Good Enough, Right...? - Chapter VII
Naps
Ben froze when Carlos fell asleep once more. Firstly, Carlos was too tired and that worried him a great deal... And secondly... Carlos had fallen asleep against him.
"Darn..."
He didn't know what to do. On one hand, this was probably inappropriate and maybe not okay with Mal, but on the other hand, he didn't want to move Carlos and Carlos clearly needed the rest...
He gave up and put a blanket over Carlos, then put on a movie at low volume.
...
He couldn't focus on the movie. Carlos, it turns out, is a very squirmy sleeper. He moves, gets close, grabs Ben's shirt, nuzzles into his neck. Ben shivered at the warm exhales against his collarbones.
"Carlos..."
"Mnrgh..."
Carlos' eyes fluttered open with a sleepy little groan. He was hanging precariously on the edge of sleep and wakefulness, his eyes drooping. He looked like one of those little sleepy puppies Audrey was so fond of.
"Carlos, move a little. Too close."
"Awwwh...."
Carlos whined. He actually whined. But he did move, grumbling about Ben not joining into cuddle piles. Which was... well, true. Ben almost never joined their VK cuddle piles. He wasn't against them, not at all, but he just didn't feel like he would fit into one.
"Hey Carlos?"
"Mhhhhh?"
"Do you like cuddling?"
Carlos turned his head to squint sleepily at Ben.
"The fuck? Yes? Why're you asking now?"
"... 'M just curious..." Ben answered, hesitant. "I mean, you all cuddle a lot, you and the VKs..."
"Yeah we do.... We used it for warmth back when the heating went out... Or when our parents got too mean, even for us...."
"Yeah?" asked Ben, unconsciously scooting closer. "I mean... Mal and I actually don't cuddle that much, actually. But I know you guys do..."
"Mh... She probably just wants you comfortable before initiating... Or somethin' like that, I dunno."
Carlos yawned widely, sharp little canines glinting in the sunlight. Ben's heart melted.
"Poor you, you must be so tired, hm?"
"Wouldn't be if you hadn't woken me up."
"I'm sorry... Do you want to..." Ben hesitated, looking away, then looking back at Carlos. He looked so soft then, so sleepy... "Do you w-want to cuddle? S-So I can uh... Make it up to you."
Ben hated how his voice shook. He shouldn't feel this embarrassed around one of his closest friends. Carlos, however, didn't really give a shit. He was exhausted and wanted cuddles. Who was he to say no when offered? He immediately snuggled closer to Ben, head buried in his chest.
Ben forced himself to relax and ran his fingers through Carlos' hair, which earned him a happy little hum in return. He could get used to this...
