The Reaper Child: Book II [Child!Reader Protagonist]

~Chapter 23~

Grell's eyes widened. "Are you sure? Not even an hour ago, you looked at me as if you wanted to tear my head off when I asked you to come inside."

You nodded. "I would go outside, but I feel really tired now," you replied honestly. As much as you wanted to go back out and play with leaves, the idea of laying down in your warm bed sounded more than appealing. While it wasn't terribly long before your usual bedtime, you hoped that your mother would allow you to go to bed soon. Not only were you drowsy, but your body began to feel fatigue as well.

"I see..." Grell continued to give you a strange look. "Well, if that's the case, go on then. I'll put your dinner away in the fridge. You barely touched it. Are you feeling alright?" She asked as you stepped down from the chair.

"Yes, I promise," you insisted. You left the kitchen. Just when you were about to ascend the stairs, you heard your mother call out to you.

"Hold on, (Y/N)!" She said as she quickly approached you. With a smirk, she said, "You didn't think you could just turn in without kisses and cuddles first, did you?" She then pulled you into a firm embrace. You felt her kiss the top of your forehead. She also brought her hand up to your neck and the top of your head, as if she were feeling for something.

"Good night, (Y/N)," you heard Will say as he walked past the both of you.

"Good night." You made sure to reply this time.

"Now give kisses and cuddles to your father as well!" Grell said when she released you. Both you and Will froze.

"You don't have to if you don't want to," Will finally said. You were grateful.

"But-" Grell began to whiningly protest.

"Don't push it, Grell," Will said. While your mother was busy pouting, you took that opportunity to head the stairs to finally engage in a slumber phase.

Grell and her husband went off to carry on their routine of watching television together. They both picked a show that was interesting to both of them. But half an hour had passed and Grell hadn't been able to pay a second of attention to it.

"Are you alright, Grell?" Will asked when he noticed that his lover was completely silent since they sat down. "You've been quiet. It's not really like you."

"I'm just worried about (Y/N)." Grell sighed. "My motherly instincts are kicking in. This is the first time that (Y/N) went to bed as early as (Y/P) did. (Y/P) also barely touched (Y/P) dinner tonight! This has never happened before. I can't help but feel like something is wrong."

"Hmm..." Will honestly hadn't noticed nor was paying much attention. He had mostly alternated between listening to the redhead's ramblings and being in his own head. "I wouldn't think anything of it yet," he said comfortingly. "I'm sure there are days where anyone would feel less hungry or more tired than usual. Even if (Y/N) is feeling unwell, perhaps (Y/P) just needs to sleep it off."

Grell sighed again. "I suppose you're right." She settled on the couch, trying to relax. But with each passing minute, the anxiety continued to linger. It was impossible to ignore no matter how much Grell tried.

"I'm going to go check on (Y/N)," she declared.

Will glanced over at her. "If that helps give you some ease, then go ahead." Before Grell stood from the sofa, Will gave her hand a couple of gentle squeezes. Grell headed up the stairs and saw that your room was slightly open. The light was still on too.

"(Y/N)?" She crept up to the door and slowly opened it, only to see you completely passed out on your bed, with your feet hanging off the side edge. You were still in your day clothes.