Airi’s tail wagged a mile at a second, his ears pointed up in excitement as he patiently- (He failed miserably, mind you), waited for Evan to fully wake up. The smaller youma sending him various glares and stares to fully summarize that he was perhaps absolutely done with the wolf’s antics despite not knowing why Airi was acting like a pup that needed to be let out in the backyard right this second. The large wolf adapted a play stance, before lowering himself completely and crawling forward, offering light whines and apologetic licks to Evan’s hands. Nuzzling his muzzle into Evan’s hands and against his body earned him a roll of golden eyes before Evan resigned himself to his fate and gave Airi his undivided attention.

“I’m sorry.” Airi apologized, brushing his muzzle and head against Evan’s. “You can go back to sleep in a little bit, I promise. I just want you to see something.” Evan’s annoyed stare never faltered. Airi paid it no mind and nudged the smaller youma, prompting him to climb on his back. “You’ll like it. Trust me.” Because really, when had Airi ever given Evan a reason not to trust him.

….Aside from that one time with the collar.

--

Sleep didn't always come easily to Evan, either because of the environment, his mind, or the fact that he was supposed to be a youma and wasn't even sure if they needed sleep. Being woken up from a good sleep meant Evan was particularly grouchy. His fur was unevenly a mess and he had a terrible case of bedhead.

His narrowed eyes skimmed the area where he'd just been sleeping, as if he were considering ignoring Airi and curling up again—or as though he were searching for a place small enough that he could crawl in and hide, where Airi wouldn't be able to reach him.

There was nothing, so with a begrudging sigh Evan dragged himself up onto Airi's back. He tried to curl up and go to sleep but didn't trust himself not to fall off; instead, he gripped the male's fur tightly and huffed and grumbled even after he was settled..

--

Airi tried to bite back the laugh that crept up his throat at Evan's bedhead. "I'll make it up to you." He promised. He would too. He was about to.

The trip wasn't long and resulted in Airi stopping in front of a decent sized cave hidden in a cluster of crystal spires growing out from the ground. With a gentle nudge, he prompted Evan off before shifting forms. "I found this place on accident." He said, walking forward on his hind legs and moving a large boulder that acted as a makeshift door out of the way. "It was one of those times when you were off with Sanidine." Airi supplied, as if he knew Evan was trying to remember just when he had let the large wolf out of his sight.

When the 'door' was out of the way, beckoned Evan forward. "Inside." He prompted softly. "It's alright. Nothing in there will harm you." He reached over and gently ran his claws through Evan's hair and fur, as if he was trying to sooth any fear Evan had.

He may or may not have also done it to ease Evan's irritation towards him.

Inside the cave was a gathering of what appeared to be pillows and blankets. Lots of them, in fact. All in a wide variety of colors, shapes and sizes.

"I uh... kinda stole most of these from Fangite." Airi admitted sheepishly, ears flattening. "He's kind of mad at me for it, but he understands why I did it. I got that black cat from before to help me out too... I think she said one of those was your's from the apartment." Airi canted his head to the side.

--

Evan expected to have this made up to him; he growled low, but it wasn't threatening, only exasperated. Though he tried to drift into sleep as Airi transported him, he couldn't help but be interested. He managed to keep one eye cracked, observing the changing environment and trying to anticipate whatever it was that Airi had been so excited about.

The crystal spires had been momentarily distracting; he still grumbled when he was nudged off of Airi and flopped indelicately onto the ground. He didn't need to be told to follow the larger youma, and though entering a place he'd never ventured was fuel for his anxiety, he trusted Airi enough to shuffle inside (though not without a few hesitant peeks over his shoulder).

Whatever Evan had expected, it wasn't this.

He stared at the blankets and pillows, ears twitching and eyes wide. Airi's explanation was heard, though it took Evan a moment to process it. His ears stood straight up and he bounded over to the nest, fishing around and digging in the pile for a moment until he pulled out the one that he recognized.

His entire demeanor had changed; he was bouncing and excited and scampered back over to Airi, holding his blanket. Immediately he was chirping, nuzzling it and then holding it out to Airi as if he expected the other to admire it as much as he did.

There wasn't anything impressive about the blanket—it was a throw blanket that Evan had tucked himself under many times while crashing on the couch, but it smelled like home. It was a little piece of everything he missed, and even though Airi and Iolite seemed to have come together to bring it to him, he still wanted to share it—to share what it meant to him.

---

Airi smiled, relaxing under Evan’s sheer enjoyment. “Yes… It is very nice.” He said, running the back of his knuckles against the fabric. “I figured you would like something from home.” The wolf was just sorry he couldn’t give Evan more.

“So….” He said softly, ears twitching playfully. “Does this mean I’m forgiven? Did I make it up to you??” The wolf teased, before shifting forms once again. While Airi was large in both forms, he would take up less of Evan’s blankets and pillows this way. He’d be content enough to curl up on the ground like he always did.

The wolf shook, rolling his shoulders as his gaze shifted between Evan and the makeshift ‘bed’ that he had assembled before grinning. The large creature took off, bounding at the items before jumping into the pile without a care in the world. Airi rolled around in the pillows, nuzzled into the blankets before setting on his belly with a snort, looking at Evan with an aura that radiated fake innocence, as if he had not done what he just did.

“Are you coming, or am I gonna get all this to myself??” He teased. “That would kinda defeat the purpose of me getting them for you.

---

Evan was elated still, and obviously entirely forgiven. While he was still somewhat hesitant of Airi's shifting forms, he seemed to be growing more accustomed to the shifting—and the differences between each of them. He had been entranced, watching him morph—and then too confused by Airi's playful nature as he bounded into the nest of pillows and blankets.

He was still clutching his blanket tightly before he balled it up and carefully made his way over to the nest. He was every bit as enthusiastic about the amassed blankets and pillows was Airi seemed to be, though far more gentle when lowering himself into the softness. He was careful not to disturb or mangle any of the blankets or pillow; once he reached them, he flopped face-first, still clutching his balled up blanket, and wriggled closer to Airi like a worm.

--

Airi was happy. He was happy because Evan was happy. Sure, Airi had seen Evan in a good enough mood dozens of times. But this? This was like discovering a whole other side to the smaller youma. Airi had never seen him this happy.

When Evan wriggled close, Airi snuggled closer, once again brushing his muzzle gently against the smaller youma. Evan seemed to like it, and that was all Airi cared about at the moment.

“It’s for you.” Airi said. “They are all for you. I.. I figured that they might help you relax. That they might help you when-” The wolf paused, thinking. “When I can’t be here. When I’m with Fangite.” It would give Evan something to curl up with and feel safe and warm with. All of the things Airi hoped Evan felt when they were together.

“We can stay here you know…” The youma replied, settling his head down on one of the vast majority of pillows. “I can move the boulder so there is a gap big enough for you to wiggle through.” That way it kept Evan safe… and everything else out. “We won’t have to keep moving from cavern to cavern. The crystal spires help hide this spot… You could show Sanidine where to find it if you want.”

Not that he particularly wanted Sanidine there… but the thought counted, he guessed.

--

Evan's ears immediately twitched when Airi suggested showing Sanidine; his little tail was thumping happily again, and it seemed obvious that the thought appealed to him. Or, more accurately, it was incredibly endearing that Airi had suggested it.

Avan had been witness to the friction between his General and the youma; while a part of Evan very much blamed Sanidine for his current predicament, he couldn’t remember why. All he knew was that Sanidine was Zack, and Zack had always been there to protect him, and Zack always had his best interests at heart.

He knew that Zack was out there, trying to fix things, and that was the only reason why he wasn't able to be with Evan so often. Or, at least, that's what Zack had told him—and he hadn't seen him in a little while, so he could only assume that he was busy researching.

Which meant he got to spend time with Airi, who was either there making sure he was okay, or off doing his important Negaverse things.

Contentedly, Evan sighed and rolled over; he chirped a few notes, light and heartfelt, but he knew enough about body language to know that now was a good time to nod. So, he did. And he pressed closer to Airi and licked at his face.

Everything about his plan seemed excellent, except and he was already propping his stolen blanket up under his pillow. He had a hard time staying still, pulling blankets and pillows closer as he made a more comfortable nest for him and Airi. He moved quickly, pulling a few blankets up to try and tuck Airi in before he tucked himself in.

Satisfied, he let out an extremely please noise and collapsed next to the larger youma, nodding approvingly. He was tired still; his eyes drooped—but there wasn't a trace of irritation or annoyance.

The bedhead, however, remained.

--

The youma froze as Evan licked at his face. His ears stood up in surprise as he blinked owlishly at Evan before relaxing.

If youma could change color, Airi was sure his fur would have taken on a striking red color.

Airi huffed playfully, letting Evan effectively tuck him in. When Evan finished, Airi removed his head from the pillow and tucked it closer to Evan. A pleased hum escaped him, which sounded more like a rumbling purr. He made a mental note to keep an eye out for more things Evan might like and filed that away for later.

“Worth it.” He mumbled, as if someone was talking to him. Watching as Evan snuggled closer and his eyes drooped, Airi leaned over and gently licked at Evan’s cheek before softly rubbing his muzzle against him once again.

So worth it.