Closure

Mike had done his best to kill time. He went back to the farm to make sure he'd be able to find it again. When he got back in town he sat in for some much needed fast food. He took his time with the soda.

He stopped by to pick up the photographs he'd dropped of to be developed a week ago. He sat in the parking lot and flipped through them.

Three times.

Before he pulled out he bagged up the little bit of miscellaneous trash in his car.

When he filled up his tank, he checked the pressure in his tires and aired them up.

Halfway to home he turned around to buy some frames he'd been meaning to get. He met an old acquaintance there and talked for a while, though the subject of the day never came up. After they'd both checked out and Mike had kept the conversation going, blatantly ignoring his hints that he was ready to take off. After ten minutes he just said, "Look, I've gotta get out of here. I'll catch you later."

Mike walked up the strip of stores and back before he brought his bags to the car.

In all, by the time he was heading home for real he was facing the usual after-school traffic. He left the car running for a few minutes before keying it off.

He was a bit more awkward with the bags and the door than he needed to be. After fumbling with the keys he realized the door was still unlocked.

He set the frames in the walkway and dropped off his trash in the kitchen. He didn't call out, though. After all, this was his house. Or his parents', at least.

It was pretty obvious that, at least downstairs, he was alone.

He walked up the stairs, taking no care to be silent, though with the plush carpet on the stairs and hallway it was hard to make much noise if you tried.

He reached his bedroom door, which was closed. He raised his hand to knock but stopped himself. It was quiet.

He "accidentally" bumped the knob before turning it, and paused before edging the door open. He peeked through the crack, starting at the floor. As usual, he saw clothes there. This time, they weren't all his.

Mike couldn't help but look up. Under the bed covers, their backs him, were two familiar forms.

When he closed the door softly, he couldn't help but smile.

Buttercup turned her head to make sure the room was still empty. Looking at her blissfully unconscious, sleep deprived sister, she couldn't help but smile either.