Work Text:
Micah crosses the room to where his Angel sits, scrolling listlessly on her phone. He frowns as he notices her lack of response to his presence. “I’ll take that.” He plucks the device from her hands, holding it behind his back.
“Micah!”
“Angel, you’ve been staring at that tiny screen for the past 27 minutes. I’m tired of waiting.”
Her face scrunches in confusion. “Waiting for what?”
He motions to his outfit, an undershirt and long pajama pants. “You’re supposed to be reading me a bedtime story,” he pouts, puppy eyes glistening.
“Has your inner child completely hijacked that genius brain of yours?”
“If I say yes, will you read me a story?”
“Is it an actual bedtime story?”
He pulls out a novel from behind his back. “It has 37 chapters and is the first in a series of 11.”
“Micah Yujin.”
“You told me you want to spend less time on your phone AND get back into reading physical books so…” He gives her a hopeful look.
Curse him and his cute face. ‘No, actually bless him and his sweet efforts to help me when I lack the discipline to help myself.’ She reached her hand out. “What’s it about, anyway?”
Micah relinquishes the book with delight, depositing her phone on a shelf. “It’s a new adventure from this sci-fi author I really like,” he says, bending down to pet Skrunkly. The cat climbs onto his legs and Micah scoops him up, turning towards the bedroom. “There’s mystery and action and romance-”
“Can’t forget the romance, huh?” Angel chimes in, pushing up to follow them to Micah’s room.
“Angel, you know me. I need the romance.” He plops down on the mattress, getting settled with Skrunkly nestled in his arms above the blanket.
She sits in the chair set next to his bed, leaning against the nightstand with the book directly under the lamp. “How many times have you read this story already?”
“Enough,” he replies simply. “My favourites in the series are Books 4 and 7 but I want you to get the full experience.”
“I appreciate the consideration.” She cracks open the book, skimming the preface and table of contents. “Be careful or I may get so sucked into the story I won’t notice when you fall asleep.”
“It’s fine, we can pick up wherever. I just wanna hear it in your pretty voice.”
Angel wills her cheeks not to heat up, clearing her throat as she finds her place in the novel. “Anyway… Chapter 1…”