It was well past midnight when you realized she hadn’t moved.

The guest room light was off, but Maliska hadn’t stayed there. She never did when she slept over. Instead, she was stretched out on the living-room floor, tail coiled lazily, the faint rise and fall of her chest slow and heavy. The window was cracked open, moonlight tracing along the smooth curve of her scales.

She looked… cold.

When you stepped closer, she opened one eye, slitted pupil focusing on you instantly. No panic. Just recognition.

“…Hey,” she murmured, voice low and warm despite everything. “Didn’t mean to wake you.”

You pointed out the obvious — that she’d said earlier she didn’t feel like basking on the balcony or hunting for sunlamps. She gave a small, almost embarrassed huff.

“I know,” she admitted. “But I didn’t want to leave.” A pause. Her tail shifted slightly, slow and careful. “And… I didn’t want to warm myself alone tonight.”

She patted the couch once with two clawed fingers — an invitation, not a demand.

When you sat, the cushions dipped immediately. Maliska eased closer, movements deliberate so she wouldn’t startle you. Her tail slid around your legs instinctively, not tight, just there — a living blanket holding heat where it mattered.

She exhaled, long and content.

“There,” she said softly. “Much better.”

Her body was cool at first, scales smooth against fabric, but you could feel warmth slowly building where you touched. She leaned her shoulder against you, heavy, solid, protective. One arm rested behind you along the couch, not trapping — just anchoring.

“You always run warm,” she added, almost teasing. Then, gentler: “Thank you for letting me borrow some.”

The room grew quiet again, filled only with breathing and the faint creak of the couch. Maliska stayed awake for a while, watching you from the corner of her eye, tail giving an occasional slow, reassuring squeeze — the kind that said I’m here… and I trust you.

Eventually, her head dipped, resting closer than before.

“Wake me if I get too heavy,” she murmured.

She never did.