With Ethan's assistance, Rivera finally calmed down.
The storm in her chest had subsided into a quiet rhythm, replaced by the soft laughter that now filled the air.
Hours slipped by like silk through her fingers as she played with the small white rabbit who'd somehow become her closest companion. Rivera sat cross-legged on her bed, her blonde hair glowing faintly in the light.
Ethan hopped lazily around her, his fur shining like snow under sunlight. Every movement was small, deliberate - yet it carried grace.
"Come here," Rivera said, smiling softly, her voice a melody that made the air itself lean closer.
He hesitated. His instincts screamed no, but his body betrayed him as he moved forward in slow hops until he stood before her knees. She giggled as she reached out, her fingers brushing behind his ears.
A warmth spread through him. It was not just physical; it was emotional, tender. His green eyes half-closed as he leaned into her touch.
"You really like that, don't you?" Rivera chuckled.
He didn't answer-he couldn't. All he could do was nuzzle her palm, feeling soothed and at the same time completely humiliated.
God… why does it feel so good?
When her hand moved under his chin, reality crashed down.
Fuck, what am I doing? he thought, mortified. I'm a grown man acting like a damn pet.
He froze, looking up into her face. Rivera smiled innocently, not realizing the turmoil raging inside of him. The rabbit instincts obviously were winning him over, and he hated it. Still… a part of him admitted it felt good.
"Oh, yeah," Rivera said suddenly. "I haven't given you a name yet, right?"
The word name jolted Ethan's attention. He'd almost forgotten he didn't have one anymore.
Ethan's mind raced through a jumble of possibilities. Maybe Rivera will name me Levi… or Son Goku… All Might… Zoro… A faint, reluctant smile tugged at his lips at the thought.
Alright, Rivera, he thought, his little heart thumping. Let's see how good your naming sense is.
She leaned in close, studying him with exaggerated seriousness. Her brows furrowed as though naming a rabbit were a divine ritual.
Ten minutes later.
Rivera lay across her bed, staring at the ceiling in defeat. Ethan sat beside her, his furry face twisted in silent exasperation.
Come on, you can do better, he wanted to say - but what came out was a soft squeak.
Rivera turned her head to him. "How about… Cottontails?"
A glowing screen of blue appeared before Ethan's eyes:
> Your master is naming you "Cottontails." Do you accept?
Hell no. Come on, Rivera, really? Cottontails? He squeaked furiously, stamping his tiny foot.
Rivera blinked. "Hmmmm... alright, not Cottontails. How about. Fluffy?"
Another screen appeared.
> Your master is naming you "Fluffy." Do you accept?
Ethan's thoughts darkened. Her naming sense is worse than I thought. He refused again.
"Why not?" Rivera pouted. "I think Fluffy's cute."
She continued to throw the names at him, "Snowy, Nibblekins," each one more worse than the last. Ethan refused them all, his squeaks growing increasingly desperate.
"Bunnyfluffyears is good, right?" she said hopefully.
The screen popped again.
> Your master is naming you "Bunnyfluffyears." Do you accept?
Ethan refused outright.
Her naming sense deteriorates by the second.
Rivera frowned, tapping her chin. "Wait… I don't even know whether you're a boy or a girl."
What do you mean you don't know? Don't I look like a male?
His heart skipped a beat as her hand reached toward him.
WAIT - STOP - WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO DO?!
All that came out were frantic squeaks as Rivera gently lifted him into her hands.
She tilted him carefully, inspecting him with innocent curiosity. "Hmmm… I want to give you a proper name. But first, I need to know if you're a boy or a girl."
Ethan froze; every hair on his body stood on end. No....No, no, no, you don't need to do this!
But Rivera, unaware of his panic lifted his tail. Her fingertips grazed against his tiny underside.
A sharp squeak escaped him as he buried his face in her lap, trembling. "Fuuuuck… what are you doing…?" he muttered to himself, utterly humiliated.
Rivera's eyes lit up in understanding. "Aaaah! So you're a boy. Perfect."
Ethan groaned inwardly. I can't believe what just happened.
"So you're a boy," Rivera said cheerfully.
"What about… Littlebunny?
Is she mocking me now? Ethan thought miserably. She's actually mocking my thing.
The screen appeared again.
> Your master is naming you "Littlebunny." Do you accept?
He refused.
Rivera sighed. "So you don't like that one either…"
"Aaaargh! I can't think of any names!" she groaned, throwing herself backward. Lying sprawled on the bed, her hair was scattered like a halo, and she reached for Ethan, lifting him in the air.
"Why's it so hard to name you?" she asked the ceiling. From her angle, the rabbit's fluffy form hovered above her face, adorable and serene.
Ethan twitched his nose. Rivera's frustration only made her look cuter.
"Ahhh… I wish you could talk," she said softly, "or that I could understand you…"
"Squeak," Ethan replied, in full agreement. You and me both, Rivera.
For a moment, they merely stared at one another - the girl and the reincarnated man trapped in a rabbit's body.
Then Rivera blinked, eyes widening. "Wait… Did you just understand what I said?"
Ethan froze. His ears twitched. And for the first time, Rivera's playful smile shifted into something else - wonder.