While at the challenge, they both began snoring quickly after that, the fire crackling softly as they all wound down, their long trek taking a toll on all of them.

Noah followed their example, laying back to stare up at the sky. He needed to sleep, regain his energy quickly, so they could get a head start on the day.

Noah didn’t have a problem doing so as his eye lids were already drooping. He slowly shifted to his side, knees curling up towards his chest as his mind went fuzzy.

Maybe the dirt wasn’t so bad, it felt pretty soft to him.

Noah heard movement next to him, Alejandro sitting on the dirt, but he barely acknowledged it. He found it easier to remain motionless than protest his staying.

It didn’t really matter, things were slowly going in his favor in terms of his future alliance. Noah was content with it.

He could work the rest out tomorrow... In the daylight.

——

Noah awoke to something warm pressed against his chest.

Noah's first thought was that a spider had somehow crawled onto him, Noah hugging it like some sort of stuffed animal in his dream state.

That thought made him aware enough to realize that he would have been better off with the spider idea.

His arms were wrapped around Alejandro’s torso, face snuggled into the crook of his neck like they had fallen asleep cuddling.

It took a second of wide eyed terror before Noah stumbled back, pulling his arms away from Alejandro’s body.

The frantic motion , or maybe the slight yelp Noah made, awoke Alejandro. His eye cracked open in the darkness, hands unfurling to push himself to a seated position.

“I see you finally noticed mi amigo..”Alejandro said, smirking.