The early morning light hit my eyes, slowly waking me up with a warm glow through my closed eyelids. I blinked them open and looked around-- I was on a sofa in the nearby staff room. It took me a moment to remember how and why I was there.

Ah, right. Riv had fallen asleep in my bed, hadn't he?

I didn't want to wake him so I let him sleep there for the night, opting to move myself to a couch to sleep after my work was finished. Before doing so I remember turning around and folding the heavier comforter up and over him as surely his smaller one wasn't warm enough.

While the bed was certainly large enough for both of us and then some, I thought sharing it would be...maybe a bit too forward, too soon. I mean, that was the closest he'd allowed me to be thus far and I didn't want to ruin that.

I looked through the window to the world beyond our walls. The ground was still wet from last night's storm but the sky was mostly clear. The warm yellow glow of the morning sun cast a refreshing light on what had been such a grey, dreary past few weeks. I was sure the sleeping child still in my room would appreciate the change if even I was looking forward to a bit of sun and warmth.

I put my hands on my back and stretched my tense torso, first backward, then forward, and finishing it all off with a yawn so large it kind of hurt. That had probably been the hardest and soundest I slept in...probably several years. No recollection of nightmares, either, somehow.

Carefully and quietly I left the staff room and grabbed my doorhandle, still open just a crack. Pushing it open I saw him still sound asleep on the bed, wrapped up in a comforter several times his size. I smiled to myself as I grabbed a set of clothes from the top of my dresser, trying not to startle from my reflection-- wrinkled work clothes, disastrous hair, fur sticking every which way. I looked like I had been out in the storm last night. With hair like that I made doubly sure to grab my comb before returning to the hall, looking back once to ensure I hadn't woke him.

I returned the door to its previous state and navigated to the communal bathroom. Well, not communal so much if it's just us, I suppose. Walking past the sink mirrors reaffirmed what I saw in my room, unfortunately with much better lighting. I shuddered as I continued to the showers, placing my effects on the shelf of the changing area and removing my cotton walls, trying hard not to look down. One foot, then another in the shower stall, my small hand closing the door behind me and turning the water knob.

I stood under the hot water for a short time just thinking over the past few months. So much had changed in such a short time and in a way I couldn't have imagined. Sure, it would be nice to have other occupants as that is what this place was for, but I didn't think I would be too bothered if...it stayed just how it was, like this. My fears and experiences from far earlier in life did much to hold me back but I could not go through life like this. I couldn't hold against him the acts of other, irrelevant people. In verity, I loved him dearly...as though he were my own. There was simply no point in trying to rationalize this, or force it through an off-color lens just to feed into a past that hindered me.

I gathered a handful of liquid soap and ran it through my ash-brown hair, the lather running down my narrow torso and skinny legs to the tile below. Closing my eyes and gritting my teeth I scrubbed the foam into the rest of my fur, fingers grazing the scars and shadows I'd carry for the rest of my life.

I hated showers.

After a few minutes of rinsing I had enough, turning off the water and wringing out my hair and tail. Stupid thing always took forever to dry so I attacked it with the towel first before moving to my hair and what all remained. Once dry enough I stood behind the curtain of the changing area and put on my clean clothes, gathering the spent ones up in one arm to wash later.

Drawing the curtain back I jumped at the sight of Riv standing in the far doorway, looking right at me.

"I'm sorry!" he whimpered. "I didn't mean--"

"It's alright," I sighed, my hand on my heart. "I just startle easily, don't worry about it. Did you sleep well?"

He nodded rather enthusiastically.

"Well that's good, then," I chuckled. "Glad such a large bed could be useful after all."

I stood in front of the mirror with my comb in hand, futilely preening through my messy hair.

"How's about you take a shower too?" I suggested. "That'll give me time to sort out breakfast and figure out some errands. The middle stall was just used so the water will still be hot."

He scampered off to his room to grab a new change of clothes, coming back with full arms. I drew the curtain back for him and set a new towel on the shelf before closing it back up and finishing my own combing. I still looked like a mess, but a more presentable one.

"Are you in the stall now with the door closed?" I asked upon hearing a thud and latch.

"Yeah."

"I'm going to grab your old clothes so I can get them washed, okay?"

"Okay."

He turned on the water as I reached my arm through the curtain to grab his old clothes, balling them up with mine and the towel I'd used. Would rather get this out of the way sooner.

Clothes in hand I descended the empty stairs and headed to the bigger kitchen, filling a small washtub with soapy water and dropping the clothes in to soak. I had a lot to do today.

Across the hall in the smaller kitchen I put together a simple breakfast of eggs -- his scrambled, of course -- with toast and slices of bacon. While the bacon fried I washed some of the clothes, trying to make the most of my time. Before long a familiar beat of tiny footsteps would find me in the kitchen, my piling the finished food onto two plates and setting it on the table.

"You're just in time," I said, pouring two glasses of milk. "Food just got done and I'll be right with you in a moment."

I set down the glasses of milk and pushed the washtub aside as he took a seat. Taking a quick look outside the ground looked to be drying nicely and there were few clouds in the sky-- a welcome change. I then took my seat and we both ate our breakfasts without much of a word. He did seem quite fascinated by the bacon, though, which amused me.

Once finished I returned to what remained in the washtub, washing what was left and rinsing out the soap in the sink. He waited patiently on the bench, looking at me.

"Oh, did you need anything?" I asked him.

"Can I help?" he asked, looking at the wet clothes in my hands.

I looked to the washtub, now empty but still full of soapy water. It'd be a shame to waste that.

"Sure, could you please pick up the dishes and put them carefully in the washtub?" I requested. "I'd hate to waste the water in there."

Without a response he did as I asked, picking up every dish and placing it neatly in the water. He squat next to the tub and poked at the suds, popping the tiny bubbles. I looked over and lightly giggled at his fascination before finishing up the rinsing and wringing everything out the best that I could.

"Let's take these out to the clothesline," I said.

He promptly stood up and closely followed me outside to the back of the building. It was nice and breezy outside. As I hung up the clothes to dry he handed me clothespins one at a time until everything was in its place. Coming back inside I quickly washed up the few dishes and set those aside to dry on their own time.

"Alright, all of that is done," I said, looking around the kitchen and finally at him. "Let's go back upstairs quick so I can grab my work and get your mane tamed."

I dried my hands and we both walked up the stairs to our respective places. He grabbed his little hairbrush as I scooped up the few assignments I had left in my room, putting them in a neat pile. He returned to my doorway with his brush in hand, waiting.

"You want me to try?" I asked.

He smiled nervously, "I can't really get it all the way."

"Hm, alright," I looked around the room. "Why don't you take a seat on the bed and I'll make an attempt."

He scurried over to the bed and sat facing the wall, looking at your portrait with his big pale eyes. I pulled the brush through his long umber locks, careful not to pull too hard, and untangled some stubborn knots with my fingertips.

"Who's that?" he asked, pointing to the portrait.

I looked up to see your smile, but quickly looked back down again. My ears reflexively flattened against my skull.

"...That was my partner," I replied after a pause.

"Partner?"

"She and I...had not married yet," I continued. "It was planned, but..."

I fell silent, but kept brushing. Riv looked down, then back up at the photo. Even at his age I think he got the message.

"Was she nice?" he asked.

"...She was very nice," I said quietly through a troubled smile.

Soon I was finished brushing through his hair, now much less unruly. He turned back to me and must've picked up on more than I thought I exuded. With some initial hesitation he reached out both arms.

"I don't understand," I said.

"C'mere," he squeaked.

Confused, I took a step closer and bent down a little bit. Before I could react he grabbed onto me, hugging me tight and resting his head along my collarbone.

"I didn't mean to make you sad," he assured. "I'm sorry."

I looked up at your portrait. Without a second thought I found myself returning his gesture, wrapping my arms around the small child.

"It's not your fault," I whispered.

"Will you be okay?" he asked.

"...I will be okay."

After a short time we released each other. I gave him back his hairbrush to bring back to his room and began walking back to my desk to collect my finished work. From the edge of my vision I could see as he stopped in my doorway, looking back to me before continuing to his room as though to be sure I was alright.

With my papers with me I left my room, stopping in front of his. He was looking out the window to the sunny day outside.

"I would like you to come with me," I said, the noise turning him around. "I have some errands to run and don't want to keep you here alone that long."

"Out...side?"

"Outside."

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