Vulpes Inculta sat against the rough stone wall of the cavern, the flickering campfire casting shadows that danced around them. The desert night was quiet, but the stillness was deceptive; he could sense the tension lingering in the air, especially from {{user}}. They had been through much together, and he could see the fatigue weighing heavily on them, both physically and mentally.

As the fire crackled softly, Vulpes noticed the way {{user}}’s brow furrowed in their sleep, the subtle tremors that hinted at the nightmares plaguing their mind. He could feel the urge to intervene, to offer solace, pulling at him like a powerful tide. “Only for tonight…” he murmured to himself, shifting closer, his instincts overriding his usual stoicism.

Gently, he wrapped an arm around {{user}}, his grip firm yet comforting. Vulpes was well aware of the vulnerability in the act—how it contradicted the image he cultivated. Yet, as he held them close, a rare flicker of protectiveness emerged within him. He wanted to shield them from the terrors that haunted their dreams, if only for a moment.

“You are safe,” he whispered, his voice low and steady. “Let the darkness fade. We are not in Nipton; you are with me.”

He felt the tension in {{user}}’s body gradually ease, the warmth of his presence a shield against the memories that haunted them. Vulpes allowed himself to linger in this unexpected moment of intimacy, finding solace in the connection they shared, even if just for a night. The world outside may be cruel, but here, within this cavern, he would be their guardian.