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Something about sharing a bed with the Roadrunner that Wile E. didn’t quite expect, other than the sharing itself, was the kicking.
It happened nearly every night: they’d climb in and fall asleep, and some time later, the coyote would end up on the cold, dark cave floor. His mate would remain asleep, blissfully unaware, and he’d silently crawl back into bed, curling up with the bird once more.
Like a little routine.
Was it annoying? Yes. But it wasn’t like Roadie was aware he did it. Wile E. felt guilty at the mere idea of telling him, knowing he’d be extremely apologetic. But it’s not like he even kicked that hard–
Er, well–
Until one night.
It was a normal night, one that felt like an extra sweet reward after a day of chasing in the scorching desert sun. The coyote and his roadrunner fell asleep together, like every night since they both realized they couldn’t rest properly without the other’s company anymore.
Wile E. liked to curl himself around Roadie, asserting his size advantage over the bird in a loving, playful way. Roadie was always happy to oblige, snaking his long legs and bony wings around his slender companion, or simply snuggling into his furry chest.
They genuinely fit together like a previously unsolvable puzzle, 77 years in the making.
It was perfect… usually.
When Wile E. didn’t find himself on the ground halfway across the cave, literally kicked out of bed by a creature nearly half his size.
Especially not six times in a row.
—
Wile E. grumbled, hauling himself off the ground and rubbing his head. He’d managed to hit his head on the wall nearby again with the force of Roadie’s kicks.
That darn bird and his extremely powerful legs…
The coyote shook his head, turning to watch Roadrunner sleep through it, again.
But this time, something caught his eye in the darkness.
Roadie’s legs were still moving, pulling at the sheet and blanket he had barely gotten used to. He rocked from side to side, rocking the mattress in return.
Is he having a bad dream…?
Wile E. quickly found the switch for the bedside lamp and turned it on; light flooded the tiny sleeping area, illuminating the sleeping bird and sore coyote.
Up close, Wile E. could see his birdie’s face, and it was the picture of pure bliss: eyes clamped shut hard, tongue lolled out of his mouth, and a smile on his beak.
Trailing his gaze down, Wile E. noted that Roadie’s legs were still moving, albeit more like…
Huh.
Of course he wasn’t kicking in his sleep.
He was running.
Wile E. couldn’t help but smile as he rolled his eyes. It was so… typical! Roadie loved running more than anything else; it only made sense for him to dream about it.
Unable to help himself, Wile E. watched his mate a few more moments before crawling back into bed and gently shaking him awake.
“BEEP BEEP!”
Roadie sat up suddenly, still smiling with his tongue hanging out of his beak. His eyes adjusted to the room around him as he realized that he’d just been woken from… quite a nice dream, actually.
He blinked up at Wile E. a few times before pulling out a sign.
[ WHY DID YOU WAKE ME UP? ]
He has no idea, does he?
Holding back a small snicker, Wile E. raised a paw to stroke Roadie’s face.
[ YOU WERE… DREAMING VERY VIVIDLY ]
[ WAS I RUNNING? ]
Ah, so he does know…?
[ I THINK SO ]
Roadie nodded, looking away thoughtfully for a moment. Then, he grinned, leaning forward to touch foreheads with his coyote.
[ I LOVE RUNNING… ]
He flipped the sign over, accentuating it with a flick of his tongue to Wile E.’s snout.
[ … ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU’RE CHASING ME ]
They laid back down together, Wile E. enveloping Roadie easily, thanks to their size difference, in a sleepy embrace.
He no longer cared about getting kicked out of bed as much. As long as his precious birdie was dreaming about their next chase, he was happy with the arrangement.