"Diego, stop pacing. They're not going to come back," Sid said, his voice calm and soothing as he watched his partner's shadow dance along the floor luminated by the nearby fire.

Diego's eyes darted around the cave, his ears perked up like a hare sensing danger. "Yeah, but what if they do? And what if I fail to stop them again? I just can't shake this feeling. They've got to be out there." he murmured, his tail flicking nervously behind him. Sid sighed and approached Diego, placing a comforting paw on his shoulder. "Look, I know it's hard to forget, but we've been through worse, right?" He tried to lighten the mood, his voice carrying a hint of his usual optimism. "Remember when we thought the whole world was going to flood?"

Diego paused and met Sid's gaze, his eyes filled with doubt. "This is different. They wanted you. And we can't always be ready for everything." Sid nodded, understanding his concern.

He knew Diego felt guilty for not protecting him during the abduction. It had been a tough pill to swallow for the fiercely loyal saber-toothed tiger. "But you already told them that whole speech about me so they wouldn't take me. Plus, we're not alone anymore, are we?" He gestured to the other members of their herd, fast asleep around the warm campfire.

Diego's eyes searched Sid's, looking for reassurance. "Yeah, but what if they're smarter this time? What if they come when we least expect it?" His gaze drifted back to the bushes, the fear of losing Sid to those tiny, yet advanced creatures still haunting him. "And I'm pretty sure I heard something out there just a moment ago." He growled in suspicion.

Sid's sigh grew deeper, acknowledging the validity of Diego's fears. He knew that sometimes, the only thing they could do was to be prepared for the worst while hoping for the best. "Okay, okay," he murmured, deciding to change his approach. "Let's say, just for argument's sake, that they do come back. What's our plan?"

Diego looked back towards Sid and raised an ear, thinking for a second. "Well I'd make sure they won't come back, of course." He said, not wanting to get into too much detail as really, he wanted to tear them to shreds. But that probably wouldn't have been the best thing to say around someone like Sid.

Sid felt a warmth in his chest at Diego's fierce protectiveness. It was like a gentle reminder of how far they've come from being strangers thrown together by fate to a tight group of friends, to now, being mates. He nuzzled closer to Diego, trying to ease his tension. "I know you would. That's what makes you, you, Diego. And it's also what makes me feel safe with you around." He said with a gentle smile.

Diego's shoulders relaxed slightly under Sid's touch, his eyes softening as he looked down at him. He couldn't help but feel a mix of love and guilt, knowing he wasn't the best at expressing his feelings. "You really believe that?" He asked, his voice gruff but his eyes betraying his vulnerability.

"Of course, I do!" Sid exclaimed, his eyes widening. "You've saved me so many times. Why wouldn't I believe in you?" He paused and tilted his head, his smile never wavering. "And let's not forget, I have a few tricks up my sleeve as well. I might be small, but I can be surprisingly resourceful when I need to be!"

Diego couldn't help but chuckle at Sid's bravado, his eyes lighting up with amusement. "Surprisingly resourceful, huh? Like the time you used some rocks to start a fire when we were stuck in that blizzard?" Sid rolled his eyes playfully. "Oh hush, I had to do something! Besides, it worked, didn't it?" He nudged Diego's leg with his own, feeling a weight lift off his chest as the tension in the air thinned.

Diego couldn't hold back his grin. "Yeah, maybe sometimes you know a thing or two, sloth brain," he teased, his tone lighter now. Sid playfully glared up at him. "Come on, you know I'm more than just a sloth with a knack for getting into trouble!" But the sting wasn't in his words, and Diego knew it. The tension in the air was finally lifting, the shadows of doubt retreating with each of their playful jabs. Diego leaned down and nudged Sid back, his teeth bared in a half-smile. "I never said you weren't, Sid. Just that you have a gift for the unexpected." His voice was low and warm, the affection in his tone unmistakable.

The sloth chuckled and leaned into Diego, feeling the tension in his body slowly melt away. They stood there for a moment, the sound of their breathing and the crackling of the fire the only things breaking the silence. The warmth of Diego's fur against Sid's was comforting, reminding him that he wasn't alone anymore.

Sid yawned, his eyes drooping with fatigue. "You know what we really need, Diego?" He asked, his voice sleepy. "Some rest."

Diego nodded, his eyes never leaving the darkness outside the cave. "Fine," he said, his voice still tense. "But I'm holding onto you all night. Just in case."

Sid looked up at him, his expression a mix of affection and amusement. "You know, for a big, scary saber, you can be pretty clingy," he teased. But Diego's expression was serious, his gaze unwavering. "You're not just any sloth, Sid. You're my sloth. And I'll do anything to keep you safe." His words were gruff, but the tenderness in his eyes spoke volumes.

They settled down beside the fire, Diego wrapping his powerful arms around Sid, pulling him into a tight embrace. The sloth felt a shiver run down his spine, not from cold but from the warmth and protection Diego offered. "You really don't have to," Sid whispered, but he didn't resist, instead, he nuzzled closer, enjoying the feeling of security that Diego's arms provided as they both drifted off to sleep for the night.