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I chortled, reckless optimism peppering my words like fireworks. “I like being close to you. Is there a problem with that? You're so cute when you’re grumpy. It makes me just want to squeeze you till you squeal.”

She shot me a dirty look, then picked up the pace, almost jogging as we rounded the looming library building, its proximity seeming to spur her on. “It's too fucking early for this shit. Why are you so damn cheerful all the time?” she spat. “I need more coffee.”

I whistled. “Godsdamn, Honeybee, I think you’ve reached an entirely new spectrum on the grump-scale. Congratulations! Judging your level of grumpitude is now my new favorite hobby. Careful, or you might slide into full-blown grumptraphy.” My lungs expanded as I sucked in a gulp of air. “In answer to your question, why not be cheerful? Seems to me, that it takes more energy to have such a continuous dour outlook on life.”

“Or,” she bit out, “you’re hiding something behind your gorgeous smile, just the same as everyone else.”

My mood flipped, dark chaotic thoughts cresting like an ominous wave, threatening to drown me. “Perhaps,” I acknowledged, nodding somberly, “but that doesn't mean I have to wallow in my thoughts and feelings every second of every day.”

Slowing her steps, Miko turned to look at me. “I won’t agree that you’re right, because you certainly are not.”

I snort-laughed, then replied with a light but sarcastic edge, thickening my accent. “Well, of course not.”

“At times,” she continued sharply, a serious gleam shining within her irises, “whether or not to simply be happy isn’t a choice. There are so many reasons that could affect one’s ability to achieve that specific emotion, or rather any emotion within the realm of positive. One of which is a chemical imbalance in the brain; Furthermore, some people have to take medication to help them regulate their mental stability.” Miko let out heavy exhale, her chest heaving. “Now, I could list off more reasons all day, but I’d rather sit my ass in a cool, dark, and silent room.”

My mouth opened and closed, but I couldn’t think of a single thing to say to that.

“Also,” Miko held up a finger, “I really don’t want to ask, but it will endlessly loop around in my brain if I don’t.” She paused, inhaling her nose, nostrils flaring. “I comprehend grumpitude- but explain grumptraphy.”

My abs tightened, booming laughter startling out of me. “Grumptraphy, the state of withering into a husklike creature starved of happy thoughts.”

Miko stared at me unblinking, then faced the entrance once more, lifting her ID to the scanner to unlock it. “Where do you come up with this shit?” She sighed for so long I wondered where she kept all that air in her compact body.

Moments later, the notion fled entirely when she stepped over the threshold, the magically enhanced cool air greeted her skin, and moaned. I bounded in front of her. “Mmph. I’m learning so much about you, and this time I didn’t even have to stalk you.”

She disregarded me, striding over to the checkout desk, and collapsing on the high stool. I smirked as Huff winked in a moment later and prodded her cheek with a paw. Poor bastard, he’s already smitten with her. Nonetheless, Miko didn’t lift her head from the desktop, only offering him a tiny smile.

“Huff,” I greeted him, an edge lacing my words and skin prickling with some foreign emotion. My jaw clenched as I realized what it was—jealousy. She smiled at him so easily.

Why does she gift me with her smile so rarely in comparison?

Marv snorted. “Is that really a question you need to ask?”

I folded my arms over my chest, biceps tightening with the movement, and eyed Huff as he growled playfully, jumping around her wiggling fingers.

My not-mate finally sat upright. “I’m glad you’re here, Huffluff.”

I jogged over to the desk and snatched Huff, bringing him close to my face and nuzzling him, but unable to stop a soft growl. “Your dominating all of her attention, Little Shite,” I said in Heechu.

He blinked at me as his tails circled around his sides, the picture of innocence, and replied in the same language. “It's not my fault that she prefers my company, Baney.”

I scoffed. “She only likes you because you're a fluff ball-of-oi-gooey-snuggles.”

He rolled his eye. “Maybe you're too much of a brute.”

We glared at each other, then he winked to my shoulder and clung to my neck with his tails. “Don't be jealous. You'll always be my best friend.”

My muscles loosened, something within me softening. I hadn't even realized that part of the jealousy I was feeling wasn't due to Miko only paying attention to him, but him paying attention to her. “My head is a fucked-up place.”

Miko tilted her head. “You're not alone in that.”

“Hmm. Did I say that aloud?” I questioned her, waving it off.

Freddy cackled. “Nope, definitely not. Right, Marv?”

“His mate speaks the truth.”

“Not his mate.”