ZZZ:Through the Frosted Mirror

After giving Mira a warm bath and drying her off, Ellen tucked her into bed, pulling the blankets up snugly around her. Mira shifted closer, wrapping her small arms around Ellen's waist, her little horns just barely brushing against Ellen's chest as she nuzzled in. Ellen could feel the slow, steady rhythm of Mira's breathing as she lay nestled against her, her tiny body radiating warmth.

"Can you stay with me until I fall asleep?" Mira murmured sleepily, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ellen smiled and pressed a gentle kiss to her forehead. "Of course, my little oni."

Mira let out a content hum, her grip loosening slightly as she relaxed. Ellen held her close, running a soothing hand up and down her back, feeling the rise and fall of her breaths grow slower and steadier. Within moments, Mira had fully drifted off, her soft snores the only sound in the room. Ellen lingered a little longer, watching over her with a fond expression before carefully slipping out of the bed and making sure she was comfortably settled.

She stepped out of the room, quietly closing the door behind her before making her way to the kitchen. Upon entering, her eyes immediately landed on the small pile of dishes in the sink. With a quiet sigh, she rolled up her sleeves and got to work, the sound of running water and the clinking of dishes filling the otherwise silent apartment.

As she focused on cleaning, her finely tuned senses picked up on something—or rather, someone. A presence creeping up behind her with deliberate, careful steps. If it were anyone else, they might not have noticed, but Ellen had been through too much to be easily caught off guard. The scent hit her next—intoxicating, deep, and undeniably Miyabi.

Amused, Ellen decided to play along, pretending not to notice as the fox approached. Miyabi, clearly thinking she was succeeding, finally closed the distance and wrapped her arms around Ellen's waist, pressing herself firmly against her back. Ellen inhaled sharply as she felt Miyabi's warm breath against the nape of her neck, each exhale sending shivers down her spine.

"You couldn't have waited a little longer, my love?" Ellen teased, keeping her tone light despite the effect Miyabi's closeness was having on her.

The response she got was a soft, needy whimper, followed by the sensation of Miyabi's hot tongue flicking against the back of her neck. Ellen stiffened slightly, her grip tightening on the dish she was holding before she forced herself to set it down with care. The warmth pressing into her back only grew hotter as Miyabi buried her face against her, purring softly.

"Please," Miyabi breathed, her voice barely holding together. "I can't handle it anymore."

Ellen smirked to herself. It seemed Miyabi's heat was getting the better of her again. And after all the teasing she had endured earlier, Ellen decided it was time for a little payback.

Without warning, she moved her shark tail, wrapping it securely around one of Miyabi's legs, ensuring she couldn't pull away. The moment Ellen pressed her tail against Miyabi's drenched core, she was rewarded with a delicious shudder that ran through Miyabi's entire body, a strangled gasp escaping her lips.

Ellen chuckled lowly. "What's the matter, sweetheart? I thought you were the one teasing me earlier."

Miyabi whimpered again, pressing even closer, her grip on Ellen tightening. Ellen could feel her mate trembling slightly, barely holding herself together. A rush of satisfaction coursed through her at the realization—Miyabi was completely at her mercy now.

Ellen leaned back slightly, tilting her head just enough to glance at the fox over her shoulder, her voice a sultry whisper. "Are you going to be a good girl for me now?"

Miyabi bit her lip, her ears twitching as she tried to suppress the whine threatening to escape. Ellen smirked as she felt Miyabi nod against her, her warm breath shaky and uneven.

"I'll be good," Miyabi finally whispered, her voice laced with pure, desperate need. "For you… only for you."

Miyabi, her movements soft and measured, pressed her face into the back of Ellen's neck, her breath hot against her skin. Ellen smirked to herself but kept her focus on the dishes, feigning ignorance. She could tell Miyabi was waiting, almost uncertain, her body tensed yet eager.

Deciding to be generous, Ellen finally spoke, her voice steady and calm despite the fire stirring in her veins. "Go ahead," she murmured, allowing a small concession. "You can grind against my tail to relieve yourself for now."

For a moment, Miyabi stilled as if processing what she had just heard. Then, a shiver ran through her, and Ellen could hear the sharp inhale, feel the way Miyabi's fingers tightened slightly against her waist. It was clear she hadn't expected Ellen to give her permission so easily. Ellen understood—she had been making Miyabi wait, testing her patience, pushing her limits. An apology was owed, but that would come later, when they weren't caught in the pull of the moment.

The only sound in the room for a few moments was the water running and dishes clinking, but then another sound emerged—a soft swish in the air. Ellen glanced over her shoulder and saw Miyabi's tail wagging rapidly, an unmistakable sign of her excitement. She couldn't help but smile.

"Thank you..." Miyabi's voice was breathy, laced with relief. "Was I a good girl for waiting?"

Ellen's smirk softened. "You were. You always are."

The words had an immediate effect—Miyabi's purring grew louder, a deep, rumbling sound that vibrated against Ellen's back. Slowly, Miyabi shifted, positioning herself so her core pressed firmly against Ellen's tail, and then, with a soft exhale, she began to move.

Her motions were slow at first, hesitant, as if savoring the moment, but soon, the quiet pants turned into soft croons and muffled moans. Ellen, keeping her composure, continued washing dishes, though she was very aware of every shift, every quiver from Miyabi.

"Remember, we have to be mindful of Mira," Ellen reminded her, her voice even but laced with a quiet warning. "And the neighbors can still hear us if you get too loud."

In response, Miyabi bit gently into the crook of Ellen's neck, right over her mate mark, muffling the sounds that threatened to spill out. Ellen felt her shudder as the grinding became more insistent, her body pressing harder against Ellen's tail.

Wanting to help, Ellen flexed her tail muscles, tensing just enough to give Miyabi something firmer to work against. The reaction was immediate—a muffled whimper, a trembling gasp against her neck.

Ellen wasn't unaffected. Her instincts screamed at her, urging her to turn, to claim, to take, but she held firm, determined to let Miyabi have this moment. The fact that Miyabi was being so obedient, so willing, made the tension coil tighter inside her, made the heat rise.

The soft hum of running water filled the bathroom as Ellen carefully adjusted the temperature in the tub, ensuring it was warm and soothing. She turned to Miyabi, who rested against her chest, her breaths coming in slow, steady puffs as the lingering tension melted away. Ellen could still feel the warmth radiating from her, a sign of how much comfort and reassurance she had needed.

Gently, Ellen ran her fingers through Miyabi's hair, smoothing it down as she whispered, "You did so well. You're always such a good girl for me."

Miyabi let out a soft, contented purr, nuzzling into Ellen's shoulder as if she never wanted to let go. Ellen couldn't help but smile at how vulnerable yet utterly trusting Miyabi was in her arms. It was moments like these that reminded Ellen how much their bond meant—not just in words, but in the quiet ways they understood each other without needing to speak.

Lifting Miyabi slightly, Ellen helped her out of her clothes before discarding her own, their movements unhurried and filled with care. She guided them both into the tub, the warm water enveloping them in a gentle embrace. Miyabi sighed in pure contentment as Ellen settled behind her, wrapping her arms around Miyabi's waist and pulling her close.

For a while, they simply sat there, basking in the warmth of both the water and each other's presence. Ellen traced slow, reassuring circles on Miyabi's skin, letting her know she was safe, cherished, and loved. The occasional flick of Miyabi's tail against Ellen's leg made her chuckle, a silent acknowledgment of the happiness thrumming through her.

Miyabi turned slightly, looking up at Ellen with half-lidded eyes filled with warmth and something deeper—something unspoken but understood. "Thank you," she murmured softly.

Ellen pressed a gentle kiss to the top of Miyabi's head. "Always."

As the water continued to ripple around them, Ellen knew they could stay like this for hours—wrapped in each other, with no rush, no urgency. Just the quiet comfort of knowing they belonged together.

After their bath, Ellen and Miyabi lay together on the couch, wrapped in the warmth of each other's presence. The scent of fresh linen mixed with the faint traces of steam still clinging to their skin. The soft glow of the nearby lamp cast a gentle light over them, highlighting the quiet intimacy of the moment.

Miyabi, still lost in a haze of satisfaction and exhaustion, nestled atop Ellen, her body completely relaxed against her lover's. Her fox ears twitched slightly at the sensation of Ellen's fingers rubbing slow, soothing circles along her back. Her tail, wrapped loosely around Ellen's thigh, gave a small, lazy wag as she purred softly, her head tucked beneath Ellen's chin. The rhythmic sound vibrated through both of them, a tender lullaby of contentment.

Dressed in their sleepwear, they looked comfortably at home in each other's arms. Ellen wore a simple fitted tank top and soft shorts, her body still carrying the lingering warmth from the bath. Miyabi, in contrast, was adorned in an oversized long-sleeve nightshirt that barely reached her thighs, the fabric draping over her in a way that only made her appear more delicate in Ellen's embrace. The sight of her, so utterly relaxed and vulnerable, made something deep inside Ellen stir with both love and protectiveness.

Ellen had been prepared for Miyabi's heat to be more relentless, worried it would leave her restless and in pain, but to her relief, it hadn't been as brutal as she feared. It was intense, of course, but manageable, and she was grateful they had been able to find a moment of peace without overwhelming desperation. She knew all too well the struggles of going through heat—the way instincts screamed for release, the vulnerability that came with it, the feeling of exposure and need. Ellen was thankful that, in her past, she had friends and Victoria Housekeeping to help her through it. And now, she was grateful that she could be that same source of comfort for Miyabi.

As she gazed down at the woman resting against her, Ellen found herself captivated by the way Miyabi looked at her—with an expression so full of devotion, love, and unspoken emotions that words could never quite capture it. It was a love that went beyond the physical, beyond the playful teasing and desperate touches. This was something deep, something unshakable. Ellen loved her—truly, deeply. Perhaps even more than she loved Mira, though the love she had for the little oni was different in its own way.

She ran her fingers through Miyabi's hair, causing another soft purr to escape from her lover's lips. The sound, the warmth, the presence—it all lulled them further into a shared tranquility. Miyabi nuzzled closer, pressing her face against Ellen's chest, her breathing slow and steady. With each gentle stroke along Miyabi's back, Ellen felt her gradually drifting off into slumber.

Holding each other close, wrapped in the quiet of the night, they let sleep take them, safe in the knowledge that they were exactly where they belonged—in each other's arms.