✓4 - Cozy Me.

Pressing against Jacob's chest, Ryder pulled off the soggy bandage which lifted the puckered skin. The wound had healed to an extent and it no longer bled but was still ugly.

"You know, it's a wonder how you managed all this. It's good to know you aren't such a letdown as I initially thought."

Ah, judges. Ryder had seen a lot in his life to choose not to pay any mind to this. It wasn't his business if they saw him that way. After all, he wasn't born to impress anyone and this very man he'd offered to help could be someone he never wanted to know.

Or he could be salvation, a silver lining peeking from the graying clouds. Ryder thought him too rude to be a messiah.

But the strange, relatable connection was still there. It was useless pretending it didn't exist.

The wind outside howled louder, banging the bedroom door and dragging him out of his straying thoughts.

"Listen up," he said sharply. "I don't care to know whoever you are, whatever you do, or who you're running from. I just want to be assured I'll be okay and my life is gonna be protected."

Jacob shifted his gaze to meet his, the cackling yellow from the flames caused his locks to seem ethereal. Ryder yearned to know what he was thinking at that very moment. Was it something crazy? Would he still wish to kill him after he'd said he never wanted to be a part of anything?? Shaking his head cautiously, he made to walk away, tripping against the forgotten first aid box on the floor and losing his balance.

Muscled hands came together around his waist, hoisting him up just before he hit the floor. The impact of the timely rescue struck when Jacob pressed him against his bare chest. It was hard not to feel cozy when cuddled and despite his skin being warm, Ryder felt scalded by the contact.

Stiffening his body, he wriggled free. "I'm so — I'm so sorry for that." he stuttered. Heat rose to his cheeks. "I've been clumsy all day. Would you like some food? I've got Chicken Divan."

Jacob stretched causing his biceps to heave dangerously, his veins on display. Ryder gaped at them in fascination. "I think I'm pretty good for the night. So how are we sleeping?"

"Er..." Ryder scratched his forehead in thought. The idea of sleeping arrangements hadn't kicked in until now and it'd be fair if he'd let Jacob take the bed.

"You can stay in the bed. I'm better off sleeping on the floor." And with that, he began setting out mats and sheets and anything else he needed. Jacob stopped halfway. "Dude, you do know we're both males right? Come on now, let's stay together on the bed. It's big enough."

His heart caught in his throat. Shifting his attention to the bed, he muttered nervously. "The bed? Together?"

Jacob nodded. "Else you care to explain why you can't lay with me."

His chances of surviving the night were slim.

Ryder shook his head vigorously. "Don't be silly. I can sleep on the floor. I might jar you if we sleep together."

"I'd live with it. Besides, you look soft. You'd do nothing, I promise."

Soft? A promise? It was difficult to back down now.

"Do we have to?" he probed as he crawled onto the soft sheets, looking lost.

"Yes, Ryder. We do."

—

It was scarcely midnight when he awoke with a start. Drenched in sweat from a nightmare he had and looking over to Jacob's empty side of the bed, Ryder swung his legs to the floor and padded downstairs in the dark. The fire in the hearth had gone out matching with his increasing panic. A low whistle through the air and a ghastly smattering of his phone against the wall greeted him when he arrived in the living room.

"What part of 'I promise not to call anyone' did you not understand?" he said calmly, clenching his fist at the bits presumably on the floor a few meters away. "Do you know how much that phone meant to me? You didn't have to destroy it, it cost me more than you could ever give."

"I could agree on that basis for now," Jacob sounded unbelievably ominous through the darkness. "I don't know you and therefore can't take any chances. When the lights come on you're bound to recharge your phone and call someone. I don't believe in promises either."

A sharp movement to the right caught Ryder's attention. A figure advanced closer, tumbling straight into him. They both fell onto the sofa, Ryder recoiling under his weight and half nudity.

"Why did you take off your clothes!" he screamed out loud. "It's one hell of a cold night!"

"I like sleeping naked, and stop screaming like a girl." Jacob retorted.

"Get off me." Ryder pushed against his chest, sliding to the floor. Jacob winced slightly then stood up. He managed to reach the stairs with Ryder following closely behind. "Let me help you, it's not safe to climb stairs with the lights out."

"I'm not handicapped!" Jacob snapped, halting briefly. "And you're too dense to care about anyone. You make it seem like I'm a liability you've got to take care of."

"That's not — "

"Forget it, I'll leave here sooner than you know it."

No. No matter how jolting his words seemed and how softly he spoke, it couldn't be more than this. Nothing would drive Ryder to his limits.

They continued back up the stairs and Ryder helped him ease onto the bed. He clambered onto his side, their backs to one another. Ryder felt something moments later — a strong arm wrapped around his waist, pulling him closer till the distance vanished. Snuggling against bare skin, Ryder tried not to think of another place, far away.

But most especially, he didn't want to relate the current scenario to another man. It did help that Jacob was now fast asleep, his snores reverberating. Melting onto his embrace, Ryder shut his eyes, allowing the pooling moisture in his eyes to fall freely.