nysalogs | CLOSED ♪ And you were laughing along

[She pauses a moment and then sinks back down, blinking lazily. The water's cooled by now, but it's still comfortable for her and not too unlike sinking back into familiar blankets in that she's almost immediately feeling content and comfortable again.

There's a hum of acknowledgement.] We can and do sleep in beds--I like things about both, so I don't have a particular preference. But I don't often get to sleep in the water anymore...

But yes, there are several large pools that we all tend to sleep in together. Even I would sleep with everyone else. [A pause and she thinks she should correct herself to the past tense there, but... This isn't really the time to be dwelling on sad things like that, so she refrains from calling attention to it.]

[No, not at all -- today wasn't a day for dwelling on negative things. He smiles when he sees her sinking back into the water, lingering a little by the door as he leans against the door frame.]

A communal sleeping area, hm? [Just a bunch of zora floating together in a big pool... but are they all as big as her brother is? Or her father?? He can't decide if the mental image is cute or terrifying, really.]

Well, if that's what you're used to... then shall I join you in here?

[The tub is certainly big enough for it -- and then some.]

[That wakes her up a little more again and she sits up some, but she doesn't look at all displeased with the idea.]

I-- ...Truthfully, I wouldn't mind. [She misses sleeping with people around, it's just more comforting to be next to someone! But it's a little embarrassing to just ask people 'hey mind coming over to sleep in the same bed with me?' or something.]

But would that be comfortable for you? [Wouldn't he get all pruney after a while?? Or maybe it was just another one of those #LitteDemonThings]

[It totally was, but uh. Not in the way she's gonna be expecting, probably.]

[But that's not the real reason he'd be uncomfortable. Because as she's sure to have noticed by now, despite being both his friend-with-benefits and his doctor, she's probably still never actually seen him completely nude.]

[And at least for now, she still won't.]

Oh, I think I can find a way to make it work... And he waves a hand-- and with a poof, he disappears!]

[Except on the other side of the tub, there's a very small splash.]

[...]

[And then out from under the surface of the water pops the cutest fucking thing in the whole goddamn world: a smol river otter, with a curly little tuft of fur atop his head much like his usual hair curl.]

[Don't be such a tease, Mephisto, jeez.

She tilts her head curiously, than abruptly sits up fully in alarm when he disappears.

??

????

The splash brings her attention to the water again though, and the curious new animal that's joined her. Mipha stares at it--him--bewildered; for a split second all she thinks is, 'how did this animal get in here?' before she realizes.]

M-Mephisto?

Who else would I be?

[YEP it's Mephisto. But unlike his dog form, this one isn't quite as "authentic" given he's put a little less effort into appearing realistic. A closer look will reveal his eyes to be exactly the same as his own: green and notably more cat-like.]

I thought perhaps something like this would be better than turning into a fish of some kind... and besides, aren't I adorable?

[He really needs to change his voice or something when he asks that.]

[On the bright side, otters probably maybe don't exist in her world, so she has no idea what's off or not. Granted, she doubts otters just so happen to have his exact eyes, so.

She reaches for him to pick him up already, leaning back against the side of the tub and bringing him up to cradle him against her chest.]

Fishing for compliments? [Her tone is teasing, but she pets him with a smile. 'Fishing'...No pun intended.] You're quite adorable, don't worry. I haven't seen anything as adorable as you. [She might be exaggerating a little herself, but whatever. What's a little ego-stroking between friends?]

Oh, I'm sure of it! There's nothing quite as cute as me when I look like this.

[It's amazing they can both fit in here with his ego joining them.]

[He's more than happy to be brought closer, resting against her chest and even leaning up to nuzzle her cheek. There were a lot of reasons he chose forms like this whenever he wanted to be closer to her. After all, there was nothing wrong with cuddling a cute little animal, so he didn't have to think too hard about whether he was crossing a line or not. Especially after revealing just how much he was lying to her... sure, they've been able to be close to one another since then, little kisses here and there, but certainly nothing on par with the more physical relationship they had prior.]

[...]

[Well, that and he actually does think he looks pretty cute right now.]

Now please, nap as much as you'd like! I'll be here by your side while you rest.

It lightens my hear to know that even in a form this small, you still manage to be so humble and selfless.

[She laughs though, scratching lightly behind his ears and down his back. She's looking sleepy again already, blinking slowly with a hum of acknowledgement.]

If you get too bored, don't hesitate to wake me up. [Mipha knows it's probably pointless to offer that since he likely won't actually, but she feels compelled to let him know that's an option as well.] And if you can--if you want--you can heat the water if you get too cold. [She's not sure if that's something within his capabilities anyhow--she's not sure the expanse of his magic--but it's also something she'll offer. For her, she can sleep in near-freezing water and be more or less fine, so it doesn't bother her, but she's aware most other creatures aren't nearly as comfortable in it.]

Oh, I think I'll be fine with you here to keep me warm.

[...but he still might try and see if there's a setting to maintain the temperature on this tub after she's dozing again.]

[True to his word, he'll stay right where he is while she sleeps. It's not like it's anything new, after all. There were plenty of nights where he remained a dog and slept cuddled up by Yona's side until dawn--]

[...]

[Well. It's not like he'll have any opportunity to do that again. So he'll just relish this little moment for now. When she wakes up, it'll look like he's a asleep as well, but he's just resting with his eyes closed.]

[It's only for another couple hours that she does, stirring a little after the two hour mark feeling much better. Truthfully she probably could've kept on sleeping if she wanted to, but she feels awake enough as it is--and she'll just make sure she goes to bed at a more decent time tonight.

Besides, being awake means getting to see this adorable new form of Mephisto's some more. She watches him for a moment, wondering if he really is asleep before reaching up to gently begin stroking him again, her smile full of affection]

[He doesn't react to the petting at first, thankfully getting the warning that she's awake by the way the water shifts around her. But after a minute or so, he'll yawn -- with a tiny, adorable chirping sound that he really has no business making, but look, he wants to play the part a little bit.]

Ahh, did you sleep well?

[She giggles despite herself and sits up as he yawns, nuzzling her face against him in a brief moment of self-indulgence]

I did, yes. Thank you. It's much more comforting to sleep with someone near-by. It-- It helps. [It's not something she likes to bring up, but she does still have nightmares from various things. Not all the time, not terribly often, but enough that it's annoying a best.]

Well, then by all means! Call me any time, and I'll be more than happy to play the role of bed warmer for you.

[...is it weird to flirt with her while he's still an otter?? He doesn't care, it's not like they're the same species normally anyway.]

[She can't help but laugh at that, starting to drain the water before she stands to exit the tub, taking Otterphisto with her cradled like a baby doll in the crook of her arm]

Perhaps I'd be more inclined to take you up on your flirtations if you didn't look like someone's adorable pet when you say that.

Oh? Is that so?

[Mipha r u ready for this ~~he's going to give her a heart attack one these days I stg~~ because in the next instant, suddenly he's no longer in her arms-- having transformed back and is now standing in front of her, with one arm wrapped around her shoulders and the other tilting up her chin as he leans down to be more on her level.]

Then shall I try again like this?

Oh! [She's never going to be used to that, jfc. She's too startled to say anything at first, blinking up at him with wide eyes and a baffled expression.

Thrown off guard, Mipha blushes and gives a stammering little laugh, before she smiles up at him, amused and perhaps a bit coy.]

Did you want to warm my bed, Mephisto? [Her voice is as soft and warm as her smile, even if she totally just turned his own line back around on him]

[And Mephisto can't help but snicker at her reaction -- seriously, it's funny every time?? He hopes she never gets used to it, honestly.]

[He turns his hand to instead brush against her cheek, gently caressing her skin with his her fingertips.]

Hmm, maybe I do. But you must be even more exhausted than I thought, if you're already thinking of returning to bed so soon after a nap.

[Why are you like this, mephisto.

Her head tilts into his hand, her eyes closing briefly in contentment at the gesture, and she laughs under her breath.]

Who said we'd be sleeping again? [Somehow she manages to keep her tone almost innocent, despite the fact her cheeks burn hot again beneath his fingers]

[It's impressive, considering what she just said and what she just implied. But it's almost a relief to hear. Flirting aside, he would have been hesitant to initiate anything himself with her, without knowing how she might take it. But if she's saying that...]

[He leans in closer -- close enough that she'll feel his breath hot against her lips, but still not closing the distance between them.]

Not sleeping? My, then just what do you suggest we do, then?

[She's grateful for his patience, honestly. It's her trust he broke to begin with, after all, so the ball's been in her court all along with what gets repaired and how fast. It had taken a while to sort out how she felt about it all and make the decision on where she wanted to go with it, but in the end...

In the end...

She rests one hand on his chest and doesn't answer for a long moment, just looking up at him quietly, examining his face like she's committing it to memory.

Even then Mipha still doesn't quite answer, just tilts her head up to close the gap between the and kiss him, sweet and slow, like they have nothing but time to be devoted just to a kiss.]

I missed you.

[That's what her answer finally seems to be--Not that Mephisto's been gone or anything or that they've avoided each other, but she missed him like this, missed the more intimate interactions between them, and generally just... missed trusting him and being completely comfortable with him again. So it was nice to get that feeling back.]

Thank you for waiting for me. [For a given value of 'waiting,' she supposes, since she knows he likely sleeps with other people, so she wonders if this was really something he'd be missing, but. Whatever. He still waited for her to make the first move, and that means something to her.]

[The kiss says more than words ever could, and Mephisto finds himself wanting to linger even more on her lips. It feels like it's been so long-- even though it hasn't been all that long at all. Is that because of how much he's missed this intimacy between them?]

[He stays close even as she pulls back, resting his other hand on her shoulder before smoothing it down her arm.]

But of course. I would have gladly waited centuries for the chance to be by your side like this again. [His tone is light and gentle, but he's not exactly exaggerating, given he could wait for that long. Mipha may not be the only person he sleeps with here, but she's one of the few he feels a genuine connection with. To have even just the opportunity to kiss her was a far different experience from shacking up with a new face every night.]

[Quality over quantity, huh?]

I'm sure you say that to all the Zora princesses. [She laughs and pulls him into another kiss, smiling into it, before stepping away to tug him towards the door and the bedroom.

Her tone remains light, and a little teasing] Perhaps you'll actually take your clothing off this time? I would like to see your tail again at least, you know. If that's alright.

[Why does she always have to be the naked one!! Look, Mipha had even removed her normal jewelry before getting into the bath; they're all neatly laid out on the bathroom counter. She's like, naked-naked now. How lewd.]

[He snickers at the accusation, leaning into the kiss before allowing himself to be pulled into the room. There's a fond smile on his face, happy to see her not only wanting him, but eagerly so--]

[But he abruptly stops mid-step at what she says next, staring for a moment before suddenly looking just a bit flustered-- but also a bit speechless, which is certainly no small task when Mephisto is involved.]

Wait, you-- what?

[Trying...not to laugh at him tbh.]

Is that too much to request? I like your tail.

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