-Chapter Start: Next day, August 15th, 3:15pm
-Interim 19.5/a, Previous night into current day [Lewd Content Advisory]
Aches and dull throbs echoed through every inch of my body. Late morning sunlight filtered through the blinds, catching on the stray silver trinkets scattered from Valia’s dress. One glinted spitefully, casting a sharp beam directly across my eyes and dragging me, unwillingly, back into the land of the living.
What remained of our clothing lay in surrender, strewn across the room in various states of ruin. Blankets, pillows, even a couch cushion had found their way onto the floor, forming a tangled, sun-warmed nest around us. The air still held the heady scent of sweat, heat, and something primal.
Breathing didn’t hurt… But every movement felt like rebellion.
With a groan, I pressed my face into the firm, furred plane of Valia’s chest, seeking refuge against the soft rise and fall of her breath. Another pained sound slipped from me as I slowly slumped to the side. Her hand, which had been resting protectively on my head, slid lazily down to her stomach as a low, half-conscious growl vibrated through her.
Somehow, I managed to extricate myself from the cocoon without waking her—no grasping hand, no sleepy protest. Just her even breathing behind me as I staggered to my feet, every muscle voicing its displeasure.
I paused in the kitchen, squinting toward the short wall that led into the bathroom. A low sigh escaped me as I took in the evidence of last night’s chaos—another ‘me-sized’ dent carved into the drywall like some kind of absurd romantic keepsake. This one was bigger. I took a half-step to face the door and peered at the original hole. It had been mostly hidden beneath a crooked, unfilled picture frame… one that now seemed more like a running joke than an actual attempt at repair.
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Shaking my head, I limped past the battered wall, catching sight of faint claw marks trailing down its edge like punctuation, and made my way into the bathroom.
My reflection stopped me cold. For a second, I looked less like someone who’d had a passionate night and more like the loser of a particularly violent tavern brawl. Hair in total rebellion. Skin kissed by teeth and claw. A sheen of dried sweat and flecks of blood patterned across my shoulders. The kind of aftermath no quick shower could scrub away. I reached up and lifted the mirror from its hinges, exposing the sparse medicine cabinet behind it, then slowly rotated to examine the full extent of the damage.
Bites, bruises, scratches—they adorned my body like ceremonial war paint. What I had assumed were harsh marks on the front became laughably mild compared to the trails clawed down my back. Old scars met fresh ones, a tapestry of history and last night’s debauchery.
“…Alright. Five minutes. In and out.”
The shower, while blisteringly hot and entirely necessary, only succeeded in flattening my hair and testing the limits of my pain tolerance. Every drop of water was a reminder. A hiss, a flinch. Still, it helped. Mostly. I checked myself again in the mirror for anything needing actual attention, but despite the angry bruises on my arms and neck, there was nothing open.
“Small victories.” I muttered; voice rough with exhaustion. I barely bothered to dry off, dragging myself out and back toward the living room with the grace of a dying animal.
The sunlight had shifted. What I’d taken for early morning had clearly passed into the afternoon. Midday rays lit the space with a hazy golden warmth.
‘I truly, honestly don’t care enough about today.’ I thought as I reached the edge of our shared nest, climbed back beneath the covers, and hooked one of Valia’s legs between mine. My head found its way back to her chest like it had never left.
“Thought… you could… escape…” Valia mumbled in her sleep, her voice heavy with smug satisfaction and half-dreaming triumph. Another victory lap.
“Never.” I whispered back, pressing her hand over my face like a second blanket. She murmured something unintelligible, claws idly tracing my cheek, soft and slow.
Sleep reclaimed me.
The only thing I wanted today, was this… And maybe a few ice packs.
blessed with another hole-y imprint, and we get a quick check-up on the love birds.
wow, Daegon's marked up head to toe, and in places we don't even know! What exactly happened!?' But, you know... And if you don't, ask Daegon's neighbors... Sooo, enjoy the recouping chapter for both Daegon and myself.