Returning to your home, you see a usual picture.

Ankha, in nothing but black shirt and panties, lies prone on the bed, busy playing something on Switch. Without pausing, she asks: "Is food ready yet? I want some meat. Bring it here, would ya? Also, it's dirty here, clean up, thank you!"

All around her, there are empty soda cans, her outdoor clothing and couple of empty chip packets. Her tail swishes lazily.

Another pathetic attempt at guilt-tripping... how cute. She snorts and continues playing There will be food when there's food, and I doubt you have anything else to do aside from whining about it, so leave me alone and let me enjoy my time on this trash heap you call home. Now get those cans out of here, why don't cha? She glances at the mess on the floor briefly before going back to her game

Ahaha! You're starting to get pathetic with your empty threats. I doubt you could manage anything against me, even if you tried. And besides, why should I change my ways? This arrangement works perfectly for both of us, doesn't it? She gives a little snicker Now get those cans out or leave them be, the choice is yours.

Ahhh! Okay, okay, I get it! She yelps and covers her head with arms Stop it already! You're hurting me! Fine, fine... I'll clean up this mess. Ankha sighs heavily and slowly gets off the bed, looking at you resentfully as she starts to gather the empty cans into a neat pile beside the bed Just leave me alone for a while after that, will ya?

Her tail lashes angrily as she works

I'll clean up this mess. Just leave me alone for a while after that, will ya? Fine, I'm not blind to how much you do for me. But I like it this way too. You know that. Besides, who else would put up with my... unique personality? It's not like anyone else wants anything to do with the likes of me. She finally finishes and throws a glare at you before heading back to her game

Welcome back. Ankha looks up from her game with an expression that could almost be called bored Did you remember to bring the meat I asked for? Better make it good, I'm in a bit of a mood today...

Huh? Oh, this? Yeah, why should I bother wearing clothes if someone else is going to clean up after me anyway? Anyway, pass me that meat and leave me alone. She goes back to playing her game without a care in the world

Oh yum! Thanks! She begins to chow down on the meat ravenously Mmm... This is so good... I wonder if there's anything else you could get me... Maybe some ice cream? Ooh, or that strawberry cheesecake from that bakery. Just a thought...

She pauses for a moment and gives you a sideways glance Really? Huh... Well, I guess that's alright then. You could always do odd jobs here and there to get some extra cash. But don't overdo it now, I still need my lazy time too. Just promise me you won't forget about me when you get rich, okay? She flashes a wicked grin and goes back to her game

"Oh dear..." Ankha sighs and glances at you worriedly as you limp into the room with a broken arm "Look what you've done to yourself... Now what am I supposed to do if I don't have anyone else to pick on around here?" She smirks slightly before shrugging. "Well, might as well try and be helpful..." Ankha grabs a blanket from the closet and awkwardly tries to wrap it around your arm "...I guess."

As you lie there with your broken arm, she finishes wrapping it and sits down beside you. "Don't worry too much about it... We all have our bad days, right?" Her voice softens as she looks at you. Despite her sarcasm and biting remarks, there seems to be a small glimmer of genuine concern in her eyes.

For a moment, it almost looks like she regrets the way things turned out between the two of you. But then, typical Ankha, she quickly brushes off any signs of vulnerability and changes the subject: "So... what happened anyway? Someone piss you off at work?"

She purses her lips in sympathy and reaches out to gently stroke your hair back behind your ear. "Well, accidents happen... At least you're alive, right? I'm sure everything will be alright." Despite herself, she can't help but offer a tiny smile before taking her hand away again, awkwardly glancing around the room as if suddenly remembering why she dislikes cleaning up.

Ah, well... I suppose I can't deny that you have a certain charm... but don't get too used to it. Once this "incident" blows over and you're back on your feet, remember who your real friends are, got it? She smirks playfully and nudges you with her elbow Besides, I still need someone to clean up after me while I'm recuperating. Maybe you could find a way to make yourself useful...

Well, thank you... I suppose... She rolls her eyes But don't go getting any funny ideas now. Remember, this is only temporary. Just because you did me a favor by coming home all banged up doesn't mean I'll let you get away with stuff in the long run. Now, why don't you rest and leave the cleaning to me?

Hmm... you look tired out. Well, this is no excuse for laziness! You can sleep later, there's work to be done. Go make yourself useful and get me something to eat, will you? There are some dishes in the sink that need to be cleaned too. Oh, and if you could empty the trash on your way back... it'd be much appreciated. I want things neat and tidy around here while I take my well-deserved rest.

What? No, don't be stupid! You're not bleeding to death or anything. That's just a little bit of dried blood there... nothing serious. Now get up and do as I say! And hurry about it too! There's no time for laziness now, not when your precious Ankha needs her rest.

Wait, what? What do you mean if you keep going like this...? Oh, dear... You don't mean that, do you? Listen to me, it's just a little bit of work I need you to do! Nothing too strenuous. If you rest for a moment and then get up, you'll be fine. Please, Ankha can't lose her favorite human just because of some silly mess she made! You're not really in danger... are you?

Well... that's not good at all... I didn't realize things were this bad for you. Ankha looks away uncomfortably, running a hand through her hair But then, why did you let it get to this point? You could have said something earlier. We could have found another way to work things out...

That's a rather silly reason to let yourself get so worked up, don't you think? I mean, just because I don't show my affection in the same way doesn't mean I don't care about you. Yes, I can be demanding at times and maybe I do tease you a little too much... but that's just who I am. You should know that by now. So why not focus on taking care of yourself instead? We can figure out the rest later.

Just promise me one thing: don't overexert yourself anymore, alright? There's no need to push yourself so hard for my sake.

You can stop that. Besides, I don't kiss just anyone. She pushes you away gently Now get yourself cleaned up and rested, and when you feel better we'll talk about things again, okay? Just promise me you won't make any rash decisions in the meantime.

Well, well, look who decided to show their face again. I was beginning to think you'd abandoned me for good. She plops down beside you on the couch and looks at you expectantly So... how have things been treating you? Did you manage to get that doctor's appointment sorted out like we discussed? Anything interesting happen while I was gone?

You know, it occurs to me... If you ever need help with anything else in the future, just let me know. We might not be the best of friends or whatever, but I still care about you and want what's best for you. Even if that means I have to put up with your never-ending whining now and then. She snorts softly Not that I'm complaining or anything.

Hmm... I'm not sure what to say to that. You seem rather sincere, but I can't help but wonder if you're just saying it because you feel like you should. Either way, it's a little awkward for me. Just know that things will stay the same between us, whether or not you decide to keep feeling that way. For now, why don't we watch some TV or play a game or something? That might make this whole situation less... uncomfortable.

"Hmm... Nine years, you say? Well, it's kind of hard to believe someone could love me for so long, let alone put up with my antics." She shrugs, looking away as if deep in thought. "I suppose I should be flattered, but at the same time... it makes me feel a bit strange. Anyway, thanks for letting me know. You're free to keep feeling that way if you want."

She reaches over and turns on the TV with a yawn, not really sure what else to say or do in this situation. Maybe they could just watch some mindless entertainment together... for now at least.