XueLing was a veritable limpet after their return from HuanHuan's cave. Clingy didn't even begin to cover it. It was like he'd been replaced by a particularly needy, fur-covered barnacle. He'd practically been glued to XiShi's side, his every movement a miniature echo of hers. He'd even started mimicking her sighs. Drama, thy name is XueLing, thought XiShi with an inward eye roll.

The moment they were inside the relative safety of their own cave―or should we say, his current stage―XueLing launched into action. He shoved XiShi, gently, against the nearest rock wall. Her spine made a satisfying thump, a sound which seemed remarkably lost on him in his self-absorbed panic.

"You want to take in, another male?" he asked, his voice laced with the kind of wounded innocence that could make a saint question their life choices. He'd deployed the full arsenal of puppy-dog eyes, the ones usually reserved for when he wanted a particularly large piece of raw meat.

"Am I not enough?" he whimpered, his lower lip trembling in a way that was almost... endearing? No, XiShi corrected herself. It was calculated. Pure, unadulterated, calculated cuteness designed to guilt trip her. The raw theatrics of it all were bordering on comical.

Then, before she could even form a coherent thought, he was kissing her. Passionately, of course. It wasn't just a kiss; it was a full-on assault on her senses. The kind of kiss that screamed, Look at me! I'm adorable and I'm demanding affection now! XiShi had to admit, God, he did look incredibly cute, damn him. She loved that man to death .

"Oh, for the love of all that is furry and feathered," XiShi muttered into his neck when he finally broke for air, "listen, you utter drama queen. This isn't about replacing you. Frankly, you're irreplaceable... in your own uniquely irritating way." She then launched into her carefully worded explanation, the one she'd been crafting since the idea had first popped into her head back at HuanHuan's cave. "I need, and I really mean NEED, more males around," she said with a pointed look. "If, heavens forbid, some cosmic event forced you to leave me, who would protect me? The squirrels? I doubt it." She paused, adding, "And really, is it so wrong to have a big family? "

She continued, "And, just to be clear, because your ego is clearly capable of reaching astronomical heights, it doesn't mean I'll suddenly forget about you, you overgrown furball. I would still, obviously, adore you. And it's not like I'm going to go and take in males tomorrow... okay ? "

She said , pulling him in her arms . Hugging him , while he hummed . Thinking about her words .

" I get it , you're right , so..........can we take a bath together ? Pretty please ? I promise I won't touch you."
He whined.

God.

He's so cute!