(Ok this is set during events in The Greater Love and Nikki and Jack are dating)
Nikki wriggled uncomfortably on the unforgiving camp bed. The abrasive woollen blanket scraped her cheek. The hoodie she had stolen off jack was too big so it kept getting tangled around her. It was too bloody cold! When packing for a trip to the desert she had forgotten about the freezing night time temperatures. However it wasn't just the cold that was keeping her awake. The inky darkness felt suffocating. After a lifetime of city-dwelling she missed the orange glow of city lights. The pitch darkness was disorientating, that and the fear of Taliban insurgents. Every creak or animal sound made her muscles knot up with fear. The beating of her heart was impossible to ignore.
Unable to stand it any longer, Nikki slipped out of bed. She flinched at the coldness of the bare concrete floor as she shuffled to the alcove where Jack's bed was. She held up the baggy sweatpants so that she wouldn't trip over the frayed hems (another item stolen off Jack). She hovered hesitantly over Jack, wondering how to climb in without waking him. He looked so adorable when he was asleep. He had somehow managed to fold his huge frame onto the tiny mattress without dangling his feet off the end. He was wearing just a t-shirt and boxers with the blanket only half draped over him so I could see the vivid shapes of the tribal tattoo on his upper arm (lucky sod never got cold).
Nikki squeezed onto the mattress behind him, snuggling her face into the spot between his shoulder blades, twining her fingers in his t-shirt. Jack rolled over sleepily, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her close, burying his face in her hair.
"You're feet are freezing," he whined sleepily, his voice rough. Nikki pressed her face into his chest, muffling her giggles.
"I couldn't sleep. I needed a cuddle."
"Glad I'm your first choice."
"I thought Leo deserved his sleep more than you." Nikki felt him smile against the top of her head. She adored his cuddles. He was so much bigger than her that he made her feel safe, protected. His arms felt heavy and warm around her. He smelt like minty shower gel and coffee. It had fast become the most comforting smell in the world to her.
"Did you pack any of your own clothes?" Jack asked, sliding a hand down her back and finding the waistband of his sweatpants.
"Yours are comfy, now shh! Go to sleep!" Jack laughed quietly, tucking the blanket more securely around her.