You're perfect

Instinct

NATE

I feel as though my body is undergoing an ethereal shift, a sensation of distance, as if my body and soul are disconnecting separately. My consciousness remains intact, but my body feels unusually heavy. I sense that it's resting on something soft, with the left side of my body cocooned in warmth and coziness, almost as if I'm beneath a fur blanket.

Gradually, my heavy eyelids flutter open. Darkness is my initial view, then gradually, I make out the ceiling of my living room. I try to move my fingers, but something is preventing me.

My eyes adjust to the darkness, and as I turn my head to the right, I notice the window. Beyond it, the outside forest is bathed in the brilliant light of the full moon. It's a captivating sight, the silhouettes of the trees against the radiant, shimmering moon.

One of my forearms instinctively moves to shield my eyes...

"It's quiet... and calming," I murmur. My heart feels at ease. I can't explain why, but the weight on my chest seems to have lifted, making it easier to breathe.

As my consciousness slowly returns, my eyelids grow lighter with each passing moment, and my mind begins to race with thoughts.

And then it dawns on me, there's something warm and furry beside me, covering half of my body, unlike what I remember. It's plush and soft, something I can indulge in. What could it be?

My gaze follows the familiar sensation, and I find Zeraora resting right beside me, snoozing peacefully. Her head rests just below my shoulder, perfectly fitting the gap between the couch and me. One of her paws lands gently on my chest, while the rest of her body gracefully drapes over me.

"We fell asleep here?" Memories from yesterday flood my mind as I contemplate the events that led us to this moment.

I'm uncertain about how to wake up without disturbing her. Her body is so close to mine that even the slightest movement might unintentionally nudge her, and I can't bring myself to disturb such a peacefully slumbering creature. I decide to endure a bit longer. Her purring serves as a calming soundtrack, soothing the rhythm of my heart. I wouldn't mind if she chose to remain in this comfortable position for a while longer.

I seize this opportunity to closely examine her face, something I've never done before. She possesses a rather distinctive appearance. It occurs to me that I've never had the chance to observe her this closely. Every previous attempt she made to approach me at such proximity would instinctively force me into a defensive posture, closing my eyes in anticipation of potential harm. In retrospect, she has never actually harmed me in any way.

"Wow," I murmur, unable to contain my admiration.

I've never seen her in such detail before, and her face is unexpectedly captivating. I've often been captivated by her penetrating gaze. It causes me to overlook the finer details of her face. Now, in this tranquil moment, I find her features fascinating. Her fur is immaculate and always feels soft to the touch. I recall an incident when she zapped me with electricity while I was examining her, but that hasn't happened since. I can now touch her without fear of being shocked.

I raise my hand hesitantly, moving it slowly toward her neck from behind. My eyes remain fixed on her face, hoping she won't wake up as I begin to caress her. She continues to sleep soundly, and my hand inches closer until I feel the soft fur beneath my fingers. It's incredibly plush, like a pillow or a thick blanket. My heart rate quickens, and I can almost feel the vibration of my chest resonating with Zeraora, who's sleeping so close to me.

My heart races at the sensation of having her near me. She's a Pokémon I only met a couple of days ago, yet she shows affection in ways I've never experienced. She has never harmed me, only showing aggression when she felt threatened, which is understandable.