However, nearly 1800 miles away, Carlos had just crouched down to finish tying the laces on his steel-capped boots before leaving for work, when a loud crash and a clatter erupted from the kitchen area of his condo.
Leaping to his feet, Carlos tugged his service weapon from his waist with a frown and made his way back into his home, Ainoa quickly bounding off ahead of him with a flick of her tail. He wasn’t sure how someone could have gotten into his home without either himself or Ainoa noticing—especially since they were both still at home and had been awake for a few hours now, and been in the kitchen area for a substantial part of it—but that noise was not something simply toppling over.
Something which was only confirmed as Carlos felt a sharp trill of concern ripple through his chest from Ainoa as she called out for him.
“Carlos, Carlos come quickly!”
Sensing concern but not imminent danger, Carlos tucked away his weapon before rounding the corner into the kitchen area, only to find his spice rack scattered all over the counter and onto the floor, whilst Ainoa crouched over a small convulsing lump of fur, seemingly trying to offer comfort and protection without forcing the poor creature to be touched when it was in obvious pain.
“Is that--?” Carlos questioned, carefully avoiding the spilt spices and dropping to his knees next to the hunched cheetah and leaning in curiously.
“A Daemon yes.”
At the sound of his voice, Carlos watched as tiny beady black eyes peeled open and peered up at him, before the tiny ball started to unfurl, letting out unconscious whimpers of pain as it stretched until Carlos could see that the little lump was actually a sugar glider.
“How did she get here?” Carlos frowned as the little sugar glider started to scoot along the tiles on its belly towards him, its tiny claws seemingly reaching out towards him.
“It’s a he, and I’m not sure, but he feels…kind of like you.” Ainoa hummed, leaning down to nudge at the sugar glider with her nose, lightly pushing as she sniffed curiously. “I can feel his pain slightly if I concentrate.”
“Like me?” Carlos echoed, ignoring the rest of her words he started to splutter as he realised the Cheetah was actually helping to push the sugar glider closer. “Ainoa, what are you doing?”
“He needs comfort, and he’s reaching for you surely you can feel it?”
“I can’t just pick up someone else’s Daemon you know this.” Carlos hissed, leaning back on his heels to put more distance between himself and the little sugar glider, only to wince in pain as a sharp tug pulled at his chest, much like it did whenever Ainoa got too far away from him at a scene.
“T-This…This isn’t possible. I have you.” Carlos whispered, cowed under the sharp glare from Ainoa at the tug of pain he’d put them through and carefully leaning forward once again.
“I am aware of that. But he feels connected to you and he is in pain and needs care.” Ainoa argued, continuing to nudge the little rodent closer, helping it scoot along. “He’s clearly giving you permission Carlos, now. Pick. Him. Up.”
Before he could agree, Ainoa managed to nudge the sugar glider closer and helped the tiny body press up against the back of Carlos’ fingers and as soon as they made contact, several things happened all at once: the tiny sugar glider seemingly gained a boost of energy and managed to wrap his winged limbs around Carlos’ fingers and clung on tightly, Ainoa slumped against the floor with a soft content sigh of relief and completeness, and Carlos felt a sharp jolt of warmth ripple through his nervous system as his body seemingly settled despite the fact he was holding someone else’s Daemon.
“I think we need to call Mama.” Carlos croaked, swallowing thickly past the lump in his throat.
