@ice-like-dreams
Alayna tugged on her father’s jacket, her blue eyes downcast, blanket clutched in her other hand. She wanted attention, while trying not to cry. She knew her father was busy, but the need for him to hold her in his lap and coo at her was overwhelming. She was supposed to be sleeping, but that had proven difficult that night period. Bad dreams had plagued her, chasing and morphing into each other until nothing made sense. She could feel her eyes stinging. It wouldn’t be long until she was bawling.
Truth be told, Nightmare had been half asleep himself a moment ago, in spite of Gray’s dire warnings should he neglect his work any more. Feeling the tug on his coat, though, he turned his head, blinking to clear his thoughts.
“Allie?” He automatically reached out to his daughter at the sight of her unhappy frown. “What’s the matter?”
As he wrapped the blanket around her little shoulders and pulled her up onto his lap, he glanced around for her mother, but Alice must have already been asleep. He wasn’t sorry; the interruption was most welcome, and soothing Allie was much more important than work.
A small sniffle, and Alayna tried burying herself into him. “I had a bad dream. I thought…I thought you and Mommy were gone somewhere far away. And I couldn’t see you or Mommy anymore.”
More frantic sniffling until finally her sobs broke loose.
“Shhh, it’s alright,” the Dream Demon soothed, cuddling her closer and rocking her a little in his arms. He pressed a kiss to her hair.
“We would never leave you.” He crooned.
Trying to think of something to distract her, he reached for a scrap piece of paper on his desk with one hand.
“Here, Allie, look;”
It took some effort to fold the little paper into a butterfly with one hand, but he managed. The wings were only a little crooked.
Alayna sniffled, before peeking out to see the impromptu origami creation. She blinked her stinging eyes, tears slowing down significantly. The little girl reached out her small hand to touch it. Distracted? Yes.
“Butterfly?” her high pitched voice croaked.
Her father smiled, watching her fingers brush the little paper wings.
“Just like you. A little butterfly.” He murmured, and coaxed a little breeze under the paper insect, causing it to flutter a little above his palm. “Maybe I’ll take you outside tomorrow, to find some more?” He offered gently, hoping a promise of his attention being wholly hers tomorrow would help banish the nightmare. Gray would be irritated, but Allie was far more important than paperwork. “Maybe mommy will come too. ”
Alayna’s eyes were focused on the moving origami, always entranced by the things her father did. Once he mentioned taking her outside, she immediately turned back to him. Her face was red and tear stained, but her blue eyes lit up at the offer. More butterflies? Time outside with her father? Sign her up!
“Thank you, Daddy!” she squealed, hugging her little arms around him.
Nightmare beamed to himself, squeezing Allie gently against him before standing, still cradling her in his arms. He loved making his daughter happy.
"Let's get you back to bed now, huh? The faster you sleep, the faster we can go for our walk.
The paper butterfly floated after them for a moment before landing lightly on the little girl's shoulder.
