Trace's eyes fluttered open, adjusting slowly to the light drifting in from the clinic's windows. The light orange glow gave Katherine's hair a soft, glowing tinge. He smiled down at her; her head still rested on his shoulder, her tail lying across his legs. He slowly stood from the chair, letting Katherine's head down softly. He walked into Ivy's patient room; she was still asleep, as was Max. He couldn't help but smile; they looked so peaceful, so far away from the terrible life they left behind, but Trace knew that it wasn't as far away as it should've been and that eventually Carl would catch up with them; he could only delay the inevitable. For now, though, they were safe; that's what mattered. He walked back into the waiting room and began getting everything ready for the day. He fired up the coffee pot and booted up all of the machines, calibrating them and preparing them for the day. Then he gently shook Katherine awake and offered her a cup of coffee. "Trace?~" She asked softly, her voice quiet and raspy. "Good morning, sleepyhead." He said in an equally soft voice, smiling as she sat up and took the cup from him. he sat down beside her again, his eyes sparkling with light from the sun. "How are they doing?" Katherine asked softly, gazing up at Trace with a worried look. Trace smiled softly. "They're still asleep, and the pups are doing just fine." He said reassuringly, placing a hand on Katherine's shoulder; she blushed at his touch. His hand seemed to almost float as it rested on her shoulder; his touch was feather-light. It stunned her that a human could be so gentle and caring.
Trace felt a flutter in his chest as she blushed at his touch; there was something about it that felt endearing to him. She was so gentle and kind now, a huge difference from how she had acted when they first met. "Thanks, Trace...again, for everything." She said softly, giving him a soft smile as the sunlight reflected out of her eyes, making them sparkle. He gave her a smile. "It's no problem, Kat." He replied gently, giving her a quick hug. She turned even redder at his hug, quickly looking away from his gaze to hide her flustered expression. "S-sorry..." He said, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly. "N-no, it's okay. I...I kinda liked it." She said softly, giving him a soft smile, taking his hand and squeezing it softly.
He grinned, seeming to perk up as a song came on over the radio; he lifted Kat up out of the chair, twirling her around. She let out a laugh as he did so, giggling as he pulled her to him. "Trace! What is this about?" She asked, still giggling a little. "My favorite song." He said with a soft smile, his eyes twinkling. She smiled back, leaning into him softly, letting him lead her around the room, the only sound being that of the music, their feet against the floor, and the beep of Ivy's heart monitor, but when she leaned her head against his chest during the bridge of the song, she heard his heartbeat, a soft blush creeping across her cheeks. She felt a strange flutter in her chest, like she was flustered by the sound. She felt like she could stay like this with him forever, but before she knew it, the song was over. She felt a pang of disappointment as Trace pulled away from her; he smiled at her, and that made her heart flutter once again. She found herself gazing into his eyes, her heartbeat thudding in her ears. She barely heard him when he said, "I need to go check on Ivy." She nodded softly, feeling like she was standing on air, her veins electrified.
Why was she feeling like this about a human? She shouldn't be, but then again, why couldn't she? She walked back over to the chair where she had left her coffee cup, picking it up and drinking the warm beverage as she tried to clear her mind. Her fur was all fluffed out when Sam and Kisha walked in, holding hands and smiling. Kisha looked at Kat and asked, "Kat, are you okay?" Katherine nodded, her eyes twinkling. Kisha recognized the starstruck look in Kat's eyes. She gasped, covering her mouth with her hands. "Trace?" Kisha asked her, her voice a whisper. Kat found herself nodding before she could stop herself. "He's just so..." Katherine couldn't find the words to describe what she meant. Kisha hopped around a bit, giggling. Sam placed a hand on her shoulder, calming her down. "Well?Does he know how you feel?" Sam asked, giving Kat a soft smile. Kat shook her head, her heart slamming in her chest. Sam placed a firm hand on her shoulder. "You don't have to tell him until you're ready, and we won't say anything either." Sam said, moving his hand after giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze. Meanwhile, in Ivy's room, Trace was speaking with Max as he tended to Ivy's wounds.
"So, do you like Katherine, Trace?" Max asked with a smile. "Yeah, she's fun to be around and a great friend." Trace replied, misunderstanding what he meant. "No, I mean like her, as in like-like her." Max said, making sure there was no mistaking his meaning. Trace blushed a deep red. Then he nodded. "Y-Yeah..." He said softly. "Why haven't you told her?" He asked, raising an eyebrow, his ears perking up in curiosity. "Well, I'm worried she won't like me back." He replied, finishing up with Ivy. He turned to Max, flashing him a rueful smile. Max gave a light laugh. "You should tell her before it's too late." Max said. Trace grinned back, giving Max a nod before walking out of the room. "Trace! Heya!" Kisha chirped, a smile on her face. "Hey Kish, Doc." Trace said, nodding at both of them in greeting.
They gave their replies; Kat bade them good morning and then rushed off to the bathroom while Trace filled Kisha and Sam in on Ivy's condition. Katherine leaned against the door, letting out a sigh. "Good God...Why am I feeling like this?" She wondered aloud, pacing about the room. After a while longer, Kisha walked into the bathroom. "You okay, Kat?" She asked softly, giving Katherine a gentle smile. Katherine shook her head, leaning against a stall. "What's wrong?" Kisha asked softly, walking over and putting a hand on Katherine's shoulder. "T-Trace, I don't think I can stay with him anymore..." Katherine said with a frown. Kisha gasped. "What are you talking about, Kat? Trace loves having you stay with him." Kisha said, sounding surprised. "No, that's not why; it's because I've fallen for him. He's a human, I'm a Kadrien, we don't mix." She said with a squeak in her voice. Kisha gave her a soft smile. "That didn't stop me and Sam. Why should it stop you?" Kisha asked quietly. Kat frowned at Kisha, letting out a sigh. "It's a long story..." And with that she began to explain.
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