Like Old Times, a short story

End Of The Day... Or Is It?

That was a good dinner. Fox can attest that Luke makes amazing meals.

I helped him clean up, then went to take a shower and get dressed for bed. I actually don't remember exactly what I wore for once.

Luke was back in the living room, as usual. "Too warm?" he asked. "Don't usually see you sleeping in shorts, that's more of a Tails thing..." I saw him wince a little bit, obviously worried that he'd set me off. "Sorry."

"You're fine." I gave him a soft smile. "And yeah. New Mexico weather for you, it's September and people can still comfortably wear shorts."

"I'm not even comfortable with that much—"

"Yeah, but you're you. You never get cold in winter and you're always too warm in summer. Plus there's the point you always make that you only wear cargo shorts, and those have too many buttons on them to be comfortable sleeping in."

He let out a faint chuckle. "You really know me well." He patted the cushion next to where he was sitting. "Come here. We'll see if there's anything good on tonight. Knowing broadcast television, probably not, but there's always a chance."

I sat down next to him, head on his shoulder.

"Now you remember why I used to call you Snuggles?"

"I never forgot."

"How do you manage to be so cute?"

I gave a faint shrug.

He put an arm around me.

It was a little before 8:00 when I started to really feel tired. "Luke?" I said.

"Yeah?"

"I'm going to head to bed now..." I trailed off a bit, obviously not fully awake.

"I probably should too." Luke suppressed a yawn. "I was up early this morning, couldn't sleep. Too hot out." He let go of me as we stood up. I went and got myself cleaned up and such, presumably Luke did the same in his own bathroom, then headed back to my room to try to get some sleep.

I curled up on the bed with my Tails plushie and nothing but a sheet over me, trying to relax.