Munchy's Treat Time

PA: A Nighttime Predicament

Yuu

I'm rudely woken up by a doorbell ringing. As I stare up at the ceiling, part of me considers just saying fuck it, whoever sucks enough to ring right now doesn't deserve my attention. But alas. Despite my misgivings, I drag myself out of bed and open the door. "Dude, what time is it?" I ask tiredly, hardly even opening my eyes.

"F-Four am... Sorry." The voice is a bit nasally and hesitant.

"Bisque? You okay, buddy?"

A sniffle rings out. "N-Not really. I know I have insomnia all the time so I shouldn't be complaining. But Joanie made decaf and normal coffee today so I thought I'd try decaf just to see how it tastes and I think I drank the wrong stuff. I've been trying for hours and hours and HOURS to get myself to sleep, but nothing's working! I ran around to try and burn some energy, I wrote a to-do list for tomorrow to try and clear my head... even pottery didn't work! I'm so tired, Yuu, but I'm insanely jittery! Look!"

He holds his hands out in front of me, but I can hardly see, so, reluctantly, I grab them. They're trembling. "Jesus. All that from one cup of coffee?"

"I also had a soda earlier, and obviously my meds are a stimulant. Maybe some of it is just me f-freaking out, too? I dunno."

"How can I help?"

"Can I try sleeping in here? Please, please, pretty please with a cherry on top? I'd ask Zu, but I bothered her last time I had a sleepless night, and I really don't wanna bug her too often."

"I— um— sure. I have a bunch of blankets and a pillow to spare." I quickly make a bed for him out of blankets and plop one of my pillows at the head of it.

"Thank you, you're the bestest!" he gives a grateful squeal and pops onto the pillow with an exuberant BOFF.

"Not a problem." I get back into my own bed and fall back asleep gradually.

And then, once again. "Yuu. Yuuuuuuu," he whispers frantically, poking at me.

"What?" I murmur groggily.

"Can I get in the bed?"

"Mmmph. I guess?" I respond, still half-asleep.

But soon it actually sets in what I've allowed to happen. After about five more minutes of restless tossing and turning on his part, he whimpers, inching ever closer. "I know you hate hugs, but..."

"Really? Nighttime cuddling? Is that really gonna be the only thing that'll get you to sleep?" I ask, feeling more than a tad hesitant.

"Maybe. I used to go sleep with Mom when I had nights like this, and she'd hold me close. I'm so sorry... I feel like such a baby, and I know I've already asked so much of you, and you can obviously say no, but—" I bridge the gap between us and drape an arm around him, feeling intensely awkward but not wanting him to feel guilty.

"You're so warm!" he exclaims happily, putting his arm around me as well, in a sort of hug-like cuddle. He's cool— not cold enough to be uncomfortable, just pleasantly chilly, like a lightly refrigerated water bottle.

"Shhhhh. It's bedtime. If you still can't go to sleep after this, please don't wake me up again."

"O-Okay. I'm sorry again. And thank you. Thanks so much, Yuu." I can hear the warmth in his voice, and it makes me feel a little better about all of it.

A while later, he lulls himself into sleep at last, and I follow soon after. Once I finally open my eyes for real, as in with the intention to actually get ready for the day, I find him with a slight smile on his face, eyes still shut. For once in his life, he seems completely peaceful. Even though he's soothed in his pottery, he still has to dedicate focus and effort into it. Here? He's just... still.

I look back on how, when I first met him, I was suspicious of his kindness. I desperately wanted his wholesomeness to be real, but I couldn't trust it at the beginning. And I wonder... if I had seen this, would I have been assured? Would I have known that he's genuinely someone so compassionate?

I normally dislike being touched, but I think... I'm becoming more accustomed to moments like this. With the way that some of these people give out hugs like candy, it's natural that eventually, I'd start to let my guard down a little. Compromise is important; if my peers— or rather, my friends— show their affection through little hand squeezes or things like that, then maybe, every once in a while...

He wakes up a long while later, opening his eyes wide. "G'morning!" he beams, "I finally got some good shut-eye!"

"I'm glad." A bit nervously, I move my arm from around his shoulder to fluff his hair a bit, and he giggles cheerfully.

"Ohhhh! We should help Tozen make breakfast!" he decides, leaping out of bed and nearly stepping on his glasses.

I look at my hand a bit before rushing off to follow him.