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PLUME'S APARTMENT - NEAR MIDNIGHT
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Doc Plume finishes washing their hands in the basin and steps out of the bathroom into their quiet apartment. It's been another lonely evening for the doctor, their beak alternately between the pages of yet another tawdry romance novel or the newest medical digest.
Vix quietly meows in greeting from Plume's couch. "Heyo~"
Doc Plume blinks a bit at the sudden appearance of the cat. After a moment, they smile and walk over to join Vix on the couch. "Hi. Window this time?"
Vix giggles and leans against Plume. "Well, you never lock them~"
Doc Plume drapes a wing around Vix and smiles. "Yeah, well not too many folks who can get up to the second floor so easy. Besides, all the expensive stuff is locked in the clinic."
Vix purrs. "Sorry for showing up so late. I figured I might just crash on the couch if you were already asleep."
Doc Plume dips their head down to idly preen at the fur between Vix's ears. "It's all right. Honestly, I spend too much time with my own thoughts anyway. And you're... you. Whatever it is we are to each other. More than friends I guess?"
Vix flicks her ears. "I guess there isn't a word for it. For now we're just making sure we don't go too long without snuggles~"
Doc Plume blushes a bit and laughs. "Yeah, I suppose so. I mean, you're really nice and all but I don't think we'd be here without Nesseth." They wrap their arms around Vix and lie back along the length of the couch, pulling the cat atop them.
Vix wiggles a bit as she gets comfortable atop Plume. "Well, he has been encouraging us to get closer. I think this counts~"
Doc Plume nuzzles their beak on Vix's cheek. "Yeah. I think so." They squeeze her close. "It's just... I miss him... and it's so hard not to worry. Like what if everyone... what if no one is..."
Vix gently baps Plume's face with a paw. "Stop that. They're gonna be fine."
Doc Plume blinks at the bap, the paw cutting off their train of thought. "Right... they know what they're doing. I've just... never had someone to really worry about before. Not this way anyway. You?"
Vix gets lost in thought. "Hmm...yeah, I have."
Doc Plume runs their talons idly through Vix's fur. "Oh? Who were they?"
Vix: Oh, an old buddy of mine. One time he was trying to steal from a caravan and ended up having to stow away with the cargo. He ended up two cities over! Worried me to death."
Doc Plume cocks their head. "Oh, so he wasn't... your lover or anything?"
Vix: Nah, not really. He came back just fine after a few weeks, though, and I maybe might have kissed him..."
Doc Plume giggles. "Just a kiss?" They run their talons over Vix's shoulder. "Nothing else?"
Vix blushes a bit. "H-hey, I was younger back then! A kiss was a big deal!"
Doc Plume smiles. "I know." They lean in and softly peck Vix's cheek.
Vix hums as her paws make their way under Plume's shirt. "Hmm~... if you wanna smooch, I could always use some more practice~"
Doc Plume blushes a bit as Vix's hands find their way under their smallclothes and into their fur. "Mmm.. Could be a thing. Maybe just to stay in practice for when Nesseth gets back..."
Vix smiles and leans in slowly for a proper kiss. "Can't let ourselves get rusty~"
Doc Plume blushes more as they lean in to accept the kiss, their beak parting as one of thier hands caresses the back of Vix's head.