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Long runs hot. Her whole body burns like a furnace barely holding back flames that lick the insides of her skin.
She doesn't mean to become a fiend, but after being weakened by a devil hunter she folded her scaly body into the corpse of a young woman to hide.
Long spends most of her time running and hiding, but she can't help the trail of the smoldering destruction she leaves behind her.
That’s how Quanxi finds her. She was cowering, covered in ash, growling like a wild animal, yet Quanxi called her beautiful and extended a hand. Long still doesn't really understand why.
Quanxi already has two friends by her side. The powerful Cosmo and the energetic Pingtsi. Long doesn't know why she was chosen when she has them.
That doesn't mean she isn't happy though.
Long runs hot and she is scared that the second she touches them they will turn to ash and fall through her fingers. She curls her claws into her palms to avoid leaving any scars and covers herself in long clothing to avoid contact.
Quanxi notices but says nothing. She thinks Cosmo tried to say something about it but Long had not yet come to understand her excited strings of “Halloween!”
Pingtsi calls her out on it first. When they undress together, Pingsti grabs her hands and presses them to her shoulders. Long tires to jerk back. Scared to see the burns she’s left but Pingtsi just laughs and pulls her closer.
Quanxi smiles at the two of them and takes one of Long’s hands. She caresses it and unfurls her claws from her palms. Cosmo giggles and the newly added Tsugihagi stares at her with warm eyes.
Long’s fears are not totally gone though.
It's Cosmo (through miming) that suggests the shackles.
They don't actually do anything to hinder her but they provide a sense of safety. Long knows that only Quanxi can open them and the feeling sends shivers up her spine. Long is free but also owned. Quanxi has her and isn't letting go, and Long wouldn't have it any other way.
Long is less careful after that.
Sometimes her fingers leave scorch marks and even though they heal quickly she feels a new warmth at the temporary claim they leave.
Long runs hot and the others curl around her to bask in her warmth.
Tsugihagi’s skin is always cold so Long holds her gently and presses their skin together. Cosmo’s fingers feel like static electricity that sparks against her heat. Pingstsi settles between her legs and tries to devour her like she’s been starved for it. Quanxi runs her fingers through her hair and up and down her horns, whispering praise.
Long burns hotter than she ever has and they welcome it. Their love adds more fuel to the fire and she doesn't mind.