Lewis tucked in his last toy and clicked off the lamp. He flopped onto his pillow, but Alistair sat stiffly upright beside him, staring with wide button eyes. Lewis pulled the blanket over his head. Why won't he just lie down?
A soft paw tapped his shoulder through the fabric. Lewis peeked out, annoyed, and shoved Alistair toward the nightstand. 'Just stay there,' he muttered, but the bear simply leaned back against the wood, eyes fixed on him.
Lewis tried lying on his stomach, but Alistair was suddenly perched on his feet like a tiny sentinel. He flipped onto his back, and the bear rolled down to rest his chin on Lewis's knee. Lewis groaned.
Lewis sat bolt upright, crossing his arms. Alistair tilted his head and watched him with quiet, unblinking focus. 'You're impossible,' Lewis whispered. The bear just sat there, perfectly still.
Lewis sighed and leaned over Alistair. 'Leave me alone,' he whispered. Alistair whispered back with a sleepy yawn, and Lewis froze — the sound was impossibly soft, like fabric rubbing against fabric.
Then Alistair's button eyes seemed to dim, growing heavy-lidded and slow. Lewis blinked, then slowly lay back down. The bear's weight settled against his side, warm and heavy.
Alistair's breathing slowed into a quiet rhythm. Lewis stared at the ceiling for a long moment, then let his arm drape over the bear. His breathing matched Alistair's.
Pretty soon both boys were fast asleep. The night stood watch, and the house was quiet. Lewis dreamed of adventures, with a faithful bear at his side.