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Steve was tired.
Not like, sleep tired, just tired of being alone. Mostly everyone who was around him was dating someone, had someone they could trust freely, someone around to hug or cuddle or do whatever the fuck couples did.
He tried to satiate this feeling by curling around himself, but it didn’t help, he wanted to whine, but if he did, someone would be bound to hear. After all, the room 5up and Dumbdog occupied in Hafu’s house was incredibly small, but it seemed to work for the couple, as they were sleeping cuddled around eachother peacefully.
Steve couldn’t help but feel envy at their ease to sleep, as he twisted and turned, being unable to find any comfort.
His eyes landed on the pile of stuffed animals that Hafu left in the room, a certain snake plush specifically. Perhaps it could resemble a person’s arms.
He stood up, tiptoeing toward the pile as to not wake 5up or Dumbdog, grabbing the snake and going back to his mattress. He lay back down, wrapping the snake around his waist and holy hell, it felt exactly like arms. If he closed his eyes and forgot about everything, it was like an actual person was holding him. What he didn’t know was 5up had woken up.
Steve heard some stirring from 5up and Dumbdog’s bed, but didn’t expect either to wake up since they both liked their sleep. One of them was just probably shifting around, that’s all.
He heard soft mumbling coming from one of them.
“Steve? What are you doing still up?” 5up’s sleepy voice sounded, and oh shit, he looked up and 5up was looking at him.
“I- uh..” Steve fought for an explanation.
Apparently Dumbdog had woken up in the time it took for him to answer, he walked over, rubbing his eyes.
“Whas going on?” He asked, words slurring due to exhaustion.
Steve moved closer to the wall, feeling cornered by the couple.
“It’s nothing. You guys can go back to sleep, sorry.” He said quickly, couldn’t help himself from apologizing.
5up lowered his face, so he was on eyelevel with Steve. He swallowed a breath he didn’t realize he was holding.
“Steve. Do you miss physical contact? Are you lonely? Is that what’s happened, or happening?” 5up guessed, and Steve didn’t expect him to be so on point.
He decided to play it off as a joke.
“Ding, ding, ding! Jackpot winner is, 5uppppp!” Steve said, as bright as he could at two fucking am, he learns as he glances at the clock.
5up laughed lightly, it being shortlived, as he turned to whisper something to Dumbdog. Steve couldn’t make it out, but Dumbdog’s face told him all he needed to know.
The dog-hybrid grabbed the snake from Steve, he couldn’t help but let out a whine at the loss of contact. It felt nice, and he wanted it back.
Fortunately for him, 5up and Dumbdog must’ve pitied him as they climbed onto the mattress right next to him. He realized what a bad idea this was, and tried to pull back. They were in a relationship together, and he wasn’t.
“Steve, you’re touchstarved. Let us help.” 5up’s voice wasn’t harsh, but it was firm enough for him to lock himself in place, allow 5up’s arms to trail up his sides, he let out a shaky sigh at the feeling.
Dumbdog went behind him, mimicking the snake that he’d wrapped around himself.
“5up.. Dumbdog..” He murmured, burying his face into 5up’s curly hair.
“You can just call me Five.” He hummed softly.
Five, Steve thought. It suited him, but he’d also known him as 5up his whole life.
He made a noise of affirmation before he heard Dumbdog behind him.
“You can just call me Apollo. I’m not actually a dog, Steve.” He said softly, resting his head by Steve’s shoulder.
He shuddered slightly, then repeated his noise of affirmation, as he was tired and wanted to sleep.
“Sleep,” He mumbled, that apparently made perfect sense in Five and Apollo’s eyes, as they stopped movement and instead held him tightly.
Due to his insomnia, he couldn’t really fall asleep for a while, but he smiled at the sound of Five’s breathing and Apollo’s tiny snores.
He held onto both of them tightly, for he knew he couldn’t keep this tomorrow morning.
This would be a one night thing, and one night only. He didn’t mess with couples, he wasn’t some homewrecker that wanted to fuck things up for his best friends. He was happy they had each other.
He felt his eyes finally droop shut, succumbing him to slumber.
-
When he woke up, both warm forms were still with him. His cheeks heated up as he recalled the previous night’s events, but he couldn’t let himself get attached, as Five and Apollo were dating, Steve had to respect that.
He sat in Hafu’s living room, waiting for anyone to wake up.
Hafu herself came out of her bedroom, rubbing her eyes.
“Morning Steve. Take it you had a nice night?” She said, smiling softly.
Steve raised a brow.
“I got a good sleep.” He said casually.
Hafu’s smile quickly turned into a smirk.
“You wouldn’t happen to know why my brother and Apollo are sleeping on your mattress?” She asked.
Steve flushed embarassedly.
“No, I have no idea.” He mumbled quickly, too quickly in Hafu’s eyes.
He stared at the floor as Hafu flashed a signature knowing smile, until he heard the scuffling of feet and Five stood there, shuffling in front of Steve.
“Why’d you leave? You were warm. You also don’t kick like Apollo. Love him but my legs are bruised.” Five mumbled, words slurring slightly due to tiredness.
Steve raised an eyebrow up at him, but he just plopped down into Steve’s lap, causing his blush to creep warmer on his face, Five burying his face into his neck and wrapping one arm behind him and one arm wrapping around his chest.
Hafu’s eyes widened, as if she wasn’t expecting that. She opened her mouth to speak, but Steve cut her off.
“Do not wake him. I’ll explain in text.” He whisper-hissed.
Hafu smiled, though it seemed more ‘aw, how cute’ than ‘i know you’re hiding something and i will pry it out of your cold dead hands if you don’t tell me’.
Steve sighed and took out his phone, as Five shifted slightly to be curled up inside of Steve’s lap, and God, he would be mad he couldn’t get up now if it wasn’t so damn cute, the way he lay there peacefully still and quiet, face buried in Steve’s neck.
He went onto messages and began to type.
‘Uhhh so basically i wrapped a snake plush around myself cause i was touchstarved then the two fuckers noticed and decided they would help instead, i woke up first this morning tho but i guess five wanted to stop being kicked by dumbdog idk whats up with him but its kind of cute’
A short explanation, but hopefully Hafu wouldn’t pry anymore. He shut off his phone and closed his eyes, content with the younger man on his lap. He felt himself drift off, still holding Five.
Once his eyes opened again, Apollo was sitting by his feet, watching him, expression unreadable. Steve realized he still had Five in his lap, he wondered if the furry hated him for it.
Steve blinked up at Apollo, who met his eyes fairly quickly.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean-” He started, then Apollo cut him off.
“No, you’re all good. I just like watching my two favourite people,” He admitted with a sheepish smile. Steve felt warmth creep onto his cheeks as Apollo called him one of his favourite people. Truthfully, Apollo and Five were his favourites as well, but he’d always been too scared he would ruin things between them if he got too close. Steve gave him a small grin which quickly fell into curiosity as the youngest one woke up on his lap, retracting his arms to rest on Steve’s chest.
“Mm, morning.” Five grunted, head now propped up against his shoulder, a soft and sleepy smile sent to Apollo, then quickly turned his way.
Apollo smiled in return, moving closer to stroke his curls out of his face. Five spread his legs out to rest on Apollo’s.
“Morning baby. Good sleep?” He said softly.
Five nodded.
“What did you dream about?” Steve blurted.
“Sorry, you don’t have to answer that if you don’t want to,” He mumbled.
Five looked at him with a small smile. “I’m fine with answering. I dreamed about a beach day, the three of us. Hiding under a parasol before we got sunburnt, swimming, burying Apollo waistdeep in sand,” He giggled at the last one. Steve’s heart ached for this beach day to become real, and his face was definitely pulled into a giddy smile. Apollo was also grinning.
“Well, someday, maybe we could.” Apollo grinned.
“Someday. You’ll still get buried in sand though,” Steve cackled.
“Wouldn’t be a beach day without it.” He smiled, laying onto the other side of Steve.
He could live like this forever, where Apollo and Five and he just lounged around daily.