The sunlight filtering through the window was gentle—no harsh heat, just the quiet warmth of early spring. The kind that settled on the wooden floor without demanding attention.
Noel lay on his bed, one arm behind his head, the other resting over Noir's belly. The little shadow wolf was sprawled upside down, legs in the air, tail flicking slightly each time Noel's fingers scratched a new spot.
'That went better than I expected,' he thought, staring at the ceiling. 'Didn't think she'd actually give me permission to help. But I guess… when you've tried everything else, you start looking in places you never would've considered.'
He glanced down at Noir, still half-asleep.
'Right?'
He smiled faintly and resumed rubbing the small wolf's stomach. Noir kicked a hind leg in response.
Noel's fingers paused.
"…Hold on."
He looked again. Then squinted.
"You don't have a—" He blinked once. "Yeah, definitely no pipe. So you're a girl."
Noir opened one eye slowly.
