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There were plenty of reasons for them to share a room together, the most obvious being, of course, that most innkeepers got a little antsy when they saw more than one witcher about. Actually it was Aiden’s experience that even one could cause them to get twitchy, the smell of sweat rising in the air, their hands and fingers nervously gripping things or twisting into the rags they used to keep the bar...well, usually not clean but wiped down and at least not actively wet with spilled drink and whatever else happened to be spilled there.
Considering his traveling partner had the charm of a wooden spoon, it was usually Aiden’s job to secure them a room. With the right smile he could get anyone to hand over a key, knowing just what to say to get his way, and with a wink he’d be off to collect the wolf - hopefully before any sort of trouble started.
The amount of bar fights he’d had to put a stop to since he met the fool. Aiden shook his head as he tugged his wolf out of the bar stool this time, thankful he wouldn’t have to stab anyone tonight. It made such a mess of things, and he was rather looking forward to sleeping in a bed instead of outside in a tree.
“What, is it the kitty cat’s bedtime already?” Lambert’s snark was accompanied by a grin, and it earned him a quick jab to his ribs as Aiden shoved him up the stairs.
“Don’t pretend you’re not tired, little lamb. Not a single punch thrown tonight?”
“Figured I’d cut them some slack this time.” Lambert snatched the key that Aiden dangled in front of his face now that they had reached their room, flinging the door open and heading straight for the bed to drop on it. “Don’t take forever, kitty cat.”
Just for that jab at Aiden’s nighttime rituals, he took his sweet ass time getting ready. His armor came off and was placed just so in the corner of the room, after, of course, it was wiped of dust and any smudges he found. His clothes were changed with his back to Lambert, not really caring much for modesty but at least giving him the decency of not flashing him - not that he hadn’t seen it all before but it didn’t mean Aiden wanted to flaunt it.
Dirty clothes were folded neat and tidy and set aside to be washed later. He gave himself a quick wipe down before putting on some very loose and cozy night clothes, not even turning when Lambert started fake snoring just to be an arsehole. Though he did at least skip the hairbrush, using his fingers instead, working out his side braid and any knots that had formed in the long portion of his hair. After some pleasant scratching to the shaved side, he stretched straight up on his toes, fingers linked and arms stretched as high as they would go above his head.
The popping of his bones was so satisfying. He released the tension and let his arms swing down, shoulders and back loosening up in a sag, shaking his head and the rest of his body to let the day go.
“Record time,” Lambert drawled as Aiden finally turned towards the bed. The wolf’s eyes were half closed, his armor tossed carelessly to the side of the bed and the day’s clothes from underneath still on. It made Aiden’s nose twitch but not enough to not crawl under the covers with his friend right after blowing out the single candle he’d left lit - they’d really not needed it but he rather liked the glow of small fires, the flickering and dancing flames catching his eyes and fascinating him.
He sighed at the comfort of a bed. Not the most cushy of beds, actually it had quite the number of lumps and bumps in it but Aiden really didn’t care, able to sleep just about anywhere as long as his head could rest against something. As soon as he had sufficiently covered himself with the blanket all the way up to his chin he wiggled straight for the warmth of his companion, pinching Lambert’s side at his faux growl over his personal space being invaded.
They both knew he didn’t mind it. That was clear in the way he situated himself right up cozy with his friend, letting Aiden rest his head against his chest and putting a loose arm over him to hold him close.
As Aiden sighed, gently nuzzling into his friend, his now heavy mind let the memory of the first time they’d cuddled like this drift to the forefront of his mind. Lambert had been...concerned, worried Aiden had wanted something, admitting in a rather frustrated and nervous tone that ‘sex makes me itch.”
He had blinked up at his friend, who he’d only snuggled up close to because he was warm and the dearest friend to his heart. It had been a gentle moment for them, admitting each other’s views on such things. Aiden could see how jumpy Lambert was to have opened up to him and how easy it would have been to spook him away, and had opened up in turn, hoping to calm his wolf down. He himself might love sex but it wasn’t what he was after from Lambert, no matter how handsome his friend might be. No, Aiden had merely wanted to feel close to him, close to someone he trusted like he hadn’t trusted anyone in a very long time.
And it felt good, to know Lambert trusted him right back. Especially now, how easy that trust came to the jumpy and crotchety wolf, who ever loved to push others away as if letting someone close would end poorly for him. How easily he accepted them sharing a room and bed, how he didn’t bat an eye at Aiden undressing in front of him or snuggling up close under the covers, because he trusted and knew Aiden would respect his boundaries.
He sighed, eyes closed against the moonlight streaming in through the window curtains. How easy it was for Aiden to trust him right back to not want anything else from him, knowing his dearest friend only wanted to be his friend. That this was not just a step in their path for more as so many might want it to be, no matter that friendship was no more nor less than any other sort of love. He felt his own heartbeat match Lambert’s slowing one, their breaths evening out as sleep took them, the day left behind as they rested for another one no doubt full of mischief - mischief made at each other’s sides, as the friends took on the world the only way they knew how.