the way i struggled to write this bc i’m a stickler for accuracy and college—
Categories: ☁️ (fluff!); 🫧 (new work!); 🍡 (gn! reader); 🎨 (corresponding fan art towards the end!)
Tw: I’m praying for y’all’s teeth and dental bills after y’all read this fluffy sweetness
“Pick one.”
Two mugs. One pink, one white, both equally tiny. The pink mug had a small decal on one side of a squirrel running through some trees, on the other side was the text “a scurry of squirrels”. The white mug had a lion decal, the text “my little lion” had a home on the other side. Leona covered his mouth in an attempt to stifle his budding laughter.
But you heard that snicker!
“What?”
“This is what you woke me up for?”
You stuck your tongue out at him. His tail swayed idly while he eyed you, as if expecting a further explanation for why you wanted him to pick one of the mugs. He really just wanted you to lay with him and rub his head…maybe his ears too, but he wouldn’t dare confess that he wants you to rub them.
“Act like I woke you up to dig trenches, why don’t ya? Just pick one!”
You should have known better than to think Leona wouldn’t be a grouch for at least five minutes! Sure, it was the weekend, barely anybody was alive at this hour (save for Jack and maybe Jamil, who woke up earlier than this). You could somewhat understand his reluctance to join the land of the living.
Well, despite the fact that he was about as welcoming as a grizzly bear with a chainsaw upon first meeting, his grumpiness was one of the many things you loved and accepted about him. He’d never admit it to you, and you’d never tell him that you knew, but he was a sweetheart deep down. In his own way, at least.
“Fine, I’ll bite. But you have to lay down with me afterwards.”
“Deal!”
That was the only deal you were willing to make. You really hoped Azul wasn’t nearby, but he also wasn’t anything like Rook. You were probably safe.
It was very fitting that Leona chose the one with the lion on it. It was so tiny in his hands, and you had to do your best to refrain from voicing how cute you thought it was. It was almost concerning how much you wanted to squeeze him. Not waiting for him to say anything else, forbid he change his mind, you took his other hand and dragged him into the empty lounge and took out your kettle.
Leona watched you flit around gathering your tea collection, plugging in the kettle after filling it with water and letting it heat up. Oh look, now you’re having him pick a tea. Wanting to try something new, he pointed to the sweet smelling pink tin that had white flowers painted on it.
“Try that one.”
He’d picked the chamomile tea infused with vanilla and honey. This would probably make him sleep longer afterwards, but you were just glad he was cooperative this time. You took out two teabags, placing one in each mug to save time. The water boiled to a good temperature, you flipped the switch on the kettle to shut it off.
You both waited for the tea to steep, but Leona noticed how you were looking at him. He would wait to tease you about it though. You couldn’t get over how much smaller the mug was than his hands, how he stared at it with utmost focus. It looked like he was trying to keep it from turning into sand. He could pretend to be as bored, grouchy, and reluctant as he wanted but you knew he cared deep down. You went through the effort of spending time with him, albeit earlier than his preference. He hadn’t activated his signature spell, so you figured he shouldn’t have to worry about it.
Lions couldn’t purr, but you swore you heard him make an eerily similar sound when you rubbed his ears. At least he didn’t have to ask you for it.
The tea was done steeping and was at an acceptable, tolerable temperature. A comfortable silence befell you both as you enjoyed your tea, budding sunlight painting his flesh in gold petals like it was meant for him. Like he was their sunflower. You’d have to introduce him to sunflower tea one day. Leona eyed your mug, the cute little squirrel decal reminding him of you. He couldn’t help but tease you at least a little bit.
“You really are an herbivore.”
“You will never let that go, will you? Even though we both know squirrels are opportunistic omnivores?”
Leona shrugged, this time a genuine, soft smile forming on his face. He’d never show this to anyone else.
“Nah. You’re my herbivore. I will hold onto this forever. By the way, Floyd’s been rubbing off on you too much.”
“Why do you say that?”
“You looked like you wanted to squeeze me.”
A sneeze startled Jade from his slumber.
“Bless you.”
Floyd rubbed his nose and shook his head.
“Thanks…I think someone’s talkin’ about me. It’s probably Shrimpy!”
A/N: well, he supposed he could indulge you for a few minutes…just lay down with him afterwards
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