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The moon had fallen into its place among the pitch of darkness and stars, long before a familiar sharp knock interrupted Liza’s nightly reading before bed.
She arose from her armchair and paced quietly across the traditional wooden floorboards of her home.
In Liza’s mind, she already had an idea of who could be knocking at this dead hour of the night the only animal comfortable enough to venture out alone without fear.
The alpha panda opened the door to the tall, dark figure. It was her closest companion and friend, none other than Greely. A soft grin appeared on her lips as soon as his amber slits met her violet orbs.
“Come in, Greely,” Liza began. “Is everything alright? We can talk inside.”
Greely’s sharp eyes softened only a little. Though there was no sign of complete openness, he stepped into the warm interior of the house with a soft sigh.
Liza noticed the wolf alpha take a moment to breathe in her environment. Everything was the same as always: a slight mess, piles of books scattered throughout her home: adventure journals, writings on distant lands, and the histories of faraway places. She supposed she should consider tidying a bit.
His eyes wandered only until they met her curious ones once more, then he averted them to the floor immediately, out of habit.
“Sorry for coming here without notice, Liza,” Greely mumbled. “I would have sent a letter… but I couldn’t be patient. This felt urgent.”
Liza understood. It was hard for him to say anything regarding his feelings, especially when it came to being so vulnerable.
“It’s… this…” he swallowed hard.
The panda alpha stared quietly. He looked almost bewildered, as though she could suddenly read his thoughts. She asked gently, “How about I make you something warm to drink? You can tell me all about it after.” She nodded toward her room. “You can wait for me there I’ll be quick.”
Greely seemed thankful for the small distraction and padded toward her room.
—
Liza began preparing hot green tea with the help of some herbs she tended from her garden. A small smile was etched onto her face. Greely was never the kind of alpha to come to someone for help, so Liza felt proud of him for reaching out and just a little proud of herself for being the kind of leader he trusted enough to confide in.
When the kettle finished boiling, she poured the tea into her fancy teapot and teacups, arranging them neatly on a tray. She carried it carefully to her room, walking slowly so as not to spill.
Inside, Greely sat on the lush bed, claws clutching the comforter. Whether it was out of anxiety or simple distraction, Liza couldn’t tell.
She quickly pushed a few of her beloved books off the bedside table to set down the tray. Picking up one of the cups, she handed it to Greely’s cold paw.
He seemed lost in thought. He drank, but offered little else.
“Is everything okay, Greely? Is this about the phantoms? You don’t usually come only to me in these situations,” Liza asked, sipping a small portion of her tea.
Greely averted his eyes again.
“I’ve been having nightmares,” he muttered. “About the phantoms.”
Liza nodded in understanding, encouraging him to continue.
“I can’t do anything in them. And it’s ongoing every single night. I haven’t been able to get any sleep.” He stared deeply into his tea now.
“I’m terrified, Liza,” the wolf murmured.
Her eyes widened at the vulnerability he revealed, then softened. She lifted her paw to caress his back gently.
“Everything will be okay, Greely. We all have your back the alphas, me. We’ll stick together to fight them off every time,” she whispered softly. “I have your back.”
He nodded hesitantly, still unsure.
Liza frowned in thought until a funny idea struck her. At first she wondered if it would be inappropriate for two alphas, but… it shouldn’t matter. They were companions, right? It wouldn’t become strange for either of them… right?
She kicked her feet lightly against her wooden bed, bracing herself for what she was about to suggest. “Greely, do you want to stay over? I think you might be less likely to have nightmares if you stayed here with me.”
Greely’s ear twitched. “Stay over?” He glanced at her in disbelief. “That isn’t appropriate for two alphas.”
Liza laughed nervously, hoping she didn’t sound crazy. “It’s just us. We’re adults. We can keep things appropriate, Greely.”
He seemed to think it over before agreeing. “You’re right. I just need this to help…” His eyes flicked around the room. “Although… where should I sleep, Liza?”
Liza suddenly remembered oh right. She only had one bed.
“…In mine. I’m sorry, Greely- it’s the only bed in the house.” She smiled awkwardly. “I could sleep on my armchair. It’s pretty comfortable.”
Greely shook his head immediately. “No… no, that won’t be necessary. We can both sleep in your bed, Liza. It’s big enough for us both. And besides, if I have a nightmare, you’ll be able to reach me sooner.”
Liza nodded. “Right. Good thinking, Greely.” She swallowed. Her voice was steady, but inside she wondered if things would truly be okay.
—
Hours felt like seconds as the wolf alpha lay with his back turned to Liza, close in proximity. His soft blue fur brushed her arm with each steady breath.
The panda alpha wondered if Greely was having trouble sleeping too, or if he regretted this decision. This was all strange and new for her as she assumed it was for him as well.
She studied the tiny hairs along his mane. The profound dark blue reminded her of the night sky. She bet it was as soft as it looked.
He sounded asleep.
Her large white paw hesitated before grazing his fur. It was soft extremely soft. She caressed it. Her movements grew longer, slower. He felt like a giant blanket, and she craved the comfort against her body.
Liza huddled closer, pressing her torso against him, nuzzling her face and lips into the warmth of his fur. It was so cozy, she felt as though she had fallen into a dark, soft cloud of happiness.
Until Greely suddenly stilled.
Oh dear Zios and Mira.
She pulled back immediately until her back hit the cold wall. Sleepily, she considered pretending she was half-asleep when he felt her face slide over his back—but ultimately, she decided honesty was better.
“I’m… sorry. I shouldn’t have done that, Greely. I know you prefer your personal space,” the panda whispered into the dark. “I can go to the armchair if this is too much.”
Greely slowly turned to face her, gaze averted. “It’s fine, Liza. I couldn’t sleep.”
Her guilt lingered, but she gently took his paw.
“We could try cuddling for a bit,” she suggested. “It’ll keep us warm and sleepy.”
Greely raised a brow. “Cuddling? Is that because you want to help me, or because you want to rub yourself all over me again?”
Liza chuckled. “Hey, cuddling will help. Trust me.”
He seemed doubtful but didn’t hesitate. The two snuggled closer, their bodies touching in warm contact. Greely sighed softly against her neck.
His body curled into hers, his muzzle nuzzling the warmth of her throat. Liza smiled against his fur, though something in the air felt different. Maybe it was the body heat, or the soft breaths on her neck, but the lingering closeness made her dizzy in a way companions weren’t supposed to feel.
Despite that, she traced her paw lazily along his underbelly, earning a slow yet restless thump of his tail. The wolf grumbled against her neck.
“Enough… I won’t be able to rest if you keep that up,” Greely muttered, his muzzle tickling her skin.
Liza chuckled quietly, breathless. “I’m sorry.”
Suddenly, Greely’s claws clasped her fur in a possessive grip, making her breath hitch.
Something definitely felt off.
His face grew hot and so did Liza’s. Her breathing quickened. This felt like too much and not enough at once. She wanted to be closer, but they were already as close as possible.
“Liza… I want to…” His tail wagged impatiently against her as he mouthed the words into her hair. “I can’t help it…”
A wet sensation moistened her fur. She gasped as Greely licked and nibbled at her skin. His canines sank into her flesh as his claws gripped her tightly. Overwhelmed, she simply held him close and shut her eyes.
“It’s okay. I’m okay,” Liza whispered into his shoulder.
But he didn’t stop. He moved to different spots, and Liza kissed his neck, covering his fur with soft touches, trying to pull him closer.
It ached in such a good way, her mind blurred with the thought that the marks he left would be bright and obvious in the morning and all the other alphas would notice. But she didn’t care. Not now.
His hind legs clung over her soft ones, her arms wrapped around his back. The only sound in the dark was their heavy, warm breathing.
“Greely…” Liza finally managed to sigh.
He softened his nibbles. “…I’m sorry, Liza.”
She kissed his cheek and nose gently. “Stop. I told you it was okay.”
Greely licked the spots he’d bitten, soothing them, before resting his head on her chest as though it belonged there. He soon drifted into sleep.
Liza’s neck ached tenderly, her face scrunching softly in discomfort under the weight of a wolf larger than herself. Still, she caressed his mane and adjusted as best she could. She hoped he would sleep peacefully now.
She kissed the top of his head near his ear. “Goodnight.”
She almost let her mind wander to what might happen in the morning whether Greely would leave out of embarrassment, wake from another nightmare, or grow distant. But she decided not to let those thoughts exist.
She simply closed her eyes and sank into a deep sleep. A sleep where maybe, just maybe, she and Greely could always remain side by side where it felt right.