Sweet as Sugar

"Yeah," Melly agreed as they entered. There were various paintings and doodles along the walls, the original color of the wall obscured. There were a few unfinished projects lying around, as well as supplies tucked away in rough cubbyholes and shelves. "It's messy, I know. I need to clean and sort stuff out."

Mu smiled and wrapped his arms around her to nuzzle her neck. "I like it. It reminds me of the cirque." he purred in her ear.

"...Well, I guess it would, since it's really colorful here and stuff," Melly answered, blushing a little.

Mu gave a little chuckle and nibbled at her ear. "It reminds me of you too" He purred. "But it is your studio after all"

Melly gave a little shudder. "...What are you doing?"

"Playing~" Mu purred. He licked the shell of her ear before nibbling the top of it "Red pandas are very playful you know"

(Does she get that he's trying to seduce her? He's trying his hardest, but he's never done it before. He's just seen Gao do it to summer.)

(yeah. she's just very nervous about it)

"...Um, I don't like this kind of playing," replied Melly, trying to move away. "I don't like my ears nibbled on."

Mu pouted, but kissed her neck instead. "Well, what kind of playing do you like?" he asked.

Melly let out a small gasp when she kissed his neck. "U-Uhm..."

Mu purred. "Do you like that?" He asked. He kissed her neck again. "Hmmm?"

Melly felt herself lift up her head to expose her neck more.

Gently, Mu kissed and nipped up her neck and then back down to her shoulder. "Is your skin sensitive here?" He purred. One of his hands slid down her arm to twine their fingers together once he reached her hand.

"I...I guess so..." Melly murmured, leaning against him slightly. It felt good, too good.

Mu kissed his way back up her neck to her ear. "Does that feel good?" He whispered, giving her hand a small squeeze. "Am I doing it right? To make you happy?"

Melly nodded in a daze. "Yeah, feels good."

Mu purred in her ear. "Melly?" He asked "Will you be my mate?" He asked before kissing her neck right below her ear. "I know you're my one."

Melly could hardly catch her breath, but she started shaking her head.

"We-We've only just met. This is a bad idea. Bad idea."

Mu stopped with a frown. "But I know!" He protested. "Gao said that he just new when he saw Summer." his voice became softer "And I know that you're my one, I felt it when I looked at you"

"Love...isn't something you can rely on," Melly said dully.

"..." Mu let her go and turned her around gently. "You don't like me back?" he asked softly. "I did everything like Gao told me" His big green eyes looked troubled.

"It's not you," Melly replied quietly, reaching up to ruffle his hair a little "It's just...me, I guess. I can't...really see myself in that kind of relationship. With anyone."

Mu's face fell even more. "But... I know you're my one." he whispered. "You're my Summer"

Melly looked away, unsure of what else to say. She knew love was just temporary. She saw how it fell apart eventually. It may take years, but it would happen. But she didn't know how to tell that to Mu.

Mu let her go and walked out the door, his ears and tail drooping. There had to be something he could do. He stuck his hands in his pockets and felt the cold of a few forgotten coins. Then he was struck with an idea.

Melly felt bad for Mu. She didn't want to make him sad, but...she couldn't handle that kind of thing. She wasn't sure if she ever could. She sat down in the middle of the floor, drawing her knees to her chest.