blinking harshly for a few moments.
…Slowly looked down at the box, mutely opening it.
…Several very charming-looking cookies, some shaped like cartoony bones, some like hearts, all looking and smelling pretty good. She lifted her gaze to Mococo who was watching her reaction with rapt attention and visible anxiety over if she liked it or not.
“...T-These are really cute, Moco!” Nerissa nodded quickly, biting down the ‘like you’ that wanted to escape her mouth.
“R-Really?” Mococo’s ears perked up instantly, expression bright.
“Of course, I can see you tried really hard on these, thank you.” Nerissa smiled down at her, closing the box and setting it on the coffee table.
…Now or never.
“I got you something too, actually…” She started as she grabbed the bag she knew the gift to be in.
“R-Really? I thought it was the blankets?” Mococo tilted her head in such a way it nearly made Nerissa make an undignified sound from how cute it was.
“Well, I have two more things for you.” Nerissa’s smile turned a little shy as she picked up one of the two small boxes left, handing it to her. It had a little bow on it, one she’d specifically requested to be pink from the jewelry section of the store packing it up for her.
Mococo nodded mutely, seeming a little too shocked to say much else as she carefully took it from her hands, handled it like it was something truly precious.
…She hoped it would be.
From the way the blonde gasped and wagged her tail, she had a good feeling about that.
“...W-Woah…” She murmured, lifting said gift from the box. A pretty necklace, a white wing bent in such a way it… Looked like half a heart, a little dark red gem the shade of Nerissa’s eyes laid in it.
“And… I got a matching one.” Nerissa pulled out the other box, revealing the other half of the heart, a black wing that was designed to look a little more leathery and less angelic, inlaid with a sapphire the shade of the shorter girl’s eyes.
Mococo… Was speechless. Stared up at her with big, wide eyes, struggling to come up with words. Definitely made her cookies seem silly now…
“...And, well, if it’s human tradition…” Nerissa smiled softly at her, leaning down and…
Kissing the girl on the cheek. Smiled at how her face started to match both the gemstone and her eyes, blinking rapidly and in a daze.
“Want help putting it on?” Nerissa asked softly. Giggled at how Mocco physically had to shake her head to get back her bearings, nodding mutely.
“Turn around then, puppy.” Nerissa whispered, taking note of the way the shorter girl audibly swallowed at that, obeying.
…Hm. She could have some fun with this, actually. Probably not the time for it…
So, she unclasped the necklace, gently placing it around the smaller girl’s neck.
…Couldn’t quite resist the temptation that presented, placing another soft kiss at the demon dog’s nape and smirking against rapidly flushing skin when Mococo let out a stammered gasp and squeak in response.
Also couldn’t quite ignore the passing thought of how nice a bite mark or two would look there.
“N-Nessie…” Mococo whined, visibly trembling and ears pinned back. From the way her tail wagged, she was pretty certain that it wasn’t exactly received poorly.
“C’mon, your second gift’s outside.” Nerissa smiled, gesturing for the still buffering girl to follow and leading her outside, at least after she had put on her own half of the necklace.
“H-Huh? What- W-What do you mean?” Mococo asked, eyes darting around as they entered the backyard.
Nerissa didn’t answer for a moment, walking a few more paces away. Took a deep, calming breath, slowly turning back to her, one hand folded behind her back and the other extending out towards the blonde.
“...Do you trust me?” She asked softly with a smile, wings unfurling.
…She could almost faintly hear Shiori yelling about how cliche that line was.
“...Y-Yeah, of course!” Mococo nodded, not… Not entirely sure where this was going. Still, she slowly and carefully placed her hand in Nerissa’s.
“Good. Hold on tight.”
“...Hold on wh-”
With little warning or fanfare, Nerissa pulled Mococo to her chest, arms wrapping around her waist tightly. Mococo stammered out a flustered attempt at a question as Nerissa’s wings began to flap in long, languid movements.
Squeaked when she realized her feet were leaving the ground, arms latching around the demon’s neck and feet dangling as they began to rise.
And then sharply rose higher and higher, the full moon shining down on the two of them, not that Mococo noticed considering she had buried her face in Nerissa’s shoulder, shaking.
“It’s okay Moco, I’m not gonna drop you.” Nerissa whispered into her ear as the cool night air left goosebumps over her exposed legs and tummy.
“...Alright, and… Open your eyes.” Nerissa giggled. Mococo slowly and hesitantly pulled back, cracking an eye open.
Only for them both to snap open in awe.
They were.. Very very high up, giving them a beautiful view of the city lights below, and the bright full moon.
It was… Peaceful, up here. No humdrum of people driving by or neighborhood dogs barking, just…
Them.
“...I… Wanted to sing you something.”
That tore her attention away from the sight below them, eyes wide.
“And up here, no one will hear me but you. No chance of anyone interrupting, or my voice hurting any of our human neighbors…” Nerissa trailed off, chuckling.
“You have me all to yourself.”
…Mococo stared at her for a few moments, grip growing slightly tighter on the demon. Processing those words, what that meant. Gave a slow nod, tail giving a little wag.
“Any requests?” Nerissa asked with a tilt of her head. Mococo shook her head mutely, blue meeting red and staying there.
It was funny, chest to chest, their necklaces almost lined up into the heart.
“Okay, but you can’t make any comments about how cliche my song choices are.” Nerissa giggled, leaning forwards and nuzzling their noses together. Smiled wider at the blush erupting on the demon dog’s face, the tiny squeak escaping her…
Thought of the perfect song, only to be hit by… Slight trepidation.
“...Uh. ‘You seen the movie Wish?” Nerissa chuckled awkwardly at the first song that popped into her head. Specifically, one that used to be a sweet love song but got shot in the foot and shoehorned into the movie. Very sweet and lovely, but weird with that context…
“...Um… No?” Mococo murmured with a tilt of her head, slightly confused. Nerissa smiled at that, glad that she didn’t need to pick something more cliche like Fly Me To The Moon or Can’t Help Falling In Love or something…
She pulled back. Took a deep, steadying breath…
“If happiness were a tangible thing, it would be you~” She began, slowly beginning to let them drift through the sky, holding in the demon dog steady. Her eyes were wide, face quickly flushing at… Well. That.
“If you had told me the feeling you’d bring, I’d think it untrue~” Nerissa continued, looking up at the endless stars above them. Felt her heart ache a little at how true these words were.
The caged raven locked in complete silence, her only company the occasional visit from a loud little bundle of sunshine when she snuck out of her own cage to visit everyone else. Something she’d regarded with bitterness and disbelief at the time.
She never thought she’d escape her fate of rotting away within an eternity of silence, after all.
“And people search for a wonder like you, all of their lives~” Smiled at the way stars danced in moonlit blue eyes, staring up at her in wonder.
“You still amaze me after all this time~” Nerissa sang honestly into Mococo’s stunned silence. Felt the breeze blow, playing with their hair and causing the blonde to curl up closer to her.
“You~ Pull me in like some kind of wind~ Mesmerized by the hold I’m in~” Nerissa continued as Mococo’s tail began to slowly wag, seeming plenty mesmerized herself. Not because of her powers, not that another demon would be affected anyways, but because she seemed genuinely enraptured in her voice…
Gods above and below, she…
“...I’ll love you as one does, I will protect you, at all costs~” Nerissa nearly stumbled in the notes when Mocco’s tail brushed her leg, tail wagging and expression slowly melting from surprise to something… Much softer.
“Keep you safe here in my arms~” Nerissa held her just that little bit tighter, slowly pressing their foreheads together. Smiling at the little shiver that wasn’t from the cold traveling through the blonde’s body.
“I… I will protect you, at all cost~ At~ All~ Costs~” She slowly trailed off, the song tapering off into silence. There weren’t even crickets to hear this high up…
Just them.
Just the sounds of their breathing, of her heart pounding in her ears and the sound of feathers against the wind as they glided through the air.
“...Nerissa?” Mococo whispered softly, ears drooping.
“...Yes, Moco?”
…Silence, for a few moments.
“...That… That was really pretty. Like you.” The blonde whispered, still so loud in the silence of the night.
“Well, I also meant every word, Moco.” Nerissa chuckled softly, adjusting her hold so she’d have a spare hand to gently hold her cheek, brushing her thumb over soft skin that blossomed red under her touch.
“...Oh.” She squeaked. She still leaned into the touch in spite of the fluster, ears drooping and expression soft and vulnerable…
…
“...Moco?”
“...Yeah?”
A few beats of silence. True silence. Silence that usually made the demon of sound anxious, reminded her of the complete and utter silence she was kept in…
But this silence was filled with possibilities, as many as the stars in the sky reflecting in her little demon dog’s eyes. Eyes that her gaze kept drifting away from, down towards soft lips she longed to taste for herself.
This was it.
“...Can- C-Can I… Kiss you?”
…
Mococo’s answer was a quick nod and sharp breath.
So, she didn’t keep her waiting. Pulled her in as close as she dared without possibly shaking the holds she had on her, chest to chest, heart to heart…
Leaned in close, and…
Kissed her slow.
Shivered at the fingers beginning to run down her nape and through her hair as Mococo’s tail wagged even more, eyes fluttering closed and melting into the kiss.
The demon hummed contentedly. Happily.
Wondered what she could have possibly done to deserve the angel in her arms.
But, she knew this couldn’t last forever. For one, if things got any further, they might fall out of the sky from her losing focus, and she couldn’t let her hands wander at all since they were actively holding Mococo up.
So, she slowly pulled back, pressing their foreheads together as they descended.
“...T-That was…” Mococo stammered, somewhat dazed.
“...Nice?” Nerissa offered with a giggle at how much Mococo looked like a love struck puppy right now.
In a way that was exactly what she was right now, she supposed.
Mococo just nodded, tucking her head under her chin and fully melting into her arms, content as can be.
Nerissa could relate, she felt the same way after all.
Nerissa definitely expected some teasing when they finally touched down, only to find no one in the living room. She did, however, spot two plates in the sink and the pot of pasta being kept warm the stove alongside a note…
‘Biboo and I decided to go hang out in my study for the time being. When you crazy kids get back from making out, be sure to get something to eat, I left the pasta warm for you. Also remember, you two owe me and are cleaning the dishes tonight, and remember to use protection!-Shiori.’
…Ah. That explained some things. Did giggle a little when it drew a strangled, flustered noise from the demon dog.
“Alright, let’s eat and get stuff put up, then we can pick up where we left off, alright baby?” Nerissa turned to the blonde with a fond smile on her face. Smiled wider when the pet name caused her tail to fluff up and her face to turn redder.
Needless to say, they both kind of rushed through eating and washing the dishes. There weren’t a ton, thankfully, but it still took time. Nerissa could tell Mococo was eager at the prospect of alone time, if the way her tail was wagging faster the closer they got to finishing was any indication.
She could relate.
So, it was no surprise that once she’d set the last dish in its place in the dishwasher, she felt a tug on her sleeve. The second she turned, there was a hand on her tie tugging her down into another kiss.
This time, she pushed into it more, let her hands wander a little, reveling in the shiver her fingers tracing mindless patterns against the blonde’s stomach earned her. Delighted in the feeling of muscles tensing and flexing under her touch…
Dared to swipe her tongue across the demon dog’s bottom lip. Smirked at the shudder that earned her, at how easy it was to push her forwards until her back was against the counter,
Smirked at the quiet whine that escaped the blonde at a soft bite to her lip.
It didn’t take long for things to escalate from there, the demon’s hands resting against the blonde’s thighs, or for her to end up sitting on the counter with said thighs straddling her. Felt claws scratching up her back when her kisses started to impulsively drift further away from her lips. At a soft bite to her pulsepoint.
There was a lot of lost time spent pining to make up after all.
And if that escalation later led to hovering over a certain blonde on her bed, licking her lips and eying a canvas of skin she’d always wanted to paint with little marks of her love, well…
That just meant that this was going to be a Valentine's day to remember.