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Hovering between the line of awake and asleep Gladion was content to never have to move off this couch again. The apartment’s windows had been left open and the soft chirp of birds and the scent of lavender coming from the herb garden below was a welcome comfort. He’d finished helping Plumeria restock the apothecary’s shelves earlier that morning and he’d already done the grocery shopping the day before so, there was nothing that really needed his immediate attention. Leaving him with basically the whole day to himself, a rare commodity since Plumeria had taken him in, and he planned to enjoy it to the fullest.
Stretching out over the couch he settled deeper into the cushions with a contented sigh. A thump and the click of claws on hardwood heralding Aleia’s return from where ever the daemon liked to disappear to. A soft noise leaving her as she launched herself up onto the couch arm, claws digging into the upholstery.
For a moment he thought she might just be content to sit with him as he dozed but, as always with Aleia, that wasn’t the case. A small paw coming down to bat at his nose. Her claws, thankfully, still sheathed. (He’d been on the wrong end of those claws before when he had to pry her off of Guzma’s head and it hadn’t been pleasant.)
Gladion was severely tempted to ignore her. She’d get bored and go do something else if she didn’t get the attention she wanted. However he didn’t ever seem to bank on how much of a brat she was and the paw came back to smack him in quick rapid fire succession. A pinprick of pain on the bridge of his nose a warning of what would come next if he continued to ignore her. She was such a huge brat, his brat, but a brat all the same.
Grumbling he reached up and plucked her off the couch arm. A surprised ‘bwrp’ escaping her as he placed her on his chest. Her claws digging into his skin to steady herself. She smelled of forest moss and rain as she settled into a comfortable little loaf, paws tucked tightly beneath her, tail curled around her small form. Her chest starting to vibrate with the beginnings of a soft purr.
“Happy now?” He asked dryly, rubbing his thumb over a velvety round ear. A soft chirp the only answer the daemon offered.
Snorting Gladion relaxed back into the cushions, thumb lazily passing over her ear and forehead, relishing the feel of soft fur. Her purrs ramping up til her whole body was vibrating, her warmth soothing and welcome as he drifted off to sleep.