Precursor: Chp 12

Daxter turned onto his back, staring at the stone ceiling of Jak's room and letting out a contempt mumble. After being trapped in a Haven hospital ward for a month, being back in Spargus was bliss for Jak. It felt natural, safe, secure. For Daxter it was tunics filled with sand and lack of good drink.
He sighed, turning to look at Jak. The huge bed, shrouded in deep red silk, accommodated both of the Dynamic Duo comfortably. Every room in Spargus Palace was rich and luscious, but Jak had made sure he and Daxter had got the best one available.

Aside from Damas' room.

Another deep sigh escaped Daxter's lips, and for a moment it seemed to hang in the air.

And with that, Daxter knew it would be a long night.

Anyone who knows Daxter well knows that when he gets bored, he gets attentive. After another painfully long minute, the current-elf rose from the bed, lightly placing his feet onto the yakkow fur rug. He got up slowly, making sure not to wake Jak. Daxter looked towards the balcony door, deciding to get some fresh air. He grabbed Jak's cerulean tunic. The night was just cold enough to send a shudder down Daxter's body, despite the lingering heat of the day.

He slid the balcony glass door open, silently slipping out into the night. The balcony, made of gold-coloured stone, overlooked Spargus. The desert town was almost still at night, brightly lit by consistently burning torches. The redhead rubbed his arms, folds of material forming at his elbows thanks to the too-big shirt.
Daxter's eyes closed, and he raised his head to the night sky. The mixture of the faint desert heat and the night's faint chill was refreshing, and it filtered through his lungs.

Yep, definitely a long night.

A sudden screech erupted to his side, sending Daxter tumbling to the floor along with a small scream.
It took a moment for his senses to come around, and he realised the Kanga Rat atop of the balcony wall, head tilted to the side and beady eyes wide. Daxter hissed sharply, letting out a small chain of curses.
“Fuck shit little.. Urgh..” He scrambled up, trying to regain his balance.
“You little bitch..” He hissed. The Kanga Rat jumped, suddenly sprinting off from the wall, agilely jumping onto the next roof. Daxter lips rolled into a snarl as his ottsel instincts took over.
“You so just totally lost your cool to a Kanga Rat..” Strong arms wrapped around Daxter's waist. After a split second of panic, Daxter leant back into Jak's gesture, slipping onto his chest. Jak balanced his square jaw on Daxter's bony shoulder.
“Fug off. I could have had a heart attack, then where would yer sorry hide be fer mocking me?” He pointed out. Jak gave a small chuckle, nuzzling into Daxter's neck.
“I wouldn't be here, on one of my father's balconies, mocking the fact that you just nearly shit yourself about a Kanga Rat.”
Daxter shrugged.
“touche."
His arms became tighter around Daxter's waist, pulling him in tighter. Daxter could feel the warmth of Jak's bare skin even through his borrowed tunic.
“Aint' cha cold?” He asked, picking his finger along Jak's arm, tracing the prominent veins. Jak shook his head.
“No, I don't really.. Feel the cold, you know that.” He mumbled softly, still nuzzled into Daxter's neck. Daxter scoffed.
“Lucky bitch.” He grinned. Jak chuckled again.
“So what's up? Why you out here?” Jak asked gently. Daxter sighed, attempting a small shrug.
“Not sure, really. It's just, ya know, ottsel and stuff..” He trailed off, not knowing where the sentence was heading. Jak nodded.
“yeah, I get you. I'm surprised you haven't turned back into an ottsel lately, the shifting seems to have died down.” He said softly. Daxter sniffed, holding onto jak's arms.
“Yeah, and I don't know how I feel about it.”
Jak sighed, suddenly turning the redhead around to face him.
“Come back to bed. It's cold, and you will be knackered tomorrow.”
“Thought ya didn't feel the cold?” Daxter asked smugly. Jak rolled his eyes, playfully slapping at him.
“Shuddup.”
*************************

Despite his best attempt, Daxter couldn't hold back the tears that night.

Jak wrapped his arms around Daxter's sobbing body, pulling him into a tight hug.
“Hey,” he whispered. “It's okay. It's okay.”
Ragged sobs escaped the redhead, forming into fat tears.
“I.. Can't.. I don't know what to.. Do..” He stammered. Jak stroked his hair softly.
“I know, everything's just screwed up.”
“I-I was happy being an ottsel.. B-but n-now I've changed back... I just dont know what I feel anymore. I don't think anyone realises how much this is.. Affecting me.” He balled his hands up, pushing them into Jak's chest gently.
“It's hard, I know. And painful.”
“I.. What do you prefer me as?”
Jak's eyes went wide in the dark.
“I don't prefer you as anything, Dax! How.. How could you think that?!” He asked.
“I.. I just thought maybe you considered each form different...”
Jak pulled him closer.
“No, Dax. I would never, ever think that,” He whispered. “And don't you ever think that again. I care about you no matter what, fur or buck teeth.” Jak tapped said teeth. “And if you ever think that, I will personally and painfully murder you.”
Daxter laughed.
“Well, just don't go Dark on me. Last time that happened it ended with purrs and belly rubs.”
Jak blushed.
“I.. Er... shut up! I can't control him, I had no idea what he was doing.” He denied. Daxter grinned.
“Hey, I'm not objecting!! You were freakin' adorable.” Daxter pointed out. Jak groaned, gently digging his clawed hand into daxter's back just enough for him to wince. Both of them burst into a small giggle, and a relaxing feeling finally entered the room.
“Night, Dax.” Jak said softly.
“Night, Jak, don't snore.”
Jak slapped at him.
“Since when do I snore?” Jak asked, outraged. Dax shrugged.
“Never, just thought I'd put it out there.”

*********************************

“Jaaakk..” Daxter mumbled, still deeply in the land of sleep. “JAK!! Get yer EFFING CROCADOG OFFER' ME!!”
The offending Crocadog was happily lapping at Daxter's face, thick drool and pungent breath. Daxter suddenly sat up, shoving away the Crocadog. He raised an annoyed and threatening finger to the lump of scales and fur.
“If you wake me up like that again, I will personally skin ya and shove ya on the wall!!” He growled. The Crocadog barked happily, oblivious to the meaningful threats.
“You are so close to ending up that side of the room..” Daxter mumbled, but ended up scratching the top of it's head. The Crocadog barked happily, ears laying against his head at the gesture.
“You could never harm Croc, look at those puppy eyes..”
Jak was leant against the door of the bathroom, arms crossed and hair damp. Daxter shrugged.
“I swear, ya just appear... and yeah, well.. He aint mine to harm anyways.” Daxter said, grinning. Jak rolled his eyes, wringing a lock of still wet hair.
“Want me to dry it and lock it?” Daxter asked, leaning back into the bed. Jak nodded, and walked towards the bed.
“Sure. I suck at dreading it.” He admitted. Jak fell onto the bed, and Daxter sat forward. He plucked at Jak's hair, pulling strips away from his back. His fingers suddenly came across a large, even lump. Daxter cocked his head slightly to the side at this newly found curiosity, before parting the hair.

His eyes became wide and his body froze, and as soon as Jak realised what Daxter had found, his heart dropped.