Fuwa woke up the next morning and she felt really confused, she didn't remember at all what happened yesterday, for some reason, she couldn't remember much after getting something to drink at the guild, and her head was killing her.
"Uuuhhggg... I'm never drinking again" She said with disgust.
Then she saw Raven sleeping near her, she wasn't used to seeing the girl near her, but it wasn't bad at all, she suddenly felt the urge to protect her. There was only one thing that remained in her mind, a poor house engulfed in flames, she wasn't that fool to not get it, whatever it was, it was related to her.
"What I'm going to do with you?" Fuwa caressed her hair... Then she thought about something... Her eyes fixated on Raven's cat ears 'Well she is sleeping... There is no way she will notice...'
Fuwa stared at Raven's peaceful face, her hand already hovering over her hair, inching closer to the soft-looking cat ears. The urge to touch them was irresistible. Just a little she told herself, her fingers tingling in anticipation.
Her headache still throbbed from whatever she drank last night, and she could barely piece together what had happened. But this... this was a distraction. She couldn't remember the details, but there was an overwhelming sense of sadness and anger tied to that burning house. It had to be a part of Raven's past. Still, Fuwa couldn't confront it yet, not without more information.
So, instead, she let herself be tempted by something simpler. Raven's cat ears twitched slightly, and Fuwa bit her lip to stifle a giggle. She hesitated for only a second longer before gently brushing her fingers over the fur. It was even softer than she'd imagined.
Raven shifted in her sleep but didn't wake up, her tail curling lazily behind her. Fuwa's heart skipped a beat, a strange sense of comfort and warmth bubbling inside her. She kept stroking the ears, careful not to wake Raven, but a tiny smile crept onto her face as she played with them.
It was a small, innocent moment, but it felt like a reprieve from the darkness that still hung in the back of her mind. Fuwa could handle this, protect this. Raven might be strong and mischievous, but at this moment, she looked fragile. And Fuwa wanted to be there for her.
"What am I going to do with you?" Fuwa whispered, asking herself once again, her voice barely audible, as if speaking too loudly would shatter the peace.
Just as she was about to pull her hand back, Raven's ear twitched again, and without opening her eyes, she muttered "You know, I can feel that, right?"
Fuwa froze her hand still in mid-air. She blinked, then looked down at Raven in horror "Y-you're awake?!"
Raven's eyes fluttered open, and she gave a sleepy, teasing grin "Of course I am" She said, stretching lazily, her tail flicking behind her "My ears are sensitive, you know. You've been at it for a while"
"I'm sorry!" Fuwa's face flushed bright red, and she quickly snatched her hand back, trying to stammer out an excuse. "I-I wasn't... I mean, I didn't mean to..."
Raven chuckled softly, still stretching like a contented cat, her tail lazily curling behind her "Relax, Fuwa. If I didn't want you to touch them, you wouldn't get close" She had sleep not that much, since she had been observing Fuwa almost the whole night, and a big yawn escaped her mouth "I knew you would do that eventually since you wanted to do that to the girl with the fox ears back then, my little pervert, just don't do it in public"
Fuwa's embarrassment quickly turned into a scowl "As if I'd ever do that again" She grumbled, though the light teasing helped ease the tension between them. She rubbed her forehead, her headache pulsing "Ugh... my head's killing me. What even happened last night?"
It was the perfect chance for Raven, she smiled and rolled onto her side, propping herself up on her elbow as she looked at Fuwa "You don't remember? You drank. A lot. And then you passed out" she said with a smirk. "I had to carry you upstairs. You're pretty cute when you're drunk, you insinuated to me but I'm a lady and won't take a chance like that"
Fuwa groaned, covering her face with her hands "Please tell me you're joking" She couldn't remember anything about that, but then again she remembered the bad taste of the beer
"Nope" Raven replied, grinning wider "But don't worry, nothing embarrassing happened... except maybe you touched my ears in your sleep. Oh, and you snore. Just a little" That last part was accompanied by a motion with her hand, signaling a small amount between her fingers.
Fuwa shot her an incredulous look "I do not snore!"
Raven just shrugged "If you say so"
Fuwa groaned, sinking deeper into the bed, her face still flushed with embarrassment. She tried to gather her thoughts, but the throbbing in her head and Raven's relentless teasing made it hard to focus. She was sure there was something more important she needed to think about, something that felt dark and heavy at the back of her mind, but Raven's carefree attitude was making it difficult.
"So princess, what do you want to do?" Asked Raven being flirty all of a sudden.
"What?" Asked Fuwa.
"Want to go have some breakfast?" Then Raven using her feline agility jumped to the ground and did some exaggerated combat movements "Or you want to go on an adventure?"
"Raven..." Fuwa said with a smile on her face.
"Or perhaps...?" Said Raven stopping suddenly.
"Perhaps what?" The silly act was effective and caught Fuwa's attention, driving her away from the truth without her noticing.
Then Raven fidgeted with her legs and placed one finger at her lips "Perhaps you want me instead?"
A pillow was thrown at the cat's face and she laughed.
"Raven stupid!" Screamed Fuwa blushing again.
Before the cat girl could react because she was too busy having a good time Fuwa with a fluid movement stood up and launched herself at Raven, trapping the mischievous cat against the wall and placing both hands at the sides of Raven's head, who only reacted to the action with a deep blush and a surprised expression.
"F-Fuwa" Said Raven suddenly intimidated by the human girl, her heart beating hard.
"What's wrong" Said Fuwa with a grin "Ain't you gonna tease me anymore?"
"Haha" Said Raven not believing this was happening giving a small laugh "Yeah su.."
"You" Said Fuwa looking at her directly in the eyes.
"Come again?" Said Raven confused.
"What if I say I chose you?" There was this fire in Fuwa's eyes.
Raven's confident smirk faltered, her eyes widening as she processed Fuwa's words. Her usual composure seemed to slip, and for the first time, she was at a complete loss for words "Y-you're joking, right?" she stammered, trying to regain her playful tone but failing miserably.
Fuwa leaned in closer, her breath warm against Raven's skin "Do I look like I'm joking?" Her voice was soft but firm, and there was an intensity in her eyes that made Raven's heart race.
Raven swallowed hard, her playful demeanor completely shattered. She was always the one in control, always the one teasing Fuwa, but now? Now, she was the one pinned, her heart pounding, her mind scrambling for a way out that didn't exist "W-wait, Fuwa, you..."
Fuwa interrupted her, moving even closer until their faces were mere inches apart "What's wrong, Raven?" she whispered, her voice teasing but laced with a confidence that sent a shiver down Raven's spine "Cat got your tongue?"
Raven's tail twitched nervously, and her usual wit seemed to fail her "I-I didn't think you'd take me seriously" She managed to squeak out, her cheeks burning red.
Fuwa's grin widened, her gaze never leaving Raven's "Maybe it's time you learned not to tease people unless you're ready for the consequences" Her voice was playful but firm, and she enjoyed watching Raven squirm in this unfamiliar position.
For the first time, Raven wasn't sure how to respond. She had always been the one pushing boundaries, always in control, but now that Fuwa had flipped the script, she was left flustered and vulnerable "Okay, okay, you win!" she muttered in a hurry, her voice barely above a whisper, her usual confidence nowhere to be found.
Fuwa chuckled softly, pulling back slightly but still keeping Raven trapped against the wall "That's more like it" she said, her tone light and teasing "Now, let's get some breakfast before you pass out from embarrassment, oh and you are paying"
"Yes ma'am!" Said Raven.
Fuwa finally released her, stepping back and giving Raven room to breathe "Good girl" she added with a smirk, enjoying the sight of Raven so flustered for a change.