Work Text:
Another long day had come to an end. The boys were winding down, getting ready for bedtime. There was one abnormality in their nightly routine— their heater had broken down! Their once warm and cozy bedroom had turned into a chilly chamber. As such, Yellow opted to bundle up and sleep in the living room, where a working heater remained. (And a fireplace. They had yet to learn a fire safety lesson.) Duck was much too stubborn to sleep anywhere else than his bed, and Red was much too large. The two of them hunkered down in their quarters.
“I’m cold,” Duck inevitably complained.
“I know,” Red mused. “Me too.” If he truly was, he wasn’t showing it; he laid cozied up under his covers while Duck shivered despite his.
Duck huffed. “Here, I have an idea. Give me your blanket!”
He waltzed over to Red’s bed, and the larger man shot him a glare. “Why would I do that?”
“Well, you’re big and fuzzy, aren’t you? Shouldn’t all that fluff keep you warm? Hand it over!”
He made a grab for the other’s blanket, and Red promptly shooed him away. “Shouldn’t your feathers keep you warm?” he countered. “Back off.”
“Hmmph, fine! Be that way,” Duck muttered, trudging back to his bed. “Keep all the warmth for yourself, greedy!”
Red’s eyes could probably roll to the back of his head. Though his friend’s arrogant behavior was unappealing, he did still have his concerns. He sighed.
“Listen, mate. If you’re so cold, how about you come sleep in my bed?”
Duck’s scoff could break the sound barrier. “Sleep in your bed? With you? Ha! I think I’d much rather freeze!”
“Well, you said it yourself; I’m warm and fuzzy, plus you can bring your blanket, and be under mine too,” he offered with a shrug. “It’s the only way you’ll get it. I’m not giving it up.”
The offer was tempting… and his only chance at more warmth. If he didn’t take it he’d surely regret it..! Still, the idea of sharing a bed with his pal was a bit out of the ordinary, even for their unpredictable and zany lives. He’s never slept with someone else before; he preferred peace in his own space with his bedding! But who knows, maybe it would be nice?
“Alright,” he decided reluctantly. “I will indulge you in your offer.”
If Red had eyebrows, they would be raised. “You’ll indulge me? I think I’m indulging you, mate.”
“Quiet down before I change my mind!”
Duck gathered his blanket and padded over to the other’s bed. He stood at its side with his hands on his hips.
“Right, so how is this going to work?”
Red scooted over and gestured to the sliver of empty space next to him. “Uhh, well I reckon you could try to squeeze in here.. maybe. Give it a shot.”
Duck pulled the blanket back and climbed up onto the mattress beside him. It was a very tight fit.
“I don’t think this is going to work,” Duck grumbled, shifting in place to try and get comfortable. “There is not enough room for both of us!”
“Sure there is,” Red huffed, committed to his plan. “Here.”
Red rolled onto his side, and Duck yelped in surprise as he was grasped and pulled closer to the other. The red fuzz was soft and warm on his own feathers, the larger one’s body heat radiating and permeating through his skin. He sank into the embrace.
Red retracted his arm, disturbing the green one’s comfort.
“Hey! Why’d you stop?” Duck squawked. “Put it back!”
“Oh!” Red returned his arm to its original position, draped over Duck’s side. “You like it, then?”
The bird huffed indignantly. “I’m only doing this for maximum warmth!” he proclaimed, wiggling closer to the other, head pressed into his chest. “Yes, yes, I suppose it is quite nice and all.. but don’t go around telling anyone!”
Red chuckled and adjusted his position; he returned to laying on his back, and wrapped his other arm around Duck, pulling him halfway onto himself. His hands rested on Duck’s back, gently smoothing the feathers that peeked out of his pajamas. “And who is there to tell?”
“Oh, don’t play coy with me,” Duck muttered, though his sleepiness was taking over and thus his words were not as sharp. “That yellow fellow, of course. And any of those freaks we come in contact with.” He was fully engulfed in the cuddles now; spread comfortably across Red’s chest, tucked in and cozy under the blankets.
“Don’t worry your funny little head,” the larger one assured, emphasized with a ruffle to the feathers on his forehead. “I won’t tell a soul.”
Duck grumbled, batting his hand away and shifting in place. “That’s enough. Leave me alone now.”
The wind rustled outside, sneaking through the trees and beating softly against their window. He snuggled into Red’s fur, letting out a weary exhale. “…You may continue to touch my back.”
Red gave a half-hearted chuckle, hands resting on Duck’s waist. “Okay.”
“…You must touch it.”
Red traced his fingers up to the other’s shoulder blades, making patterns in his feathers. The soft rise and fall of his breathing settled into a gentle rhythm as he was soothed into sleep. The warmth surrounding him was heavenly. The worries of his day drifted away as he was lulled into his dreams, safely nestled between Red’s arms.