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Ray is a tired boi who at the moment couldn't care less for anything (besides his two best friends), unfortunately he had a terrible nightmare and he went off seeking comfort and cuddles from the two he loves the most.
Speaking of which, the two were currently cuddling on Norman's bed, the same one Ray was standing beside. Emma was all curled up into Norman's side, seeming content cuddling into Norman as said boy was reading a book.
"Is everything alright?"
The white haired boy asked as he gently closed the book and moved ot off the the side.
"...."
Ray glanced away shyly, unsure of how to ask for the affection he seeks. Instead he stands, shifting and looking away as his cheeks dusted with pink.
"Um.."
Ray wasn't the best at asking for never mind receiving affection and care. Yes he was cared for but not loved. Never loved. By nobody but his best friends apperantly.
Norman just pasirntly waited, letting Ray take his time in planning how to ask for what he wants and sorting himself out.
"I-...Um...I was just-.."
The raven haired boy fumbled over his words, turning to look at Norman and then Emma, going silent again as he stared before looking at the floor.
"You want something?"
Ray nods lightly, a small movement most would miss. But not Norman. He grew up with the raven boy after all.
"What do you want?" Norman had asked gently, not pressuring Ray to speak if he wasn't ready.
Ray on the other hand was opening and closing his mouth, wanting to speak but the words had just died in his throat. As if it had closed up and the words stuck, leaving an uncomfortable built up feeling in his throat.
Ray let out a silent frustrated huff, turning his head away as tear pricked st the edges of his eyes.
Since it was hard to speak he tried gesturing.
He looked back at Emma and Norman, a frustrated look on his face as he gestured aggressively at them before pointing at the space on Norman's other side.
"You want to join the cuddle puddle?" Norman asked to verify what Ray was saying.
Ray nodded, shuffling from foot to foot, only pausing to look away again. He brought a sleeve up to his eyes, rubbing at them to wipe away the tears that formed.
"Come on." He heard the white haired boy sigh and the shuffling of vovers being lifted. Ray looked back, shuffling cliser only to pause briefly and stare at the vacant spot before climing in and curling up against Norman.
The covers drapoed over him and a hand had made it's way into Ray's hair, plesently scratching at his scalp in a soothing manner.
"Nightmare?" Norman whispered, asking gently as he worked his fingers through Ray's scalp. It took a hot second before Ray let out a hum of agreement and nodding softly.
"Do you want to talk about it?" And Rays immediate answer was no. He shook his head lightly before squeezing his eyes shut an burying his face into Norman's side, grabbing a hold of the pure white fabric tightly but careful as to not accidentally hurt Norman and letting out what soinded like a very quiet whimper.
"Mm, alright." Was notmans only reply as he continued to scratch at Ray's scalp which was clearly soothing him. Norman know Ray gets nightmares, Ray gets them more often then not. But it must've been bad or Ray's just had enough if he's come to cuddle.
Cuddles were a rare thing with ray, he wasn't really one for touch and Norman had noticed how he'd be wary of affection and attention, despite clearly wanting it (maybe needing ut sometimes). So whenever Ray did come looking for a cuddle or two? Well. Let's just say Norman and Emma jump at the opportunity. The two of them were very affectionate individuals and though they get cuddles from each other they would always jump at the opportunity at comforting and cuddling ray with all the affection he'd let them.
Norman was brought back to his thoughts by a silent yey sleepy whine coming from Ray and a head leaning into his hand while still somehow keeping his face buried in the uniform. Norman blinked, glancing down at Ray and staring. It took a second before Norman snickered slightly, having realized that while in deep thought he had stopped running his hand through Ray's hair and light scratching at his scalp.
Norman sighted fondly as the corner of his eyes turned upwards. He soon continued his before actions and Ray let out a relieved sigh. Norman's gaze softened even more, he watched the teo cuddled up to him. Emma was still cuddled up against his side but she had moved, a hand streched out under the blanket, whether it was to hold Ray's hand comfortingly or drape her hand over his waist he wasn't too sure.
He just pulled the two closer, both hands running in through either of their hairs. Norman let his head fall back and close his eyes. He listened to the two sleeping, it was comforting. He enjoyed the warmth the two brought to his usual cold body.
He felt emma shuffle, lifting her head and tiredly squinting as if it was too bright at the moment. "Ray?.."
She had whispered, looking down at what she could see from the raven haired by before she smiled. She hot a whine in reply, a clear 'shut up I'm trying to sleep.' but nonetheless Ray still looked up.
Norman just listened, still scratching comfortingly st their scalps. He felt Ray lean his head to the side and into Norman's hand again. Emma chuckled, her own hand reaching out to lightly run a thumb over Ray's cheek (which ray Had closed his eyes and hummed at) before it was moved up into his hair. Emma joined in, running her hand through Ray's hair.
The raven boy was clearly tired, resting his head on Norman's chest. But he seemed to relax, sighing once more with relief but also content.
Emma let herself rest her head back on Norman's shoulder. Her other free hand moved up to Norman's hair snd she returned the comforting action.
After a little while Emma started humming a tune, Ray and Norman finding it calming. It honestly didn't take long for the two boys to fall asleep. Emma smiled at their sleeping forms before sighing.
"Sleep well you two.."
She whispered before she too followed them into the land of dreams.