Leaf bed - Autumn Leaves

Siris had a long night, in fact he had a long week. It seemed every single day and night had been jam packed with things to do and while he was happy to get things done he couldn't help but find himself overly exhausted after being pulled from his couch. One would think him a sloth bun at how lazy he was in his down time and how often he dozed off. Alas, he was too prideful for that to have mattered growing up. It was midnight, and the air was a bit crisp as he walked home. Walk was a generous term, perhaps slogged home fit better. He was dragging his currently hoofed feet, having shifted into his bun form out of sheer exhaustion despite it taking more steps in this form as opposed to his doll form which had a much longer stride. But when he was this tired, he always ended up back as this. 

 

Autumn had been striking the leaves down, and others had begun to rake them into piles to be disposed of in one way or another. He had passed a few of them by now, but none like this one. As he passed by it he found himself stopping, looking at it. He didn't know what stuck out about this one, maybe it was the way the moonlight was hitting it. Or the way it was shaped like a pet beg. It was calling to him in the way that nothing else had before. It sang to him, lulling him into it's trusting embrace. He shouldn't... it was forbidden. He and this pile of leaves were never meant to be. He looked around, seeing if this pile was being overseen by somebody. A protector. A guardian. Nothing. Should he? He drew closer to it, careful at first. Cautious. 

 

But as he got closer, his small hooves feeling the crunch of the leaves beneath him, his collapse came fast. The feeling of the leaves underneath him, cushioning him from the hard and unforgiving ground, while normally wouldn't be his cup of tea was suddenly heaven. This was the closest he had ever gotten to laying upon a cloud. He curled up to keep himself warm, tail curling around himself. Maybe he'd just take a short nap... just a little one. Then he could shift back into his doll form and make his way back home. That wouldn't be too much of a problem, right? Surely, if he laid here for just a quick couple of minutes nobody would find him. Him and his current love, this succulent pile of leaves. This bed that seemed to be made for him. 

 

It cradled him in the way only a lover could. Gentle, curling around him to surround him in comfort. He didn't move, so the crunch didn't bother him once he was in position. So it didn't take long before he was lulled into sleep. His sleep was deep, and it came fast, pulling him under and drowning him in the world of the unconscious. He had dreams of ramen noodles and laying around his place with his imps. 

 

Suddenly his dreams were interrupted by the sounds of construction which suddenly jolted him awake. He sat up, immediately feeling a twinge of pain in his neck and back. He struggled to open his eyes, the bright light of the sun burning his freshly awoken eyes. He rubbed his face with his tiny hooved hands, slowly making his way to stand up. How long had he fallen asleep there? He looked around, noticing somehow nobody had seen him despite the passing people. He turned and began on his way home again, though this time his slog had turned more into a hobble due to his now aching neck and back. 

 

Mistakes were made.