Chapter 42: 042: FUZZY ORANGE......"WORDS OF AFFIRMATION!" IS MY LOVE LANGUAGE

I didn’t realize his grip on my waist had tightened. "I want you guys to know I love you all deeply. I have to show that!" I said again.

"It’s not weird, it’s just my love language!" I said, and Thyrian’s lips parted in confusion. "Love language?" he asked, and I nodded. "Yes, my love language!"

"What is that?" he asked, and I paused. I forgot I used a modern word again. How would I explain this to him right now?

"Uh, so if you love someone, there are universal love languages you use to show them..." I trailed off.

"...There are five love languages: -) Words of affirmation: This is actually telling you guys ’I love you, I miss you, I want to hold you.’ Just like how blunt I am.

The second is acts of service: which involves showing you love someone either by cooking, carrying heavy stuff, helping out in minimal things, running errands. Like Veyra cooking for me when I was hungry.

The third is receiving gifts: giving your partner something they can cherish, like gifts of anything.

The fourth is quality time: spending time with your partner, like dates, movi—"

"Date?" Thyrian asked in confusion. "What’s that?"

"Shhh," I said, resting my hands on his lips. "Don’t ask me that. Just listen," I said, and he nodded obediently.

"As I was saying, the fifth is physical touch, which is kissing, holding each other, touching thighs and all. It’s just being intimate. That’s all," I said, smiling as I stared at Thyrian, but he seemed more confused.

"Did you get all that?" I asked, and he shook his head negatively. "You do have a wild imagination... a vast idea of things," he said. It was a compliment even though he didn’t understand my words. I chuckled and circled my arms around his neck. "You are right, I do," I said, smiling.

"But I did understand some things. I understand your blunt words, and I understand the intimate part and the spending time with you. I’ll make sure I can do all," he said, and I laughed, gently caressing his hair. "Just be you, Thyrian. Whatever you are, I’ll love you," I said, and his eyes brightened.

I felt his hands shoot upwards and I shivered. I don’t think he realized what he was doing either, so I just bit down on my lips, breathing heavily.

"So you would love me, even if I was a bug, or perhaps a cat?" he said, and I couldn’t help but laugh. "Gosh, Thyrian, you are so funny. What bug?" I asked, and shook my head negatively, and he pouted. "So you wouldn’t love me either way," he said, and sucked in sharply. Aww, he was acting all cute. I cupped his cheeks.

"Thyrian, even if you were a ghoul, I would go all the way to find your soul and give it your body, so we can never be apart. So bugs—I would still love you," I said, and watched as his eyes softened and his gaze moved to my lips unconsciously. He moved closer and tilted his head, gently kissing me. I shivered, but he pushed further, blocking my air lungs as he kissed me.

"So inspiring," I heard Ryker’s voice from behind, and out of instinct, I pushed Thyrian away softly and pushed his head straight into the water, but I didn’t expect Thyrian to hold my waist so tightly, and when he pinched, I gasped.

Ryker walked closer and crouched. His nice tail and fox ears came into view. He looked so flushed and perhaps... but suddenly he planted a kiss on my forehead, and I trembled softly. His kiss was cold.

I didn’t know if Thyrian was jealous, but I gasped again as I felt a bite this time on my tummy. Before I could think of anything, Thyrian’s head surfaced above, and he glared at Ryker.

"Mas—Raven, stays with me tonight," he said, and Foxy rolled his eyes. "Do you want her to sleep in the pool? Either she drowns or catches a fever the next day," he said, and Thyrian’s eyes went cold. He understood his words, but it made him irritated.

"You guys spend all day with her. I can’t even spend the night with her, and you already dragged yourself here..." He gritted his teeth, growling like a child whining for his favorite toy. Ryker laughed and leaned lower, his lips touching mine, and I froze.

Thyrian stared, betrayed, and let go of my waist. "Do whatever you want," he said, but didn’t walk away further, just glared at Ryker, who pulled away from the kiss and laughed out loud. "Goodness, don’t be a jealous boy, Thyrian," he said and gently ruffled Thyrian’s hair, while Thyrian glared at him.

"I hate when others touch my hair," he grumbled, but Ryker’s smile widened in mischief and he ruffled his hair again and again. Thyrian just sulked and tried to look at me with pleading eyes. I sighed.

"That’s enough, Ryker," I said, and Ryker gently retracted his hands and kissed my forehead, walking off. His tails and fox ears disappeared. "Don’t sleep in the pool, Master. If you get sick, we will all blame Thyrian," he sounded playful, but the blame part was no joke.

I laughed it off, but then Thyrian held me tight against him and pulled me closer. I didn’t say a word, but his lips claimed mine as I melted, letting him do what he wanted.

"Ahh, the sight, the eye sore, the... ahhh," Cat said, and I couldn’t help but laugh. "Enough, Orange," I said inwardly, and she appeared on the balcony chair, stretching her hands.

"Oh, you seem to be enjoying this sooo much!" she said, smirking, and I blushed. Who wouldn’t? I thought... The scene faded black and white, and Thyrian froze.

"Anything up?" I asked, and she shook her head negatively. "I came to watch the show," she said and stared up at the dark sky. I did the same too. The stars were quiet and soft, as if humming a sleepy lullaby. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

"It’s nice out here," Orange said, and my smile stretched. "Where do you live, do you have any parents, and how are you a system?" I asked all at once, trying to catch my breath. Staring at her, I tried to grasp at anything, but she was really reserved and void of emotions. I could only blink and breathe softly. I didn’t expect her to answer anyway, but—

"Where I live..." she trailed off.

"I’m not sure of that. I’m the system, obviously, and why would you ask how I became a system? That’s foolish," she snapped, and I couldn’t help but sigh. For a little second, I was starting to feel sad for her until she answered the second question. Orange would always be her sassy self.

"Either way, you are stuck with me, Orange. Through thick and thin," I said, and she snapped her head to me. Not saying a word, she turned to stare back at the sky.

"My name isn’t Orange," she said, and my smirk widened. "Well, to me you are. Accept it or not. It’s your name," I said, and she groaned, glaring at me.

"What am I even here?" she asked, rolling her eyes, and I giggled. "Don’t worry, you are my friend and my baby now. I’ll feed you till you’re fat," I said, and she suddenly went silent.

"Hmm," she hummed sarcastically, but I knew she accepted... well, I’m not entirely sure, but I felt she did, so either way it’s good.

"Also, I brought snacks and food for you. Don’t hide when you turn into a normal cat," I said, and she rolled her eyes.

"Raven, I don’t turn into a normal cat. I just act clueless when I want to ignore everyone in this world. And frustrate you!" she said, smiling. I felt my lips twitch and shook my head in disbelief.

"Do whatever you want. I’m your owner now and I’ll take care of you!"

"You can’t take care of a system!" she replied, and I gritted my teeth. "That fuzzy wuzzy ball," I cursed under my breath, but inhaled sharply and exhaled softly.

"Either way, I’ll spoil you rotten," I replied. She just stared at me for quite a long time, and her lips parted.

"I pick my own meals myself, and sleep on my comfortable bed. I have a system home. I was always here even before you arrived. I don’t exist outside of this world... you can say I’m bound to be a system."

Hearing her words, it felt kinda sad. I wanted to comfort her, but then her eyes darkened.

"Shut it. Keep the sympathy to yourself. I’m living my best life. Do you know how expensive the stuff I eat costs!?" she sneered, and I laughed. Okay! Orange wasn’t sad.

"Enjoy the night and try not to catch a cold. I don’t want you all sick and acting so weak. Tch," she disappeared that instant.

"She cares," I mumbled softly, and everything faded back to normal. Thyrian hugged me tightly and I giggled, snapping out of my thoughts.

"Don’t tickle me there!" I screamed, and my laughter echoed around.