160 Vol. 3 pt. 30 Patch 5.0: A Beach, a Cat, and Tentacles (1/2)

”Can we not go back on the ship for a bit?” Cassiel asks the group which has since calmed down and resumed eating.

”Tired of the sea, Cass Cass?” Oleander asks.

”Yeah, I really am. Why don't we just explore around here for a while? Stretch our legs and do something other than sit around, fish, and play card games.”

”Cass Cass doesn't like losing,” Serra says.

”H-hey! Those games are stupid because they're all luck! Olly always gets the best cards, so he's probably cheating!”

”Or you just suck,” Oleander teases. ”Shouldn't Fenny be the only thing you're sucking?”

Cassiel's face burns bright as she glares at Oleander. Whatever peace there was is now gone.

Nell, sitting next to Fenrir, can't help but giggle at the commotion.

”You look happy,” Fenrir tells Nell.

”I am, my hero! It is so lively with you all! I remember when you first brought me aboard The Shoebill to hide me, the way that everybody interacted with each other was so genuine and entertaining! I am just delighted to be a part of this now,” Nell explains.

”Glad to hear you're enjoying it. Though, things seem to just be getting more and more lively. With Aiko—”

”It's Nyaiko now, nya!” Nyaiko interrupts.

”With Nyaiko here now, things are probably going to get even more energetic around here. I wouldn't be surprised if Serra sets her eyes on getting a new harem member sometime soon, too.”

”Are we officially calling our relationship Serra's harem now?” Nell asks, not able to help back a bit of giggling from the thought of it.

”I mean, if you think about it, it kind of makes sense.”

Nell leans in to whisper to Fenrir, ”Do not underestimate your own role in gathering us together, my hero. I have heard from both Serra and Cassiel how you found them and earned their love, and it is you whom has earned the title of my hero.”

It is a combination of Nell's gentle voice whispering to him and her message that causes him to blush. But, he could hardly hear what she had to say.

”Uhh, just for future reference,” Fenrir points up at the two, canid ears atop his head. ”You have to whisper up there if you're trying to whisper into my ear.”

Nell's face slowly grows red as she lifts some of Fenrir's hair off from the side of his head. There are no human ears in sight. She looks over at Nyaiko, and Nyaiko lifts her hair to reveal the same thing: no human ears. ”A-ah. I – I do believe that makes sense. Of course. You… have those ears on top of your head, so of course you would not have other ears. Silly me,” Nell says, nervously twirling her hair with a couple of her fingers while avoiding making eye contact.

This might be the first time that Fenrir has ever seen her look so embarrassed, and she is absolutely adorable.

It triggers Fenrir's bullying side.

”What's wrong, Nell? You look embarrassed,” Fenrir teases.

”It – it is nothing! I just feel very silly at the moment,” Nell says, leaning away from him.

”Are you sure about that? Your cheeks are pretty red right now.”

Nell covers her cheeks with her hands. ”I – I do not know what it is that you are speaking of, my hero.”

Now that Fenrir thinks about it, there is something he has never done.

Those two, tall horns on top of her head have never been touched by him.

There's no way that she would behave like some sort of fictional character if he touches her horns, right? She knows of that sort of stuff but isn't exactly into it as far as he knows, so she probably wouldn't know to act like that if he touches her horns.

But he tries it anyway.

Gently, Fenrir places his hands against her horns and allows his fingers to teasingly trace along them.

”My – my hero! What are you doing?” Nell asks, her voice panicked and eyes wide.

”I was just thinking that I've never touched your horns before. I was wondering what they feel like,” Fenrir explains.

”Now – now you know, so you may remove your – your hands now!” Nell pleads, her thighs rubbing together as her lips stay parted.

Fenrir immediately recognizes what this means, and he can't believe his luck. ”What's wrong? I'm just touching your horns. Does it feel bad when I touch them?”

Nell whimpers and pretends to try and pull her head away from him.

”They look strong and powerful, but they're actually pretty sensitive, aren't they?” Fenrir teases, whispering into her ear now.

A soft moan escapes Nell's lips whether she wants it to or not.

”If you want me to stop, I will,” Fenrir whispers, his voice slow and his breath hot as it brushes against her ear.