Just Dumb Enough to Try

Real Love Baby

      Teeth.

      Teeth was the first thing Louis saw. They weren't attached to anything. They were just sitting there on his pillow. He blinked and looked past them to see a toothless Legosi, drooling onto his pillow. A soft rumbling came from his nose.

      Louis stretched out from under the arm on top of him. Light leaking in from the window giving the room a fresh energy. He examined the dentures, poking his fingers with the sharp teeth and set them on his nightstand. He took a moment to observe the wolf sleeping in his bed, and the wet spot that had formed on the pillow.

      Deciding to let him rest, Louis put on his prosthetic and some clothes from his floor and went down to the common area to make breakfast. He hoped Legosi liked asparagus, because it was all he knew how to make at the moment.

      The spears gave off the familiar aroma as they sizzled in the butter. He shut off the heat and transferred them to plates. He carried the plates down the hall like a server. Pushing down on the handle with his elbow, he shoved the door open with his shoulder. Legosi was sprawled out across the bed. The blankets had been kicked down to his calves.

      "Get up!" Louis said, putting the plates on the desk. He sat down next to Legosi. The wolf groaned and stretched, but didn't get up. Louis put his hand on Legosi's back and began rubbing it. The parallel scars were rough compared to the fur running through his fingers.

      "Goof morning." The words vibrated into Louis' palm. Legosi's voice was gravelly and crackley. "What time if it?"

      "Breakfast time." Louis got up and retrieved the plates while Legosi sat up in bed and put in his dentures. Half of his face was matted down. Legosi picked up a spear with his fork and bit the head, chewing thoughtfully.

       "Be honest." Louis said in between bites. "How is it?"

      "Perfect!" Legosi chimed.

       Louis shot him a look. "I said be honest."

       "It's really bland." Legosi looked down. "You should try adding spice."

       Louis pursed his lips thoughtfully. "I may just have use for you yet. You said you didn't have work until later right?"

       "Yesh." He said with a spear sticking out of his mouth.

       "Then get up and get dressed." Louis commanded, grabbing the plates and going to the door. "And brush your face."

      Legosi touched his flattened cheek as Louis left. He went down and quickly washed the plates and forks. He grabbed Tupperware and put some fruit and celery inside.

       Legosi was in the bathroom when Louis came back. He had managed to make himself look presentable and was scrubbing his lips trying to get the purple off of them.

      "Is that my toothbrush?" Louis asked.

      Legosi turned, bubbles dropped off of his dentures. "I'm forry! I rirnt want my teer to ftain!"

      "It's fine." Louis said, rummaging through his closet to grab a backpack. He put the Tupperware inside. "Okay let's go."

      "Where are we going?" Legosi called, slipping out the door after Louis.

      Louis thought about it for a moment. "It's a surprise."

      Legosi's tail didn't seem to be sure on whether or not a surprise from Louis was a good or bad thing.

      The warmth of the day hit Louis. A cool breeze evened out the heat of the sun. He laced his fingers with Legosi's and led him to the train station. Their train went the opposite way Louis normally took to get to Legosi's. Louis smiled tauntingly and watched Legosi look outside for clues on where they were going.