12-Day Christmas Challenge 2014 ~Vanitas x {Name}~

[9] The Totoro Slippers, the Duck, and the Gift Wrapped in Gold

She couldn't sleep last night. She tried many ways that would make a person fall within seconds ーshe even Moogled that shitー yet no matter how hard she tried, she just couldn't close those confused [colour] hues. The most sleep she got was maybe two and a half hours of sleep. She just couldn't shake off the weird feeling she had from last night's challenge. Something wasn't right, and if she were to predict a future, she knew something was about to change ーor maybe it already has? If {Name} had to pick a time when it happened, it was probably when Lea was dragged away, maybe even before that. Sure, things were ok afterwards, but then it got odd once more when Vanitas found {Name} after being pulled away by a wave of people. She couldn't understand why ーmaybe she failed in keeping a tight hold on him?ー but something like that shouldn't cause such immense darkness.

Aside from that little...whatever tensed situation it was, it was even more awkward during the walk home until {Name} then decided to stay at her cousins that night, which was probably not a good idea now but it was at the time. She wasn't used to it anymore, those silent walks home. Although, even before that, those previous silent walks weren't as badly awkward or uncomfortable. Things just felt like, as if they were strangers walking the same way. {Name} was obviously being shut out. It was so bad she could feel that huge distance between them, like that weird illusion that no matter how fast you are walking beside or slightly behind a person, they were still miles from you.

Whatever happened to being glad to be beside you? ...or was that just me?

{Name} quickly shook her thoughts as she decided to get out of bed (accidentally taking Meeko by surprise as he jumped in alarm and followed after his owner), put on her robes and Totoro [1] slippers and head down to the kitchen where she was greeted by a strong aromatic smell of coffee with a hint of toasted toast. On the dining table was Aqua with her eyes glued to the TV as she watched the news with her dad who was by the lounge sofa, smoking one of his pipes with a coffee in hand, and by the kitchen sink doing the dishes was her aunt. As soon as {Name} stepped foot in the shared dining, kitchen and lounge room, all eyes glanced at her but only briefly.

"Morning, {Name}." Her uncle greeted, pipe in his hand.

"Good morning, {Name}, dear." Her aunt greeted with a warm smile, her eyes crinkled in sync.

"Good morning {N/Name}-Poo." Aqua greeted cheekily, before taking a sip of her green tea.

"...morning." {Name} mumbled, which caught everyone's attention once more.

"Is everything all right, dear?" Her aunt asked, pausing her task, looking at her niece with worried eyes. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yes, I, I...I got enough sleep." {Name} said, picking up her baby and snuggling him close to her like a teddy bear. "I'm fine, really."

"Are you sure?" Her aunt asked, taking off her gloves and wiping her hands on her apron. "Is something on your mind? If it's bothering you, perhaps you should talk about it?"

As much as {Name} loved her aunt to pieces, sometimes her worrisome state could be quite...intense. Since she was young, {Name} knew Aqua took that trait from her mother. Like mother, like daughter, right? And as much as {Name} appreciates her aunt's concern, she doesn't have the heart to push her aunt away.

"Iー"

"Darling, you're scaring the poor girl, tone down the intensity and stop worrying. The girl is fine." {Names'} uncle remarked, controlling his wife to remain calm, which {Name} was thankful for. A wink came her way when her uncle glanced at her before continuing to watch the news.