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"Winter's coming," says Apollo, curled up on the sofa. Steve giggles. Apollo's made himself as compact as possible and is still so long.
Apollo narrows his eyes at him. "What?"
"Nothing, dude." He grins widely, his tooth snagging on his lip. "You just look so cozy. I'd join you but there's not enough space. We'd have to stack. I think there would be falling and injuries for sure."
"Mm," says Apollo. "I could sit up. Come on, I wanna snuggle."
Steve certainly isn't going to say no to that.
He hops over on light feet and squishes between Apollo and the couch's armrest, one arm strategically finding its place onto the back of the sofa along Apollo's back.
Apollo catches his eye and looks away, cheeks tinged slightly red. He shifts, takes Steve's hand from by his shoulder and tugs it down so it's actually on him. Steve leans into him.
The warmth of Apollo's body against his makes him feel like he swallowed a hot drink, all cozy on the inside.
They sit in silence and Steve's eyes start to droop. Apollo traces gentle patterns onto his hand.
"Its dark out already." His voice feels like a blanket, so soft and gentle. "It scares me. And it's just gonna be dark earlier and earlier. I don't like it."
Steve turns his head, kissing his neck. "I know, bud."
"I dont want it to come. I just want it to stay summer."
"Yeah."
Apollo closes his eyes and shivers. Steve doesnt mind winter, he prefers it over the heat of summer, keeping him from going outside, but he knows how the darkness affects Apollo.
They're opposites in that way.
It's interesting how much simple things like light can make the world feel so different when it's only one thing thats actually changing.
He wishes he could make things easier for Apollo. He knows that cuddling helps, and human contact. Apollo's told him.
So he tucks him even closer if possible and lifts his hand to play with his hair, gentle brushing through the strands. Apollo turns his head as if to hide in Steve from the darkness.
"It'll be okay, bud," Steve says. "I'll protect you against the darkness."
Apollo snorts. "Shut up."
"Whaaat? You think I can't take any foe I take on? Man, have some confidence in me, please."
"Steeeve," whines Apollo, but his eyes dance with mirth.
Steve laughs. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. It does suck, genuinely. Do you wanna watch a movie or something?"
"Yeah. Yeah, I'd love to."
And so they do.