He smiled as she giggled, grabbing at nothing. “It’s pretty, I know. But for now, it’s time for a nap! Because you are already a cranky baby.”
“Aba!” she squealed.
Seri stood there,and kept standing there until he heard Severo’s door shut. It would be fine…Skya would be safe with Severo. He needed to do this. The man was right, Skya was likely a Dweller, so this was for her and his own good… He had to let this happen.
Gnawing on his thumbnail, he glanced around the living room once before deciding a nap was a good idea. Slowly making his way down the hallway towards his room, he paused when he heard a giggle. He looked at Severo’s door, at the lack of light coming from underneath, and took a deep breath in through his mouth and out through his gills.
Skya was fine. And apparently enjoying the darkness. It was fine. Forcing himself past the door, he went into his bright, bright room, and flopped back on the bed.
He laid there staring blankly at the dark green ceiling as his heart started to race. Skya was in darkness…
Preston’s safe place. But it wasn’t like Preston was there… He couldn’t be. The man didn’t know where they were. And if he did, he surely wouldn’t be standing around in the darkness waiting to strike. The Dweller wasn’t patient enough for that. Not to mention the fact that Seri living with Severo would absolutely infuriate Preston. No way the man was here somewhere.
Yet… Seri clutched the front of his sweater. What if he was? No…it was fine.
“It’s fine…it’s fine.” He slammed his eyes shut tight. Taking a breath in and out, tears formed.
“Stop freaking out…it’s fine…it's fine,” he whimpered. “Skya…” Seri gasped as a tear slipped free, trailing down his cheek, soon enough others followed after.She’s safe, he chanted in his head, again and again.
Laying there, eyes closed…his tears slowed, even if his heart didn’t. Sleep stayed far away. He had tried, but…his mind wouldn’t calm down enough to even pretend.
Seri startled at the sound of a knock on his door, eyes snapping open. Sitting up, he rubbed at his temples, where a nice dull throb had settled in.
Seri jumped off the bed and went to open the door. He barely stopped his shoulders from sagging at the sight of Severo there smiling, Skya in his arms. Staring at her happy face, with her gummy smile, a wave of relief washed over him.
Rubbing his eyes, he asked, “Mm, what time is it?”
He honestly didn’t know how long he’d just laid there.
“It’s three. She took a nice long two hour nap,” the man said brightly, before frowning. “You okay?”
Seri cleared his throat. “I’m fine.”
“I was about to head out to do some errands, but I can always do that later, if you need some more sleep?”
Could he use sleep? Yes… But he wasn’t going to say that. He was used to not running on much. The nightmares kept him up, usually making most nights fitful. And then, by the time he reached deep sleep, Skya would wake up demanding food. Just constant interruptions, which was why he usually napped with her. Then there was the fact that Severo never woke him up later than 10am. Even before the shit with Preston, Seri hated getting up before noon, no matter what time he went to bed.
Shaking his head, he declined. “No, it’s fine.” He reached for Skya. Seri's eyes widened when he finally really looked at her outfit. “What is she wearing?” he rasped, as he took hold of her.
“Uhh…nothing?” Severo said. “Well, I have to go, bye!” The man literally ran away from him.
“Severo!” Seri cried out.
But the only response was a door slam.
He eyed her. “Why are you dressed like a starfish?” Why hadn’t he noticed right away, was the real question. The outfit was bright yellow.
She looked up at him, head tilting, before giggling and saying, “Da.”
“‘Da’… Yeah, that about explains it.” Seri sighed and held her tightly to his chest, his heart and mind finally calm. “Let’s get some chores done, shall we?”
Seri sat there absently watchingSkya giggle and coo to another baby on TV as he folded laundry. “Trying to play with the other baby, dewdrop?”
“Bah!” Skya said fiercely, wagging her arms.
Apparently, it hadn’t been a coo.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Did they upset you?”
