Love-Struck Pretty Boy

The Night Talk

Pretty Boy was caught off guard by the presence of his Taipan friend. It was like he had summoned her.

"M, what are you doing up?" He questioned.

Maddie raised her eyebrow at him.

"I could ask you the same question" she says with slight concern.

Pretty Boy was struggling to respond, and it wasn't because he didn't know what to say. It was because he was distracted by Maddie's scales which were shining beautifully in the moonlight. It had him at a loss for words.
Ever since she had shed into her current layer, she just had a new aura of beauty (to Pretty Boy at least) that couldn't be ignored.

"I-I-I uh asked ya first" PB responded with a chuckle.

Maddie noticed his nervousness but let it go.

"Well-" she started. "I've never been a very heavy sleeper so I tend to notice when someone I'm sleeping near suddenly disappears. So when I noticed you left I uh...-" she trailed off.

"Followed me?" PB finished.

Maddie lowered her head in embarrassment.

"Yeah, and I know I know I shouldn't have done that, but I was worried about what you were up to and I jus-"

"Thank you" PB cut her off.

Maddie was stunned.

"Thank you? For what?" She asked with curiosity.

Pretty Boy chuckled.

"For looking out for me of course. It's like I have my own personal bodyguard! Which if I'm being honest, I could really use. I'm not exactly cut out for survival out here yet" PB explained with a nervous chuckle. "But you've had my back since we started our adventure, M".

Maddie was flattered by PB's compliment towards her. She smiled thinking of the growth he'd shown since they first met.

"Thanks PB" Maddie said earnestly. "I at least owed you that considering I sort of forced you to be out here instead of at the zoo where you were adored" she said with a frown.

Pretty Boy paused for a sec before replying.

"Hey remember what I told you when you asked me about why I left the other koalas?" Pretty boy questioned.

Maddie was puzzled.

"Yeah you said they weren't what you expected and that you don't belong with them" she said while remembering his words.

Pretty Boy nodded his head.

"Right, and I said the only place where I felt like I belonged was with you" he added. "And that hasn't changed. So yeah, while being the star of the zoo and being admired everyday was nice, amazing even, it still wasn't where I belonged. I'm where I feel like I should be. So thank you, M." Pretty boy concludes with a smile towards the Taipan.

Maddie smiled.

"A couple of days ago no could have convinced me I'd be hearing this from you" Maddie said with a chuckle.

PB nervously laughed.

"Heh, I guess you've really brought out the best in me, huh?" PB said sweetly. "Then again, maybe I'm also just sleep deprived" he added jokingly as he looked at the night sky.

"Well I'm glad to see this side of you" Maddie said with a grin. "Oh yeah that reminds me" she started.  "So what ARE you doing out here?"

PB glanced at the ground nervously with his paw rubbing behind his neck. He had to find a way out of this conversation. He wasn't ready to face the possible truth yet.

"I uhhh...got bored" he said non-convincingly.

Maddie frowned.

"PB, are you-"

"Annnnyway" Pretty Boy said, cutting off Maddie. "I think now's a good time for me to get some sleep" he said with a yawn. "You better head back to the others and get some rest yourself". He said as he pointed in the direction towards where they had came from.

Maddie had an annoyed expression on her face.

"PB, why are you avoiding the q-" she paused. "Wait are you really gonna just sleep over here by yourself" the Taipan asked with concern.

Pretty Boy nodded.

"Yup this is a pretty comfy area with just the right amount of moonlight" PB explained as he laid down on the ground and closed his eyes.

"PB I know you aren't telling me som-"

Maddie was cut off by PB fake snoring out loud.

Maddie sighed in defeat.

As Pretty Boy was starting to get comfortable, he heard what sounded like a collapsing sound and a soft weight around him . He slowly opened his eyes and was greeted by the familiar sight of Maddie curled up around his body. He was caught off guard by the Taipan's actions.

"Maddie wha-"

PB was cut off by Maddie's own loud fake snores as she curled up more closely around the koala.

"Just wonderful" he thought to himself with an eye roll. "She took the bodyguard thing literally" he thought as he drifted off to sleep.

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Hope you guys enjoyed part 2! I'm working on part 3 as we speak!