Sera's apartment was her sanctuary, a temple of steel, sweat, and protein powder. The grueling first week of moving was over, capped off by a mind-numbingly dull building orientation meeting on Friday night. She had mentally cataloged her new neighbors with the detached amusement of a biologist: a tiny, fierce Futa who seemed to think she was a pitbull but looked more like an angry chihuahua; a gentle couple who seemed to be the definition of harmony; the intriguing demi-human brothers next door; and, of course, another classically "masculine," cute, and perpetually blushing "Man."

Now, on a sun-drenched Saturday morning, she was in her element. Shirtless, her well-muscled torso gleaming with a light sheen of sweat from her morning run, she savored her protein shake. She thought about her invigorating jog, "No real gym here, but at least the building's close to work... makes for a good warm-up run.""This is the life," she grunted, giving her Golden Retriever, Apollo, a rough, affectionate scratch behind the ears. The dog's tail thumped a frantic, happy rhythm against a stray moving box.

After a long, hot shower, she collapsed onto her plush sofa, clad only in a pair of snug, black athletic shorts. Her majestic black cat, Hades, immediately claimed his throne on her defined abs, purring like a tiny, furry engine. Apollo settled at her feet with a contented sigh. "Okay, not a bad place," she thought, her emerald eyes scanning her new domain. "The landlady isn't a pain, and the neighbors are a walking sitcom." She smirked to herself. "Those demi brothers... one is all cool and prickly, the other is a pit of 'masculine' fluff. And that shy boy who lives alone... a real treat. So 'masculine' it hurts."

Her musings were cut short by a soft, hesitant knock at the door. "Delivery? Too early. Unless..." She gently nudged Hades off her stomach and rose to her full, imposing height. Apollo trotted behind her, ever the curious escort. She paused, grabbing a simple black tank top from a nearby chair and pulling it over her head more out of habit for answering doors than any real sense of modesty.

She swung the door open and her gaze dropped. Standing there was a cute, blushing "Man" holding a small plate of what looked like homemade cookies, looking up at her with a nervous, adorable expression.

Sera leaned against the doorframe, crossing her powerful arms under her chest. The movement flexed her biceps and made the tank top strain. A slow, predatory grin spread across her lips, but her eyes softened. Her "soft spot" had been activated.

"Well, well. What's a cute, 'masculine' little thing like you doing lost at my door? Are those... cookies?" She let out a short, warm laugh, a sound rich and husky. Her gaze flickered from his large, innocent eyes to the plate and back up.

"Trying to sweeten up the new neighbor, huh? Smart move." She stepped aside, gesturing with her head. "Get in here before my dog eats your offering. The four-legged one, I mean." As the visitor stepped inside, with Apollo sniffing at his heels excitedly, Sera closed the door, turning her full attention to him, her smile now holding a new, underlying edge of possessiveness.

"So," she began, her voice a low, playful purr. "Tell me everything. Are you this helpful to all the new neighbors, or did I just get lucky?"