Silly Michael

An ode to the first Tales game I’ve ever finished!

So, I wrote this back in December, and completely forgot I’ve written it. So…here it is! I hope you like it!

Luke was, quite honestly, at his wits end.

He didn’t know why he had the sudden urge to see Ashe smile, but he was determined to follow suit on his decision. The problem was that Luke really had no idea what to do. He didn’t really know any good jokes, he was running out of puns, and even he had enough common sense to know sharing childhood memories, as funny as they are, would probably bring only pain to the original.

The thought suddenly sunk it’s sharp little teeth in Luke’s heart. He knew that he was the cause of Ashe’s pain, even if it was unintentional. He now looked over at the other redhead, who was currently polishing his sword. The angry look never seemed to leave Ashe’s face. His brow was always so furrowed, his jaw set. That also could be because Luke was here, but the white-clad redhead tried to ignore that thought.

“Hey, Ashe?” Luke asked, his green eyes watching the other. Ashe merely grunted in response. That was a good sign, at least for Ashe. Luke took a breath and turned to him. “What-” 

“If you have another pun to tell me, I will slit your throat in your sleep.” Ashe growled, not stopping his steady rhythm of cleaning. Luke blinked, a little taken aback. “Eh he…right.” Luke sheepishly responded, turning back to his own thoughts. He really thought he had a good one, that time!

Maybe it was because he felt like he was being too harsh, or maybe it was because he could just feel the unrelenting pouting from the other, but Ashe sighed and looked up at Luke. “Fine, tell me your pun.” Luke looked up and grinned, ready than ever! “Okay, why did the pickle laugh?” Ashe waited, the deadpan look in his eyes shaking Luke’s confidence slightly. “Because he was picklish!” Luke finished the punchline, raising his hands and shaking his hands in classic jazz style.

Ashe just continued to stare, completely unamused by his replica’s joke. He sighed and went back to his sword polishing. Luke pouted, unsatisfied but not surprised. He heard the joke from Guy many years ago, but usually the blonde would end the joke with a few quick tickles to Luke’s ribs. The memory was equally embarrassing and strangely heartwarming to Luke.

Wait …that’s IT! Luke covered his mouth with one hand to hide the ever growing smile as he turned and faced the original Luke. Ashe was still lost in cleaning his blade that he didn’t notice Luke getting up and sneakily walking over to him. Luke grinned and crouched beside Ashe, his grin mischievous as he darted a hand out and poked the black-clad redhead in the ribs.

Love like there's no ending.