Chapter Text
Lloyd sits against a tree, hugging his knees to his chest as he stares at the campfire, now just a bunch of burnt sticks and dirt.
He’s been sitting up for hours, unable to close his eyes for a few seconds. Ras sleeps on his side, not too far away, looking as comfortable as can be.
Lloyd huffs, putting his head down. He can’t believe he’s stuck out here with Ras, who’s been a pain in the ass all day. Neither of them have been very cooperative to be honest.
And now, Lloyd has to go a night without sleep. He can already tell his mind won’t be clearing enough for him to sleep anytime soon, he might as well just accept his fate.
Every time he’s about to drift off, another thought comes to wake him right up, and then he’s stuck thinking non stop until an hour passes. His mind just won’t shut up.
One minute he’s worrying about the others and how stressed they might be, the next he’s trying to remember what he said earlier, then he’s thinking about a random embarrassing memory.
Spending the night in Ras’s arms would probably fix that…
Lloyd peeks up to look at Ras’s back. Did he really just think that?
To be fair, he looks so soft and warm. His large frame would be the perfect blanket, his muscles a nice cozy spot for Lloyd to rest his head.
But Ras would never.
Lloyd lets out a sigh. He just wants to be held by someone so badly. He doesn’t care if it’s the buff tiger man he hates so much!!
Guess he has to suffer for the rest of the night…
But Ras is just as awake as Lloyd is. Just for a different reason.
He always needed to hug something to fall asleep, although he hates to admit it. He doesn’t have anyone around most of the time so he usually resorts to his hammer.
But Lloyd is here. Ras knows he’s awake and would definitely see. Showing any sort of a weakness to Lloyd is NOT an option.
Unless, Lloyd wants to…
Ras turns his head to glance back at Lloyd. Would he?
He thinks about it for a few moments before shaking his head and turning back away, ashamed he even thought of it.
He pulls his arms closer to his body, trying to mimic the action of hugging and trick himself into sleeping.
It almost works, but another frustrated noise from Lloyd wakes him back up.
Ras sits up now, glaring at the blond. “Will you shut up?”
“Well sorry, I can’t sleep!” Lloyd retorts before holding his head in his hands.
“You can stay up without the constant sighing.” Ras lays back down on the dirt, mumbling in annoyance. “Don’t make me gag you.”
Lloyd doesn’t respond, rolling his eyes. He’d still be able to sigh through his nose if he was gagged, but he doesn’t tell Ras that.
A cold wind blows, and he shivers slightly, hugging his legs tighter, watching Ras not even flinch. Lucky, he has a whole coat of fur.
If only…
”It’s pretty cold,” Lloyd comments.
No answer.
”… Really cold,” Lloyd emphasizes, attempting to hint at what he wants. Hopefully Ras isn’t dense.
This can go two ways. He ends up just annoying Ras, or Ras catches on and either accepts or declines.
”I don’t feel it,” Ras responds gruffly.
”Well yeah, because you have fur.” Lloyd scoffs. “Wish I had… y’know.”
Again, no answer. He’s probably getting nowhere.
He sighs again, this time loudly just to annoy Ras. This time, Ras sits back up with a groan.
”What?!” He growls angrily, “what do you want?”
Lloyd jumps in surprise. Is he actually asking? Does he answer truthfully?
“I was just saying, calm down!” Lloyd puts his hands up in defense before crossing his arms, looking away. “It’s not that I wanted to… cuddle or anything. That’d be weird.”
Ras pauses, suddenly connecting the thoughts. Is that what Lloyd was hinting at??
Lloyd gives Ras a quick glance to check his reaction. “I mean, unless you want to.”
Ras actually considers it for a few moments. Lloyd is offering, and Ras was already thinking about it.
So maybe…
”No.” Ras lays down again, for the last time tonight, hopefully. If Lloyd does anything else, he’ll probably just knock him out.
“Damn it,” Lloyd mutters under his breath. He lost his chance. Guess he really is going to spend the night alone.
It was worth a shot.
Ras closes his eyes again, seeming set on his decision. Yet his tail swishes anxiously behind him.
Maybe it would be nice to actually hold someone for once. He’d fall asleep easier, especially with Lloyd.
After a long time of hesitating, Ras speaks up again, turning onto his other side to face Lloyd. “I can’t sleep either.”
Lloyd looks at Ras again, tilting his head. He watches Ras’s tail thump the spot of dirt in front of him, and a small smile forms on Lloyd’s face.
He gets up, walking over to where Ras is laying and sitting right beside him. He doesn’t hesitate to drape himself over the other, and Ras doesn’t waste anytime to wrap his arms around Lloyd.
They fit together perfectly, both of them instantly melting in each others embrace. Lloyd was right, all he needed was to cuddle with his enemy and bury his face in his chest. Now all of the racing thoughts are silenced as he feels Ras’s warm body basically cover his.
Ras gets comfortable, placing his chin on top of Lloyd’s head between his horns and tucking his leg between Lloyd’s to get closer. Lloyd hooks his leg over Ras’s hip, trying to get equally as close.
It’s nice to hug something that actually hugs back for once.
For a moment, Ras’s arms tighten around Lloyd before his paws relax against his back, hoping Lloyd didn’t notice.
But of course, he did. Lloyd raises his head, looking up at Ras smugly. “The big kitty can’t sleep without hugging something, huh?”
Ras narrows his eyes, glaring at Lloyd before burying his face in his blond hair. “Don’t mention this, ever.”
Lloyd’s hand them comes up to find and scratch behind Ras’s ear as Ras tries to remain firm. But he can’t help but purr quietly, his eyes fluttering shut and his ear twitching.
”I won’t,” Lloyd agrees, keeping his hand there until his own eyes start to close. He lets it drop to Ras’s back again, fingers tangling in the thick black fur. He can feel Ras’s tail on his thigh just before he falls asleep, holding his leg comfortingly.
Turns out, Ras is as cozy as he looks.