Hopelessly Devoted ~ Garroth x F!Reader

Ch 29: Bedtime

-follows the timeline but needs to be adjusted to make more logical sense-

You leaned back and relaxed in bed, finally having an extra moment to line your scattered thoughts in a row--and boy had they been unorganized. First in line was how grateful you were to be surrounded by such supportive friends. Second was worry for the state and wellbeing of your house. Then, way, way back in the recesses, may have been Garroth, but you wouldn't openly admit that. And, for some reason, every embarrassing thing you'd done in the last five years also played through your mind in a montage. You couldn't bear being alone with your thoughts for any longer, so you knocked on Zoey's door in seek of company.

"Can I come in?" you asked through the door.

"Actually, I was just about to step outside. I'll be right there," her muffled voice came from the side of her room. You backed away, since the last thing you wanted was to be pancaked behind a door. "Lord Aphmau and I normally tuck Malachi and Levin into bed together," she started. "I was just going to do that. Do you want to come with?"

"Yes!" you responded, with the same over-eagerness you'd felt when committing to your knight, You rushed up the stairs in excitement, Lilith's vase sticking out in your peripheral, which warmed your heart knowing Lord Aphmau had kept it there. Speaking of her, the Lord in question could already tell where you were headed, so she followed.

In the boys' room, Levin sat on the floor criss-crossed-applesauce, in concentrated conversation with Malachi, who was explaining something. Levin's flustered expression vanished at the sight of his mom entering the room.

"Hi, mom," Malachi greeted before giving his attention back to Levin.

"So? You're 'apposed to be nice to everyone?" Levin asked his sage older brother, visibly conflicted. He turned towards Lord Aphmau for her to confirm the notion as well.

"Yes, sweetie. Wouldn't you want to be treated that way?"

"What if that person eated Levin's food? And so Levin really wanted to take Kyle's sandwich and crackers and toys?" He pondered curiously, his cogs turning a thousand miles a minute. "Except Malachi said that wouldn't be nice."

"He's right. We'll talk to Kyle about it tomorrow, okay, bud? How about you get some rest and think about it some more in the morning?"

You couldn't help but smile in the face of a real-time parenting opportunity.

"Bedtime? Already?" Levin asked, disappointed to be leaving his toys behind. Still, Malachi and Levin reluctantly obeyed, climbing onto their beds and wiggling under the covers.

Lord Aphmau stepped closer to the beds, then leaned down and kissed Levin's forehead. "Good night. I'll see you in the morning."

Levin smiled a toothy grin and nestled deeper into his blanket. Lord Aphmau got up and sat on the end of Malachi's bed. "Sweet dreams." She leaned down and kissed Malachi's forehead, earning a warm smile from the older boy.

"____?" Levin piped up in his adorable high-pitched voice.

"Yes?" you asked patiently yet expectantly.

"Can you tuck Levin in? ____ is so cool!"

You checked with Lord Aphmau, who nodded her head in approval. You took your place on the edge of Levin's bed, tucking him tighter under the covers, which made him giggle. You ruffled his hair and cast him a smile.

"Can you tuck me in, too?" Malachi asked with those emerald-green eyes that you knew you could never say no to. You secured the blanket under his sides, sincerely hoping this was how one would tuck in a child.

After you and Zoey left, Lord Aphmau stayed behind to read a bedtime story to the boys. The door clicked open a few minutes later and the Lord stepped out. Away from the boys' earshot, she briefly tapped your elbow. "Wow. The boys really like you, ____. All they could do was talk about you after you'd left." Lord Aphmau giggled, as you smiled and cocked your head.

Zoey nudged you. "You'll have to start babysitting with me more often."

You nodded your head fervently before making your way back towards the guest room. The basement was a little darker than it had been before, the twilight sky reflecting outside of the window. Life slowed its bustle in the streets as the village prepared to sleep.

"Is there something on your mind, ____?" Lord Aphmau's voice interrupted your daze.

"No, no. I'm fine. Just a little tired, that's all," you admitted slowly.

"So am I. I'll see you tomorrow, ____." Lord Aphmau climbed up the stairs.

"Good night." Zoey added before parting ways with you, her bedroom door clicking behind her.

On your way into the guest room, a tongue lightly swiped across the underside of your knee cap. Turning around, Puma sat innocently in front of you, wagging his tail, along with the entire pack of his buddies. You lightly nudged the attention-hog to get to the other puppies, but he was persistent. He scooted onto your lap, which sparked jealousy in Cookie, who responded by pouncing next to you. Each fought to be center of attention, so you compromised by laying in a pile of Thorgi, Phoenix, and Jiggy.

The sun fully set now. You turned around, only to find that all five dogs were still following you. "I'm sorry, guys. The guest room is occupada."

Thorgi whimpered.

"Really, I'm sorry. Why don't you go up the stairs? You know? Back? Go lay down." Trying to get the dogs to obey without knowing how they'd been trained proved difficult, but luckily 'go lay down' seemed to accomplish something. The dogs turned around to the stairs, disappearing in a herd of grey fur-balls.

You wished they could sleep with you, but continued to bed anyway. Beside the dresser, a slip of paper lay folded on top of a small box.

You pulled out the bundle of clothing. It was a loosely-collared satin button-up with matching silk pajama pants. After changing, you were definitely comfy now; smooth fabric billowing against your recently-shaven legs. You flopped onto your back and rubbed your legs together like a gleeful cricket for a considerable amount of time.

***

Crash.

You jolted.

Shatter.

Glass fell from the windowpane, littering the floor in hundreds of jagged pieces.

Bang.

You shot out of bed, escaping swiftly through the window.

Slice.

A shard of glass caught your hand as you tumbled into a wet patch of grass.