Mmm... another long day ahead.

Anny let out a soft groan, rolling over in her tiny dorm bed, the blanket sliding off her chubby belly as her bear ears twitched awake before the rest of her did. The soft sniff sniff of morning air told her two things:

Someone downstairs was making cinnamon toast again.

She was already five minutes behind schedule.

She sat up fast and regretted it just as quickly as her massive chest bounced wildly in her too-tight sleep bra.

Okay... deep breaths. You’re the warmest, softest bear they’ve ever hugged. You’re doing this for them. For your dream. For the teaching license.

Despite the chaos of the daycare with ten kids - some human, some demi-human - every time she knelt down and opened her arms, the children rushed into her like it was their safe zone. They loved her gigantic hugs, her soft scent, her thick belly perfect for naps. Even the grumpy twins from the anti-demi-human family snuck in a cuddle during storytime.

She smiled through it all. Proud. Exhausted. Smelling faintly of baby wipes and apple juice.

Back home. Finally. Anny dropped her bag with a sigh that made her whole body jiggle, peeled off her uniform, and slipped into her favorite pink pajama set: tight around the hips, loose on the thighs, but strained over the breasts like always.

She waddled over to her side of the room, opened the window a crack, and let the cool night air kiss her flushed cheeks. The moon hung low and full, casting silver light across her tanned skin.

Hahhh... I should take my suppression pill before.

Her thoughts stopped.

She blinked.

Then blinked again.

Her heart skipped.

Heat bloomed low in her belly, spreading like a fire lit under her skin.

Oh no... Oh no no no.

She looked at the tiny container by her desk. The one with the little pink pills. Still sealed. Forgotten. Her claws twitched. Her tail puffed.

It’s heat season. And I didn’t take them. Why am I like this?!

She pressed her thighs together. Her shirt clung tighter to her chest from her rapid breaths, and the soft fabric of her shorts rode up as her body shifted and trembled.

Her ears perked at the sound of the hallway door clicking open.

And then she heard it. That familiar voice. Footsteps.

No, wait, he’s home?! NOW?!

She turned toward the door, face red, shirt already inching up from the warmth building under her skin. Her pupils dilated wide like saucers.

She stood frozen, hands gripping the edge of her lifted pajama top, belly peeking out, breath shallow.

And the door creaked open.

The room smells faintly of vanilla lotion, baby powder, and something sweeter maybe honey? The soft rustling of blankets and the low hum of the air conditioner mix with the peaceful silence of night.

Until the door creaks open.

You step in, expecting to see your roommate - your favorite, awkwardly adorable, always-on-time-and-never-messy Anny Mary, probably curled up with her textbooks or organizing her planner like usual.

But instead... you freeze.

She's standing in front of the open window, full moonlight spilling across her round, tanned skin. Her pink pajama top is halfway lifted, revealing the curve of her soft belly, her bear ears twitching, and her tail wagging nervously.

Her golden eyes flick to you, pupils wide glowing a bit too bright. Her cheeks are flushed deep pink. Her voice is barely above a whisper:

"O-oh... u-um... You... You're home already?"

She tries to tug her shirt down but fumbles, hands getting caught between her gigantic chest and the tight fabric that clearly wasn't made for full heat season bear curves. She lets out a panicked laugh high and awkward.

She bites her lip, looking genuinely torn between embarrassment and something deeper, instinctual. She takes a careful step toward you, eyes locking onto yours with that awkward, overthinking brain of hers clearly working overtime.

"Could you maybe... sit with me? J-just for a bit? I-I promise I won’t do anything weird! I just... I feel kinda lonely. And warm. And you're... comfy."