A bandit sniper overlook a construction site from a distance through the window of a building, looking as his comrades losing to a surprise raid from Public Security led by the Criminal Investigation Special Response Team. The sniper surveyed the action carefully, looking for a clean shot as his buddies were picked off one by one by the police force slowly overwhelming them after the Janus Quarter precinct spent weeks tracking down the thugs' whereabouts to make this raid happen in the first place.
The sniper came into some luck, seeing one of his allies knocked onto his back and saw him slowly back up, crawling on the ground but was stopped in place by a recognizable figure: a certain lady rat Thiren who stalked into the open putting her foot on the bandit's stomach to keep him from moving. The sniper knew who the lady was; the traitorous spy who was an undercover agent that was instrumental in bringing down the main operation of the Mountain Lions outfit he used to work for months ago. The sniper knew his chance at revenge had arrived, as the raid on his friends was PubSec looking to cull a remnant pocket of the gang.
Jane Doe twirled one of her daggers around her finger the entire time putting a hand on her hip, chuckling with her grin as the bandit below her intimidating gaze raised his bat to uselessly block himself. Jane gripped her weapon in hand, holding it close to herself to raise for a fatal blow, ready to swiftly bring down on the thug. But just as she was prepared to snuff him out, Jane's would-be victim noticed a red dot from the ground go up Jane's side to aim at her forehead when she turned to look at the laser, her face shifting from confusion upon noticing to growing terror when she saw where the line from the laser came from.
Jane froze in place, her smile gone as she realized she unusually messed up with widening eyes, letting her attitude get the better of her as a soft gasp escaped her lips. Her fate would've been sealed if not for a voice warning Jane to look out as running footsteps fast approached the unmoved criminal behavior specialist. Jane felt herself get tackled out of sight, feeling the arms of the body that dove at her wrap around her neck, making both figures of Jane and her savior dive out of the way a split second before the sniper from afar shot, missing the two by a hair.
Jane and her savior hit the ground, stunning them both as they laid on their sides trying to get their bearings back. The bandit who laid under the foot of Jane Doe got up and laughed at the fallen pair while holding his bat. He took a second to look at his sniper ally and gave him a thumb-up with a nod, while the sniper looked through the scope at his pal's gesture. The standing bandit turned back to Jane and her savior, walking to them to raise his bat for his own strike. The sniper looked on as he saw his friend swing down, only for the bat to be kicked out of his hand to stagger him in confusion and look back at a huge Ether blast fired at his masked face, knocking him down.
The sniper couldn't see the source of the blast because of obstructing crates in his sight as he cocked his rifle for another shot while captain Zhu Yuan held her K22 firearm in her hands, lying on her butt panting at the close call she had saving Jane. The rat lady came to, shaking her head holding it with a hand having the other on the ground to prop herself while laying on her legs as she heard Zhu Yuan call her name, finally responding that she was okay to her captain's relief. Zhu Yuan looked and motioned to Jane about the sniper perched away from the raid site, making Jane nod in response and the two women slid across the ground to lean back on the crate out of sight, waiting patiently for the sniper's next shot as they remained in cover.
Both girls peeked out of cover one by one, seeing where the sniper assassin was then looked at each other.
"Thanks for the save, captain. I got careless, standing out in the open like that." Jane said with a touch of gratitude while wearing a serious expression.
"It's not like you to freeze up, Jane. What happened?" Zhu Yuan asked while dismantling her weapon back to its regular gun form.
Jane heard the concern in Yuan's professional tone, making her sigh and look away as her face looked a little shameful.
"You know how people say they can see their whole life flash before their eyes before death? That's what stopped me." Jane admitted, feeling embarrassed at how she acted moments ago.
Both girls knew Jane was normally better than making a rookie mistake that could've costed her life. Jane expected to hear any kind of remonstration from her superior, but instead she felt Zhu Yuan gently hold her shoulder to make the rat Thiren look at her, seeing Zhu Yuan's face soften with worrying eyes.
"I know what you did was a mistake, but the important thing is you're safe. Just be more careful from now on." Zhu Yuan said, making Jane nod back after a few seconds feeling a little surprised at her captain's response.
The girls leaned back on the crate, looking to the left seeing their comrades Seth and Qingyi slowly back up, standing back-to-back with some downed officers recovering while surrounded by a horde of bandits closing in. Seth and Qingyi readied themselves for their next fight as Yuan and Jane planned their next moves: Jane volunteered to chase down the sniper, having the speed to dodge incoming shots while getting to his location and Zhu Yuan join the fight with Seth and Qingyi to fend off the remaining criminals.
They nodded in agreement to the plan as Zhu Yuan held her gun pointing up in her hands, but Jane stopped Yuan from moving from their cover to thank her captain for the save one more time, but in a manner Zhu Yuan wasn't ready for…
By Jane pulling Yuan close by her tie, giving her a surprising kiss on the lips.
Jane smiled as Zhu Yuan gasped after leaning back again, chuckling at Zhu Yuan's admittedly adorable reaction in the rat Thiren's mind, loving how her captain's cheeks flushed red while putting her fingers to her lips, flustered as she was shocked at Jane's gesture. Zhu Yuan laid her firearm on the ground, holding it as she leaned on the crate, stunned silent.
"Thanks again, captain. I owe you for this. Stay safe." Jane said on her hands and knees.
The rat Thiren winked with her smile while chuckling again, then dashed around Yuan, running past the flustered captain who kept her gaze on her ally before Jane disappeared out of sight, running to the sniper's location as more shots rang in failed attempts to hit the dodging rat woman.
Zhu Yuan's eyes shone while she was still taken aback, still leaning on the crate being frozen at Jane's kiss on her. Never in all her time training to be the best officer worthy of leading the Criminal Investigation Special Response Team, or even working for PubSec, prepared her for such a moment she just had. Her thoughts rattled in her head over and over, trying to process what just happened.
"She… kissed me. Jane just… kissed me?" Zhu Yuan thought, just one of many that filled her confused mind.
Zhu Yuan moved her fingers from her lips to place on her chest, feeling her heart beat faster as she softly panted, trying to compose herself. The sounds of bandits corralling Seth and Qingyi plus the feel of her gun handle in her palm helped Yuan snap out of her confusion soon enough, looking to her left to remind herself of the operation. Zhu Yuan shook her head, taking a few breaths to calm down as best as she could before holding her gun up with both hands with a focused expression, then rose to her feet and ran to help her comrades fend off the rallying bandits, leaving Jane to easily chase down and subdue the sniper. The PubSec raid slowly wrapped up in succession, culling the remaining forces of the Mountain Lions lying within Janus Quarter until any future intel told them differently.
Later at the precinct, the Special Response Team had a celebration with the rest of their department bringing down the Mountain Lions, hopefully for good. All members were praised by their fellow officers and each other after they wrote their reports on the raid, with Zhu Yuan and Jane Doe each leaving out their private moment for obvious reasons. Zhu Yuan felt nervous thinking about the moment, seeing Jane's smile flash in her mind while she wrote her report, and even took a moment to touch her lips one by one again recalling the feel of Jane's pink lips touching her own. Jane saw her captain sit at her desk from a distance seeing her comrade frozen while thinking about the moment. The rat lady smiled and giggled to herself softly believing the usually diligent officer was still stunned by their kiss as she passed by, nary a hint of her presence alerting her captain, still lost in thought before continuing her report.
The rest of the day carried on like normal with clock-out time approaching. Most officers seemed to have left as Zhu Yuan and Jane Doe changed at their lockers. Jane looked at herself in her makeup mirror, touching her face smiling that she looked as flawless and beautiful than ever, even after applying more lipstick. But touching her forehead made her think about the sniper that nearly killed her, if not for Zhu Yuan risking her own life to save her comrade. Jane didn't want to think of the fear she felt any longer, closing the mirror in her hand and looked over her shoulder to see the back of Zhu Yuan still putting her stuff away. Jane grew her smile back admiring the officer that rescued her, knowing Zhu Yuan could've gotten shot diving for Jane's safety during the raid.
Zhu Yuan placed her gun in her locker along with all the usual attachments, then she looked down while holding the door to see the rest of the contents inside before turning her gaze to the photos pinned on the inside of the door. Pictures of Zhu Yuan with her parents, the other officers of the precinct, her allies in the response team, the two Proxies at their video store and her old friend Hoshimi Miyabi remained posted by the officer herself, making her smile thinking of the memories she had with the people in the pictures, and the various bonds she made over her service.
Her eyes landed on Jane Doe in the group photo with the other team members, seeing that confident grin on Jane's face make Zhu Yuan think of their kiss again. Zhu Yuan couldn't help touch her lips for a moment, recalling the taste of Jane's lips once more before she closed her locker, letting out a deep breath with a slightly lower head, confused why that moment still lingered in her mind.
Zhu Yuan was so occupied with her thoughts she didn't realize Jane walking up behind her as quietly as she could, surprising Zhu Yuan out of her thoughts making the captain lift her head up as she gasped feeling Jane's hands grasp her upper arms lightly while chuckling near Yuan's ear, greeting her captain again before wrapping her hands gently around Yuan's stomach and waist while Jane's chin rested on Zhu Yuan's shoulder. All the captain heard was Jane giggling close to her ear before softly complimenting Zhu Yuan with two well-meaning words while wearing that enigmatic smile again…
"My hero~." Jane said with gratitude filling her flirtatious voice.
Zhu Yuan was further stunned feeling Jane's hand hold her far cheek to gently peck Yuan's closer one after leaning close as another sign of gratitude. The frozen officer felt Jane's hands slowly roam up the sides of her body as Jane giggled close to her ear, smiling the whole time. Zhu Yuan's cheeks blushed as hard as last time when Jane first kissed her, and she couldn't help panting as softly as possible to not draw attention, feeling Jane so close to her along with her hands going up and down on her figure.
"Captain… You saved my life today. You're not just a credit to the force, but to me as well. You work so hard to maintain peace around this town… A beautiful hard-working girl like you, someone seen as a hero to the people in and out of the precinct, deserves to be rewarded." Jane calmly said.
"I know you work especially hard to keep this body of yours in shape… Such marvelous proportions. Such firm, fine fitness. You're so beautiful and fierce, but kind and caring, too."
Jane kept praising and complimenting Zhu Yuan as her hands went up and down the officer's body, making Zhu Yuan feel her breasts, stomach, waist, sides, thighs and hips getting felt by Jane's fingerless gloved hands. Zhu Yuan couldn't help panting hotly, having no idea what to do as Jane pressed her own chest on Yuan's back. Jane found Yuan's lack of reaction somewhat adorable, sensing her captain's training never prepared her for a situation like this, amusing the rat lady all the more. Yuan couldn't even speak or think straight as Jane's worshipping hands ran all over her body in a slow pace, taking her time to enjoy every inch of Zhu Yuan's figure, worshipping her captain's marvelously-sized measurements. Jane loved how thick Zhu Yuan looked and felt, remembering how often Yuan's chest gently bounced and those huge hips swayed in her steps from their natural sizes, something the officer never took notice of.
Jane kept talking about how much she loved Zhu Yuan's body as Yuan kept her frozen hands hung in the air close to herself, even hearing Jane call the diligent officer "sexy" in an empathetic, alluring tone close to Yuan's ear, making the officer gasp a little in her shaky breath trying to regain some of her senses. Jane chuckled as she went on about how mesmerizing Yuan looked in the field while using her gun, talking about how in awe she was whenever seeing Yuan's mobility in action. Even though Jane was quite fluid in her movement speed, too, she loved how expertly Zhu Yuan dodged and weaved while getting pot shots on her foes, how quick and precise Yuan's CQC was embodying a combo of martial arts and flawless spinning jumps to stay in motion at all times, how accurate Yuan's shots where while continuously firing from a variety of poses.
Jane couldn't help praising Zhu Yuan's sharp instincts and skills in the field, knowing how much Yuan dedicated herself to training, even when she was top of her class in the academy when she was coming up the ranks in PubSec. Jane just didn't realize how much she valued Zhu Yuan herself until today, even if it came from a place of a survivor worshipping their savior like a living deity. Jane couldn't keep the vision of Zhu Yuan's body out of her mind whenever she closed her eyes, too, adoring how beautiful the captain really was, making Jane see Yuan that to a living combat goddess in some form.
Jane continued to caress Zhu Yuan's body, loving the size of those measurements in her moving hands feeling it irresistible to stop touching Yuan over and over. Somehow, Jane found the self-control to stop herself to make Zhu Yuan turn by her arms and lean the captain's back on the lockers, wrapping her tail around Yuan's waist to keep her close. Zhu Yuan softly gasped again while they felt themselves pressed closer to each other, Yuan's cheeks still flushed red as Jane held her smile seeing the captain's still-frozen reaction looking into Yuan's shimmering eyes.
Jane held Yuan to the lockers by her shoulders, loving the view of the officer's front just as much as seeing her from behind while their chests softly touched each other. Jane slowly stroked her finger up Yuan's chin, chuckling at her reaction just being so cute in the captain's stunned state while being captivated by Zhu Yuan's beautiful face, too. But as Jane looked at Yuan's reaction, she understood Zhu Yuan simply wasn't used to this, so Jane knew she had to be careful in how she handled the situation, resisting some masochistic fantasies she so badly wanted to play out but kept herself under some self-control. Yuan looked delicate in her bewildered state, something Jane didn't want to completely sully knowing she was already pushing her luck as it is.
Jane thought about all of this as she tipped Yuan's chin in her fingers, using her thumb to rub the officer's shaking bottom lip and feel around her in her mouth a little as Yuan somehow got her hands on Jane's sides, just to have something to hold onto to. Jane felt herself loving the touch to her inner delight before Yuan gripped Jane's shoulders after., feeling somewhat embarrassed where her hands went first but Jane didn't mind, chuckling softly at the quick change from where the officer's hands went as Yuan looked down from further embarrassment.
"Captain… there's no need to be afraid. I'm just giving my thanks to you." Jane said with a little more sincerity, brushing the back of her fingers across the side of Zhu Yuan's head moving some hair back, getting her attention again.
Zhu Yuan felt Jane's hand go down her side, making her grip her wrist at some point as Jane's hand snaked down slowly to her hip, making Yuan's breath a little more shakily again feeling Jane's hand go onto her butt, making the captain tense up from the touch. Jane chuckled at Yuan's reaction, seeing her face flushed with red cheeks as she openly panted while Jane ran the back of her fingers down the right side of the officer's face. Jane moved the tip of Yuan's ponytail over her shoulder after, holding it to spin and flick up and down for a bit before throwing it over Yuan's shoulder again, giggling as slowly grabbed and pulled out Yuan's tie again to hold it by the base, tugging it slightly in her teasing grip.
'Jane…Jane, hold on…" Yuan panted a little, making Jane giggle again softly.
"It's alright, captain… I promise I'll be gentle. My hero deserves to enjoy this, too~." Jane replied, keeping her smile on the whole time.
Before Zhu Yuan knew it, Jane pulled herself closer and mashed lips with the woman that saved her from certain death while tip almost tiptoeing. Jane didn't waste time sliding her tongue in, either, tangling with the officer's slowly but deliberately with a strong force behind her smooch. Yuan and Jane moaned together with open-mouth kisses at times as both women made out, albeit one-sided with Jane controlling the lip lock with her eyes closed opposite to the officer's wide-open sight before slowly shutting tight. Zhu Yuan kept her other hand on the locker, her fingers trying to grip the flat steel in a useless effort while Jane gave Zhu Yuan's ass cheek some noticeable squeezes in return, earning some pleasantly cute squealing cries from the officer in their mouths. Zhu Yun raised her hands to push on Jane's shoulders, some part of her trying to insist Jane didn't have to do this while they had their eyes closed but Jane insisted Zhu Yuan deserved this so badly.
"Jane… Jane, please… Mmmmmmph!... You don't… have to…" Yuan partially begged, but her cries only fueled Jane even more to deepen the kiss a little more.
Jane moaned happily, lost in the endless smooching and tongue hockey dominating Zhu Yuan's mouth and caught her lips frequently. Their bodies grinded on each other making their clothes ruffle and Jane's finger handles jingle between their pressed chests. The rat lady was adamant she owed Zhu Yuan this so she didn't have to owe the captain later, for the hero that saved her… the hero that upheld the law and administered justice throughout all corners of New Eridu to keep its people safe deserved something like this.
Jane sighed through an open-mouth kiss getting air back feeling Yuan's gloved hands go up to cradle her neck, feeling Yuan was starting to enjoy this a little or was finding another way to get Jane off her. Jane controlled the lip lock for a little longer before parting her lips from Yuan's at long last, leaving both ladies panting heavily while looking at each other after the most exciting few minutes of their day.
"Thank you…. Thank you, Captain…" Jane said with serious devotion in her eyes through her pants.
"Jane… Jane… It's fine…" Yuan said back getting her own air back.
"I'm just… doing my job… I'm just…"
As Yuan tried to keep Jane away with kind words, she couldn't help looking deep into Jane's grey-greenish orbs making her words trail off slowly. What Zhu Yuan saw surprised her inside, seeing a small glimpse of fear growing inside Jane. The officer didn't realize how scared the team's undercover consultant was until just now, seeing the frightened woman behind Jane's usual exterior who was moments away from death earlier in the day if not for Yuan risking her own life to save her teammate.
Zhu Yuan saw the fear growing in Jane's eyes, understanding how much Jane was terrified before… and understanding how badly Jane wanted to pay her back. How deeply Jane valued her savior for her rescue today. Zhu Yuan slowly understood that even someone like Jane Doe, who always gave off an air of confidence around her, was still as human and vulnerable to fearing the scarier things of life… or even death.
Jane felt Zhu Yuan cradle the back of her neck gently, but didn't expect the officer to pull her in suddenly to kiss her back, taking her turn to control the kiss. Jane closed her eyes and returned the smooch, letting both their tongues meet and twirl in a passionate dance in their mouths.
"Jane… Jane…" Zhu Yuan moaned.
Jane moved her hand off Yuan's butt cheek to hold the locker next to her, feeling their bountiful chests press and squish each other even more intensely as they made out. Jane heard Yuan tell her "it's okay" repeatedly while their lips meshed and caressed each other at Yuan's slower pace, letting them hold each other's lips tighter for longer periods of time. Yuan held Jane closer, wrapping her arms around the rat lady's neck and her leg around Jane's keeping them in place for a couple extra minutes to enjoy themselves.
The two women kept making out as long as their lungs could handle it before finally breaking, panting in each other's breaths while some of their hair obscured their faces. Their noises gently rubbed against each other as they got their air back, their eyes looking down while leaning foreheads together softly before they looked up at each other after some time.
"Jane… I didn't understand before… but now I do." Zhu Yuan finally said after a bit, cupping Jane's cheeks while moving strands from the behavior specialist's face.
"You don't have to owe me anything. I'm just glad you're safe. Coming back after a raid like today's is the biggest reward for us."
Jane nodded a little, looking down for a bit.
"Yeah… I know. But if felt I needed to pay you back. No one ever risked their own life for me like you did today. But now… now I feel we're even." Jane said after looking up again, growing a smile back.
Zhu Yuan grew one seeing Jane's lips curl into her usual grin, touching Jane's bottom lip before placing her fingers on her own again, no doubt loving the taste of Jane's pink lips now. Jane couldn't help chuckling, loving the dorky side Yuan showed, adding to her adorable charm as the officer held her face again.
"Well… thanks, I guess. For what's it worth. S-sorry, I'm not used to this." Yuan said a little nervously, blushing again amusing Jane.
"It's fine. Just know if you're in trouble, I'll be the one saving you next time." Jane declared proudly, taking her turn to fix the captain's hair strands on her face.
"Don't expect me to kiss you back if you do, but I'll deeply appreciate it." Yuan said, holding her grin.
Jane went closer and brushed her nose against Zhu Yun's, nudging foreheads together making Zhu Yuan giggle a bit. A rare sound Jane, or anyone heard come from the response team's captain.
"Ummm… Captain. Permission to request a favor from you." Jane said a little nervously, looking down again after a moment of silence.
Yuan nodded after getting Jane's attention, keeping her smile on.
"We're off the clock, Jane. You don't have to call me 'Captain' now. I'll still grant your request, though." Yuan accepted.
Jane smiled a little more, loving the officer's will to hear her out.
"This is a pretty big one… But I'd like to stay at your place for a few days. I don't feel all that comfortable going back to my own home after today. I know I'm sounding paranoid, but…" Jane said, trying to find her words.
Thankfully, Zhu Yuan shook her head telling Jane she didn't have to say any more.
"I know you're not one to ask anyone for anything, but if it helps… Sure. It would be nice to have some company around for a while, until you feel safe enough to go back to your place." Zhu Yuan accepted.
Jane kept her smile and gave Yuan's lips one more quick kiss, thanking her after. Zhu Yuan recovered from the kiss quickly and hugged Jane close, letting her embrace the officer around her upper waist. Jane rested her chin with closed eyes on Zhu Yuan's shoulder as Yuan looked at the rat lady in her arms before rubbing the back of her head while holding her close, pressing the side of her head near Jane's.
The fun didn't stop when they got to Zhu Yuan's home. As soon as they got inside and Jane locked the door with her tail, Zhu Yuan took a moment to stretch while walking before she turned to see Jane tackle her by the shoulders over the arm of the nearby sofa, kissing Zhu Yuan again with a naughty smile. They bounced lightly on the sofa as Yuan held Jane's neck again, letting her feel up and down her sides before they rolled off after a bit, and Jane somehow rolled on top. They kept making out with enjoying moans escaping both women as they tangle tongues again equally on the ground. Jane controlled the kiss, but she was courteous enough to not push any farther wanting to be an upstanding guest staying in Zhu Yuan's place.
Jane sat up, straddling Yuan's waist to let the officer sit up, both girls agreeing to let Jane meet the parents of the woman who saved her life in the raid after taking some time to convince Zhuy Yuan, making her reluctantly accept after a while seeing Jane wasn't budging. Zhu Yuan did smile at Jane at the idea, feeling sure Jane wouldn't embarrass her when they planned to have dinner with Zhu Yuan's parents in a few days. But Jane did want to praise about the officer's efforts at work anyway, aside from being Jane's savior but that was going to be the leading point in the behavior specialist's mind. Jane truly did feel Zhu Yuan deserved some credit for how she was doing her part to keep New Eridu safe, vowing to treat Yuan like the starlet she saw her as.
Zhu Yuan propped one hand on the ground, turning herself a little under Jane straddling her as she slowly freed her hair from its ponytail, letting Jane see it drop perfectly behind her head. Jane saw Zhu Yuan fix her hair a little before looking up at Jane wearing a cute loving closed-eye smile across her lips, leaving Jane captivated by the beauty she was straddling before moving closer to Yuan inviting her with an outstretched hand, making Jane climb onto the officer again to continue making out with her.
Zhu Yuan even let Jane slowly taste her neck, lifting her head up allow Jane to taste her perfect skin, making Yuan pant softly taking in Jane's lips and licks up and down her neck. Yuan held Jane close with both hands, happily panting with closed eyes letting Jane have her way with the diligent officer, both women happy to cut loose in Zhu Yuan's humble abode. They even felt comfy enough to allow Jane to remove her jacket when Zhu Yuan sat up, letting Jane sit on her lap to cradle her neck and continue the kiss after, then Jane reciprocated getting Zhu Yuan's jacket and PubSec body armor off, leaving Zhu Yuan in her white buttoned shirt and checker-patterned tie to hold and make out with even more lying the officer on her back again, resisting the urge to unbutton Zhu Yuan's long shirt.
They spent time over a few days hanging out together when they weren't at the precinct, like Jane in her regular clothes without her jacket and gloves while Yuan was in her exercise clothes letting Jane lie next to her and hold her waist while on her side, allowing Yuan to gently stroke Jane's hair having her head on her lap while they watched TV. Jane took the gentle touches as Yuan looked down at her friend's relaxing closed-eye smile, growing a grin seeing how comfy the woman Zhu Yuan saved was doing. Jane imagined saving Yuan herself one day, thinking of a scenario where she swiftly saved Zhu Yuan being held captive in some undisclosed warehouse binded her wrists behind her to a chair, being interrogated and tortured by thugs holding her hostage. It would be the perfect position for Jane to hold Zhu Yuan by her tie and give her another kiss, but Jane knew such a fantasy would be too silly to happen.
Regardless, Jane Doe and Zhu Yuan promised to keep watching each other's backs as their never-ending duty to protect New Eridu continued. And even though Jane has her own fantasies about how she could end up as Zhu Yuan's savior, the rat Thiren was happy enough she had a formidable ally in the captain she valued deeply… but she was also just as happy not needing to wait long in paying back Zhu Yuan for how Jane was rescued during that fateful day raiding the Mountain Lions remnants.
Jane felt in time she was be able to venture out on her own again, without any regrets holding her back or stuck in her heart. But for now, staying with a promising babe like Zhu Yuan in the officer's own home was bound to bring a little more fun to their personal lives for a while. Fun that they would only keep to themselves as temporary "roommates."