ZZZ:Through the Frosted Mirror

The night had settled over the city, casting a serene glow through the apartment windows. Ellen and Miyabi had spent the entire day curled up together, lounging on the couch, lost in the comfort of each other's warmth while the TV played in the background. They hadn't paid much attention to what was on; their focus remained solely on each other.

Miyabi's heat was intensifying, her body temperature radiating against Ellen's own. The scent of her—deep, intoxicating, and possessive—was growing stronger with every passing hour, making it increasingly difficult for Ellen to hold back. It was an alluring blend of something wild and something undeniably hers.

There was a warmth to it, reminiscent of burning amber and soft vanilla, a scent that wrapped around Ellen like an embrace, soothing and arousing in equal measure. But underneath that sweetness was something sharper, something untamed—an electric spice, like cracked cinnamon bark and the crispness of fresh autumn air. It was primal, impossible to ignore, seeping into Ellen's senses and setting her instincts ablaze. And now, that scent was all over Ellen.

From the moment Miyabi had noticed it clinging to her mate, she had been relentless, growing bolder with each passing moment. Every few minutes, she would shift against Ellen, nuzzling closer, her nose brushing against Ellen's neck before her tongue flicked out, teasingly licking over the mate bite that marked them as bound to each other. Each touch, each caress, sent a slow-burning fire through Ellen's veins, stoking a hunger that she knew she couldn't satisfy.

Not yet. And to make things worse, Miyabi was on top of her while doing all of this. Ellen let out a slow, controlled exhale, her grip tightening slightly on Miyabi's waist as she fought to keep her composure. If she weren't so damn in love with this woman, she'd have already given in, thrown all caution to the wind, and made sure Miyabi saw stars. But as much as she wanted to, there was one major problem keeping her from acting on instinct.

Mira was in the other room. Even if they tried to be quiet like last time, there was still the very real risk of getting walked in on, and Ellen was not about to let that happen. She needed to be absolutely sure that nothing would interrupt them when the time finally came. For now, she would just have to endure it—the possessive, teasing fox who was making it her mission to drive Ellen insane.

Ellen exhaled sharply when she felt Miyabi's tongue flick over the bite again, her patience wearing thin. She narrowed her eyes slightly, giving Miyabi a warning squeeze on her waist. "You really love pushing your luck, huh?" Miyabi only smirked against her skin, her voice a sultry whisper. "Just reminding you who you belong to." Ellen huffed, resting her forehead against Miyabi's, her lips brushing teasingly close. "Oh, trust me, I haven't forgotten." Miyabi chuckled, her tail swaying lazily behind her. "Good. Then you won't mind if I keep reminding you… all night long." Ellen swallowed hard.

An hour had passed, and Ellen was still enduring Miyabi's relentless teasing. Her mate's actions had only grown bolder—light touches turning into possessive caresses, the occasional lick over the mate bite becoming slow, deliberate drags of her tongue, and the heat of her body pressing closer, testing the very last threads of Ellen's restraint. Just when she thought she was about to snap, salvation came in the form of Mira and Sharkboo walking into the room.

Ellen's eyes immediately locked onto Mira, noticing something different—her horns. The tips were black. Questions surfaced in her mind, but she shelved them for later. Right now, she had other things to focus on. Even though Miyabi had stopped her overt touches, she still refused to move her face from Ellen's neck. The soft brush of teeth against her skin sent a shiver down her spine, and a deep, contented purr rumbled from Miyabi's chest.

Mira, always observant, tilted her head at the sight before her. "Is Mom okay?" she asked innocently.

The second those words left Mira's mouth, the purring from Miyabi grew louder, vibrating against Ellen's throat, and the teeth lightly pressing into her skin bit down a little harder. Ellen felt Miyabi's tail wag against her side, the affection evident in every motion.

Ellen's heart swelled. Knowing that Mira saw Miyabi as another mother figure made her undeniably happy, but she also knew that if she stayed in this position any longer, she was going to lose the battle against her instincts.

"She's sick," Ellen explained smoothly, running a soothing hand down Miyabi's back. "She wanted to cuddle to help her feel better."

Mira seemed to take this very seriously. "If I ever get sick, can we cuddle too?" she asked, big eyes filled with sincerity.

Ellen smiled, pressing a kiss to the top of Mira's head. "Of course. We can cuddle whenever you want… just not right now. Maybe some other time when Miyabi isn't sick anymore."

Mira nodded, satisfied with that answer. "Okay! Can you make dinner now?"

Ellen blinked, suddenly remembering the container in the fridge that held Mira's food. Right—dinner. She exhaled, adjusting Miyabi in her arms. "Yeah, give me a sec."

Miyabi wasn't making it easy to move, but with a little coaxing, Ellen managed to shift her into her lap, gathering her up securely before rising to her feet. Mira and Sharkboo led the way toward the kitchen, chattering between themselves, while Ellen followed with Miyabi still clinging to her.

Reaching the fridge, Ellen skillfully adjusted her grip, supporting Miyabi with one arm while using her free hand to grab the container. As she moved to warm it up, she felt Miyabi nuzzle into her neck again, her breath warm against Ellen's skin.

Ellen sat on the couch, her arms wrapped securely around Miyabi, who remained nestled in her lap, purring softly. The warmth of her body seeped through Ellen's clothes, and every now and then, she could feel the subtle vibration of Miyabi's contentment. Meanwhile, in front of the TV, Mira sat cross-legged, her wide, fascinated eyes glued to the screen as Starlight Knights played. The cartoon's colorful action sequences had completely captivated her, and even Sharkboo, sitting beside her, seemed invested, its visor displaying shifting symbols that indicated its curiosity.

They were both completely unaware of what was unfolding behind them.

Miyabi, previously curled up against Ellen, shifted slightly, straddling one of Ellen's legs. Her face finally left the crook of Ellen's neck, but she kept their eyes locked, a clear message in her gaze. The intensity of it sent shivers down Ellen's spine. Each time Ellen tried to glance toward Mira, checking that she remained oblivious to their moment, Miyabi let out a low, possessive growl—just enough to ensure Ellen's attention stayed exactly where she wanted it. On her. And only her.

The silence between them was thick with tension until Miyabi broke it by leaning close, her breath warm against Ellen's ear. "I need you," she whispered, voice sultry and needy. "I won't be able to handle this ache much longer."

As if to emphasize her words, Miyabi pressed herself against Ellen's thigh, making sure Ellen could feel exactly how hot and slick she was through the fabric. Ellen's breath hitched, and for a moment, her carefully held restraint wavered. Her instincts screamed at her to take, to claim, to soothe her mate in the way her body desperately craved, but she clenched her jaw and held on with what little control she had left.

With a quick glance to confirm Mira was still thoroughly engrossed in her show, Ellen leaned in close to Miyabi's ear. "Just give me a few more hours," she murmured, voice low and commanding. "Then I'll take care of you."

Miyabi whimpered, the frustration clear in her trembling frame. She pushed her core harder against Ellen's leg and began a slow, needy grind, trying to create whatever friction she could. "I can't…" she breathed, her desperation slipping through.

That was enough for Ellen to let go of the last bit of restraint she was holding onto. Her dominant side took over, and she leaned forward, voice dropping to a husky whisper. "You will," she said, her tone laced with authority. "And you'll be a good girl and wait until it's time to play."

Miyabi's ears perked up instantly, her pupils dilating slightly. Her tail fluffed up just a bit, betraying her excitement at Ellen's words. But before she could get any ideas, Ellen placed firm hands on her hips, stilling her movements.

Miyabi let out another quiet whimper, pressing her face against the crook of Ellen's neck in an attempt to stifle the sound. Her voice came out muffled but obedient. "Yes… I'll be a good girl for you."

Ellen smirked, running a soothing hand down Miyabi's back. "That's my girl."