Chapter Text
Wind blows outside as snowflakes hit the windows, melting on contact. This is the first snow of the winter, the first flurry from the sky, the first layer of white on the ground.
And it's cold. It's cold outside.
Joe shivers as he stands outside next to the door, his gun in his shaky hands. Bora is currently inside warming up; the two had decided to take turns guarding during the cold weather to avoid complications such as hypothermia and illness.
Meanwhile, inside, Saturn shivers on the couch, wrapped in a blanket. Even if it's warmer inside, it’s still decently chilly. They sit there, watching a DVD of Scott Pilgrim vs. the World on the TV, occasionally glancing out the window at Joe to see if they need to intervene in any way. But Joe seems fine. The amount of zombies coming their way has seemed to decrease, if only temporarily.
Saturn is cold. Even with a heater pointed at them and a blanket over their shoulders, they can't stop quivering.
“Hey, Saturn.”
Zubin enters, holding a cup of hot coffee in his hand. He takes a sip of it as he looks up at the screen.
“You watching Scott Pilgrim again?” Zubin asks, and Saturn nods, sighing.
“I'm so tired of watching the same movies over and over again,” Saturn complains. Zubin chuckles softly.
“Yeah, I know… me too.” He walks over and sits on the couch with them, setting his mug on the coffee table. He notices them shivering, and frowns.
“Are you cold?” He asks, and Saturn nods with a soft smile.
“Yeah, a bit…” Saturn admits. They glance out the window again. Joe is still in no need of assistance.
Wordlessly, Zubin scoots closer until their sides are pressed together and wraps an arm around them. Saturn accepts this, leaning into his touch. Zubin rubs the side of their arm firmly, trying to warm them up. Saturn shifts on the couch, turning their body to face him as they wrap both of their arms around him, their eyes fixed on the TV again. They soak in his warmth, their cheek pressed against him.
“How are you not cold?” Saturn asks, and Zubin does his best to shrug in this position.
“I don't get cold easily,” he explains, a small grin on his face. Saturn just huffs and snuggles up to him more.
“I should know that by now…” Saturn mumbles, and Zubin chuckles.
“Yeah, you probably should,” he responds, rubbing their back now. They melt against him as soon as he does. “That’s your weak spot, isn't it?”
“Mhm…” Saturn hums, closing their eyes.
“I should know that by now, huh?” Zubin repeats, and Saturn laughs.
“Yeah…” They respond softly, their voice kind of high.
The two sit there in comfortable silence for about a minute or two, aside from the occasional contented vocal stim coming from Saturn. They just sit there, watching the action on the TV. They're temporarily startled by a gunshot outside, but they brush it off. And then, the door to the lounge opens.
“Hey, Saturn?” Andrew enters the room, his voice quivering. “Do you think we can huddle for warmth or somethi-” He pauses when he sees Zubin on the couch. Zubin laughs.
“I think I beat you to it, man.” Zubin grins, and Saturn giggles.
“Damn it…” Andrew looks around, holding himself and rubbing his hands up and down his arms.
“Come on, you can join us, Andy!” Saturn persuades. Zubin nods.
“Yeah. You can be on the other side of Saturn,” Zubin suggests. Andrew smiles and begins walking toward the couch. Saturn readjusts themself so that Andrew can sit next to them as well, and Andrew sits down, wrapping his arms around them. Zubin also readjusts himself so that one arm is around Saturn. Saturn has one arm wrapped around each of them, grinning as they watch the TV.
“I really like Ramona’s big hammer,” Andrew comments. “It's really awesome.”
“Yeah,” Saturn agrees. “It makes her look hot.”
“That we can both agree on,” Zubin chuckles, rubbing Saturn’s shoulder. Then, Bora walks in.
“Why is everyone in here?” He asks before he processes what he sees. “Oh.”
“Hey, Bora!” Andrew exclaims, gesturing for him to come to them. “Care to join us?”
“I’m not really that cold, thank you though,” Bora declines.
“Zubin isn't that cold, and he's here,” Saturn points out, and Zubin puts a hand up, raising his brows. Bora stands there for a moment before sighing.
“Okaaay. But I have to switch with Joe soon.”
“Great!” Zubin smiles. “Then he can join us for a little while.”
“Good luck with that,” Bora chuckles as he sits next to Zubin, putting an arm around his shoulders. He crosses his legs and begins watching the movie as well.
So there they are, huddling for warmth and watching a movie. None of them mention it, but this is one of the first tastes of normalcy any of them have had since the apocalypse began. It's been a while since they could just chill and watch movies on the couch without having to worry about their safety.
But then Saturn’s mind is brought back to Rob. How he mentioned something like this. How he wished for something like this.
They just wish he was here to experience it with them all.
And then they have another thought.
“This reminds me…” Saturn begins. “Of the first time we met.” Bora tilts his head, confused.
“I wasn't there, so I don't know what you're talking about.” He says, his brows furrowed.
“In order to get my body temp back up, Ross held me in the van.” Saturn recalls. “And then others did the same when we got back to the studio.”
“Ah, okay. Makes sense,” Bora replies, turning his attention back to the movie. The four are startled by another gunshot, however, they're used to it by now. Even Saturn doesn't panic from the loud noise anymore.
“I still remember the first day you came to my house,” Zubin begins recalling the past as well. “I put my arm around your shoulder, and you acted so weird, and I didn't know why.”
“And that's how we found out you were touch deprived as hell.” Andrew jumps in, snickering a bit.
“Oh, shut up,” Saturn huffs.
“What's the matter? Obviously you're not touch deprived anymore.” Bora smirks teasingly.
“Urrrghhh…” Saturn hides their face in Andrew’s shoulder. They all laugh.
“Aww, is someone embarrassed?” Zubin asks in a silly voice, lightly poking their ribs. They immediately begin laughing, pushing his hand away.
“I’m fine!” They giggle, trying to sound tough but failing.
“Well, it's my turn to guard,” Bora stands up, interrupting the silly moment.
“Bye, Bora.” Andrew waves. Bora leaves the room.
A few minutes later, Joe enters the room, shivering. He smiles at the sight of Zubin and Andrew holding Saturn between them.
“What are you guys watching?” He asks, looking at the TV. “Scott Pilgrim?”
“Yeah,” Zubin answers. “Wanna join us?”
“Only if I get to sit with Saturn.” Joe smirks, gesturing to Saturn.
“Okay, I’ll move then,” Zubin offers, scooting over away from Saturn. Joe walks over and sits down in the gap between them, putting an arm around Saturn. Zubin then puts an arm around Joe, leaning against him. Joe huffs in annoyance.
“Zubin, off.” Joe demands, but Zubin doesn't budge.
“Nah,” he smiles. “You're part of the cuddle pile now. I’m allowed.”
“Whatever.” Joe rolls his eyes. He rubs Saturn’s shoulder gently, and Saturn lays their head against him. He doesn't want to admit it, but it's all surprisingly comfortable. Comfortable, and comforting. And warm, too.
Andrew leans in so that he's still somewhat included, leaning against Saturn. Joe has stopped shivering at this point, having warmed up due to being huddled up with everyone else.
Everyone’s comfortable. Everyone's warm.
Everyone's safe.