Chapter Text
Alex found out that it’s VERY common for lemurs to snuggle up for warmth. How do you think he found out? Well, it wasn’t because he found a few lemurs bundled up together.
It was because, during a particularly rainy night, Julien decided to snuggle up with him.
Alex was fast asleep when it happened. He was under a tent/hut Marty made. He made quite a few around the jungle because while the lemurs had their own built homes, obviously the Zoosters were too big for them. Luckily, Marty really showed off his building skills like he did on the beach. The tents were cozy, comfortable and surprisingly warm. Marty planned on making treehouses like the lemurs had but Alex didn’t like the idea of living in the air.
Alex was stuck in his tent, absolutely not leaving until the rain let up. He had no reason for leaving anyway. But he couldn’t deny that the jungle looked so beautiful when it rained. Alex laid on his side, watching the heavy rain from the opening of his tent. And paired with the weirdly calming noises, Alex fell fast asleep.
What he didn’t notice was a certain ring-tailed lemur who joined him to avoid the rain. Alex couldn’t remember why Julien was alone and how he got caught in the rain but he supposedly was coincidentally at Alex’s tent.
And when Alex woke up, he found Julien snuggled against him.
Alex nearly sat up startled which would’ve obviously awoken the lemur. But somehow, Alex managed to just jolt in surprise, causing Julien to mumble a little and hug his tail. Alex breathed slowly, hands resting on the ground as he stared at the sleeping lemur.
Julien’s tail tickled Alex’s chin a little bit but instead of feeling annoyed, Alex couldn’t help the smile on his face and the suppressed chuckle.
Alex also found it amusing to listen to Julien’s sleep talking. Small tunes in his weird little head, some argument in the dream, small giggles escaping him. Alex found it cute.
… Wait, why’d he immediately go to ‘cute’?
He shook that idea out of his head. That was weird.
How long had he been sleeping anyway?? It was starting to get dark and it seemed like the rain was going to let up soon. Alex looked back down at Julien who was still mumbling as he slept soundly.
Alex needed to wake him so Julien can go home in his own cozy cot. But Alex really didn’t want to wake him up… and he didn’t know why. Normally, he wouldn’t care. If someone needed to be woken up, he’ll wake them up.
But seeing Julien so peaceful and nuzzling Alex’s mane honestly made the lion not want to do anything to disturb him.
“… What’s wrong with me today?” Alex sighed quietly. He then propped himself up by his arm, his free paw gently shaking the small lemur. “Julien, wake up.”
“Mmmnoooo…” Julien whined sleepily.
“Yes. The rain is starting to let up and it’s getting dark.”
“But you’re so waaaarmmm…”
Alex blushed a little. “A-are all lemurs this… clingy?”
“Only when we’re sleepy… we—“ Julie’s yet out a long yawn. “Cuddle to… keep warm…”
“Okay, no falling back asleep until you get home.”
He then gently pryed Julien’s hands off of him. Julien whined and halfheartedly tried to grab at him before giving up and letting Alex pluck him from the ground and into his feet.
“Come on, your majesty, I shall escort you to your chambers.” Alex said in a playful posh voice. Julien giggled as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes.
“So, you’re saying you’ll take me home~?”
Alex’s smile wavered and his face began to warm up again. “No— I-I didn’t mean—“
“Mr. Alex, you’re such a flirt~!”
“I wasn’t trying t— I-I don’t even know how that would work!”
“Sheesh, I was just joking! You’re so gullible.”
Alex stammered before sighing heavily. “And you’re so— so… ugh, forget it! Let’s just go, storm’s gone.”
The walk to Julien’s home felt very long. Julien sat on the lion’s shoulder, happily playing with the soft mane and humming to himself. It made the lion’s face so hot he was surprised Julien couldn’t feel it radiating off of him. Alex didn’t say anything the whole way, especially when Julien made a comment about his mane, his pelt, his sharp teeth, his eyes. Mostly how it was all “so shiny and pretty”.
“Oh, look, here we are!” Alex said quickly… maybe a tad bit too loudly.
“Thank you again, Mr. Alex, it was very kind of you to escort your King to his home.” Julien patted Alex’s face gently.
“Yeah. Again, you’re not MY king and you can just call me Alex. I just wanted to make sure you’re okay, that’s all. Common decency n all that. So…”
Julien just smiled. “You’re such a player.”
“Stop it! I’m not—“
“It’s okay, Freak, I didn’t say I was complaining~”
Alex then felt a quick kiss on his cheek before the lemur hopped off of him and to the front door of his tiny little home. “Goodnight, Mr. Alex!”
And with that, Alex was alone in the damp and humid night. Absolutely dumbfounded.
… So, that was something to think about all night… And a ton of questions to ask about himself…