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Late into the night, the train had lulled most of its passengers into sleep. The gentle sway of Sameth and Maximus’s cart had sleep calling to them like a siren, the venture to Egypt would be long, and the stupid kid insisting on joining them made it longer. But Amelia had fallen asleep long ago, so frankly they were alone.
It was a comfortable silence, watching the travelling landscape from the window, sitting on the plush cushions of the velvety couch beneath them, there was something so uncharacteristically domestic about their predicament, of course neither of them said a word, there was no need to.
Every so often, Sameth would nod off and lean against Maximus, and every so often the rabbit would do the same. Though, when they both noticed their little scene, they didn't get up, or speak, they'd just pretend they were still sleeping, as if to keep the moment alive, and continue to feel the comforting pressure of the other's weight.
Eventually, Sameth spoke. Softly, of course, gently pushing off of his partner. The gravely tender sound so close to the coney’s ear had him a little pink, but he let the dog up regardless.
“I can already feel tomorrow's headache sinking in like a compact metal into water. I just gotta lay down.”
Maximus nodded, getting up to let his companion rest, he tried to sit on the floor but as the hound’s head hit the cushion, he held the rabbit's wrist.
There was a deep fondness in his dark eyes, one that Maximus could only note when Sameth was drunk, or vulnerable. It was a forbidden adoration they shared, however they knew not to talk about it
They shared that gaze, and when Maximus didn't draw his hand away, he pulled him closer.
Though, the lagomorph softly tittered.
“Alright alright, don't use those stupid puppy dog eyes.”
And he gave into his partner's coaxing, lying mostly on top of him, almost like a lapcat, his sharp grin grew, a smile that used to make Sameth nervous, albeit recent developments told it was nervous for a different reason. Lidded eyes met, like a field of flowers in the night feeling the warmth of the sun in the early morning.
They knew to be careful, being caught like this would tarnish their already ruined reputation, and while they hate to admit it, the baby was right, and people were beginning to talk. Those rumors being true however, was something to be discussed later.
But frankly this deep into the night, no one would be wandering, and candidly that made their unspoken feelings more exciting, more danger, more risk, more fun.
Maximus traces his paws up to Sameth’s stupidly dashing mustache, twirling and toying with it,
“How long have we been in this stupid cart?” He begins their banter, voices still hushed.
“Give or take 5 hours.”
“How much longer?”
“Maybe 8 or 9.”
Sameth's hands had absentmindedly held Maximus close to his chest, stroking his back softly. Sameth was affectionately teased, and rolled his eyes.
“Can't keep your hands off me?”
“Shut up. Go to sleep.”
“Miss the missus already?”
He scoffed at that and forced Maximus's hat over his face.
“You're terrible.”
He did miss his wife, he loved her. He loved their family. But being with his friend was much more thrilling. Maybe it's the quick and witty comments, the banter, the teasing.. Just thinking about it made him smirk and flick Maximus's hand away from his face, only to lace their fingers together and hold it against his cheek. Almost daring to press the white paw against his lips.
“Sammy!” He laughs and pulls his hand away, lightly slapping his cheek back. “What am I? Your paramour? You bad dog.”
“Oh be quiet, you know I hate when you use words like paramour. Do you wanna sleep on the floor?”
Maximus groaned and sighed a quiet “no” quitting his teasing, still staring up. Sameth brought out the worst in him. Made him feel disgusted and sick with how much he cared for the guy. Even the thought of looking after him had him wanting to rip his stomach out in a gorey manner and smash the butterflies hiding there. He tilted his head to the other side.
Sameth wouldn't wanna see that though. He hates that the one thing in his empty mind was Sam. He closed his eyes again, trying not to think about it and found it to be incredibly difficult when the dog pet his back again, though he didn't tease him this time.
He just opened his eyes again and stared back into his pal’s. There were unspoken words there, ones that would never leave their mouths, but they knew exactly what they were, they both felt it. For a long time. It was a feeling deeper than anything else, a desperate yearning that had started ages, perhaps lifetimes ago. It was a feeling they just wanted to feel for now and forever, with each other.
There was a moment where Maximus wanted to grab that stupid face and let go of his own disgust at the concept of affection, and just feel their lips clash, and feel that carnal desire of skin on skin, to know he wouldn't be alone, to feel oxytocins pulse through his blood and pour out his heart.
But he didn't. He knew Sameth wouldn't be able to forgive himself for betraying his wife, and he personally didn't want to throw up all over him because of some stupid rash decision.
“Max I can feel you thinking so hard I'm afraid you're gonna pop. Calm down.” He lightly scolded, trying to ease him into sleep, a slight worry seeping onto his face.
“You're not doing me any favors.” He snapped back, flustered at the thoughts rolling around in his skull, and the touch on his back.
Sameth huffs but eases up on the affection, much to Maximus's dismay, which becomes apparent when the coney's head raises with a betrayed look. It's Sameth's turn to tease him.
“I thought you didn't want me to.”
He gets a mean glare in response, but it dissipates as he pulls his buddy closer. Maximus sighs comfortably as he's somewhat crushed between Sameth and the cushion of their makeshift bed, using the dog's suit jacket as a makeshift blanket. His head now rested under the hound's chin, and both their bodies fixed together perfectly under the fabric. This position fed into the fantasies that ripped their way into Maximus's mind a lot easier.
Usually those sickening thoughts would lull him to sleep, but not when it's right in front of him. Sameth looked and sounded incredibly sleepy, but Maximus just couldn't settle in. Not when it was late, when he could feel Sam's wedding band pressed against him. Not when he couldn't get what he wanted.
It was stupid really, but the darker the night grew, the rabbit's mind followed suit. These thoughts were unattainable and wrong, in more ways than one, but he just couldn't help how his chest ached when his friend spoke of his wife, or he caught a glimpse of their ring. It should have been him.
Sameth seemed to notice Maximus's demeanour, he could always read his friend better than he could himself, but in all the ways he could manage, his hold tightened, and his thumb stroked the white fur beneath him, as he sucked up his fear and guilt and pressed a soft and soothing kiss against his forehead.
He couldn't really give him what he wanted, although he wanted it too.
But he could pretend he belonged to Maximus here tonight.