In good Company

I ran my fingers through Jin’s hair, combing through the soft waves with slow, steady strokes. Jin sat between my legs, her back pressed against my chest, her tail curled around my ankle in a loose loop. She wasn’t fighting me anymore—not physically, not verbally. But she wasn’t happy either.

I grabbed the brush from the nightstand and started working through her hair in slow, methodical passes, careful to avoid any tugs. She let out a quiet sigh, her body shifting slightly under my touch, but she didn’t resist.

“I meant what I said,” I murmured, keeping my voice as soft as the morning light filtering through the curtains. “You’re staying with Aen for a little while. Hopefully just for today, maybe tomorrow too. You'll like her.” Her claws flexed against my knee, not hard enough to hurt, but enough to make her dissatisfaction known.

I leaned forward, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “I wouldn’t do this if I had another choice, love.” My fingers carded gently through her crimson locks. “You know that. But taking you with me isn't an option this time, and we both don't want you staying alone here either.”

She hummed, a small, reluctant sound, but the tension in her shoulders began to lessen as she accepted her fate. The brush glided more easily through her hair now, the strands falling smooth and even under my touch. I took my time gathering them, separating them into three sections before beginning to braid them together. She sat still, not quite relaxed but no longer on edge, as I worked the plait down her back. I knew it soothed her, gave her something to focus on. Maybe I should do this more often, give Jin a small bit of routine in a world that had never been kind to her, I thought to myself.

After I tied off the braid, I let my hands rest on her shoulders, squeezing gently. “There,” I murmured. “All done.” The succubus reached up, running her fingers over the woven strands, then tilted her head slightly, glancing at me over her shoulder. Her eyes were unreadable but at least she didn’t pull away. Instead, she leaned back, resting her head against my shoulder, nearly goring my face with one of her horns in the process.

I let her stay like that for a moment, holding her close and enjoying the feeling of her warmth, before sighing softly. “C’mon, love. Let’s pack your things.” Jin let out a small noise of disapproval but didn’t fight me as I guided her off my lap and onto the bed. Her tail flicked in irritation as I moved to grab a small bag, filling it with the essentials—an extra set of clothes, a toothbrush, and her favorite blanket, the one she always wrapped around herself when she curled up on the couch.

I paused, glancing at my dresser. Then, after a brief moment of hesitation, I grabbed one of my hoodies from the drawer. It was soft, well-worn, and carried the faint scent of home—of us. I folded it neatly and placed it on top of her things.

When I turned back, Jin was watching me, her eyes tracking my movements like she knew exactly what I’d just done. Her tail twitched, curling around her own leg now. I sat down beside her, resting a hand on her knee. “So you have something that smells like me,” I said simply. She stared at me for a long moment before reaching for the hoodie, pulling it into her lap and holding it close. Her claws kneaded at the fabric, slow and absentminded, but she didn’t let go, looking up at me as I leaned in to kiss her temple. “You’re gonna be alright, love.”

She didn’t answer, didn’t hum, didn’t nod. But when I stood and shouldered the bag, she followed right behind, hugging the hoodie to her chest.

---

The drive out of the city was long, the kind of drive where the roads stretched ahead like veins of steel, the towering skyline shrinking behind us with every mile. The closer we moved toward elven territory, the more the concrete and glass of the cityscape gave way to open fields and rolling hills, roads winding through patches of dense forest that swallowed the chaos of civilization behind us.

Jin had spent the first part of the drive quiet, curled into her seat, her fingers loosely tangled with mine. But as the scenery shifted, I noticed her posture change. Her eyes, once downcast, widened as she pressed her forehead against the window, her breath leaving condensation against the glass. Her tail flicked in excitement as she watched the blur of trees and golden fields passing by. The further we got from the city, the more she seemed to drink in her surroundings, her gaze flickering from the towering branches overhead to the wildflowers that lined the side of the road.

She turned to me, her expression soft with wonder, one hand lifting as if she wanted to reach out and touch the moving world. Her fingers twitched in hesitation, her tail coiling around her leg before flicking out again in barely contained curiosity. I smiled and put a hand on her thigh, squeezing gently. "Pretty, huh?"

Jin hummed, her nose pressing against the glass as she watched the way sunlight streamed through the branches of the trees. I remembered that technically she had never been beyond the edges of the city, never seen this much green, this much open space, never had the chance to exist in a place that wasn't constantly pressing down on her. “You’ll like Aen’s place,” I told her encouragingly, watching her out of the corner of my eye as I took a curve in the road. “There’s even more of this out there. Lots of trees, flowers, all of it. You can explore a little."

Her ears twitched at my words, but she didn’t look at me. Instead, she kept her gaze outside, her fingers now curled in the fabric of the hoodie I'd packed for her. It was bundled in her lap, clutched close like an anchor. The road narrowed as we got closer to the homestead, less and less asphalt and more dirt roads as the quality of the air drastically improved outside, thick with the scent of damp earth and sun-warmed leaves. The last stretch of the drive took us down a winding dirt road, patches of wildflowers peeking through the overgrowth. The house sat at the end of the path, tucked between ancient trees, its rustic wooden frame blending seamlessly into its surroundings.

Jin lifted her head as the car slowed, her ears twitching at the distant sound of laughter carrying on the wind. Children’s voices, high and bright, the unmistakable energy of playfulness drifting through the open fields that surrounded the home. Aen was already waiting for us on the porch, her loose braid shifting with the breeze as she lifted a hand in greeting, a bright smile on her beautiful face.

I parked the car and stepped out, stretching my arms before glancing back at Jin. She hesitated for a moment, her fingers still curled into the hoodie, before she finally uncurled herself from the seat. Her tail flicked hesitantly as she stepped onto the grass, her eyes darting to the blonde half-elf, then back to me.

Aen met me halfway, pulling me into a brief but firm hug before stepping back, hands resting lightly on her hips as she studied me with a knowing smile. “It’s been a while,” she mused, her emerald eyes warm with familiarity. “You look exhausted.” I huffed out a laugh. “It’s been a long week.”

Aen reached out and patted my cheek, a compassionate smile on her face. “And Vivi? Haven’t seen them in a while either.”

“They’re good,” I assured her, rubbing the back of my neck. “Busy. We all are. I reckon Hel's been busy bitching as much as we've been, just doesn't want to show it in front of us.”

Aen gave a small hum, paired with a knowing smile, before her gaze turned toward Jin, who was lingering just behind me, her tail curling and uncurling in a nervous rhythm.

The moment was interrupted by the sound of rapid footsteps, and then the children appeared—three of them, bounding around the side of the house with the kind of untamed energy that only younglings possessed. Their laughter rang through the clearing, high and bright, before all at once they spotted me and let out matching squeals of delight.

“Raku!”

I barely had time to brace myself before they crashed into me all at once, a blur of limbs and laughter. Nema latched onto my waist, their small but surprisingly strong arms clamping down as if I might disappear if they let go. Lior swung an arm around my shoulder, leaning their weight against me as if they belonged there, while Esha all but climbed onto my back, clinging like a determined little gremlin.

I grunted under the weight, staggering slightly before catching myself. “Alright, alright—I missed you too,” I said, laughing as I ruffled Lior’s hair with one hand and squeezed Nema’s shoulder with the other. “You trying to suffocate me? I thought I trained you better.”

“You haven’t been here in forever !” Nema whined, their grip only tightening.

“That’s because Raku’s busy,” Lior said, their tone matter-of-fact as they leaned against my side. “They do important things.”

“More important than us ?” Esha accused, narrowing their eyes playfully.

I sighed dramatically, letting myself sag under their combined weight. “Nothing’s more important than you guys. You know that.”

Satisfied with my apparent surrender, they finally started to ease up, though not without exaggerated groans and complaints about how I never stayed long enough. Their mother chuckled beside me, arms crossed as she watched the pile of children detangle from my limbs.

“They’ve been waiting for you,” she mused. “As soon as they overheard you're coming they wouldn't stop talking about you and Vivi.”

“They’re my favorite little troublemakers,” I said, brushing a hand through Esha’s messy curls before turning slightly to the quiet presence still lingering at my side. Jin had gone stiff the moment the kids had appeared. Her eyes flicked between them, her tail wrapped tightly around her own leg. She pressed close to my side, her claws flexing slightly, uncertainty radiating from her in waves.

Noticing this, Aen turned to her, shifting her attention with careful ease. “And you,” she said warmly, lowering herself slightly so she wasn’t towering over Jin. “You must be Jin.” Jin’s ears flicked, her breath hitching slightly, but she didn’t bolt. She just… watched , her tail giving one slow, uncertain twitch. Aen, ever patient, didn’t push, didn’t move too quickly. She simply smiled. “It’s alright, sweetheart,” she assured the anxious succubus. “You’re welcome here.”

The children, meanwhile, had finally noticed the new presence beside me. Their gazes locked onto Jin with a kind of silent awe, taking in her horns, the flick of her tail, the luminous pink of her eyes. I could practically feel the questions bubbling up in them. “Mama, who’s that ?” Esha finally asked, all but vibrating with curiosity.

“This is Jin,” Aen said smoothly, her voice never losing that warm, steady cadence. “She’s going to stay with us for a little while. And I expect all of you to be polite.” She paused briefly, tilting her head slightly as she considered her next words. “She is Raku’s…”

I caught the faint hesitation, the way Aen’s sharp green eyes flicked to me for confirmation, and I also felt the way Jin tensed ever so slightly beside me. Her eyes darted up, expectant but unsure, and a soft blush crept onto her cheeks, barely visible beneath the shifting light filtering through the trees. The word for what Jin and I were didn’t quite exist in a way that was easy to explain. The intricacies of a soul-bond weren’t something I could just casually drop into a conversation with a group of kids, and “partner” felt too vague, too impersonal for something so all-consuming. So I settled for the easiest option. “Girlfriend,” I added with a small, amused smile, watching as Jin’s face turned even redder. “Yeah… girlfriend .”

Aen’s lips twitched slightly, but she nodded as if it was the most natural thing in the world. “Girlfriend,” she repeated, warm and effortless. “That’s a lovely thing.” There was a moment of silence as the kids processed that, their eyes darting between me and Jin with renewed fascination.

“ Raku has a girlfriend ?” Nema whispered, as if the words were some great, shocking revelation.

Esha gasped. “Since when?!”

Lior squinted at me like I’d personally betrayed them. “You never told us that.”

I huffed a small laugh, shaking my head at the accusatory tone. “It's barely been a week, and also I wasn’t exactly hiding it.”

“You kinda were,” Lior muttered, crossing their arms.

Esha was already grinning, eyes gleaming as they turned to Jin. “That means you have to stay,” they declared, as if it were law. “If you’re Raku’s girlfriend, you have to stay.”

Jin blinked, her eyes wide as she turned to me, her expression full of puzzlement. I just smiled, rubbing a soothing hand down her back. “They just mean they like you,” I murmured. She let out a soft, hesitant hum, still processing, but her tail gave a small flick. Not defensive. Just… thinking .

Aen chuckled, her voice lilting. “Alright, alright,” she said, waving the kids back a step. “Give her some space for now.” The three of them relented, but their enthusiasm was far from dampened. They were still watching Jin, still drinking in every detail, their curiosity as boundless as ever.

Not quite overwhelmed, but also not too far away, Jin pressed herself against my side. I let my hand settle between her shoulder blades again, reassuring and steady.

Aen smiled knowingly. “Come, tea’s on.”

---

We sat outside, the warm sun filtering through the canopy of trees, dappling the wooden table in shifting patterns. The tea Aen had brewed was rich and fragrant as always. I'd gotten the habit from her during the months Vivi and I had stayed here. Jin sat close beside me, still watchful, still cautious, but no longer as tense, her eyes following a fox spirit wrestling with its living sibling at the edge of the clearing. “She’s beautiful,” Aen commented after a few moments of quiet, her voice gentle.

I huffed softly, staring into my tea. “Yeah,” I murmured. “And stronger than she knows.”

Aen studied me, her fingers absently tracing the rim of her cup. “You’re good for her,” she said. “And I think she’s good for you.”

I let out a breath, shaking my head. “I don’t know if I’m good for anyone.”

Aen arched a delicate brow. “Why do you say that? Has Helanaestra not taught you better? You are good for me and mine, you are good for Vivi, you are good for... what's that old devil's name again? Earl?", she looks to me for confirmation before continuing. "And you are certainly good for the beautiful girl next to you. Do not demean yourself, young one.” I didn’t answer, because there was no point arguing with her when she was right.

A quiet rustling pulled my attention upward. The children had returned, though this time, they lingered just beyond the clearing, their usual restless energy muted into something watchful. They weren’t hesitant , exactly—just waiting, anticipation thrumming in the way they shifted on the balls of their feet, glancing at each other like they were silently deciding who would make the first move.

Jin noticed them too. Her tail curled tightly around my thigh, her fingers twitching faintly where they rested against my leg. Her eyes lifted to mine, questioning, uncertain. I set my cup down, giving her a small nod. “Go on,” I encouraged, my voice low. “You can play.”

She hesitated for a moment longer, then gave me a timid kiss and slowly peeled herself from her seat. Nema reached out first, offering their hand in an open, unthreatening way. Jin stared at it, then at me. I smiled. “It’s alright, love.” Slowly, almost hesitantly, Jin placed her hand in theirs.

The moment was brief, tentative, but then, somewhere behind Nema, one of the other children gave a sharp, playful tap to her shoulder and darted backward with a giggle. “Tag! You’re it!” Jin blinked, startled, before a slow realization flickered across her face. A new kind of curiosity. The children squealed and ran, and Jin, after only a second more of hesitation, gave chase.

Aen and I watched as she took off after them, the children shrieking with laughter as they ducked and weaved around her. Jin’s tail flicked in something close to delight, her movements hesitant at first but gradually loosening into something more natural.

The aging half-elf let out content noise beside me, her fingers wrapped around her teacup. “She’s settling in faster than I expected,” she murmured. I took a slow breath, watching as Jin just barely missed the back of Lior’s tunic. “Yeah,” I murmured, feeling my tension ease, just a little. “She’s gonna be okay.”

Aen glanced at me, something unreadable flickering behind her steady green eyes. “And you?”

Sighing, I didn’t answer right away. The warmth of the tea lingered in my hands, grounding me, but it didn't help much with the dread of everything else. "I don’t know,” I admitted finally, voice quiet. She didn’t push, just nodded, as if she understood.

Jin let out a sharp exhale as she skidded to a stop in the dirt, eyes flicking up to find me even as the kids pulled at her, laughing, urging her to keep going. She hesitated for only a second before she moved again, a little breathless, but… lighter. "Didn't even see me wave back," I muttered to myself with a smile.

I exhaled slowly, setting my cup down with annoyingly shaky hands. I needed to go soon. If I didn’t, I wasn’t sure I’d be able to at all.