Unexpected

Paetyn woke up in the morning. Eyes still shut, she could smell her detergent and also felt the weight, but... Something was odd. She moved her arm, which was stretched in front of her, and had a weird sensation as... she... would... had... her fingers... entangled... with someone else.

So, that meant, the weight wasn't her special blanket. It was a person! Kay?! No, he has paws. She quickly opened her eyes. A huge humanoid hand with shortened claws... "Five more minutes... please!" A male whisper was heard in her right ear.

That "person" wrapped his arm around her stomach and pulled Paetyn to himself, squeezing her a little. She could feel his lips touching her exposed nape. She froze for a minute and then dared to turn slowly her head. It was HIM! That Beastman, who shared the apartment with her.

Confused, she looked around, she was back... there. What the hell happened? How did she end up like this? Those short claws... that dream? Was it a dream? Is she still dreaming? She shut her eyes. "WAKE UP! WAKE UP! WAKE UP!" Paetyn was murmuring for herself.

"Can't you sleep?!" She heard that half-asleep Beastman asking. Well, Ivaylo tensed up. By coming to his senses, he realized, that he was casually spooning Paetyn. WHAT HAD HE DONE?! He released his grip on her hand and abruptly sat up looking down on that flustered girl.

His face lowered out of her sight and he stood up, disappearing into the living room. How did he end up sleeping in the same bed as her? He ran into the bathroom looking into the mirror staring into his blushing face and leaning with both hands on the washbasin.

Ivaylo tried to recollect his memories from the previous night, looking to the side. He slept by the window, she strolled over in the middle of the night, and then her chit-chat... Her leaning, snuggling to his chest and him carrying her over to the bedroom.

He remembered to put her into the bed and Paetyn grabbed him by the sleeve, so he held her hand by the tips of her fingers for a while. He must have fallen asleep at that moment! The sweet scent, the warmth of her hand, feeling the pulse in her fingers, and the ambiance of her heart quietly beating... all that made him fall asleep.

He looked back at his humanoid face, then touched his lips remembering pressing them against her nape. Ivaylo now seemed to be so well-rested. He hadn't slept so sweetly since childhood. Yes, he was sleeping better with the scarf but never this well. Why does she have so much power over his body?! He will figure that out later, for now... he must convince her not to sue his tail of him.

Paetyn just saw his back in the door and instantly was embarrassed. She hid her face in her palms. If that conversation yesterday wasn't a dream, then she made a fool of herself in front of him.

Paetyn heard a fake cough from the doorway and she peeked from between her fingers. Ivaylo stood there silently, not making eye contact with her. "I will prepare some breakfast for us. Do you want a coffee?" Paetyn just nodded her head and he quickly disappeared. She panicked and looked at the clock. She still had time, what a stroke of luck!

Awkward sitting at the Kotatsu, waiting for the morning meal, Paetyn was looking around her former apartment. She was awestruck because almost everything looked the same. She noticed that he collected and brought back all the old furniture.

Ivaylo sat down in front of her and put the plates and mugs on the table. They ate in silence like in the past. She didn't dare to say one word. It bothered Ivaylo and while chewing, he observed her.

Ivaylo checked the clock as well. Frustrated he realized he was getting slowly late for his work. Meanwhile, Paetyn washed her dishes and was about to leave, thanking him for the meal and walking past Ivaylo to the entrance hall.

He grabbed her by the arm, which made her flinch. "Can you come this evening? We should talk about everything that had happened before and also... yesterday." Paetyn gently brushed his hand from her forearm and smiled at him with a nod.

The sound of the door shutting and leaving Ivaylo sitting alone at the Kotatsu... He leaned with his cheek on the wood of the table, scrutinizing his short claws. He knew that they were the reason she fell unconscious, so they had to go. He remembered how he was hesitating before cutting them, by the light of the moon. They will grow back in no time...



At work, he couldn't wait to be done for the day, constantly looking at the position of the sun. What should they eat? Shall he order something? He isn't very good at cooking and she will be today just a guest. Oh and right! He can finally give her the little bag with the candy and coffee.

Ivaylo was smiling into his computer screen while typing away his heart and also wagging his tail. He didn't know, that the Chairman was watching him from afar. Something good must have happened to Ivaylo.

At his Outskirts place, Paetyn came on time, slowly walking in and Ivaylo warmly welcomed her with a smile she so much desired. At first, he made her sit again at the Kotatsu and presented her the small gift paper bag taking out what he got to show her.

He opened the candy box, took one out, and pushed it with his thumb into her mouth, gently brushing against her lips with his fingertip. Paetyn blushed and followed with her hand behind hiding the lower part of her face.

She was surprised at how yummy it was. Humans aren't allowed in such stores, where they sell stuff like that. "I got this for you, as an apology for leaving and not telling you..." To drive away the awkwardness, Ivaylo strolled to the kitchen to fetch some mugs for coffee, when the doorbell rang.

He asked Paetyn to open the door because it might be the food delivery service. She obliged and in a good spirit, she opened the door with a smile, which froze in an instant. Paetyn got pushed so hard, that she fell as far, as the living room, sliding a little on the wooden floor... almost hitting the TV table.

Ivaylo swiftly turned after the commotion and was left horrified...