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While the days in the desert were cruel and merciless, the nights were no better. The cold did not care about the feelings of the tired travelers and instead of giving them a pleasant respite from the earlier heat, it tried to freeze them for a change.
One had to adapt to such a hostile, remote environment or die. Some carried loads of blankets with them, others tried to rely on new technological inventions, and still others, those gifted by fate, used their stands to ease the hardships of the journey.
The two leading racers from the podium, however, had their own ways of dealing with it. For several days now, they had been meeting on their route in the evenings, just to set up a camp together. They talked for a while, ate, and then lay down together under one thick blanket, with their brilliant strategy for retaining heat.
This evening was no different from the previous few. After dinner, they huddled together under their shared cover, Pocoloco traditionally immediately reaching out to wrap his arms around Soundman tight. Whether it was the hips, neck, or waist, he clearly just loved to drape his arms around whatever was within reach. The Native surprisingly put up without protesting even once. The fact that the other man did not end up with a knife under his ribs might have come as a surprise for someone who has encountered him during a race at least once, but honestly, no matter how much he denied it, he really liked the warm touch of the other man. His body radiated heat, was soft and comfortable to lean against, and the proximity of another person was comforting in this unpleasant place. It's logical that he was enjoying… Ugh. “Logical”. Just admit you like him. Idiot. Falling for some man met in a race across the continent.
The runner sighed heavily. He didn't even know if the thoughts were his own or if it was the inner voice of [In a Silent Way] mocking him. He opened his eyes, giving up on the idea of falling asleep. In front of him he saw a part of the blanket, Pocoloco's hand, and beyond that impenetrable, cold darkness. The fire had gone out some time ago, and he still couldn't fall asleep, not even able to toss around a little due to his moves being restricted by the body of his friend, who was now actively snoring in his ear while drooling on his shoulder. Soundman was horrified to find out that instead of calling this kind of behaviour "disgusting," he mentally declared it was quite "cute.”
As gently as he could, the Native turned his back so that he could lie face to face with his favourite sleepyhead. Pocoloco had his mouth parted and a trickle of saliva running from the corner of his mouth, but in some unusual way, he was still able to make Soundman think he was charming. Maybe it was the sweet, plump cheeks, maybe the delicate, thick eyelashes, or maybe the lovely blush, visible even though the fire was now only smoldering. Never in his life would have Soundman thought that his heart would be enslaved so hard and so fast like this.
After another defeated sigh, finally accepting his fate, he slid one of his hands into the short fuzz of curls on Pocoloco's head. It was just incredibly soft under his touch and he simply couldn't help but run his fingers through it, enjoying the sensation.
The touched man stirred slightly in his sleep and a quiet whine of satisfaction escaped his throat. He tried to hide his face in Soundman's back, or whichever part of his body was the closest, but when he realized that his face was held in place by a pair of hands, he fluttered his eyelids, sluggishly trying to open them.
“Hmm?...” he whined softly as his cheeks were cupped and lightly squeezed so that his mouth formed a pout.
In response, he received a small touch on the lips. A fleeting and barely perceptible peck that, despite being ethereal, immediately brought him to life. He rose abruptly on his elbow, suddenly waking up, and stared with wide eyes at Soundman, who, as if nothing had happened, had turned his back on him again.
“Wa-wa-wa-wa-wa-wait, what was that?!” he exclaimed, evenly excited and surprised.
“Nothing.”
“Can you… repeat that “nothing”?”
“I don't think so. The prescription for affection has run out for today.”
“Maybe tomorrow?...”
“Maybe…”
“Aww, man, you’re the best!” he squealed and then with great joy snuggled into his companion's back and, before burying his smiling face between his shoulder blades, gently kissing him on the cheek.
Soundman flustered a little bit but said nothing more, simply letting himself be held. Something told him that tomorrow that the next day he would experience way more affection than the prescription recommended.