The Day of Reckoning (Prototype)

Chapter 27: This Feeling

I turn around, looking for Ramil before quickly seeing him slowly limping out of the room. I limp over to him as he collapses. I catch him in my arms, and he moves in a little closer, slumping his head into my stomach, just below my chest. His arms wrap around my waist and he begins to cry a bit. "I'm ready to go home." He says. Chris speed limps over to me, hugging my back.

"Are you okay!? I saw you raging just now!" He asks me.

"Don't worry, I-I'm fine." I say. "I'm just tired." Chris exhales and falls back onto his ass as Ramil suddenly shivers. After tonight, I'm sure his body is tired. Walking all the way home from here might be uncomfortable for him. I lift him up, and he puts his arms around my neck and lays his head on my shoulder. He quickly falls asleep like that, and him being so cozy like that makes me blush a little. I turn to Chris, who's damn near asleep himself. "Hey." I say. He looks up to me. "Want a ride?" I ask. He weakly nods and I crouch down.

He climbs onto my back, ignoring my bag and hammer. He falls asleep fast, too. I walk down the stairs and out the back, looking for Kenny and Lauryn. I see his bright blue hair and he waves once he spots me. He limps with Lauryn hanging onto his shoulder. They're both pretty dirty, but they have a lot less injuries than we do. "Oi, mate!" He says. "Was starting to worry there. Are you okay? Are they sleep?"

"Yes to both." I say. "What about you two? Are you guys alright?" I cough a bit, feeling a sharp pain in my torso.

"I'm just fine." He says. "Lauryn's really tired but overall okay." She gives me a weak smile and thumbs up. "Good. If we're all okay, let's go ahead and head home." Kenny nods and leads the way.

Halfway through the walk home, Lauryn climbs onto Ken's back and he piggybacks her home. Ken kicks the front door down and we get to the backyard through the back door. Using the pulley system, we manage to get all of us into the treehouse.

The sharp smell of old wood is oddly comforting. "Goodnight, mate. See ya tomorrow." Ken says, laying Lauryn and himself next to the cats. I place Chris in the corner next to the bench. I lay Ramil on the bench, but as I turn to take off my stuff and tend to my wound, he grabs the bottom of my shirt. "Stay.. lay down.." he mutters.

Eventually, he let's go and flips over. I smile a bit and remove his boots, placing the curtain blanket over his shoulder. I remove my bag and boots. I slap a gauze pad over my injury and lay two strips of medical tape over it. There's not enough space on the floor to sleep, and all the corners are taken up. I guess I'll have to sleep with Ramil for now. I wanted him to have the bench to himself, but oh well. I crawl under the blanket and lay with my back to him, my eyes getting heavy.

I take a deep breath and close my eyes, falling asleep real fast.

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Something suddenly wakes me up. Its still dark out, and nobody's up yet. Its quiet and peaceful, and it slightly puts me at ease. I randomly feel something warm against my body, and my arm feels elevated. I breathe in, and something soft rubs on my chin. Its hair.. its Ramil's hair. My arm is on top of his shoulder, and the front of my body pushes against his back.

A-are we spooning? How!? My back was to his!! I think to myself. I calm down and relax. Ramil shifts his body, pushing it more against mine. He's so warm. Its comforting. His body heat makes me feel great. I feel safe, and like I'm keeping him safe. The feeling is amazing. It's beautiful, and I don't want it to end. This warmth... I always want to feel this.

My eyes begin closing again. I let them and enjoy the feeling of Ramil's body on mine. Its something I could enjoy for a long, long time.

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I feel someone gently shake my shoulder. "Hey." a sweet, gentle voice says. "You up?"

Its Lauryn. "No.." I half-heartedly answer. My body is too calm. Too warm. Ramil's warmth is holding me in place. Its lovely. I want to feel him more. His hair, his body, his face. Anything to feel more of this warmth. "Buddy, you there?" She whispers with her hand on my shoulder.

"No..." I say. My forearm moves over Ramil's chest and ever so slightly pulls him closer to me. I want this feeling. I need this feeling. Its incredible. His body pressing against mine... his warmth... it all feels natural in a way. And I love it. Lauryn continues to call for me, but I tune it out. I can't help it. I'm so cozy right now. I groan. Ramil is so, so warm. I feel secure, and I want to stay like this. I don't want his warmth to go away. God, I love this. His body is practically so.. so perfect.

Ramil begins to move over. His warmth fades, and my body feels a bit tense. I flip onto my side and see Lauryn.

"Hey. Wanna go for a morning stroll?" She asks. I think on it for a minute.

"Sure." I groan. "Why not?" I get dressed and grab my bag with the hammer already between the straps. She climbs down the ladder and I follow as she leads us out of our neighborhood and we walk for a while. Soon enough, we make our way into a much smaller, more unscathed town.

She comes to a stop just outside the town entrance. "You like it?" She asks. I look around for any Eldritch before saying "Huh?"

"This is the place!" She says.