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Nox had always been afraid of storms. When he was young and didn't have a home, storms meant wetness, cold, and—depending on how long the rain went on—hunger or even illness. He hardly experienced storms as a key, but the few that happened had shook the library basement with the roar of thunder and the pattering of rain. Now, in the Hollow farmhouse, Nox could hear the sounds of his first storm back as a human.
He had snuck into Chase's room, as he did most nights—despite Mr. Hollow's best attempts to keep the two in separate rooms—but Chase somehow found the rain comforting and nodded off rather quickly.
Nox stroked Chase's golden hair and tried to focus on the sound of his breath instead of the sound of the rain. He had thought he was over his fear by now, but now that he was human, all of his ancient fears came rushing back to him. He knew he was safe. Logically, he knew he was safe. But in the back of his mind the little voices still whispered, 'rain means danger'.
He tried to breathe slowly and quietly. He didn't want to wake Chase up. His boyfriend would likely just be annoyed with him.
Breathe. Breathe. You're safe and warm and dry, it's fine.
He was starting to believe himself when the room lit up bright white. Nox tensed. This was his least favourite part. One… Two… Three… Fo-
CRASH.
There it was. He shuddered. Fine, it's fine. I'm safe. Breathe. In and out and in and out, and he could feel himself hyperventilating—
"Buds?" Chase's voice was soft and thick with sleep. Buddy clung to it like it was an anchor. "Y'okay?"
Breathe. Breathe. Breathe. "Fine. I'm- I'm fine"
Chase pushed himself to sit up and raised one eyebrow. "Y'don look okay, Noxxie."
"Hmm." Nox was glad that it was dark enough that Chase couldn't see him blushing.
Chase's arms wrapped around Nox's neck, enveloping him with warmth. He peppered kisses all over Nox's cheeks and nose and forehead, eventually pausing to inspect his boyfriend. "Do you feel better?"
"A bit." Nox tried to relax. "Kisses do tend to help."
"Why—" Chase broke off to yawn, "Why were you upset in the first place?" At that moment, lightning lit up the room once again, and Nox tensed, again, as thunder shook the window. Chase's face softened with understanding. Nox raised an eyebrow as Chase stood up and stretched before reaching out his hand expectantly.
"Chase, wha-"
"C'mon Noxxiepoo, we're gonna make hot chocolate." Chase grinned, and Nox sighed, but took his hand anyway. They crept down the stairs and into the kitchen, where Chase made up two mugs of cocoa topped with two marshmallows for each.
The two boys sat together at the counter, taking small sips of their hot chocolate, and not really saying much of anything. Chase rested his head on Nox's shoulder.
"Wanna talk about it?"
"Hmm. I suppose I owe you an explanation for waking you up like that."
"The thunder woke me up, you idiot. Don't apologize."
"That's my line," Nox murmured into his mug.
"Well I'm stealing it."
"Stealing is mean, darling."
"Oh, you wanna play that game?"
"Good point." Nox cringed. He had walked right into that one. "Anyhow, I…" He took a deep breath. "I don't like storms. I suppose it makes sense, considering that I would have to sit out in them, back… you know…" He trailed off and Chase nuzzled him sympathetically. "I'm okay now. The rain is quieter down here." They stayed like that for a couple of minutes, before Chase sat up excitedly, splashing hot cocoa out of his mug as he did so.
"I have an idea!" He put his mug down and kissed Nox on the cheek. "Wait here!" He ran up the stairs leaving Nox sitting at the counter, blushing and very confused. A few minutes later Chase came back, holding as many blankets and pillows as possible.
"What…?" Nox was thoroughly confused.
"Shh," Chase grinned.
After a couple minutes, the blankets were draped into a tent shape over a couch and an armchair with some of the pillows around the sides. Chase disappeared into the blanket-tent for a moment, then popped back up, coming to the counter and taking Nox's hand.
"Chase, what on earth is happening?"
"I built us a fort, Cookieboo!"
Ignoring the nonsensical nickname, Nox asked "A fort, is that what we're calling this blanket thing?"
"Yes. We can hang out in there for a bit to get away from the storm!"
Nox wasn't sure exactly what was happening, but he really couldn't deny his boyfriend anything. He allowed himself to be dragged into the "fort".
He looked around. It was a very small space, and one would think his claustrophobia would kick in, but somehow, he was alright. It was dark except for one battery operated flashlight, and there were blankets and pillows covering the ground.
"Do you like it?" He felt Chase's breath brush his ear. Nox turned to look at Chase. They were so close their noses were practically touching. Of course he liked the fort, but at the moment he was distracted by someone's pretty face. He leaned forward and pressed his lips to Chase's. Chase paused for a moment before his hands slipped behind Nox’s head to pull him closer and deepen the kiss. He loved Chase. Maybe he hadn't said it yet but… That would come with time. He reached up and ran his hands through Chase's hair, before pulling back for breath.
"You're so cute, Noxxie" Chase smiled.
Nox laid his head on Chase's chest. "I suppose…"
"You are." Chase planted a kiss on his forehead. "So cute." A second kiss. Nox closed his eyes and listened to Chase's heartbeat. Ba-dum, ba-dum, ba-dum.
Chase's voice was a near whisper as he next spoke. "You must be exhausted." He ran his hands through his black hair. "Did you get any sleep before I woke up?"
"Mmeh." Nox was too tired to say anything. He didn't remember much after that, except the sound of his boyfriend's heart and hands in his hair. There might be a storm outside, but here he was safe, surrounded by his own personal sunshine.