Giant Dancing Hedgehogs are Nightmare Fuel

Chapter 3

Pete cuddles Vegas for the duration of his two hour nap. It seems to be dreamless, which he's thankful for. Vegas appears to find comfort in being held firmly while he sleeps. When Pete loosens his grip and lets one arm drop, Vegas opens his bleary eyes within seconds and feels around for Pete's hand, then throws it over his middle again, squeezing pointedly as he goes back to sleep. Pete takes the hint and deals with Vegas's silent commands.

"He used to do that a lot."

Pete turns at the sound of Tankhun's voice and finds him and Arm standing in the doorway. Tankhun is dressed down and looks surprisingly…normal? Not for Tankhun, but he looks basic and almost unrecognizable wearing a simple gray t-shirt and a pair of fitted and faded blue jeans, neither of which Pete has seen in his life. 

"What are you wearing?" Pete asks, probably coming off as rude with the way he's scrutinizing Tankhun's clothes, but Tankhun glances down at his attire and smirks.

"Arm and I went to Sai Yok National Park this morning," Tankhun says, "He suggested we go somewhere to get my mind off of things. I used to love going there as a child and Arm has never gone, so we went and ended up spending the day swimming by a waterfall with playful elephants. We even had a picnic and gave them a little bit of our food, but one pushed some of my clothes in the water. I just had my swim trunks and my lace shirt left, which don't go together AT ALL. Arm took me to Tesco, and I got these because I figured I should see if I can blend into the crowd. It turns out I can't. So many strangers flirted with me, Pete! I am irresistible when I am wearing clothes that don't intimidate people. Arm had to protect me. He's so good at that."

Pete glances at Arm, who is staring at him, so Pete makes a point of staring right back because what is he supposed to say when he isn't even supposed to know about them?

"Sounds like a date to me, P'Tankhun," Macau says from the couch lazily, grinning like the brave little shit he is.

Pete isn’t sure how he thought Tankhun might respond to that. Maybe with denials, threats, or insults. Maybe go on the other end of the spectrum (and closer to Vegas’s new way of doing things) by gushing about a potential wedding and honeymoon. It’s none of those things.

“Hmm,” is all Tankhun says. And that’s it. Apparently, they are allowed to talk about real elephants, but not the huge metaphorical one standing in the room.

“Come on,” Macau says, sitting up, “You guys couldn’t stop looking at each other yesterday. It felt like being around P’Pete and Hia. Except Hia doesn’t even try to hide it. He wants the entire world to know-”

“What he wants,” Tankhun says, redirecting his attention back to Vegas, “Is for Pete to squeeze him more tightly. Tight, Pete. I’m serious. As if you are seconds away from hurting him. That’s what he always wanted after a meltdown and before bed.”

Pete looks down at Vegas and picks up an arm to gesture at him, “He was shot multiple times and has stitches, Tankhun. I can’t squeeze him any more tightly.”

Tankhun lets out a sigh and sits back in his seat, “You’re right. I wasn’t thinking. That’s just something that helps him calm down and feel safe. Sort of like what Arm does with me when he squeezes and massages my wrists and legs to ground me. Vegas’s needs are a little different, though. Him wanting that mainly comes from sensory dysregulation, along with some emotional dysregulation. He probably didn’t get it much after Auntie Milan passed-”