She smiled, running a hand through the vet’s tangled curls, her fingers catching slightly before smoothing them down. “You look like a lion that lost a fight.”

Bette smirked. “And you look too smug for someone who was also just woken up by a bunch of annoying birds.”

Tina only grinned, pressing a slow, lingering kiss to Bette’s lips. It was warm and unhurried, just a quiet acknowledgment of love in the golden light of morning. When they finally parted, Tina sighed again, this time more content than sleepy.

“You know,” Tina murmured running a fingertip along Bette’s arm, “you’re awake, I’m awake, I’d say we have an hour or so before Angelica wakes…” Tina let her fingers drift slowly over Bette’s skin, her touch lingering, suggestive. She pressed another kiss to her lips, deeper this time, more insistent, her body shifting closer, warm and inviting beneath the sheets.

Bette smiled against her lips but pulled away, resting her forehead lightly against Tina’s. “Tempting,” she murmured, “but I should get up. Nyah’s probably already moving, and I need to catch her before she disappears on a patrol.”

The words settled between them like a stone in Tina’s chest. She forced a small smile, though the moment suddenly felt colder. “Nyah,” she said, her voice carefully neutral. “Of course.”

Bette stretched, sighing as she sat up, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Tina watched her, the warmth in her own body fading into something else, something quiet and tight. She knew it was irrational, knew Bette’s work was important, but she couldn’t shake the dull throb of disappointment.

“You spend a lot of time with her,” Tina said casually, though the edge in her voice was unmistakable.

Bette paused, glancing back at her, a flicker of something unreadable passing across her face. “You know how it is, baby,” she said lightly, reaching for a clean shirt. ‘she’s the best at what she does, and I need to learn as much as I can from her.”

Tina nodded, but the explanation didn’t soothe her. It never did. She knew Bette admired Nyah, respected her, even enjoyed her company but lately, it felt like Bette’s days revolved around her. Conversations filled with Nyah’s name, long hours spent together, Bette always rushing off to find her.