"Come on, Sid," Diego groaned, stretching out his limbs, "You know I've got to go out for a hunt."
The saber looked down at the clingy sloth who lazily crawled over to wrap his arms around his front leg, holding on to him with a desperation that was both endearing and slightly exasperating. "But why can't you just stay here? It's so warm and cozy.. it's too early for you to go on a hunt," he mumbled into Diego's fur. Diego sighed, "You know why." He gently peeled Sid's arms from around his leg. "I need to eat. I don't just stash away a bunch of berries like you do. You're lucky that you don't have to chase after your food." Sid's grips loosened, and he sat back on his haunches, his shoulders drooping.
"I know," he whined, "but what if something happens to you?" His voice was small and worrisome, and he looked up to meet Diego's gaze. The saber's heart softened at Sid's begs for him to stay and he put a paw on his shoulder. "Hey. I've done this a hundred times already. You know that. I may have twisted a paw here and there, but I'm a skilled hunter, okay? Nothing's going to happen to me." He offered a reassuring smile, though he couldn't help but feel a small twinge of concern at Sid's vulnerability.
Sid sighed once more. "I know… But I still don't want you to go. Can you just stay a little longer? I'll be lonely if you go." Diego's smile faded as he considered Sid's plea. He knew the sloth had grown more clingy since their unlikely bond was established. The fiercely independent predator had never imagined himself in a situation where he'd have to comfort a creature that was once considered his prey, but here he was. He sighed, a soft smile slowly returning once more. "Alright, just a few more minutes," he conceded. "…But then you gotta let me go. You don't want me to be all hungry and grumpy all morning now, don't ya?" He teased with a smirk. Sid's eyes lit up and he snuggled closer to Diego, his relief palpable. "Oh, thank you, Diego. And yes, I promise I'll let you go." Diego chuckled and wrapped a paw around the sloth. "Thanks, Sid."
They sat there in silence, just watching the sun rise higher in the sky. The warmth of Sid's body against his own reminded Diego of the companionship they'd found in each other. It was a feeling he hadn't experienced since the days with his own pack. In fact, it felt even better than it did before. As the minutes ticked by, Diego felt a growing sense of unease. He knew the longer he stayed, the greater the risk of returning empty-pawed. "Sid," he said finally, his voice laced with reluctance, "I really need to get going now." As much as he still didn't want Diego to leave, Sid leaned back, his expression a mix of sadness and understanding. He nodded slowly. "Okay… But please don't take too long. I'll miss you too much."
Diego smiled and gave a tender lick to Sid's nose as a gesture of goodbye. "Oh I'll be quick, don't worry. I'll be back before you know it," he assured before standing onto his paws and turning around, beginning to head on his way out into the snowy valley in search of prey.
Sid observed the saber's powerful strides as he trotted off, not looking away from Diego's direction until he disappeared completely from his sight. He knew he needed to let him go in order for him to eat, but that didn't make the waiting any easier.