It was late at night when clicking, excited breaths, and the occasional groan echoed through the apartment. Different from many other occasions, the origins of those sounds were completely innocent this time. The tigress and her stallion boyfriend were in the room that served as the horse’s office during the day. Tashi was sitting on his big chair, using the PC he also used for work. Alex had joined him with her laptop on the other desk. They were playing match after match of Rainbow Six: Siege and completely lost track of time. But after all, they were on a winning streak and making their enemies bite into their keyboards with frustration. No wall remained in one piece, no objective stayed safe, unless it was them protecting it. How could they just stop?

“You’re my amazing killer tigress!” The stallion took his headphones off and turned around to look at Alex to give her a proud smile and wink. She just chuckled in return and then pointed at his screen. “Quick, next round is starting, pick your operator, Tashi!” Swiftly, her boyfriend put his headset back on and they went on into the next battle. Keys were mashed, mouse buttons pressed, the couple called out their enemies to each other. Time kept ticking down and their teammates were being picked off left and right. “We got to do something!” Tashi said as he explored room after room carefully. “Argh! Damn it!” He yelled when it was his turn to bite the dust. He didn’t stay on his screen; he didn’t even stay on his chair. Without hesitation, he took off his headset and instead observed the game live from behind his girlfriend’s shoulder. He cheered her on as she faced a superior number of enemies and quickly cut them down one by one. “Amazing! Just one more left, quick!” He crossed his fingers and moved left and right, from hoof to hoof.

The fur on his neck was standing on edge when Alex pushed into the room with their objective. Then they both cursed as her virtual character bit the dust because the last enemy was just waiting for her with the crosshairs pointed right at the door she walked in on. She cursed. “Damn” – “Shit… well played, though!” Tashi chimed in and rubbed her shoulders playfully. He looked up at the clock on the wall. “Argh! It’s 3 am, Alex. We got to work tomorrow!” He blinked a few times and raised an eyebrow. “Ahh… why didn’t you say anything?” She asked and turned to her boyfriend. “Oof... going to be one of those zombie days. Good thing you work right at the source of the good bean juice!” Tashi responded. “You know I’m not just allowed to have some for myself.” Alex said and looked at him. “I keep telling you your boss is the cruelest of them all.” The stallion chuckled, kissed her cheek, and returned to his computer. “Let’s shut down our PCs. Still 5 hours of sleep or so, we can manage.” A few clicks and the fans inside the big tower stopped spinning, then he turned around once more. “Well, you don’t have to put a smile on for every customer!” The tigress replied. “But yes, we’ll manage.” She shut off her laptop, closed it down, and picked it up before they both walked to the bathroom to get ready for bed.

After changing their clothes and brushing their teeth, they turned in for the night. A peaceful silence fell over their apartment after they went to bed to make the best out of those few short hours they had to rest.

***

‘Beep-beep-beep-beep’

Barely five hours later, the alarm clock woke them up from their slumber. “Oof… five more minutes, please. Hit the snooze button, Tashi!” The tigress requested from her sleepy boyfriend after stretching out. “I can’t. You said your boss needs you around all day. And he’s going to let it out on you again if you come too late!” He replied, rolled around, and turned off the alarm. He returned to put his arms around her and hug her tightly. The stallion kissed her shoulder and neck, and then whispered into her ear. “Go take a shower. That will help. I’ll make breakfast for us. The day will be over sooner than you know it.” He playfully spanked her rear and rubbed her belly before letting her go. The tigress purred in return as she opened her eyes. “Fine, fine. Big cup of coffee for me?” She asked. “The really big one. Not only can you have it at home, I’ll even make it fresh and hot and perfect for you.” He replied and kissed her nose. In return, she caressed his chest and kissed his chin. “You’re the best.” She praised him. “Hold off with your compliments until I managed not to burn the toast.” He said and chuckled. The bed was so nice and comfortable. Lying on the soft sheets, arm in arm, it was just trying to get them to go back to sleep.

‘Beep-beep-beep-beep’

Luckily, the alarm clock strongly disagreed with the comfort and relaxation the bed promised. “Alright… we’ve had our five more minutes.” Tashi said as he rolled out of bed. His hooves clopped on the ground as he got up, and he turned around to pull Alex up, too. “Shower, yes, yes.” She said and jumped up to kiss his chin. “And breakfast. Strawberry jam for you?” He asked her. “You know it!” She replied before strutting off to the bathroom. “One of those days…” The stallion whispered to himself. “… I have to tell her how gorgeous she is with her sleepy eyes.” He stretched his arms and legs out, then marched off towards the kitchen.

***

Despite having taken a shower and eating breakfast together, with the biggest mug of coffee they had, and toast that was roasted just perfectly, the tigress still looked sleepy. Tashi hugged her tightly and kissed her forehead and nose. “You can do this, make me proud!” He said as he rubbed her back. “Of course!” She replied confidently as she turned around to walk to work. “Text me when I can come pick you up. No games tonight. Just early bedtime.” The stallion told her as she walked off. “Yess… that sounds good.” She replied and blew him one last kiss before she disappeared in the lift that took her down to the ground floor. For the stallion, it was time to return to his office, to down another big cup of coffee, and do what coders do: convert that caffeine to code without creating too many bugs.



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<sub>Art ©

Character(s) ©
Alex:
Tashi:

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