Feeling a sudden twitch of movement near my tail end, I wake from my light sleep and slip my head beneath the covers to check on my little bunny. Tasting the warm and slightly stuffy air there, I can immediately tell that there's no reason to be too panicked, but I may as well make sure everything is alright. Without letting up the comforting pressure on Jake's body, I slither my front-end up and down his length for a closer inspection.

My heat-sensitive eyes don't show colors in the darkness of our bedroom, but it's not difficult to tell that he still lies wrapped tightly in coils of iridescent onyx scales and dreaming of peaceful meadows. Where we touch, his body heat spreads into me, honey-yellow comfort infusing my body as I cradle him in a full-body hug. Even in his sleep, he seems to know how to best shift his muzzle around, moving to unwarmed patches of scales every now and then. He calls it "flipping his pillow" and I call it "adorable."

Interrupting that moment of peace, irritation flashes across his face as his right leg kicks at thin air as he tosses and turns, rubbing his body into mine. I can't let an itch disrupt his dreams so I loosen and tighten my coils around him in a massage, watching as the motions soothe his lithe form and the mask of discomfort falls away. Much better.

We make a quite odd couple, and our sleeping arrangements are just as strange, I know. It's a precious balance to maintain, squeezing enough to provide calming pressure while leaving enough slack to prevent morning soreness, but we have lots of practice. Honestly the story of our meeting was just as unusual~ Tasting his scent on the crisp nighttime air again, I let myself think back to that fateful spring day...

The morning had been bright so far, sun warming the ground after an unusually dreary winter. After spending a dull few months eating and napping under my heat lamp I was feeling a bit antsy to spend some time outside. The sunning rocks in the park were calling my name, especially that one beside the running trail! It was always a joy to watch joggers pass, tasting their sweat on the breeze and watching the caramel glow of their muscles' heat through a half-opened eye.

In my excitement, I forgot to check the forecast and a exotherm-specific cold snap warning went unnoticed as it scrolled across the bottom of my tv screen. The thought of a sudden chill never even crossed my mind as I bumped the door switch and waited for the code-lock to buzz shut. After all, the sidewalks were already heated up like a golden brick road that led right to the park!

Climbing my favorite boulder, I found that I had my choice of sunning spots, with no competition at all to be seen! What luck~ Spreading myself out, I gratefully absorb warmth from the rock below as the sun graces my black scales~ Settling into a half-doze atop my perch, I watch as various mammals jog past, a bit too heavily clothed for my preferences, but providing welcome stimulation nonetheless.

A hour or so later I was considering making my way back home, but just as I managed to tear myself away from the comfort of my sunny spot, a dark cloud rolled over the sky and a bone-chilling wind froze me in place. Torpor was taking control faster than I could seek shelter, and I was unsure if anyone would even notice me, let alone offer help.

Just then my hero rounded the corner, eyes constantly scanning his surroundings and seeking out anything of note. Maybe it was one of the deep-rooted survival instincts passed down by ancient rabbitkind, but Jake's eyes immediately zeroed in on the only snake in his field of view, me. Weakly, I croaked for help and he quite literally jumped to my rescue, scooping me up and stuffing me underneath his jacket!

Fuelled by the warmth of his fluff, I tried not to tickle him too much as I climbed his body, poking my snoot out of his collar and offering my thanks. "Oh my, that was rather uncomfortable, thank you oh so very much! My name is Onyx, he/him please."

Aaaaa don't think about the surprisingly-toned muscles you're touching, don't think about it don't, think about it. He's a stranger, don't impose on his generosity, even though he's putting off more heat than your lamp and makes you want to melt all over him

"Ehehe, don't think anything of it! I can't just leave someone in the lurch! I'm surprised to see any scalies out today, what with the temperature warning. How about I make sure you get home safely? I do have a request though, I'm a bit front heavy like this. Could you try and redistribute yourself a bit please?"

With a tiny squeak of affirmation, I slowly wind my body around his torso, the lump atop his belly shrinking to a more managable size. Oddly enough, the more I coil, the more relaxed he seems to get! First he stops anxiously fidgeting with his paws, then he lets his ears droop from their perked at-attention state, and as I wrap up, he even stops bouncing on the balls of his feet as if he would need to flee any moment.

"I-Is that ok? I do hope it isn't uncomfortable for you. My house is back that way, I really appreciate your assistance." My little squeaks of concern are met with a quick nuzzle as he starts to walk towards the park entrance, stretching his arms wide and sighing comfortably. "Sorry if I'm acting a bit strange, rabbitfolk tend to be on edge by nature but this sensation is rather calming. Feels like a weighted blanket all over my body~"

As he took me down the path home, we started idly talking and I found myself wishing that I lived even just a little bit further away... But there was my door already. Sliding down his leg and onto the doormat, I pause just before starting to work the lock. "Could I... Invite you inside? I'm pretty sure I have some snacks you would enjoy and you could wait out the cold snap." Already fidgeting absentmindedly, that seems to surprise Jake, who emphatically nods yes! And, well, the rest is history. Giving Jake a nighttime kiss on his forehead, I poke my head out from under the blankets and close my eyes, letting the rhythm of his rising and falling chest lull me back to sleep alongside him.