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The rain pounded against the outer walls of the shelter, the pellets against steel providing a steady source of noise. Inside had the whirring of electrical systems, humming an indiscernible, yet comforting tune.
Saint claimed the shelter for the night, finding the noise comforting. It provides enough to keep the silence at bay, Saint has a disliking for complete silence, it’s too discomforting for them, and it makes it difficult to stay anchored in the moment. With no distractions, the green slugcat prepared his paws to meditate, along with his straight back.
Paws close to his chest, he repeated the nighty mantra to keep his mind at peace. That was until another being crawled into the shelter, and the gates sealed the exit.
The fuzzy slugcat snapped his head around to spot the intruder, a yellow slugcat equal in size, without the thick coat Saint has; this sunlight-yellow scug has fur, albeit much shorter.
“Oh? Hello.” The unknown slugcat greeted, “my name’s Monk.”
“Ahh, nice to meet you, Monk.” Saint said after his nerves calmed down. “The name’s Saint.”
Monk sat across from Saint, rubbing his elbow. “So, what were you just doing before I… interrupted?” His words sang like an apology, but held more curiosity than anything.
Saint hummed. “I was meditating to pass time.”
“Oh, that sounds fun.”
He found that description to be slightly humorous, given the nature of meditating. “It isn’t meant to be, but I do see how some would enjoy it.”
“Yeah…”
Silence fell onto the shelter, as neither knew what else to add. Saint stared with his closed eyes, and he focused a lot on Monk’s tail. Thankfully, Monk didn’t pick up on his habit of staring—he’s been raised in a way that tells him it’s rude to stare, not that he enjoyed eye contact that much in the first place, but he can’t help but take in how… kind Monk looks.
After a while, Monk curled up, and hugged his tail tightly. “Uh, goodnight, Saint.” His tired voice, and that yawn…
Saint shook his head to clear his thoughts; this is just a one night thing, and he’ll depart just like the winds.
For now, Saint decided to refocus on his efforts on relaxing, turning away from Monk. His senses dulled for the night as he channeled the karma within himself.
The drowsiness caught him, and soon enough, he’s asleep.
- - -
When Saint woke up, the first sensation he noticed was a comforting weight on his tail. With heavy eyes, his vision picked up a yellow blob splayed across his entire fluffy tail, resting on it like a blanket. Even when Monk laid flat on his tail, it remained nearly double the length of Monk’s entire height.
Once his vision cleared up, that’s when he realized it’s Monk hugging his tail like it’s the only piece of land in the shelter. At first, Saint wanted to pull his tail away, but he didn’t want to disturb Monk… that sleepy face proves difficult to disturb, so he let it be, at least until he woke up.
Without thinking too much, Saint’s paw glided towards Monk’s forehead. He didn’t notice what he’s doing, until a low purr emitted from Monk. By then, it’s too late to stop, not to mention how therapeutic it is.
Monk leaned more into the pets, his snout pressing against Saint’s tail. It tickled, making Saint stifle a giggle—when was the last time he giggled like that…?
Then, Monk began stirring, his limbs stretching out. After a yawn, his eyes popped open to see a paw on his forehead, caressing the right spot. Once he processed it, he practically leaped backwards, standing up like a startled scavenger. “Oh! I’m sorry-please forgive me for intruding on your personal space!” He stammered, while he tapped his elbow.
Saint stared intently. “It’s alright, Monk. I don’t mind.”
He sighed in relief. “Okay…” His eyes flickered between him, then the shelter’s exit. “I’m guessing there’s still some time before it opens.”
The fuzzy slugcat nodded. “Yes, that’s true. Judging by the decreasing rain, there isn’t a lot of time left.”
Monk sat back against the wall. “Ah well…” his eyes trailed to the fluffy mattress that’s Saint’s tail. “So, about the… you not minding me getting close…” A pink blush spread onto his cheeks. “Can… can I touch your tail?”
If not for the layer of fur on his face, the blush would rival Monk. “... sure.” He confirmed with a timid voice.
Even with the unbridled joy erupting from the confirmation, Monk made an attempt to still carefully maneuver towards the frail slugcat, and gently placed his paws on the cloudy appendage.
All the fuzz he ever needs in his life, in one supermassive tail, that’s a dream come true for Monk, so he buried his face back into the blissful pile. His little snout tickled Saint once more, bringing a happiness that he’s rarely experienced.
Saint hummed contently. “You appear to enjoy it a lot.”
“Mhm.” Monk muttered while he was buried within the fluff.
“And why would that be, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“Cozy…” he said matter-of-factly.
Saint tilted his head sideways out of curiosity. “That’s it?”
“Yeah? Sometimes it’s the small things that bring comfort.”
“Hmm…” Saint hummed questionably.
Monk peered up at him. “Is there something confusing you?”
He hesitated for a moment. “No, not really.” In reality, he started questioning every moral taught to him in his life. It’s challenging a lot, yet he’s growing enlightened in ways he’s never imagined.
The shelter gates cracked open with the usual annoyance, urging the two to leave for the morning. Monk stood up, and stared at the exit, with a hint of dejection only for him to hide it with a smile. “Shall we head out now?”
“Sure.” Saint stretched, and both exited the shelter.
- - -
Many cycles have passed since the two slugcats met, and much to their joy, a pattern emerged.
Inside a shelter, safe from all the dangers, Monk pressed his nape into Saint’s chest due to both spooning, with Saint’s fuzzy arms securing him, embracing him.
Saint responded by taking his impossibly long and dense tail, and coiling it around Monk, squeezing the worries out of him. It wrapped around Monk twice, making it the most comfortable hug in the world. With what little movement his paws could muster under the soft tail, he played with the fur.
Saint pressed his lips onto the back of Monk, nuzzling Monk’s most ticklish point.
He giggled, and turned around to face Saint, despite being trapped in fluff. His silky paws cupped Saint’s cheeks, pinching them slightly. “I love you, Saint.” He pressed both their snouts together, which made Saint squeak through his usual aloof exterior.
“You’re always so cute when you do that.” Monk’s digits ran through the strands, smoothing and ruffling it repetitively. His dull nails combed near his sides, then trailed up to the special spot behind his ears.
That got Saint’s mind to turn extra fuzzy, setting him into autopilot. His tail tightened the slightest bit, making Monk lose focus for a second, only for him to crank up his affection. With one paws scratching behind his ears, his other one raked across his spine, making his hair poof up. He now looks much larger than he is—but it’s all fluff that Monk can toy with. He wasted no time exploring the extra fur, while nuzzling into Saint’s neck fluff.
As if he couldn’t express any more bliss, Saint began purring. The adorable rumbling of his throat made Monk sync his purring as well, while he shoved his face deeper into Saint’s abundant warmth.
Saint’s tongue dangled out of his mouth, drooping like a blue fruit. “Earth to Saint?” He teased, while he pecked Saint’s cheek with kisses.
The Saint, who’s famous for his grace, is now folding under the treatment of a jovial bright-as-the-sun slugcat. And he’s loving every moment of it. With all the care, his eyes grew sleepy, and his body went even more numb.
He shook his head to fight off the drowsiness. “Hmm?” He croaked.
“So you’re still awake?” Monk purred, while he continued to pet him on both fronts.
“Yes…” He replied, as his eyes tried to force him asleep.
Monk smiled at Saint, which made his heart flutter. That smile, the way it glows, and knowing that’s next to him every night, that’s all he needs to move along.
His previous answer started to lose any basis; leaning onto Monk must’ve casted a spell on him that’s making him so tired…
“You’re allowed to sleep, fluffball.” He cuddled into his neck once more, and kissed it.
“Ok…” Saint had a system shut down, snoozing right onto Monk. He’s being compressed underneath the overwhelming fluff in the best way. He looked up at the eepy face of brother calm, while he was engulfed by heat. And there’s nothing better than being buried in the coziest place ever: squished your fuzzy partner.