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Tecchou heard the light pitter-patter of footsteps, but he just shrugged it off assuming that it was Teruko. Her feet were the only ones small enough to make that soft echo anyway. He closed his eyes and was starting to drift off, when the shadows parted and revealed a figure - no. A blob.
He flinched hard, twisting his body up from where he lay on his stomach, and grabbed his sword from where it was leaning on the nightstand.
“...Um?” The blob mumbled from his doorway, staring, (Tecchou assumed; it’s not like the face was visible, okay?) at his sword.
Wait, that voice. “Jouno, is that you???” Tecchou asked in bewilderment, his eyes finally adjusting to the dark to make out that silver hair that practically shone in the night, illuminated by Tecchou’s night light, and yes, Suehiro Tecchou the strongest Hunting Dog has a night light for reasons.
“Yesss.” He hissed, squirming on his feet, fidgeting with his blanket... or was it blanket s ? “Care to lend me your bed for the night?”
“What. Wait, nevermind. Sure, go ahead.” Tecchou offers, rising out of bed.
Stepping a good three steps into the room, Jouno asks, “Where are you going?”
“...away? You said to lend you my bed.”
“You idiot!” Jouno scream-whispers, apparently trying not to make too much noise, shocker Tecchou thinks, “Your presence is required!”
Blame it on Tecchou’s sleep-addled brain, but it took him awhile to connect the dots. “Wait, so you want to sleep on my bed… with me.” It wasn’t a question.
Flushing to the tips of ears hearing it said like that, Jouno mumbled, “Yes, that’s about it.”
“Okay.” Patting the spot next to him, “C’mon.”
Jouno hesitated a bit before getting on his knees and waddling until his head reached the pillow, letting out a soft, “Oomphf.” The blankets created a bubble around him before settling down.
Tecchou glanced at the man laying down next to him, squirming around, trying to get comfortable. Tecchou’s gaze went over the blankets and he asked a question, “Jouno… how many blankets do you have on you?”
“Two.”
His eyes were very close to bulging out of his head in shock, because two?? in this heat?? in summer?
“Why do you have so much?” Turning on his side to be face-to-face to Jouno.
Because it feels safe.
I can pull it over my ears to block out the noise.
The pressure reminds me I’m still in my bed.
“It feels nice.” Jouno finally answered after hesitating for a proper answer.
Tecchou repeated monotonously, “It feels nice.”
Pulling the blanket even higher, tucking it firmly under his chin, Jouno replied, “Yes. Are you judging me?” A glare.
“No.” Settling back down onto his bed, he repeated, “Not judging you.” Tecchou let his gaze wander over Jouno’s face, looking at the little scrunch in his eyebrows indicating his overthinking ove something, over his eyelashes that were illuminated by the nightlight in the corner of the room, before dropping down to his li-
Nope. We’re not gonna go there.
Tecchou whispered softly into the room, “Can I ask what you’re doing here then? You usually sleep well.”
Well, usually it’s not so loud.
Usually there isn’t a scratching outside my window like someone’s watching me.
Usually there aren't so many twigs cracking like an intruder is coming in.
Usually there aren’t so many fireworks that are so loud like bombs and guns.
Jouno went through the various answers that wouldn’t portray him as weak, because him the strongest hunting dog, being scared of the night sounds? “It was just loud tonight.”
A soft smile graced Tecchou’s features, both at the blandness at his partner’s answers, knowing stubborn pride was stopping him from admitting the real reason, “That’s it?”
Grudgingly replying, Jouno muttered. “...Your presence is familiar…” the words ‘and it’s calm and reassuring’ hanging in the air.
“Well, I’m glad to be of assistance.” Tecchou’s arms suddenly felt empty so he asked, “Can I hug you?”
“Sure.” The answer slipped off too quickly, too eagerly; Jouno’s face began heating up.
His arm lifted to rest on top of the lump of blankets, giving it a soft pat and hearing the ‘thump, thump’ against the firm pile.
“Stop smiling!” Woops, Tecchou didn’t realize he was smiling.
Tecchou let out a snort and chuckle at that, “Sorry sorry. It’s just-”
“Urgh, here.” Jouno lifted the edges of his blankets, allowing an opening in. He shivered at the cold air that infiltrated the blanket lair.
Letting out a soft whistle, “You’re letting me infiltrate your fortress?” Tecchou’s arm slid into wrap around Jouno’s waist.
“Shut up, or I’m kicking you out.” Jouno tucked the blankets firmly around the two of them, twisting his head into a comfortable position on the bed.
“All bark and no bite.” Tecchou commented, reaching a hand behind him to tuck the blanket in. Once they settled in, he let out a breath, “This is actually hot…”
Jouno smirked, “But?”
“...but it feels nice.” Tecchou relented, closing his eyes.
A triumphant smile made its way across Jouno’s features, “See? Told you so.”
A yawn escaped Tecchou, “Well then, my room is always open for you.”
“...Thanks.” Jouno mumbled into the pillow, turning to face the wall; his back to Tecchou’s chest.
Wait the wall.
An amused laugh seeped through the air, Jouno’s hand feeling over the bumps that prevented him from colliding with the wall. “Is this what I think it is?”
Pretend you don’t know anything, “What do you think it is?”
“I think that this is a 3 foot long ant-shaped pillow.” His hand stroked the head and found the antennae, then he threw a smile over his shoulder into Techou’s face, “Am I wrong?”
Dropping his head onto Jouno’s shoulder, Tecchou repeated Jouno’s former words, “Are you judging me?”
A laugh, “No, not judging you.” He tucked the ant into his fortress, Tecchou’s arms attempting to pull him away.
Soft silence entered the room, and Tecchou was about to fall back to sleep when Jouno piped up, “My room is open for you, too.”
A gurgle escaped Tecchou, as he partially wake up, “What?”
Jouno pointed a finger at the light, “If there’s a blackout or it doesn’t work or something, my room is open for you too.”
Now it was Tecchou’s turn to flush, “Thanks.”
“Goodnight Tecchou-san.”
Finally.
“Goodnight Jouno.” And he pulled the blankets over them, blocking out the night air. And when morning came, the fortress blankets blocked out the golden rays of the sun, cameras, and the giggles that came from the doorway.