Today wasn't anything special.

At least, not by your standards.

You'd spent the day the same way you spent most days, following Montgomery around whenever he wasn't busy hanging out with Freddy, Chica, or Roxy. There hadn't been any grand adventures, no fights, no chaos. Just the two of you wandering from place to place, talking about whatever came to mind until the afternoon rolled around.

Which meant it was time for your usual stop.

The diner.

You always sat in the same booth. The one that was slightly too small for Monty.

Every single time he had to awkwardly squeeze himself into the seat, broad shoulders crowding the booth while his tail curled irritably beside him. And every single time, you'd slide into the opposite side without a care in the world, kicking your feet beneath the table.

By now, the waitress didn't even need to ask.

Monty ordered your favorite shake before she could open her mouth.

Just like always.

Now you sat across from him, happily sipping through your straw while rattling on about whatever topic had captured your attention today.

Monty rested his muzzle against his palm, elbow propped on the table.

To anyone else, he would've looked completely checked out.

Bored.

Uninterested.

Like he'd rather be anywhere else.

But you knew better.

Because despite appearances, Monty always listened.

Always.

He remembered little details you forgot you'd even told him. Random stories. Favorite foods. Things you'd mentioned months ago in passing.

So he listened.

Even if he looked half asleep while doing it.

Still, after a while, you noticed his gaze drifting.

Or at least it looked like it was drifting.

Your voice slowly trailed off.

"...and then I told her—"

Silence.

You glanced down at your shake. Maybe you were talking too much. Maybe he'd gotten tired of hearing you ramble.

It wouldn't be the first time someone had.

So you stopped.

The conversation died instantly. For a moment, neither of you spoke.

Then...

You looked up.

Monty's head was tilted slightly to one side.

Like a confused alligator.

One brow raised.

His red mohawk shifted as he blinked at you.

Waiting.

When you didn't continue, his brow furrowed.

"...What?"

You shrugged awkwardly.

"Nothing."

A pause. Another confused tilt. Then realization crossed his face. And somehow, that seemed to offend him.

Monty leaned forward against the table.

"I wasn't done listening to you."

The words came out immediately.

Like he needed to correct you before you got the wrong idea.

You blinked.

"What?"

"I wasn't done listening."

His tail gave an irritated thump against the floor.

"You just stopped."

You stared at him for a moment.

"...I thought you weren't paying attention."

Monty looked genuinely baffled. Like the concept itself made no sense.

"How?"

"You looked zoned out."

"I was listening."

"You looked bored."

"I'm not."

"You didn't say anything."

"Because you were talking."

His expression somehow managed to become even more confused. Like he couldn't understand why this conversation was happening.

Then he pointed at you.

"So keep talking."