When Fire meets Ice

“Oh you poor thing, you getting colder!” Fluttershy said as Leo was sitting on her green couch, wrapped in a blanket as snot oozed from his nose and his eyes began to water the more sneezed before shaking his head. A bowl in front of him that was now empty as it used to be filled with broccoli soup. “You’ll be alright, I’ll make you some more soup.” She said before grabbing the plate and launching herself back into the kitchen with her wings.

“Shit... feel... weak and tired.” He said as he trembled in place before tilting over and falling to his side, his breathing slow and calm yet shallow.

Lean entered through the doggy door, seeing nothing but tissue paper and empty tissue boxes. “Leo? Are you okay?” She called out, not seeing him yet as she tried to avoid the used tissue balls.

“Peachy…” He croaked out with a raspy voice, not bothering to move as his whole body was aching in pain the more he moved, deciding it was best maybe he just stay stationary as much as possible.

She noticed him and she felt that this was too much for a small cold. “Don't you think you're exaggerating?” She asked him as she sat close to him.

He could only glare at her before turning to face his gaze away, not giving her a follow up response. There was the sound of a plate breaking in the kitchen as nearly both foxes jumped in shock. Fluttershy exited the kitchen, her flank cutie mark  glowing and pulsing like Twilight’s. With no response she quickly went upstairs, shoveling through her belongings and shoving them in a briefcase. She took off her hooves and went flying off the second floor to the front exit, but stopped in midair as she turned to grab Leo still wrapped around his blanket, bolting out with both luggage and fox, shutting the door behind her as she flew as fast as possible.

“H-hey! I need to stay with my mate!” She shouted as she tried to follow behind, but it seemed that Fluttershy rushing to the castle was much faster than a tiny fox that was smaller than a filly.

~

After Twilight had explained the situation at her castle they were now at the train station awaiting their stop. All six mares present and accounted for the journey that lied ahead of them.

“Alright so you all understand right? Where heading to the destination marked on the map I brought. We don’t exactly know what for but all I do know is that we’re needed, all six of us.” She said with a most serious tone and look on her face.

“It won’t be in the cold will it Twilight?” Fluttershy asked as she held Leo in her hooves, cradled as his eyes were shut, not wanting any brightness at the moment.

“Oh Leo, I hope you get better soon.” Lean said as she lightly nuzzled him, right before cleaning her nose with a tissue, not wanting to get sick either. “If there was a way for me to heal you, I definitely would do it within a heartbeat.”

“I hope this trip won't be boring. Like seriously, I hope this has to be cause of some monster there.” Rainbow said, scratching her chin as she looked out the window with a sideways glance.

“Ah agree there with Dash, with all the quietness I feel like I need to stretch my hooves again like when we faced Tirek, whew! Never knew I could feel so invigorated with that kind of power. “ Applejack said as she took off her stetson hat and waved a bit of air her way.

“Such unlady like manner Applejack, while it was most enjoyable I do prefer the quietness yet admiring gazes here in this little town. Though a girl like me would like more out of life.” Rarity smiled as she drifted in thought. Of the many things she oh so wanted.

“Yeah! And if this place is super duper quiet, it means they have just the right dosage of boringness to want a party!” Pinkie cheered, throwing some confetti in the area, one of them landing on Lean’s nose before she let out a rather cute sneeze.

Twilight could give them a follow up answer as the train had finally arrived, screeching to a halt the five mares behind her all moving through Twilight into the box cart, Fluttershy the last to enter as Leo sneezed the moment she walked past Twilight. A bit of snot stuck on her cheek as she scrunched her face in disgust.

“Ugh! Really!?” Twilight practically yelled as she wiped the snot from her cheek with her magic. “Unbelievable little--just let it go Twilight just let it go.” Her brow twitched as she walked inside the train.

Lean remained quiet as she followed Fluttershy behind, holding in a small giggle at Twilight’s reaction. When she looked out the window, she saw nothing but dirt, rocks, grass, and the train tracks it was on.

The trip was long as all mares sat, chatting away with each other, Fluttershy choosing to sit alone a few seats away to make sure Leo did not sneeze on any of them. She carried broccoli soup in a thermostat, pouring an amount in a small cup and gently feeding Leo as his eyes were still shut, only going off by his sense of feel as he drank the warm soup in small gulps. “There, there you poor thing, you’ll feel better when we get to our destination, I promise.” She assured him as she nuzzled his cold, wet muzzle.

Lean sat down between Fluttershy with Leo and the other five mare's sitting away from the sick fox. “Man, this is gonna be boring without you Leo. Why did you have to be sick today?” She complained a little as she turned to lay on her back, now seeing everything upside down.

The train ride had gone slow and quiet for Lean as Leo was unresponsive. He seemed to be half asleep through the trio, his eyes never opening but his temperature began to rise just a little for him to stir.

“Mmm, Lean?” He uttered.

Lean’s ears perked as she sat back up. “Yes Leo?” She responded.

“Come to me... stand by me... please…” He whimpered.

Lean didn’t need to say anything as she moved a little closer to him, close enough for her fur to touch Fluttershy’s. “Are you feeling better?” She asked.

“I don't know Lean, I feel a little bit less aching pain but it hurts to open my eyes.” His lips quivered as he forcefully creaked his eyes open, his brown spheres meeting her blue eyes. “Please rub your cheek against mine, please?” He said as he turned his head to face her, his eyes pleading.

“There’s no need for the puppy eyes.” She joked lightly as she did just that, rubbing her white furry cheek against his red one, closing her eyes as she enjoyed the warmth he was bringing to her cheek.

“Thank you Lean.” He forced a weak smile as he gave her a lick on her muzzle.

She blushed pink at the small lick before she returned one of her own to his cheek.

Fluttershy smiled softly as she watched this, her heart practically melted as she watched the two exchange their affection for each other. She saw how devoted the female was to her mate. ‘How sweet.’ She said in thought.

“Hey Leo. Would some jokes help? I mean, laughter is the best medicine.” Lean asked as she rested her head right next to Leo’s. “I know it might not help, but it might make you a bit happier like this.”

“Okay…” He weakly nodded. “Tell me a joke.”

“Alright then.” She sat up before placing a paw on her cheek. “Oh, I think you might know this, but I'll try it anyways. What do you call a fish with no eyes?”

“I don’t know, what?” He said.

“A fsh.” She answered before she giggled a little, waiting for his reaction.

A smile abruptly appeared on Leo’s muzzle as he coughed out a few laughs as best he could from it. “That was a good one Lean.” He said as he pounded his chest to try and stop the coughing.

Lean still had a smile on her face, but she got worried over Leo’s coughing. ”Are you okay? If the jokes are making you cough, I could just leave it at that.” She said, soon the smile off her face as she showed a concerned look.

“No, it's fine Lean, go ahead, tell me another joke.” He said through a forced smile.

The worried look in her eyes stayed, but she showed a small smile of her own before she came up with another one. “Alright then. So a jumper cable enters the bar. The bartender says: ‘I'll serve you, but don't start anything!’” Lean laughed a little as she thought that one was good.

He burst into a fit of laughter before once again coughing uncontrollably, the coughing lasting longer than it should before Fluttershy held him to her chest and started patting his back.

Lean just sat down, looking up at Leo as she felt making him cough more wasn’t really helping.

He heaved a bit as he tried to catch his breath. The yellow mare cradling him like a child as she combed his head to try and alleviate the headache.

“Maybe some time to rest might help you.” Lean suggested as she thought some rest might make him feel better. “A nice time to sleep is good. And besides, you’re on a rocking train, in the hooves of a warm mare, and I highly doubt you’re hungry or thirsty in any way.”

Leo nodded in agreement as he nuzzled Fluttershy’s chest. The train ride was spent in silence for the Pokémon as the mares conversed about what had awaited them on this trip. The train had eventually stopped at its stop station in the middle of nowhere.

“It see our true journey starts here.” Twilight said started as she carried her luggage.

Lean looked around the deserted area, knowing full well what was going to happen. But she was more curious on how this might change with her and Leo in the mix. ‘How would that town react to two foxes with five tails and the ability to use ice and fire?’ She thought as she walked with the others, having to walk a little faster since the mares can take longer steps than her.

Twilight had been guiding her friends through the trails and mountains with the map she had managed to copy of from her map room. “According to this the trail should lead past these two mountains. What do you think guys?” Twilight asked as she kept the map floating in front of her.

Lean decided to run up ahead as she saw the familiar rows of homes in the shape of an equal sign. “I knew it.” She mumbled. “But I guess I should be too worried on how this will already go.” She rolled her eyes as she couldn’t see anything but the houses from where she was standing.

The six plus two trekked down the dirt road as they saw many ponies inhabiting the small town.

“Something’s mighty weird here…” Applejack said as she saw how they were being kindly greeted, a bit too kindly.

Lean’s fur puffed out a little as the uncomfortable welcoming was making her feel uneasy and wary of these ponies.

“Welcome to our village travelers.”  A blue mare with her mane tide into pigtail braids asked with an unusually friendly smile. Lean hid behind Fluttershy as she didn’t like her smile.

“Hey, we're from Ponyville, I am princesses Twilight Sparkle, bearer of friendship. And these are the other elements of harmony who are also my friends.” Twilight said as she gestured behind her.

“Hey Leo, are you getting bad vibes from this mare?” She asked, lightly tugging his quilt with one of her paws.

“I've been getting bad vibes since I got sick…” Leo said as he sneezed again, covering his snout in Fluttershy’s chest.

“Are you here to see our to see our town leader miss Glimmer?” She asked as she stepped close to see Twilight.

Lean decided to stay out of this as she knew they had to see this Glimmer pony.

“Glimmer? Who's that?” Applejack said.

“Starlight Glimmer is our trusted leader of our town. She is the one who's given us enlightenment on equality. Rather than be different and have individual set of abilities that could cause ponies to look down on each other she has given us the gift of equals. Where we live on the same level, no beggars, no nobles just us.” She smiled wider as two stallions walked up beside her, one was completely snow white with blue eyes while the other was blue, both carrying the same disturbing smile.

Lean climbed up onto Fluttershy’s back as she was a little frightened by the smiles. ‘They are so creepy.’ She thought, huddling close to herself.

“Oh...uh...that sounds very ideal.” Twilight said forcing a smile.

“Come, we will take you to her.” The mare gestured as she was tailed by the other two stallions.

The mane six followed but reluctantly as they felt on edge from the town’s inhabitants. The trek took a few moments till finally they had arrived a building that stood out from the rest. It was a bit bigger than the others and more spacious as they entered. The mane six were instructed to wait in the living room as the mare tour guide went on to go fetch Glimmer.

As they waited Rainbow Dash had been on edge since the arrival, she looked less relaxed as she tensed her muscles and waited.

“I really don't like this Applejack.” Rainbow Dash said.

“How come? By the look a things, this just looks like an ordinary towns with ordinary ponies… except for them their cutie marks.” AJ replied, not too sure on if this place was exactly ‘ordinary’.

“That's exactly the problem, when in the history of our species have there ever been an entire community of ponies with the exact same cutie mark? I know I'm not egghead enough about history but that's just common sense.” She said eyeing her surroundings.

“The community does seem nice but it is kind of unsettling.” Fluttershy said as she held Leo close, patting his back.

“Ah guess so. But ya don’t think that these ponies aren’t happy with how their livin’. Ah mean, they probably choose to get these cutie marks and live here.” Applejack said as she looked around the home.

“No pony chooses what cutie mark they carry, it comes naturally to the individual. So exactly how can a pony choose to have as their cutie mark--” Rainbow Dash stopped herself as she sound of echoing hoof steps from the second floor. Her ears shot up as her leg muscles tensed even more. “Crap! Get ready to fight! We don't know what we're going to be dealing with.”

AJ couldn’t help but flex her leg muscles in case this Glimmer pony isn’t really a pony.

The door opened swiftly as behind was none other than a pink mare with a purple mane that was curled at the end with a neon highlight. A smile on her face but it was the most normal one they've encountered all day.

“Starlight Glimmer.” Lean simply said as she rested on Fluttershy’s back.

“Welcome!” The mare said as she trotted out the room. So this is Starlight Glimmer, the head of the town and the founder of their ideals. She too had a equal cutie mark.

Dash mentally groaned as she thought that this Starlight mare would be a monster instead just brainwashing some wandering ponies. ‘Thanks a lot map.’ She thought, rolling her eyes.

Lean was almost buried in Fluttershy’s pink mane, but she couldn’t help but poke her head out from her locks as she looked over at the mare, showing a blank expression.

“I'm sure my dear friend here has already introduce me yes?”

“Of course she has, you’re Starlight Glimmer, head of this town?” Twilight asked as she shaked hooves with her.

“Yes, may I ask what brings you here? I ask because you six seem far into the heart of Equestria.”

Twilight quickly straightened herself out as she cleared her throat. “I am Twilight Sparkle, princess of friendship and these five are my friends the remainder five. We came here to investigate disturbance in this location.” Twilight explained as Starlight’s expression changed slightly different. Like a feigned smile.

“I can assure you all that everything is absolutely in order here. This town has lived in peace and prosperity since it was first founded. Not a record of trouble here.” She said in a tone that seemed all too cheery and calm.

‘I don’t like this one bit…’ Rainbow Dash felt a disturbance in the air, like everything that was here in this town was not supposed to be.

“Why don't you six stay here for the night, the roads back from where you came are treacherous at dark.” She offered, her gaze dropping to the little red fox Fluttershy had cradled in her wings. “I’ll have to ask that you leave your pet in the critter shack with the other animals.” She said as she was about to use her magic to take Leo but Fluttershy quickly jerked him away from her grasp as she were actually holding her own foal.

“I can’t part from him! He’s sick and needs me!” Fluttershy tightened her feathered grip on him as she held him tighter.

“I know I do apologize but pets stay in a separate shack at night because it brings an awful litter of bed bugs.” She said as the blue mare beside her nodded in agreement.

“You’d better listen to her Fluttershy, besides it will only be for tonight.” Twilight assured.

“Yes, plus we will have somepony check up on him every few hours and treat him with some medicine.” Starlight said as she was doping her best to assure Fluttershy no harm would come to the fox.

Fluttershy’s eyes darted a few times as she held her gaze down before sighing in defeat. “Alright fine, but please take good care him.” She said as she headed Leo over to Starlight Glimmer.

“He will be taken care of I promise.” Starlight held Leo close as she handed him over to her dark blue pegasus friend. “Be sure to take good care of this one, we would not want our guests to have the wrong impression of us.” She said as she now gave Leo to the pegasus.

“Understood madam.” She nodded before taking Leo and walking out the door, Fluttershy’s gaze intent on Leo as he was now held by somebody else.

“Leo!” Lean called out as she wanted to follow, but was too scared to as she stayed huddled on Fluttershy’s back.

“Now then, why don't I escort you to the guest house. It's only a few houses down and the meals are complementary to newcomers.” Starlight said as one of her stallion citizens opened the door for them.

Lean kept on looking to where Leo was taken, her tail flicking nervously. ‘Ugh, I can’t take it!’ She said, feeling a little scared since she was technically alone now. She jumped off of Fluttershy’s back and ran in the same direction the pegasus left to see if she could find the two.

She ran out of the building scanning for where Leo might have gone. Her heart pounding as her heavy breathing increased her anxiety of not being able to find the pegasus. A blue shape however caught her peripheral vision as she saw the mare walking down the road, she took a turn and went into an alleyway of the two homes, heading for the back.

“Leo!” She shouted as she ran to where the possible pegasus has gone. She turned into the alleyway and just booked it to see if it was the pegasus that took Leo away.

She had gone to the back taking Leo to a quite big shack, the doors opened as she walked in, Leo still in her grasp as she placed him in what seemed to be a deep shelf filled with hay. “Now you stay here while I go across the village and grab some medicine. The pegasus said while petting Leo’s mane, the vulpix not responding but just laying in place. The mare looked worryingly as she pursed her lips. “I guess better go by wing.” She said before exiting the shack and taking off.

Lean saw the pegasus flying off as she dashed to the shed where Leo was most likely placed. She scratched the door feebly. “Leo. Leo! Are you on there?” She called out.

Leo could only respond with a groan before he cleared his sinuses before calling out. “Lean is that you outside? Where am I?” He struggled to stand as his muscles ached.

“You're in some animal house. That Starlight made sent a girl to being you there.” She said as she climbed up onto one of the windows and slipped through the gaps of the window, it only having sticks to keep the window standing.

“What really? Where's Fluttershy and the others? And who was the one talking to them? I was half asleep through the conversation.” He shook his entire body as straws of hay flew from his pelt.

“They did the small introduction of the six to Starlight and their most likely doing their town song.” She answered as she climbed on the hay bails to where he was laying down. “It's okay. At least now you can sleep peacefully.” She nuzzled his cheek a little.

He may not have been able to see but he was sure grateful that Lean was beside him once again. Her cool pelt rubbing against his warm pelt felt like something he needed. “Lean...I may not be able to open my eyes but stay with me tonight. Please.” He nuzzled her back before licking her muzzle.

“Don't worry. I'm not going anywhere without you.” She mumbled as she rested her head against his lightly.

“Thank you Lean, I really appreciate you being with me in my weakness.” He said as he laid his head in content.

She sighed as she relaxed against him. “Maybe we should get some sleep once that mare brings whatever medicine she has for you.”

The two foxes drifted into a deep slumber as they nuzzled each other for comfort with each other. Eventually the mare had returned with a brown glass bottle and a spoon. She yelped in surprise as she saw the white fox nuzzled into the red fox. She stared for a moment before she just shrugged and slipped her wing on Leo’s pelt and held him up by it as he yelped loudly in pain, using her feathers as fingers to tighten her grip as Leo’s mouth was forced open. A spoon of the clear liquid forcefully down his throat. He gasped and gagged as he wriggled free from her, landing next to Lean. The Pokémon baring his teeth at the pegasus as he growled.

“Easy, easy...I only did that because I knew you wouldn't want to swallow the medicine, it is bitter stuff.” She explained holding her wings up defensively as she backed away slowly.

The white fox lightly nuzzled the red ones cheek as she used one of her paws to make him lay back down.

He glanced over to Lean before calming himself before lying down next to Lean. His teeth now hidden in his lips but his muzzle still slightly raised, his growl dying down.

She nuzzled his cheek, before licking his muzzle and resting her head on his side. She curled close to him as she only wanted to sleep a little more.

The mare watched as she white fox had calmed its red companion with ease as he rested against her and fell asleep. She was quite intrigued by the nature of these creatures but had realized that she had to run back to the guests. She exited the shack and closed the door behind her, locking it securely before trotting off thep accommodate the guests.

“Ya know, you didn't have to growl at her, she was only trying to make you feel better.” Lean spoke as she relaxed against him, his warm body close to lulling her to sleep again.

“She grabbed me roughly and jabbed the entire spoon down my throat. Felt like I was choking on a nasty liquid.” He said before nuzzling back into Lean, his gaze still on the door where the mare had left.

“Well, would you even accept the medicine without force? I don’t think so.” Lean smiled as she was rather glad that nothing bad happened cause of how the mare gave him medicine.

“But it hurt! My pelt hurt from that…” He whined as he tried his best to rub his back futilely. “Plus this place creeps me out. I couldn't see anything but I could hear that every pony was too friendly.” He shuddered.

“Of course this place would be creepy. Nothing but some brainwashed happy-go-lucky ponies with a communist type of view embedded in their heads.” Lean said, sitting up before she started to rub Leo’s back. “But I think both of us knows what the outcome is going to be with those six mares.”

“So what should we do? No offense but we're just pokemon. We can't reason with them through speech, and you wouldn't like the alternative.” He hinted her as he blew a small flame from his mouth.

“Well, we both know what the outcome will be, so I don't think we should interfere as much. For all we know, we might make Chrysalis reformed cause of our inclusion.” She reasoned. “And you don't seem to be the best in shape to do anything. And I don't want to do anything without you.” She nuzzled his cheek before she rested her head on his back.

“The way you talk you make it sound like you have a thing for me.” He said smiling as he licked her muzzle, returning the nuzzling affection. “I don't want to do anything without you either.” His body temperature began to rise as he gave off a warm glow.

“I'm just glad that I'm not alone with this. I mean, I would most likely be scared, too quiet, and too worried to even do anything. I'd probably still be in that forest scared and alone.” She explained, leaning against the back of his head as her paws also joined in resting on his back. “I don't even know how some people in the same situation just go along with being alone forever.”

Leo's expression dropped forlorn as he knew how it felt like to be alone. He was always alone, but with Lean by his side the road down this whole madness caused by an unknown force would be bearable. “Lean, promise me something.” He said as he rested his head on the hay bed.

“Depends on what the promise is.” She joked lightly as she remained on his back.

“Promise you won't leave me as long as we're here together. I know it sounds needy I just need a comforting reassurance.” He covered his muzzle in the hay, he felt very embarrassed of what he had said.

“What are you saying? That's not being needy. And, of course I'll stay by your side. I wouldn't want to leave your side anyways.” She said as she lightly nuzzled his cheek. “For now, you're the only one that understands me here, and we might as well be together on the same situational boat we’re both on.”

He pulled his muzzle from the hay and smiled at her. “That's the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me. But what do we do if we stay that way forever?”

“Well, I guess we would just have to adjust to it and enjoy life with only each other understanding us completely. But, maybe we could at least find out how to at least have more than one person to go pass the language barrier.” She shrugged a little. “Or at least make us mostly human again.”

“And how are we gonna do that, I mean I know that there's magic in this world but the thought of a human transformation is farfetched.” He fidgeted his paws as the thought floated in his mind.

“Well, so is the idea of ponies having the same cutie marks, bug ponies that eat love, and just pretty much everything else in this world. Heck, if we get help from Twilight and a reformed Starlight, then human transformation would be super easy.” Lean explained. “And if whatever changed us into this, there can also be a reverse way to undo our transformation.”

“But how are we going to help her develop a spell for human magic transformation?  And even if she develops it then what then? What are we gonna use to get back home? If anything I'm a little concerned that we'll look like those humans from Equestria girls? I mean yeah that Applejack looks hot in human form.” He smiled.

“So does Fluttershy, but I don't think they would care if we looked like that instead. Besides, I think they look better than the way we really look compared to them.” Lean said. “And what if they only get some parts right while we're still vulpixs?”

Leo opened his mouth to say something but stopped as he wasn’t really sure what to say, held held his chin with his paw in though as he thought about it he slumped in slight defeat. “I’m not really sure there Lean.” He scratched his head with his nails. “Should we interfere with the future of the situation though? We’re pokemon with destructive type power? I feel like we’ll make this worse than good.”

“Then don't do anything. We'll just sit back and wait for this to all end. Perhaps afterwards we could try and explain on what we might request of the princess.” Lean said. “I never said we should interfere, but, like I said, I won't do anything without you.” She added.

“But we’re here for a reason Lean, and it’s been boring in the back of my head ever since, I mean is this our destiny? To live our lives out a Pokemon pets to a bunch of ponies?” His mind began to wander onto the future on how he would be able to cope with it.

“Then what do you want to do about it, huh? You seem so keen on being nothing but a pet to be taken care of. So, what do you want to do? Do you want to be seen as another brainless pet, or do something with your life?” She asked a little sternly, not even sure what they could do like this.

“Isn't it obvious? I want to be me again, I mean yeah the luxuries of a pet are tempting but they’re degrading. I want to be me again Lean even if I have to interfere with the events that are about to take place I will be me!” He stood on all fours as he led his head up high, a determined look in his eyes.

“Are you even sure you're all better after sleeping near me last night?” She asked as she stood up as well. “I mean, you might feel good now, but what about later on. And what about the all powerful unicorn that can literally take off someone else's cutie mark?”

“I'm not worried, I'm sure the reason I got sick was because I was out too much. And for that cutie mark snatching unicorn, I ain't worried. What's she gonna do to you an I? Take our powers away? Pfft, let's see her try to.” Leo was feeling pretty sure of himself but even so, he was feeling a sense to be cautious.

“She probably knows how to, but we should probably keep our power things a secret for any ponies here. They may be brainwashed, but they are ones to rat out some ponies who are quite different.” She said. “But, for now we should check and see how much we missed first before jumping the gun.” She suggested.

“Lead the way then Lean, I'm feeling to groggy, I still feel kinda sick plus I didn’t see any of the streets while I was being carried.” He rubbed his nose as it was still slightly running.

“Yeah, I knew you weren’t fully healed yet. Just lay down and get some rest. I’ll stay with you.” Lean said, laying down as she knew a sick firebending fox roaming a dry wasteland wasn’t a good idea.

“Fine...only because you told me to.” He said laying back down on the soft warm hay, scooting closer to her as he nuzzled the side of her cheek. “I love doing that.” He said.

“Of course you do.” She nuzzled back as she honestly liked it too, knowing now why ponies would do this instead of something more ‘intimate’ in public. “I’m not going anywhere until you’re all better.”

“Thank you Lean, you're a true friend to the very end.” Leo slipped under Lean’s head as it felt right for her to lay on top. Probably because her coolness felt nice on his head.

She smiled as she enjoyed the warmth of his head under her, it almost making her fall asleep again. “I know. But so are you. I forgot to even thank you for helping me get away from Twilight after I did… that.” She looked down as she was shameful of even thinking Twilight would hurt Leo.

“Hey, I promised I wouldn't let anything bad happen to you. Remember, fire good?” He joked a little. “Besides, what kind of ‘mate’ would I be if I let you get harmed.” He meant every word he said...well save for the mate part. It was a front to keep them from being separated.

Lean couldn’t stop herself from blushing pink at the ‘mate’ part as she still wasn’t quite used to that, knowing full well this was just a plan to not get separated. “I guess you’d be a careless mate if you didn’t care about me that much.” She answered a little as she curled her tails closer to her.

“That would be one hell of guess because that would be waaaayyy off.” He joked as he waved his paw to the side to emphasize his point, bumping his tails against her rear jokingly. “Remember fire is here to protect you.” He said trying to sound reassuring.

“And ice is here to cool you down.” Lean blushed as she brushed one of her tail on his side.

He chuckled lightly at her own joke as he laid his head down once again for rest. “Let’s sleep now Lean, I’m getting mighty tired.”

“Alright lazybones. One more nap for the day.” She smiled as she snuggled close to him, while also secretly hoping the two sleeping together won’t make Leo more sick.