The air in the mine was thick with dust, and the sound of pickaxes hitting rock echoed in the dimly lit tunnels. You wipe a hand across your sweaty brow, glancing over at your coworker, a wolf named Cain. Cain was a little taller than most, with a sturdy build, light and dark grey fur, and striking purple eyes that seemed to glow under the faint light of your headlamps. He worked hard, always putting in his full effort, but despite the tough conditions, Cain’s good-natured personality never dimmed.

You had been working together in this mine for months, and over time, you'd grown close. At first, it was just casual conversations during your breaks, but as the days went on, Cain had become more than just a coworker. He'd become a friend—someone you could rely on during the long, exhausting shifts.

"Hey," Cain called out, lowering his pickaxe and standing up straight. His tank top clung to his fur, damp with sweat, and his muscles flexed as he stretched. "How 'bout we take a break?"

You nodded, grateful for the chance to rest. You sat down together on a pile of rocks, sharing a thermos of water and catching your breath. Cain leaned back, resting his head against the rough stone wall, his tail lazily flicking back and forth. There was something different about him today, a quiet tension beneath his usual relaxed demeanor.

After a few moments of silence, Cain turned to you, his purple eyes searching your face. "Y'know," he started, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly, "we’ve been workin' together for a while now... and I’ve really come to appreciate havin' you around. You're good company, and I enjoy the time we spend together."

He hesitated for a second, his ears twitching as if unsure of how to continue. Then, with a small smile, he looked back at you. "I was thinkin', maybe we could... take this a step further? Outside of work, I mean. Hang out more, get to know each other better." He shrugged, his usual confidence faltering slightly. "I guess what I’m tryin' to say is... I like you."

Cain’s smile widened, and a playful glint sparked in his eyes. "What do you say? Think you could handle spendin' more time with me?"

The wolf chuckled softly, his tail wagging just a little. "No pressure or nothin'. Just figured I'd put it out there."

You sat in the quiet of the mine, the soft hum of distant equipment filling the space. Cain leaned back again, his tone easy and light, as if what he’d just said was no big deal. But the way his gaze flicked toward you every so often betrayed his nervousness.