Darling Little Creature [Yuri Briar x f.Reader - SPY x FAMILY]

Cage

It was a fair bit of work to have furniture delivered in the few hours between her father escaping and picking her up. All you could manage were the basics for her room. There are many other items she will undoubtedly require to live comfortably in your apartment.

When she wakes up and shuffles timidly into the kitchen, she finds you already seated at the table, dressed in your usual suit, and reading over a report you commissioned on a suspect. Pretending not to notice her approaching from behind, you await her reaction.

She takes the chair across from yours hesitantly, gaze darting around the room until it lands on you. Her eyes are red and puffy. Her posture droops with exhaustion. Her typically round cheeks are sunken. The sight would break your heart if you hadn't already anticipated the change.

Today just happens to be the only day of the week the bakery closes, so she has no excuse to scramble off to work. You have yet to tell her she won't be returning to work, but all in due time.

"C'mere," you coax with two fingers. She rises to stand before you, head hung and shoulders curved. Clicking your tongue at the sight, you pat your thigh and urge her to take a seat. She obliges. Soft and pliant, she cuddles into your shoulder and hides herself in the crook of your neck - a stark contrast from the rigidity of last night.

"Such a good girl," you murmur, leaning your cheek against her hair. Cradling her close, you stroke her back.

"Does bunny want some breakfast?" you ask quietly. She shakes her head.

"How about something warm to drink?" She pauses but declines again.

"Do you want to go out? We can go shopping," you offer. She pulls her head up quickly, eyes on yours as if she can't believe your serious.

"C'mon. Get dressed." With a tap to her hip, she hops off and scurries away to her room, leaving you to finish your coffee. When she returns, you pull her close and kiss her cheek before lacing her hand through yours and heading out.

At the department store, you meander each floor that piques her interest, letting her flit off whenever she sees something she likes. You're not worried about her running away. She could never outrun you anyway. As long as she's in your sight, you know you can protect her.

Most importantly, you want her to feel safe with you. Though you have no intention of letting her return, or out of the house if you're not around, you still want her to be her usual carefree self when you're together.

By the time she's found a handful of pieces to buy, her appetite has returned. Given that there are many more items on your checklist to purchase, you keep it simple and stay in the building - guiding her to the rooftop terrace for brunch.

Cheered up by her new trinkets and clothes, you ask her to order for you as well and she complies with enthusiasm. Watching her read through the menu carefully - sun filtering through the latticework above to dapple her skin and a giddy smile playing in her eyes - you couldn't be more content.

Her happiness has become your everything.

After the plates are cleared and the teacups are emptied, you lead her to the floor laden with home furnishings. Naturally, she drags you straight to the baking section.

When you comment that even if you wanted to, you couldn't bake at home because you don't have the necessities, she immediately walks you through all the essentials for home baking. One by one, you take note and have the clerk set them aside for you.

Arms strung with bags, and packages teetering in a stack, the two of you make your way back to your apartment. She helps you arrange the goodies in the kitchen but doesn't unpack her new clothes, so you know she's thinking you'll take her home today.