The spa was quiet, save for the gentle splash of warm water and the soft hum of calming music echoing faintly through the private room. A thick layer of steam curled along the polished tile floor, carrying with it the scent of rose petals and lavender. Soft lighting bathed everything in a hazy glow, and the mineral bath pulsed with gentle warmth — perfect for relaxing after a long week of training.
Max had barely settled into the bubbling water when something warm and velvety curled around his wrists.
He blinked.
Then felt the sudden weight of a body slide into his lap.
He didn't even need to look.
"Nyla," he muttered, barely hiding the smile tugging at his lips.
The Sylveon girl had already wrapped her silky pink ribbons snugly around his forearms, keeping his hands resting on the edges of the bath so he couldn't squirm away. Her plush thighs straddled his lap, soaking in the hot water with a slow, sensual shift as she adjusted her position just right — planting herself completely over him.
"Don't 'Nyla' me," she purred, nuzzling her cheek against his. Her voice was soft, but there was a sultry edge to it — a slow, possessive rumble like a spoiled cat demanding attention. "You've been cuddling the others all week."
Max's breath hitched slightly as her smooth chest pressed gently into his, the thin towel she wore clinging tighter with the humidity. Her skin — pale and soft, with light shimmers of pink and cream along her hips and shoulders — glistened from the steam.
"I have?" he asked, still slightly dazed from the warmth of the bath… and the girl sitting firmly on top of him.
Nyla let out a slow, teasing breath against his ear. "Mmmhmm… you let Mira nap on your lap… gave Astrape a back massage… even let Naru fall asleep hugging your whole body like a slime blanket." Her ribbons gave his wrists a playful squeeze. "But not me. Not once."
He opened his mouth to respond, but she didn't give him the chance.
Her lips brushed the side of his face, trailing to the corner of his mouth.
"It's my turn now," she whispered. "And I'm not letting go."
Her hips shifted downward, a slow, deliberate grind that sent ripples through the water — and through Max's entire nervous system. Her thighs squeezed tighter around his hips. Her ribbons remained locked in place, holding his arms down gently but firmly. She wasn't hurting him. She didn't need to.
The way her breath caught in her throat, the way her voice softened into a trembling whisper — it said everything.
She missed him.
More than she let on.
Her head dipped, and she nuzzled into the crook of his neck, her cheek brushing his skin as her body molded closer to his. The curves of her chest, the warmth of her breath, and the heat between their bodies in the bubbling bath made everything feel tighter. Closer. Intimate.
"I know you love us all," she murmured. "I know you try to treat everyone fairly."
Her ribbons wrapped around his chest now, slowly pulling him in as her hands rested on his shoulders.
"But I need you too."
Max finally found his voice, hoarse and shaky. "You could've just asked…"
Nyla leaned back slightly, meeting his eyes. Her cheeks were red, her ribbons trembling slightly — betraying just how flustered she really was under the teasing.
"I did," she said quietly. "Every time I sat next to you, every time I brushed your hand, every time I waited for you to notice me. But you never picked up on it."
He swallowed, guilt flooding his chest.
"I'm sorry," he whispered.
Her expression softened — and then, with a quick shift, turned sly again.
"You're forgiven…" she purred, dragging one ribbon slowly across his chest, down to his abs. "…if you make up for it."
He gasped softly as she leaned in again, lips brushing just below his jaw.
"No more resisting," she whispered. "Tonight, I'm your pillow. I'm your lap rest. I'm your clingy little Sylveon… and you're going to hold me for hours."
He chuckled weakly. "You've already got me trapped."
"Good." She smirked, pulling him flush against her. "Then I'll stay right here."
Her tail flicked lazily behind her, splashing gently in the water.
And then she kissed him.
It wasn't aggressive — not like some of the others when they got jealous. Nyla's kiss was slow, drawn-out, and impossibly warm. Her lips were soft, her breath shaky, and the way her ribbons gently curled behind his neck made it impossible for him to escape, even if he wanted to.
When she finally pulled away, her forehead rested against his.
"I missed you," she whispered.
"I missed you too," he replied, wrapping his arms around her waist.
"Then don't let go."
"I wasn't planning to."
The water bubbled around them, the heat soaking into their skin. Her body rested against his like it belonged there — perfectly curved, softly pressed, surrounded by ribbons and gentle kisses and every bit of affection she had been holding back for days.
In that spa, for just a little while, there were no battles.
No training.
No schedules.
Just Max and Nyla, tangled together in steam, in silence, and in each other.