This is a little different from my previous submission... No, I don't see my posts and submissions being ENTIRELY about NSFW, I like to have both NSFW and more snuggle-feels type posts than these first two in the future.

I haven't done much editing with this one, so I may do slight edits... I wrote most of this within a few hours earlier and my brain is pretty much dead.

I did slight redesigns with Rogon, he's now one specific species, a saber-tooth tiger. :)

As for this story itself, well, I like the aesthetic of two people becoming companions in each other within a pretty vulnerable place like a cave with rain pelting it, in the dark.... hah.

~~~~~

The past day or so drifted by in a blur. Ren had little memory since his wake in the Dark Warrior tiger's cave. From the dull ache engulfing his lower right hip, to the consistent darkness wrapping around him within the depths of the cave, the rabbit felt he was slowly losing his mind, inch by inch. He was never one to like being alone, of course, he's a rogue, but he often socialized with those who was oblivious to his reputation of magical prowess. At this point, the running ailment the lagomorph had was no longer the pain in his hip that had mostly healed, but the loneliness that struck at his heart. The dampness in the cave air felt fresh and cool, which slightly eased the mental discomfort plaguing the bunny. At least now, he wasn't strapped to the bed, yet his body felt weak. Plus, the cave behaved like a maze, it had multiple pathways and rooms that ultimately led to the same parts of the cavern.

Footsteps trailed up to the entrance of the room, less than ten feet away, Ren easily made out Rogon's bulky, eight-feet tall frame through the dim candle he held on a tray. Setting that aside, the tiger swiftly moved forward to lean over the resting rabbit. His eyes and face were emotionless, yet the intensity of his glance became familiar to Ren the past twenty-four hours. Nevertheless, the bunny mumbled as if to speak.

"Are you in pain?" Rogon spoke before him, with the same question he's asked the rabbit every several hours.

"N-not much," the injured fur replied, glancing at his bandaged gash.

His blood-red eyes surveyed Ren's body for a few moments before he laid a – surprisingly – gentle, but firm, paw on the bunny's forehead. Slowly lowering his head, the tiger's nose brushed up against the laying fur's. The sensation of his warm breath rose up Ren's fur.

"The fever is down. Rest, but not for much longer," he grumbled. "You're a young adult, you'll likely fight off this infection without further help."

Unable to hide his blush, the lagomorph avoided direct eye contact, "Oh?"

"That said..." He trailed off for a moment in thought.

Why is he helping me? Ren couldn't help but question still, despite the close encounter they had the other day, nobody had been this generous to the rabbit when he was in need. What had been different now?

Without a moment's hesitation, the tiger licked shamelessly at Ren's wound, lapping up the sides of the gash.
Thankfully, it wasn't bloodied anymore nor was it dirty due to the care Rogon had already granted it. However, the act surely confused the rabbit, but he wasn't bothered, because upon the licking, any discomfort that bothered the wound above his hip had disappeared. The black-red pelted tiger lifted his head up with a slight grin. Arching an eyebrow, Ren leaned forward to glance at what happened.

The gash had been fully sealed.

"My skin and fluids are magically imbued with healing abilities, like your own," he started off, this time, his voice had been far less distanced. "Of a lesser degree than yourself, still..." He grimaced. "Many in this world will do a lot to harm or use this for their own gain."

Before Ren had any say-so, the tiger slightly shifted his weight onto the bed, half-way leaning on his side, with his eyes piercing through Ren.

"Is that why you helped me?" The rabbit sat up, Rogon made certain to position the pillow behind Ren to support his back. "Because... not many of us exist anymore."

His tiger companion simply nodded.

The lagomorph's blushing merely intensified. "That still doesn't explain what happened yesterday."

"Mm?" The tiger cleared his throat, "You helped me in return with the same ability."

Yeah, you can say that, the rabbit didn't say aloud. He sighed, in retrospect to their interesting first impression.

The pattering of harsh rain landing on the cave-top fit the calming mood that approached them. Drops of water glistened down the sides of multiple rocks, toward the creation of a few puddles along the cave path. The tiger's eyes, sore and experienced, did not part from the rabbit. For a short moment, that felt like an hour, the two sat on the bed in silence. An idea of companionship rested on their minds, but wouldn't escape their lips.

"I don't have anywhere to go, yet I won't burden you." Ren met Rogon's gaze, finally. "You must have your own concerns above me."

Part of the rabbit didn't want to say that. Of course, having someone in his company was ideal, and a means for protection; but the tiger had the same ability as him, he might be in the same situation to avoid being assaulted, Ren thought. However, what if he could remain in the cave? Would he want to? Dark warriors were considered almost like a vigilante faction, they had order, but no strict laws, the idea of being with Rogon long-term would be interesting, since the tiger most likely had connections and allies.

Wet droplets trickled down onto the neck and forehead of Ren. Thunder boomed outside and instinctively, his heart paced faster. Trying to ignore the sudden crash, the rabbit turned away, facing demurely at the stuffed, firm, musky pillows on the bed.

"Rest more," the warrior leaned closer. It had been evident he worked a lot by his earthy smell, callused paws, and scarred cheek.

Nonetheless, who was Ren to refuse his hospitality? Uncertain if there had been any other bed for the tiger, he scooted to the very far side of the king-sized bed and dipped his muzzle into one of the pillows to the side. Closing his eyes and shutting himself off from the world, and the worsening storm, the rabbit dozed off to feel the barbarian laying down next to him.

…

Pain, running, chasing... muscles screamed to stop, but that would lead to a bitter end. Ren couldn't reconcile the fear of being pursued with the desire to lead a fun-loving life. His reputation of having magical prowess aside from his unusual, godly healing trait had been more than enough to catch the attention of several city guards, and guilds. Fear, tripping, uncertain, much of the bunny's life had been normal up until the gangs within parts of the nation rose to power. His kind, was not to be free... The insanity of being targeted, and the horrid feeling of breath escaping one's lungs from shouting for help and intense running was too familiar. Fire lashed out at each turn the rabbit could conceive, hope had been fading with each passing moment. None of it was fair. As the lagomorph scrambled about an open field, he knew bandits were on his tail, and he was without any form of protection. Like being set up for defeat, it didn't take long for Ren's frail body to give out. Tumbling, face first onto the patchy soil of the clearing, the rabbit's next sight was the sharp, unforgiving point of a rogue's arrow. Aiming, and firing....

…

Ren woke with a start; his eyes bulged out in fear and scanned the dark area around him. The cave. He was safe. As he quickly realized the nightmare he had just had, a warm, prickly and tough arm tugged against the rabbit.
A bout of warmth radiated from the tiger's thick, unkept fur, which brushed against the rabbit's. Still having not slept, Rogon's attention had been taken by the sight of Ren's 'night struggle'. Embarrassed and unable to articulate himself, the rabbit frowned and pitifully whimpered, devaluing himself for the unkind dream and his lack of willpower. It appeared that while a few hours had eased by, the storm had not let up. Perhaps now, returning to sleep would prove difficult for Ren.

"You haven't slept?" He tried to bring up small talk.

"I'm trained to act off little sleep," he mumbled. "I've slept enough."

"Oh," the rabbit grinned, "You like the weather?"

...Not a word in reply...

Ren's expression mimicked the usual grumpy-faced tiger, "I-I really appreciate what you did. I... I'll do what I can to help around, in exchange for my possible stay here-"

The tiger's large paw closed over his mouth for a moment. Once more, the two conversed through eye contact. Slowly, Rogon's draped over to a rock near the bed, and motioned to a ragged, mediocre dagger that must've been recently created.

"Defend yourself using that, I'll teach you how when you're well," he grunted.

A beam of hope lightened up Ren's mood. The warrior appeared certain in his words. This cave turning to be a safe place for the rabbit became more of a reality. By this point, a mistiness formed from the outside humidity, making the cave much more illusive, sensationally.

"Are you sure?" Ren inquired.

"Mmmm, there's little out here for someone who is alone." He replied, nearing to the rabbit, the tuft of fur on his chest brushing against the lagomorph.

It was odd and unexpected, the youthful fur felt secure so close to the tiger. Something about the presence of Rogon gave a comforting feeling to him. He still wanted to question why a rabbit such as himself would be preferable company to the warrior, though, it had been a long time since Ren had met someone who shared a similar healing power running through their veins. Forgetting about all the negativity and harshness that brought him down, the bunny merely wanted to relish in the company of his new companion. Nudging closer, both of them drifted off into a deep slumber, as the night progressed with the weakening rain.