Unlike the other nights where he was usually his cheerful and optimistic self, Sid found himself in a state of solitude as his mind spiraled into thoughts and echoes from his past. He reflected on the bad memories where his family abandoned him and saw him as nothing but a nuisance and a disgrace to his family and everyone around him. But despite trying to forget about those times, the memories began to creep back into his mind and send him into a state of shame and guilt. He began to fear that it would end up being the same with the herd including Diego.
He sat outside the den that night, just staring into the stars and the darkness of the night sky and recalling every little thing he could remember from his past life with his family for what now felt like hours. He wondered what he had done to deserve what his family did to him and what he could've done to be better for them… and what he could possibly do to be better for the herd if his thoughts are true. Eventually, he couldn't handle the thoughts anymore and tears began to fall from his eyes before burying his face into his arms that were propped up on his knees, hiding the sounds of his sniffles and weeping. Diego, however, was only in a light sleep that night, and he easily woke up to the sounds of quiet sobbing as it disrupted the complete silence of the night.
First, the tiger looked over to his side to find Sid not asleep next to him and quickly recognized whose crying he was hearing. When he turned his head and looked out the entrance, sure enough, he saw Sid huddled in a ball right outside their den. The sight made his heart sink and he wasn't sure what to even do about the situation. He sat there for a moment, just observing the sloth, unable to decide whether or not it was a good idea to speak to him right now. But then, he couldn't handle watching Sid in his miserable state anymore and he stood up and walked out the den, slowly and carefully approaching Sid from behind. He remained silent and when he got close enough, he sat right next to the sloth. Sid knew Diego was there at that point, but he felt too ashamed to speak to him and instead continued crying into his arms.
After another moment without a word, Diego finally spoke, his voice gentle and full of concern, "Sid…?" Sid's crying started to quiet down a little, but he didn't answer. Diego tried again, "Sid? Are you okay?" His deep, comforting voice pierced through the quiet night along with the sound of Sid's soft crying. Sid wasn't sure how to respond at first as all he could think about at the moment is how much of a burden he feels like he might be to Diego. "I'm.. sorry…" was all he could utter out in between his sobs. Diego tilted his head, confused. "Sorry? Why are you sorry?" He asked worriedly, gently putting a paw on Sid's back.
"I'm so sorry… if I was ever a pest or a nuisance to you, Diego." Sid said, his breath hitching a little in the middle of his sentence. Diego's ears drooped down against his head as he tried to process what Sid was saying. What makes him think something like that…? After all the time they've spent together so far…?
"Sid… What do you mean? Why would you think that?" Diego asked, his voice more gentle and sympathetic. He'd never seen the sloth so vulnerable like this before. Sid sniffled. "I just… I'm scared…. I've been nothing but a disappointment to my family.. and they left me behind because of it. And I'm just afraid if I ever seem that way to you… or the others. I just don't want to be left alone again. But sometimes I feel like I'm not good enough for you guys. That I'm just… unnecessary." He explained through his choked up voice before sobbing again once he finished. Diego knew about Sid's history with his family, but hearing his pain laid bare was like a punch to the gut. He couldn't stand hearing Sid think that way about himself. Sid looked and sounded so ashamed of himself and it broke the saber's heart.
Diego's expression grew serious as he moved closer, determined to prove Sid wrong about his fears and self doubt. He nuzzled against Sid's cheek. "Hey, don't say that about yourself. That was a long time ago. You're not a nuisance or a bother to us and especially not to me, okay? You're far from it." Sid sniffed once more, trying not to shed more tears as he looked up at Diego. "But what if they were right?" Diego sighed and looked straight into Sid's eyes. "They weren't, Sid. They were completely wrong about you. You are the complete opposite of a disgrace. Your family was just too blind to see what they had when you were with them, and they can rot in hell for all I care. You're an important member of the herd, Sid, and we'd be nothing without you. So don't think that you're a burden for us or that you're not good enough, because you are."
Those words touched Sid's heart deeply and the tension in his shoulders began to ease before he uncurled himself from his scrunched up position. Soon he calmed down and his sobbing completely subsided and he managed a small, tentative smile. "Thanks, Diego," Sid murmured, his voice still thick with emotion. "It's just hard sometimes… you know? I just don't wanna screw things up." Diego smiled affectionately and placed a paw on Sid's. "You couldn't mess this up if you tried. It's okay to feel sad sometimes. But don't let those old memories define who you are okay? Because you're none of those things your family said about you." Sid wiped his nose with a furry arm, nodding gently. "Okay," he said before he leaned into Diego, who nuzzled him comfortingly.
Sid felt the steady rhythm of Diego's heartbeat, along with the deep rumbling in his chest as the saber purred happily. For a moment, the world outside their little bubble of warmth ceased to exist. The chilly air, the distant sounds of the night creatures, even the echoes of his past were all muffled by the comfort of Diego's presence. He couldn't be more grateful with what kind of life he's living now.