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Zaun grew incredibly quiet during the night time, it wasn't as hectic as Spawn used to be. No rockets flying overhead every night, no people showing up at the door every day, looking for somebody or trying to steal from something, and that was nice.
Making Zaun was meant to be something of a getaway, a retirement home as they'd called it. Zam hated to say it but the more time he spent here in Zaun, he realized that being exiled is one of the best things to have ever happened to him.
Everything he did now was for himself, his own needs being fulfilled rather than having concern for what everyone else would have to deal with.
His only concern, for now, was Derapchu.
Tiredness had settled into Zam’s head, but he was happy sacrificing that time asleep to spend longer with Derap and Isha. Currently, the three were in Derap’s house, Zam was sitting cross-legged on the carpet with the fox settled comfortably in his lap, the rabbit-hybrid throwing a few more logs into his fireplace to avoid it going out at some point.
A yawn had escaped the blond as he brought up a hand and gently scratched the top of Isha’s head, a spot between her ears which received a small sort of purr in response, her front paw tapping at the motion. It was nice to live in a moment so domestic, so sweet.
Derapchu’s ear had flicked toward Zam as he heard the yawn, exhaling out a breath of laughter before settling back down in his place beside the blond, drinking in the warmth of the freshly fuelled fire as he placed both hands behind himself and leaned back.
“Do you want to stay here tonight?” Derap spoke up as he looked at his friend, noting how tired he’d managed to have gotten. “I think it'd be nicer, ‘v got the fire going and, if she feels nice, Isha can stay here too.
“They're always nice, aren't you, Isha?” Zam grinned and rubbed the back of his finger along the fox’s head, earning some yips and purrs in reply - if you listened close enough, it could've almost sounded like she was laughing. Zam then turned his head to look toward Derap and nodded, answering the original question. “I’d like that a lot. The treehouse gets super cold, its also.. a bit see through.”
“No one else here but me to see you, Zam.”
The pacifist hummed as a reply, not having much more to say as he gently guided Isha off of his lap and had her settle on the carpet instead.
He took a moment to remain comfortable before using his arms to bring himself up off of the ground, Derapchu following along as the two stood up, then climbing up the ladder to the upper area where Derap’s bed was set up. Originally it was only a singular bed, but with how much Zam ended up here he’d extended it out, making sure one side was against the wall as he’d picked up on his teammate’s trait of needing something either side of him.
Zam practically tossed himself into the mattress, pillows having been left how he arranged them a few nights ago when he last stayed, so he quickly and lazily fluffed up the one by his head before watching as Derap got in on his own side, he didn't take as much shuffling to get comfortable, laying on his back with an arm stretched out on Zam’s side - something of a quiet offer.
It didn't take too long for Zam to shuffle out of his spot and into Derap’s, laying on his side as his head settled against the other’s shoulder, the extended arm coming up against Zam’s upper back to then rest on his arm.
Normally, Zam’s preference was feeling secure all over, making sure there was a pillow between him and the wall or between him and the headboard, but tonight he wanted nothing more than the comfort of his partner’s space.
He’d adjusted his head so he wasn't too uncomfortable nor was his head too heavy against Derap, letting out a breath of relief as he settled into place. With how tired he'd grown from simply being around Derapchu, he was sure it wouldn't be long before he slipped into sleep.
There was some sort of internal battle of his senses at the lack of coverage on his back, causing him to fidget ever so slightly with his legs or toying with the fabric of Derap’s hoodie between his fingers, just something to think about through his senseless worries and tired mind.
Of course, nothing can ever seem to go unnoticed by Derapchu, the arm around Zam pulling him as close as can be and the hand against his arm offering a light and gentle squeeze of reassurance.
The blond hummed in reply once again, allowing himself to relax into his friend’s side before drifting off shortly afterward.
It was a peaceful and comfortable night spent together, as it is most nights as of late.
-
Derapchu, at some point during the night, had brought Zam impossibly closer, one arm wrapped around him and holding him by his side whilst the other held onto a tanner hand resting against his stomach.
Zam hadn’t done much moving, simply happy to be there and in his teammate’s presence. Zam could never sleep alone, it was something he’d struggled with for some time now, something to do with previous seasons leaving a bad taste in his mouth. He had Derap, though, and the rabbit hybrid was nothing short of a clinger.
A yawn escaped the blond as he rubbed his face against blue fabric, eyes still half closed as he took notice of his surroundings. There was a faint amount of sunlight shining through the window ahead, just enough to illuminate the room in the ways that counted, enough to let Zam see Isha if he craned his head just right.
The blond was more of a morning person, someone who wanted to get up and get the day going, something about making the most of his time - that was until he realized that he didn’t have anything to be doing to ‘make the most of his time’. If he got up now, all he’d be doing was building or hanging out with Isha, then Derap later once he woke up.
The realization was strange, it was a new feeling to not constantly have to be preparing for something happening soon, if not the next day.
“What time is it?” A tired mumble could be heard, Zam resting his head back down to where it previously lie and tapping his fingers against Derapchu’s hand. “‘re you okay?”
“I’m okay, don’t worry.” The pacifist hummed, hoping to soothe the worries in his friend’s mind, he didn’t want the day to begin with worrying Derap over nothing. A face had planted itself atop his head and breathed out a sigh, evidently still asleep and not entirely awake enough to care.
Derapchu wasn’t much of a morning person, something Zam had found out earlier into the season when the other was still teamed with Wemmbu. He’d only be seen in the active tabs when it got later into the day and would be seen on till late, usually the early hours of the morning.
The two were some sort of awkward yet perfect fit. Zam could be found active for hours upon hours on end and so could Derap - since teaming together, they more or less aligned their schedules with one another and maximized the amount of time they spent goofing off together through it.
Another exhale of tired breath was let out and the air danced along Zam’s scalp, bringing a giggle to his lips that he desperately stifled to allow his teammate to remain resting. Derapchu’s lips turned upward into a smile, lightly squeezing Zam’s hand as he assured him that he was, in fact, awake.
They hadn’t set out any plans for the day, which would’ve sent Zam up a wall had he been teamed with anyone other than Derap. There was something about the rabbit hybrid that offered some sense of comfort, something like a light in the darkness ahead; maybe it was through the support he’d offered and the trust he’d gained, or maybe Zam was nothing more than a simple man happy with the simplest of companionship, but he was happy to admit to both if it meant keeping the warmth of a friend by his side.
Having no set plans did leave more room to lie down, stay in one another’s space and remain comfortable until they both decided it was time to get to their day.
It was definitely new for the prince, not having let himself have a lazy morning since season four with the eclipse federation - Vitalasy was always keen on keeping him and Subz bundled up for as long as he could, and when he eventually had to let Subz go, the dragonborn would send Zam over like bait to a pack of wolves, though he’d always be happy to remain in Vi’s company - it was probably something that could come under the term of being ‘selfish’, so Zam took that as his selfish act for the day.
There was almost some nonverbal agreement on the two of them lazing around, it seemed, seeing as Derap had moved his head back to where it previously lay against the pillow behind his head. Zam was more than sure of the man being awake, though he didn’t seem to want to get up, not just yet.
Zam shimmied out of Derapchu’s arms only slightly, grabbing his communicator before returning to his place by the other’s side, now scrolling through the comm at an angle where Derap could see the screen, if he was nosy enough.
-
4CVIT .ıll
ashswagg .ıll
Pangi .ıll
PrinceZam .ıll
TheRealSquiddo .ıll
-
The server was relatively full for the time of day it was, Zam could guess that the four were together somewhere, whether Mawn or outside, he didn’t care too much. He knew Pangi and knew that the pangolin went where the people were and Zaun, currently, had two people who were more than asleep when he wanted people to be around, plus he had no issues with Zaun residents wanting to be at Mawn, anyway.
There was some part of him that saddened seeing a lack of Mapicc on the active list, he would’ve loved to have a conversation with him about Mawn or the citizens and how Zaun was nothing of a competitor in that regard, seeing as the Zaunites, ignoring Zam and Derap due to their exile, usually stuck around Mawn for the people there.
“I can hear your mind rushing, dude, ‘s too early.” A voice spoke, eliciting a snicker of laughter from Zam as he sent a quick < hi! > before placing his communicator down off to the side somewhere on the bed. The two of them knew why his mind was, allegedly, rushing, however neither of them would mention it out loud.
“Sorry, my bad.” The prince responded, rolling onto his stomach and resting his chin against his teammate’s chest, earning a shake of the head in response.
“Don’t apologize, ‘s fine, I just wanna lay around for another little while before we get to working on Zaun, yeah?” The rabbit hybrid spoke, readjusting his arm that was wrapped around Zam to keep him close.
“Don’t you even want breakfast? I don’t mind getting us something or making some food.”
“Food can wait too, Zams. Now is for spending time in bed.” Derapchu shuffled slightly onto his side and wrapped both arms around the pacifist, a grin on his face as he was clearly proud of himself for getting to keep Zam in bed for longer than five minutes. Once he had the blond in his arms, Derap rolled back onto his back and pulled the other along with him, half-laying on him and half-laying by his side.
The moment was followed with some quiet laughter and rustling of blankets as Zam readjusted into a new and more comfortable position than what he’d been left with.
Everything about this moment felt familiar, it felt like all that time ago when Vitalasy would wrap himself around Zam and keep him close, keep him warm. It was a nice reminder of a past he knew he couldn’t hold onto for much longer.
There were always new memories to be made, rather than holding onto what once was.