The smoky bar was dimly lit, and Y/N sat at the counter, nursing her glass of whiskey, her finger tracing the rim in a slow, idle circle. Lost in thought, she barely noticed when someone slid onto the stool beside her—until a smooth, yet slightly amused voice cut through her haze.
"Well, you certainly look like you could use some company," the woman said.
Y/N turned her head, her gaze falling upon a striking woman with green-amber eyes and dark blonde hair that framed her face in loose waves. Y/N eyed her for a moment, suspicion flickering in her gaze before she shrugged, lifting her glass in a mock toast.
"Can't argue with that," Y/N replied dryly. "Though I wasn't exactly looking."
"Then consider me your lucky surprise," the woman chuckled, extending her hand. "Kelly."
Y/N hesitated briefly before shaking Kelly's hand, her grip firm. "Y/N."
They talked—first in snippets, then in full conversations that took on a rhythm of their own. Y/N found herself drawn into Kelly's warm smile, the playful gleam in her eye. The whiskey softened Y/N's usual harsh edges, and Kelly's laughter made her feel unexpectedly comfortable.
"So, Y/N," Kelly began, tracing a finger along the counter. "What brings someone like you to a bar like this, alone?"
"Someone like me?" Y/N quirked a brow. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"You know," Kelly said with a smirk, taking a sip of her own drink. "Tall, dark, mysterious... the kind who usually sneers at 'small talk.'"
A smirk tugged at Y/N's lips. "You got that right." She leaned in, lowering her voice. "I don't usually do small talk."
Kelly leaned closer, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Good thing I'm not small talk, then."
They continued on like this, laughing and teasing, as the night stretched on and the drinks kept coming. At some point, Kelly moved a bit closer, their shoulders brushing. When Y/N turned her head, their faces were inches apart, and she could feel the warmth of Kelly's breath against her skin.
"Can I kiss you?" Kelly's voice was low, almost a whisper.
Y/N felt her heart race. Without a word, she closed the gap, her lips pressing against Kelly's in a slow, deliberate kiss. It was intense, intoxicating, and Y/N found herself wanting more.
They slipped into the shadowed corner of the bar, sharing a few more stolen kisses before stumbling out together, arms wrapped around each other as they laughed their way to Kelly's home.
Morning light streamed through the curtains, rousing Y/N from sleep. She blinked, then froze, realizing she was wrapped around Kelly's warm body, their legs entangled beneath the sheets. She tried to remember exactly how they'd ended up here. Vague, blissful memories flashed through her mind—Kelly's laugh, her hands, the feeling of losing herself completely.
She opened her eyes and looked around, catching sight of a small figure sitting on the edge of the bed.
Y/N blinked, sure she was seeing things. But no, there it was—a small monkey, sitting right there on the bed, looking curiously at her. She let out a startled yelp, scrambling backward and losing her balance, crashing unceremoniously onto the floor.
"Oh, good morning to you, too," Kelly's voice rang out, laughter filling the room. She sat up, pulling on a shirt that Y/N immediately recognized as hers—far too big on Kelly, but somehow perfect.
The monkey, sensing Y/N's movement, leapt off the bed and landed right on her shoulder, chattering and clinging to her as she flailed in a mix of shock and embarrassment.
"What the hell is this?" Y/N exclaimed, one hand clutching a blanket around herself while the other tried to keep the monkey from climbing further up her hair.
Kelly was doubled over in laughter, trying and failing to catch her breath. "Meet Oliver. He's a curious one, isn't he?"
"Oliver?" Y/N huffed, trying to dodge the monkey's grabby little hands. "This isn't exactly what I expected to wake up to."
Kelly, still laughing, walked over and scooped the monkey off Y/N's shoulder. She tucked him under one arm, sending a sly grin Y/N's way. "You're in a zoo, darling. Animals come with the territory."
Y/N blinked. "Wait... I spent the night... in a zoo?"
Kelly's eyes twinkled. "Seems so." She leaned in, pressing a lingering kiss to Y/N's lips. "Welcome to the wild side. Good morning."
The sounds of roaring animals filtered in from the outside, and Y/N couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
"Are those... lions?" she asked, incredulous.
Kelly shrugged, her smile a little too innocent. "Could be. Might have a tiger or two out there, as well. It's Sparwell Zoo, after all."
Y/N's mouth fell open slightly as she pieced things together. "You mean I had... we... in a zoo?"
Kelly laughed, slipping out of bed. "You're just full of surprises this morning, aren't you? But yeah, not just any zoo," she said with a wink, heading toward the bathroom. She paused in the doorway, looking over her shoulder with a wicked grin. "Care for round two?"
Y/N felt her face heat up but grinned back. "Only if the monkey stays out this time."
