Wake Up Call.

Fox sat upright on his couch, a cigarette in his hand. It was one of those nights again, he had another nightmare. It felt childish, getting like this over a nightmare, but recently they were getting worse.

This one felt too real for his comfort, and he woke up in a cold sweat, his couch, that was his bed, covered in a damp layer of sweat. Fox's thick coat of slick black fur hid his shaking, quivering arms, the ash from his cigarette getting flung off and onto the ground.

He looked over, and stared at his alarm clock. Bright, hazard red flashed him in his sensitive eyes, making him squint. The time had just turned 6 AM, he had woken up around his usual time at least.

Standing up, he took a good look in the mirror. His room was incredibly dark, and only his hazy, bloodshot eyes were visible in the darkness. He took a drag of his cigarette, and then put it out on his dresser, walking out of his room. The living room was silent, no one was up, and only a lamp was on. He could hear the shower running from Snake's room.

He assumed that Snake was just done reading one of his morning novels and was getting ready for work. Fox was just gonna quickly grab a drink from the fridge and head back to his room, hopefully to get some sleep.

Stepping into the kitchen, he stumbled around a bit, his head still a bit fuzzy from his slumber. Grasping the handle, he looked into the yellow mellow light of the fridge. He spotted a fresh carton of milk, one of his favorite fluids to drink, and picked it up.

"Don't touch the new carton Fox, finisssssh the old one."

Fox stopped, freezing.

Snake's hissing voice was right behind him. "Damn it-", he thought.

"I don't like how the old one tastes after awhile Snake." He replied with a bit of a stern tone.

"Well too bad, if you open the new one now, it'll go to wasssste." Snake hissed back.

"I'm not drinking the old milk." He placed his hand on the carton, beginning to pull it out until a firm hand grabbed his shoulder.

Fox, who was still on edge from his terrors, reacted in a panicked manner and tossed the milk across the room, quickly stepping back from the hand. The milk exploded against the wall, leaving a wet, dripping mess. Fox pressed himself to the fridge, looking at Snake, his breath shaken.

".. Sssorry. Are you having bad dreams again, Ssam?"

Fox could see Snake clearly now. He was a towering beast over him, a towering beast that was covered in a.. bath.. robe. His pale, albino skin was slick with water from his shower, and his hair was spiked and raised. His gentle, red eyes stared at Fox, with a concerned expression, and his fangs shined from being recently brushed. His hand was frozen right where he put it, still processing what just happened. He then slowly put it down.

Fox didn't give a response, instead walking away and grabbing a roll of paper towels, ripping them individually with anger, and then furiously scrubbing the counter.

"I told you it's Fox. I'm fine, you just startled me. Haven't you heard of personal space?" He replied in between working grunts.

"You don't look fine, Fox. You jusssst threw a carton of milk againssst the wall. Look at yourself Fox, you are ssshaking from me putting my hand on your sssshoulder."

Snake looked concerned. Ever since he moved in, Fox hasn't been getting sleep. He was a mess too, his fur was greasy and matted, he was wearing the same tank top he wore last week and his eyes were unbelievably tired.

"Fox, talk to me. I'm worried about you."

Fox stopped scrubbing, turning to face him.

"Snake, just go to work. I'm fine, it was just another nightmare. The usual at this point."

".. Do you want to talk about it?"

"You know I don't."

"Well I want you to talk to me. You keep getting worsssse with every new nightmare."

Fox shoved the paper towels into the trash. "It was about my dad. That's it."

"What happened? Was it about-"

Fox cut him off. "Yes, Snake. It was about that."

"Oh." He looked down at his feet, cupping his hands. "Sssorry. Do you want some help?"

"No- no. I can clean it, thanks." He grunted. Cleaning the rest of the milk off the wall, he picked up the now leaking milk carton. He poured the poor remains of the milk into a glass, and watched as Snake sat down on the couch.

".. Don't you have work?" Fox asked.

"Oh uhm. No, I used a vacation day. Woke up feeling ssshick." Snake replied.

Fox sipped his milk. "I know you aren't sick." The air felt thick between the two.

Fox picked up his glass and walked over to the couch, sitting next to Snake. He was zoned out picking at a scab at his arm.

"Hey, your picking that scab again. Quit it." Fox brushed his hand over Snake's arm, stopping his hand for a second.

"Huuh? Sssorry, I zoned out again." He stared blankly at Fox.