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"So let me get this straight," Kai said, holding up a giant bag of marshmallows, "we're fighting a supernatural conspiracy… by having a sleepover?"
"It's called stress relief," Wooyoung replied, already wearing a silky cat-paw-printed pajama set and rolling out sleeping mats on the floor. "Also, I have cake."
"I'm in," Kai said immediately, tossing the marshmallows aside and flopping down onto a mat.
San sat at the kitchen counter cutting fruit while Hyme trailed behind him, stealing every third slice and popping it into his mouth with a smug grin.
"You could just wait till I'm done," San grumbled.
"But it tastes better when it's stolen," Hyme purred, tail flicking.
San rolled his eyes and bumped his hip into Hyme's gently. "Spoiled brat."
Hyme only smiled wider.
Just then, the doorbell rang.
"I'll get it!" Lyra's voice chirped from the hallway. She scampered over, her fluffy tail bouncing behind her. Ever since Wooyoung agreed to shelter her, Lyra had quickly adjusted—and somehow claimed half the sofa as her domain.
"Don't open the—!" Wooyoung started.
But it was too late.
Lyra opened the door wide, revealing herself in fox-themed pajamas and an oversized hoodie with ears. On the other side was the pizza delivery guy, now frozen, staring wide-eyed at the sight of a real fox girl blinking back at him with glowing amber eyes.
"…Uh… pepperoni?" he squeaked.
"Gimme," Lyra said, grabbing the boxes and slamming the door shut with her foot.
Everyone burst into laughter.
"I love her," Kai declared.
"She's a menace," Wooyoung grumbled.
"She's family now," Hyme said matter-of-factly, stealing a piece of pepperoni before she even put the box down.
They all settled into a pile of mismatched blankets and cushions in the living room, the floor littered with snacks, soda, fur, and mild chaos. Kai turned on a classic horror movie, claiming he wanted something "to raise the stakes" while hiding behind a giant pillow ten minutes in. Lyra climbed on top of the couch like a jungle cat, munching pizza crusts and tossing popcorn at people.
Midway through the movie, San looked around at the group. Hyme resting with his head on San's thigh, tail curled contentedly. Lyra snuggled beside Wooyoung, both snickering at Kai's terrified expression. The room glowed with soft lamp light and low laughter.
For once, there was peace.
And warmth.
And a strange sense of… home.
"Hey," Hyme whispered, tilting his face up toward San.
"Hm?"
"You're not allowed to leave this sleepover," he said, poking San's cheek.
San chuckled. "Wasn't planning to."
Hyme gave a soft little yawn and tucked closer into him, completely relaxed.
The night passed with stories, teasing, and mock pillow fights. When everyone finally passed out—Kai snoring like a motorcycle, Lyra wrapped around Wooyoung like a boa constrictor, and Hyme drooling a little on San's shirt—San stayed awake just a bit longer.
Because tomorrow, Lys would arrive.
And the peace of tonight was a rare gift.
He wasn't going to waste a second of it.
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