DHMIS Oneshots and Short Stories

I Can't Sleep

Yellow tosses and turns in his bed, he's having a particularly hard time sleeping tonight. He sighs and sits up, looking at his sleeping dads in their beds. 'Duck looks very peaceful, I shouldn't wake him...' Yellow thinks to himself. He then looks at Red, knowing he won't get too upset over being woken up. Yellow gets up out of his bed and gently shakes Red. "Red? Reeeed? Wake up, Red." The tall and round man groans a bit as he wakes up, opening his tired eyes. "What's wrong, bub? Did you have another bad dream?"

Yellow shakes his head. "Not really, I just can't sleep...I've tried everything! I counted sheep, I drank milk, it's hopeless..." Red sits up and rubs some of the tired out of his eyes. "Do you want a bedtime story? Maybe that'll help." Yellow nods and grabs a book, bringing it back to Red excitedly. This book seems very familiar, hasn't he read this to Yellow before? Yellow smiles excitedly at Red. "I like this one, it reminds me of us!" Red scoots over and pats on the bed. "Well get up here then, I can't read the story if you're over there." Yellow quickly climbs up into the bed and gets under the covers.

Once Yellow is comfy he looks up at Red, patiently waiting for him to open the book. Red does just that and smiles a bit under his yarn. "Alright. This is the tale of the dog, the sheep, and the pigeon." Yellow is already beyond entertained. Roy never read to him, so every time Red agrees to read to him he feels loved. "The dog barks orders at the other two. 'We need to get to the picnic! We will be late if we don't leave now.' The sheep sighs. 'Why can't we just stay home? It's going to rain.' The sheep and the dog go back and forth until the pigeon chirps over them. 'We shouldn't fight! Friends don't fight each other, let's just calm down.' I see what you mean now." Red chuckles a bit. Yellow giggles. "Yeah, they're just like us! That's why I like this book." Yellow yawns and relaxes against Red. "Keep reading, please."

Red continues to read the story, as he finishes the last page he hears a soft snore beside him. Red looks over to see Yellow holding onto him and sleeping soundly. Yellow hasn't looked this relaxed in a long time. Red puts the book on the nightstand and makes sure Yellow is tucked in good. Red lays back and closes his eyes. "Goodnight, Yellow. I promise I'll get us out of here soon..." As Red let's sleep take him he thinks about how happy they'll all be when they get out of there. How Yellow will be able to run outside without worrying about someone or something hurting him; how Duck won't have to worry about his shredder coming to life one day, how Red will be able to relax knowing that they're all safe. That will be a wonderful day.