For Y/N's eighth birthday, her father got her a special gift, an adorable plush toy that she loves dearly. What she didn't expect was the living, breathing man that came with it. Is her doll really talking and moving around, or is her imagination th...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
_________________________________
I whimper with a quivering lip as I squeeze my knees to my chest, my back pressed against my bedroom door. From the other side, I could hear the incessant shoutings being exchanged between my parents that carried from their own room. I don't think they realize that I can hear them so clearly. They're being much louder than usual, but the sun hasn't set yet, so I'm without the comfort of my dear friend; instead my pink-haired companion watches me from the bed in his plush form. I couldn't find it in me to get up and grab him, even though I wanted to. I felt glued to the door as their argument raged on.
"Oh, yeah?! That's it! I'm fucking done! These arguments are so damn stupid! You nitpick every little thing I do! We've been over this too many times! I can't take it anymore!"
"Well, maybe if you didn't choose to stay away from your family, we wouldn't be arguing every night!"
"I'm not choosing to stay away! I have to work hard to support this family! Who do you think puts food in the fridge, huh?! What about Y/N's toys?! Who buys them?!"
"Toy! One toy is all you've ever given her! She needs to spend time with you! You're practically a stranger to her!" My breath catches in my throat as a tear rolls down my cheek.
"For your information, she loves that stupid toy, and I am not a stranger to her!" refutes my father. I had heard enough and cover my ears while sobbing quietly to muffle out the sound of their voices.
'They'remadbecauseofme. It'smyfaultthey'relikethis.' Through my hands and beyond the shouting, I can hear light footsteps coming towards me. They stop right in front of me, and I dare to open my eyes to meet the kind, golden orbs of my friend, who's crouched in front of me. His hands reach out to hold my face as I take mine off my ears, hearing the full force of the screaming match again.
"It's my fault," I croak, my vision flooded by my tears. I could hardly see him giving me a warm smile to cheer me up.
"Don't say that. None of this is your fault, darling."
"But, they always fight about me." My sobs make it hard to distinguish any of my words as my chest pinched painfully. Max's smile fades to a light frown as he wipes my eyes. "Can you block them out?" The doll nods before placing his palms over my ears, using magic to replace the yelling with empty silence, but that only lasted a moment before a soft melody, similar to a music box, played within my head. It's a hypnotic and gentle song one would sing as a lullaby to a baby, which quickly put me at ease. My muscles relaxed as I drop my chin onto my knees, while Max moves to sit by my side, waiting until the fighting stopped before pulling his hands away. My tears had dried, but that pain of guilt lingered in my chest as I breathe out a sigh of relief.
"Truly, Y/N, none of that was your fault. You shouldn't think that way." I merely hum before looking up at the man. Desiring a hug, I wrap my arms around his neck before shifting myself to sit on his lap. I bury my face in the crook of his neck and squeeze him tight as his lanky limbs ensnare me. His body is warm and soft, much like his plush form. I feel the most loved within his arms.
"Never yell at me like they do."
"I wouldn't dream of it," he speaks sincerely. Max would never argue with me. I believe him, but sometimes the reassurance is nice. I feel his arms shift positions before I'm picked up and brought over to the bed, where I'm put down in a seated position.
"Let's speak of happier things. What game shall we play tonight, m'lady: hide-and-seek, tea party, tickle fight?" Smiling brightly, he tickles my sides, forcing a giggle out of me. Thankfully, he stops a moment later, laughing himself. I gaze into his ringed eyes and heave a sad sigh, as I'm in no mood to play such games tonight. I hate to disappoint him.
"I don't know..." I lower my head while holding my hands on my lap, playing with my fingers. He caught on to my sorrowful tone, but kept his smile on.
"Ah, I see. In that case, I can read to you or we can draw, color—"
"Can we just... Can you lay with me." I hold out my arms, asking him to initiate a hug. It's still a little early to go to sleep, after all, the sun just set, but I want to be held now. I had been listening to my parents argue for the past three hours without him in this form. I just want to feel loved. Max makes me feel wanted. The doll was astonished by my straightforward request, but grinned happily.
"As my lady commands." I half expected to be tackled onto the bed as he had a tendency to bear hug me that way when excited, but I was certainly surprised to receive a tender kiss to the forehead. "I will do anything you ask of me." My breath caught in my throat, and I thought I might sob again as I was pulled back into his arms while he lays me down. He didn't want to crush me, so he positions us on our sides with my head close to his chest, allowing me to smell his scent of butterscotch and lemon candy.
Sometimes, I would catch him munching on said sweets, and he would often share them with me too. After tossing his hat onto the nightstand, he settles with his chin atop of my head, an arm around my waist and his other hand on the back of my head. My eyelids flutter shut as I focus on the soothing beats of his heart. It was a sound that could rival the song he had played in my ears earlier. My fingers find their way to the fabric of his coat and run along it in a gentle manner, feeling its fine material. Meanwhile, the hand holding my head becomes entangled in the H/L strands. "Y/N?" I hum softly in response to hearing my name. "You know, I'll care for you always, right?" Faintly, a smile touches my lips.
"That's what you promised, remember?" I laugh at his forgetfulness and hear his heartbeat quicken for a moment before it returns to its steady pace as he chuckles.
"I know. I just want to make sure you know." He grips me a little tighter. "Should you ever feel alone, know that I will always be right here with you. No matter what happens, I will be there to make you smile. Day or night, you can depend on me to keep you happy."
His sweet words tugged at my heartstrings as I let out a sob. I felt so happy hearing that from him, and it gets me every time he says stuff like that. He cares about me so much. I feel that we'll be close like this forever, at least, I hope that'll be the case. I never want to live life without Max by my side.
He's the most important thing in the world to me. I felt like crying again, though this time, in happiness as he began humming the song he had played for me in my head. It made small vibrations come from his chest and put me in a tranquil state as his finger twirls a lock of my hair. I smile as another kiss is placed upon my forehead. "You and I will be together for a very long time, Y/N."
"Good," I mutter, steadily falling asleep against him.
This time I didn't fight the urge; I succumbed to it without struggle.
