Archive of Our Own ^beta

Vanessa wasn't used to celebrating Halloween.

She wasn't used to setting up decorations for it, much less being in charge of putting together a costume for it.

To her, for the last decade and a half probably; Halloween was just another day. It had been a day that brought her nothing but sadness for years. Her father had deemed her 'too old for that nonsense' at the ripe age of twelve. She vaguely remembers going Trick-Or-Treating with her mother when she was much, much younger but it was nothing more than a hazy blur. Her father had taken her a few times after her mothers passing that she could recall but that had been about it. Vanessa would typically trap herself in her room to avoid the sadness of having to see her friends, and other kids her age coming to the front door for candy.

Eventually, she'd (mostly) gotten over it and it truly had became just another day.

Now, she sat crisscrossed on the Schmidt's floor that closely resembled that of the aftermath of a tornado in a craft store with the way fabric, pieces of crappy felt, markers and scissors. Abby sat not far in front of her rambling like she typically did on and on about her new friends at school. A one-sided conversation because Vanessa couldn't keep up with how fast she spoke. Instead, she simply nodded with her and gave a few curious and approving 'Hm' 'Mhm' and 'uh-huh' when she felt it was appropriate

It wasn't surprising that Abby wanted to be Chica.

So here Vanessa was attempting to create a Chica-inspired outfit for Abby to wear.  Something comfortable that would be warm for the fall's harsh weather.

To say Vanessa had no idea what she was doing would be an understatement.  It was habit of her to take on roles with full confidence but truly have no idea what she was doing. A unhealthy habit that didn't seem to work in her favor often. She agreed because she needed to.  They'd already done so much for her by allowing her to stay here for as long as her recovery took. Even without much money to his name and after experiencing such a traumatizing event; he still kept not only her but Abby well fed, nicely clothed and with a roof over top their heads.

All by himself too.

He's already done more for her than she's done for him in the entirety of knowing each other.

Helping him with Halloween preparations felt like the bottom of the bucket with things she could to do to help him in any way.

Mike still didn't have a steady job just yet. He was working at the local Dollar General and it seemed to be going okay-ish but he didn't seem too confident in it lasting long and the pay wasn't... great.  He still seemed so stressed with looking into more job opportunities in case this one doesn't work or just generally better paying ones but it was hard with his record and the fact everybody thought he was a total nutcase after the whole Freddy's thing.

Keeping Abby happy seemed like his number number one priority and that included taking her to and from school everyday, making sure she had food and other essentials while keeping the bills paid.

He was only in this situation because he'd needed a job to support her, which drove to the the decision to accept the offer to work at Freddy's.

Mike seemed especially stressed with Halloween coming up the moment Abby happily came home chirping about Trick-Or-Treating and finding a costume to not only go as for Halloween, but to wear for her schools 'Trunk-Or-Treat' event. It didn't help that Abby didn't want to go as something like a Vampire, or a Cat. Something basic, easy. Something Mike could have easily went and bought from a local store. She'd wanted to be Chica which would've meant he would've had to craft up something for her.

So Vanessa had offered to due so. And he'd finally agreed after a heavy back and forth of him persistently refusing any offers of help from the woman with any excuse he could muster up. 'I'll take on extra shifts' 'I'll find something' and other excuses that only fueled her point more.

She had no regret in offering but she definitely bit more then she could chew when doing so.

Abby wasn't complicated. She didn't want anything super elaborate and one-to-one accurate. And so far; she was happy with what she's saw. But Vanessa still wanted it to look appealing enough to be recognizable while still a comfortable outfit.

She was just a little bit of a perfectionist in details. Including the inclusion of a headband with three-glued on feathers, and the prop of Mr. Cupcake.

All the artistic ability she could muster was put into creating a Bib with the iconic words 'Let's Eat' and God was she prouder of it than she'd verbally express. Pride had swelled up in her far greater when Abby's eyes had just lit up at the sight. She almost thought she saw literal sparkles in her eyes from the sight. She had immediately taken it from Vanessa and eagerly showed Mike while jumping up and down.

Okay maybe she'd brag a bit later..

Faux Mr. Cupcake on the other hand... definitely wasn't the greatest. He was distinct enough to know what it was but wasn't even near comparable with the real one.

Not her proudest work but she told herself it was because of the strict deadline she had on her hands.

Luckily, Abby had loved it far more than she'd expected. She'd also went and showed Mike it with full pride in her eyes. Despite that, Vanessa felt a little self conscious. Or maybe it was just embarrassment. But she was happy.

The rest of the costume was pretty basic for what she could come up with and what she had on hand. A yellow sweater that the bib was attached to with a matching Yellow skirt that had a large white strip of fabric to resemble an apron sort of look. Underneath were orange leggings that Vanessa had drawn black stripes on for the talons. The shoes were simple orange tennis shoes Abby had found in Mikes closet form when he was a kid that were just a little too big for her but she insisted on keeping.

Currently; Vanessa was finishing adding the 'apron' on the skirt with some struggle.  She wasn't horrendously bad at sewing just surprising not good. Her time as a EMT had made her good with her hands. Along with having to deal with the Springlock suits quite often but now? Her hands were remarkably shaky.

Vanessa's sewn before— ripped holes in clothing, stuffed animals that suffered significant harm from the simple fate of being loved, sometimes even light altercations. Never a costume before but she didn't think it'd be that hard considering there wasn't really that much to be done.

She felt stupid— silly even at the pressure she felt under. Like weights tied to her shoulders. Maybe it was habit. after all she's been through

The sense of desperately needing to to prove herself and not fail miserably was undeniably lodged into her head tightly. That was wired into her head from the start. Vines tangled in impossibly tight knots that were only tightening the more you tugged and attempted freedom.

But why? She knew Mike and Abby would be happy. She knew they were happy. They wouldn't verbally degrade her over imperfection. They weren't like that. Abby would be happy as long as she got her costume. She wouldn't have even cared if she didn't. She was a good kid. She was acutely understanding. And Mike was just happy— hesitant but happy to have somebody to help Abby in ways he wasn't able to.

Though that nagging bug in her head scurried around poured all these negative thoughts directly in the front center of her mind. That she could mess this all up and they would start to resent her. And they'd eventually want to get rid of her all together from their lives. Discard her like a crumpled up piece of paper just like he had unhesitatingly. 

Vanessa had already been such a burden to them by causing them pity over her. He had insisted she stay there for months on end to recover safely and that him and Abby would love to have her around.

It must've been a lie. Had to be.

Nobody in their right mind would want to take in the daughter of the man who killed their sibling and virtually killed them. Fundamentally traumatized them for life.

But she guessed Mike was never really right in his mind. He hadn't been since that first night. He'd come to his senses one day and realize how impractical it is to keep her around. Batshit crazy even.

It would sting, like no other rejection. Undeniably so. It would be like that night all over again— being stabbed right in the stomach. The salt in the wound would be the way she was left alone again. All the people she loved torn away from her.

Hopefully he'd allow her to bleed out that time.

"Wow! You're good at that!"

Abby's upbeat voice broke through her thoughts, coaxing her to shake the thought from her mind to discern what she was referring to.

She sat at Vanessa's side (when had she gotten there?) and stared into her lap. Vanessa turned her attention to the skirt— that was finished now?. She was holding up the fabric like she had been examining it.

If Vanessa blinked, she didn't register it.

Abby could barely sit still in her spot, she kept bouncing around and knocking into Vanessa lightly. The girl so eager was a sight Vanessa happily welcomed and would always bring a smile to her face.

"Do you like it?"

"Yes, yes, yes!" Abby chanted, she reached her hands out to plant on the skirt. She took the hem between her fingers and rubbed at the fabric before dropping it and turning towards Vanessa.

"Can I go show Mike?"

She barely let Vanessa get a simple nod in before she was jumping up with costume in hand and running off to the next room.

It gave Vanessa a moment to herself. One that she suddenly didn't want. It left cracks in her mind for unwanted thoughts to slip through with no care. At least when she had something or somebody in front of her; it served as some distraction, something to make herself useful.

Clean up.

She needed to clean her mess. The mess of paint, needle and thread, strewn around fabric scraps, scissors and brushes.

The faint sounds of Abby talking her head off filled her ears as she gingerly gathered up the mess. She thinks she can make out Mike's voice but it's much lower and harder to distinguish his words. She can't identify Abby's words either as much as she tries to follow. The sight of Mikes tired smile he typically had with her and Abby filled her mind. She found herself thinking about it more than she'd ever admit.

Vanessa gathered up the remains of the mess and places each item in their respective places. The scrapes of fabric could be used for later projects if needed. She stepped out of the room with the rest of Abby's costume after taking one last glance around to make sure there wasn't anything that had missed her eye.

She almost runs into Abby— or more appropriately, Abby comes bolting through and almost runs face first into Vanessa. She stumbles and merely manages to not face plant by Vanessa's hand reaching out and steadying her.

"Sorry, Vanessa."

"It's okay, Abby." She lightly pats Abby on the head. "Mike said I have to take a shower before school!" Abby protests with crossed arms along her chest before throwing her hands up in the air dramatically. Her brows furrowed and a small pout on her lips. Vanessa merely chuckles.

"Well. You should listen to your brother."

Abby merely huffs at her agreement and storms off down the hall where the bathroom is. Vanessa believes she hears Abby mutter 'traitor' under her breath.

She finds Mike in the kitchen hunched over the counter as he stirred a bowl of pancake batter. Vanessa considered offering to take over breakfast for him so he could rest a little longer before having to go to work and as much as she wanted too; she didn't. Merely for the fact it would likely end in a bigger mess. Vanessa wasn't a good cook, never was, even when it came to the simplest meals. In spite of her having to essentially raise herself; she never gained the skills to cook even though she's tried multiple times.

The most she could 'make' was toaster waffles, sandwiches and microwaveable meals. Very limited selection in that regard.

Instead, she opted to pitch in with a different route that didn't involve making the food itself; setting the table for breakfast. Surely, that was efficient while being easy. She started gathering up the appropriate amount of silverware, cups and napkins to align at the table. Mike already had the plates by his side.

He offered her a lopsided half smile which made a smile tug at her features without her knowledge. A warm feeling settled in her chest that she quickly told herself was from the temperature in the room.

Vanessa found herself back here often. And in all honesty, she wish she didn't. For a multitude of reasons.

One was the attachment. She's found herself more and more attached to the Schmidt's. Almost to the point it hurt. Abby was an absolute delight to be around. She was creative beyond belief and so intelligent for her age. Spending time with her was one of the highlights of Vanessa's day. She never really considered herself much of a children's person but Abby had rewired her mindset. Abby was also entertaining to spend time with and babysit. Her and Mike often got into (what she assumed was) typical sibling banter and rivalry. It was sweet. Abby seemed to love challenging Mike over her attention even if Mike didn't humor her or even notice.

And Mike.. She had so many words for Mike that she truthfully couldn't put words to. Not words that would properly get her point across, ones that she didn't understand herself. Deep appreciation would be the first to come to mind. Despite Mike being a bit on the 'colder' side when it came to his personality and the way he spoke; he was deeply caring. He was a good friend to those he had and an even better older brother  even after all life's thrown at him. He remains strong for her, and even Vanessa. She had the utmost respect for him.

Vanessa can tell he's grown so much even in the small pocket of time they've known each other. He's improved in so many ways that Vanessa can't help but admire. She finds herself doing that a lot as of late.

Mike was like a parasite that was slowly festering into her mind. An untreated infection that she did nothing to put an end to. Just like an untreated infection; It did nothing but get worse and worse, deeper and deeper until it was really all she could think about when not with him. She felt just as, if not more— attached to Mike than to Abby.

Which is why it hurt more.

Attachment was a feeble thing. Especially when she already knew the ending. Her getting attached just for them to rip her away would be severely detrimental.

Though, Vanessa still didn't allow that to stop her from satisfying that selfish part of her and indulging.

Her thoughts focused on him, himself a lot. Mikes appearance, though oftentimes disheveled and less than decent— was attractive. She found him good looking. His unkempt brown curls that descended down his forehead, the ones she always had the urge to brush from his eyes. Those deep marbled brown eyes that had a golden haze whenever the sun met them. She was almost hypnotized by them every time her pale green eyes met them. His scruff donning his features that she found herself questioning if it were light, and perhaps teasing or scratchy and rugged.

Was that strange?  No—no, it definitely was. Vanessa was a total weirdo.

She felt her face warming up with such intensity she really hoped by some miracle Mike thought the redness forming (that she knew was there) was simply from the heat in the house mixed with the heavy sweater she wore around her.

Her gaze always drifting to his lips, wondering if they would feel soft and sweet or rough and dry against hers wasn't normal. By no means.

Vanessa's brain couldn't distinguish her feelings correctly. Was she falling for him? Or was she forcing herself to believe so. She's found herself questioning feelings before. She's never been in a relationship with the strict life she's lived that never really felt like hers. she's never known if she's had a real, genuine crush on anybody.

Just because she got oddly giddy whenever she's seen him smile after the Freddy's incident (since he had basically been a walking storm cloud before) didn't mean anything. Especially when she was the source of one of those simpers.

She couldn't rip her thoughts away from the small touches they've both shared with each other— soft brushes of the shoulder, daunting brushes of the hands, the times they've sat close enough to where their arms or thighs brushed just an inch. The flutter she had felt in her gut was unfamiliar and terrifying. It was absolutely electrifying. She always found herself actively seeking out that tired smile he did and her heart always skipped a beat whenever she gained it from him.

Abby's footfalls against the carpet snapped her from her thoughts and reminded herself to stop getting stuck in her head like that. Or else they'd really think she had something wrong with her.

She's emerges from the corridor not in typical school clothing but most of her Chica costume— minus the accessories. And does a little twirl, giggling as the skirt rises and spins with her like a ballerina. She seems to be in her own world as she continues to twirl around and laugh bubbly.

Abby's energy was truly contagious.

"Mike!! Mike!" She ran up to stand beside him as he watched the pancakes to prevent burning. He shared a glance her way before smiling. "What do you think?" She exclaims as she steps away to show him with a voice filled with pride. Anybody with a brain could figure out immediately how much Mike adored Abby the way his face lit up with a softness like no other.

"Looks good, Abbs. Vanessa did a really good job."

A warm, fuzzy feeling blossomed in the pit of her stomach. It made her heart ache. It was such a strange ache. An ache she's never experienced she doesn't think.

Mike brought plates over to the table staked with different amounts of pancakes as Abby practically hugged his leg while he walked. She stepped forward to help him with the plates and gathering the syrup, butter and whipped cream (she knew Abby liked hers with whipped cream).

All three sat at the table. Abby in the middle while Mike and Vanessa were across from each other. This was a familiar setting. She frequently had breakfast and dinner with the Schmidt's which she enjoyed like a guilty pleasure. Abby insisted she loved having Vanessa there

It also meant she didn't have to spend more time in her own house which nowadays felt too empty. Thick and dead air lingering that made its way into her lungs to slowly suffocate her. It felt to empty and more like an abandoned haunted house without him.

"Im going to brag so hard at school!" She exclaimed

"Abby— that's rude." Mike softly corrected. "And what did we say about chewing with our mouths open?"

"Party pooper."

She swallowed the last of the pancake she current had in her mouth.

"He's a party pooper, Right, Vanessa?"

"Abby, you shouldn't be mean." Vanessa ruffled the top of Abby's head of brown locks.

"You always take up for him"

"I do not take his side ninety-nine present of the time" Vanessa softly titters.

She chose to glare at him while sticking her tongue out at him before going back to eating her pancakes and chattering between swallows.

Vanessa got the impression that since Freddy's; Abby was a whole different girl judging by how Mike seemed often lost and unable to keep up with her word vomiting like it was totally unfamiliar to him. He wasn't the only one. Vanessa found herself drawn to Mike again. The dark circles under his eyes still prominent but not nearly as apparent and dark.

After breakfast Abby put on the rest of her costume and was admiring herself in the mirror. Vanessa stood behind her with warmth in her entire body. Vanessa had decided to give Abby light face paint— just a little orange triangle above her lip for the 'beak' and Abby loved it. She gathered her pink and yellow backpack that coincidentally matched the costume.

Abby decided that she wanted to ride the bus to school for once. She couldn't help but observe the way Mike had a reluctant smile that attempted to mask clear thinly veiled nervousness.

She was a shy kid. Never typically up for new things and hated talking to new people and overall avoided having to but now? She seemed positive as ever to get on the bus to see her friends. And that seemed to make Mike uneasy as ever, or maybe it was just the unfamiliarity of her not being drove to school by him.

So her, Mike and Abby all stood on the porch of the Schmidt's house; awaiting the arrival of the school bus.

"Abbs." Mike said as he gently grasped her shoulder. "Are you sure you'll be okay?"

"Yes, Mike. I'll be fine. I want to!"

Abby held the straps of her backpack tightly, her bubbly demeanor radiating off of her. If this were a cartoon; she'd have literally sparkles coming off of her from seemingly nowhere.

Abby was the first to jump up and point out the approaching bus. Mike held her free hand firm, trying to keep up with her. He sat on one knee and pulled his sister into an embrace. Which Abby returned happily. Though Vanessa couldn't grasp the warmth, and love put into it that she tried to; she knew Abby was so lucky to have a brother who cared so much for her and was willing to give her all the love she deserved.

Vanessa wished to relate, wished to be wrapped up in such warmth and experience love like that.

Any hugs she's ever experienced from her father (which were rarely and from when she was very young) didn't feel so sweet or real. She wasn't sure how to explain it accurately but it didn't carry the same sentiment.

Mike pulled away at last and gave Abby a quick peek on the forehead. "I hope you have a good day at school, Abby."

"I will. Thank you, Mike." She adjusted the backpack strap against her shoulder before turning towards Vanessa. "Thank you again, Vanessa!"

"Of course, Abby. Have a good day at school for me."

She nodded, shining a bright smile.

"Love you, Abbs."

"I love you too, Mike." Abby hops off the porch stairs. "You too, Vanessa"

Vanessa doesn't get a word in before Abby gets on the bus and as if she forgot; turns to give a smaller, quick wave before heading to her seat and the bus is off.

Her words linger in Vanessa's head.

Mike and Vanessa stand on the porch, loitering there staring at the direction the bus had gone for what seemed like ten minutes or so. Mike let out a heavy puff of air and headed back inside with Vanessa behind him.

She could tell Mike was attempting to collect himself properly.

"Hey. Don't worry. Abby will be just fine." She reassured. Mike barely glanced at her, just staring towards the ground beneath his feet.

"Yeah. You're right."

He raised his head in her direction. "It's just.. she's been so different since.. it happened." He continues, "And it appears to be good. But I just— I don't know. You know?"

Boy did she.

Her conflicting feelings surrounding her father came to mind. The way she still missed him despite everything that happened, despite the way she wanted the control over every aspect of her life to stop— she felt almost empty without him around. Like she had no sense of direction and was missing a piece to an abstract puzzle. Her heart was missing an important piece he held.

She should be glad what occurred happened— and she was. It was for the best, for her, for all those kids, for all he's hurt, including Mike and Abby. But even then... she missed him, deeply.

Vanessa tried to not let those thoughts influence her life but it was getting increasingly harder to ignore every time she went home.

"Yeah." Her voice finally mustered out. "I know what you mean"

"Everything's been so different. And I'm having a hard time figuring out if it's been good, for her."

Vanessa stepped closer to him and gently planted her hand among his shoulder with gentleness like he was a porcelain doll that could break at any pressure applied. "You're a good older brother, Mike." Mike attempted a smile. "I think it's a good thing, that she's trying out new things. That she isn't letting what happened drag her down."

Unlike Vanessa.

Mike gave a weary smile but seemed to consider.

"Maybe you're right."

Mike rubs his temple as he relocates to the couch. Vanessa pursues. The couch is comfortable enough. You could definitely see the wear. Stains, holes starting to form in tiny spaces, the couch on its last legs. But it was enough.

The TV displayed a odd looking cartoon showing a man clearly dressed up in a full body dog costume. A really realistic looking dog costume that was nothing short of scary rather than friendly. It was questionable how it was even aired for children. The dog danced around while explaining the importance of empathy in a third person format, referring to himself as 'Doggo'

She reframes her sight to look at Mike. He's looking at the TV but doesn't seem to actually be noticing what's on. Just staring into space with a faraway peer. She finds herself drawn to look at his lips. He's frowning.

"How have things been, for you?" He suddenly questions.

Vanessa's throat tightened.

Mike and Vanessa have vaguely acknowledged what's happened, ambiguous remarks towards it and carefully worded claims that sugarcoated it but there's never been many chances to actually speak in depth about it and it has almost been like an unspoken ritual to just... not. Especially with Abby being by one of their sides twenty-four-seven.

"Different. For sure." She responds. "Hard, admittedly." She's quick to add, "puzzling thoughts and nightmares haunting me from time to time."

"I get that." he nods understandingly.

It's definitely more than 'from time to time' but she doesn't want to smother more sympathy from him nor lie to him. She feels wrong in just telling a half-truth.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

She shakes her head.

"Not right now.."

There's a tension lingering in the air between them. A relapse in silence which stands strong. A wall she wasn't willing to break or climb.

"Abby wanted us to dress up with her." Mike speaks up. She's glad he didn't budge (then again, why would he? He wasn't like that). Her eyes drift back to him. Prompting him to continue. He sounded tired.

"She also wanted you to come Trick-Or-Treating with us" his brown eyes that Vanessa found herself lost in moved over her. "If you couldn't tell."

She snickered.

"Oh? I thought Jeremiah was taking her?"

"He was. But I felt bad that I haven't spent much time with her lately. So I called out of work, just for today."

"Does she know?"

"No. She thinks Jeremiah is taking her still. I just called out maybe an hour ago."

Vanessa scooted back to sit up straight. That was another thing. Mike was sickeningly caring. Even sacrificing things for people. This job, though not decent— was all he could get and this has been big for him considering his work history. And he needed all the shifts, and money he could get. Him sacrificing that was big for him, stressing.

She inched closer to him.

"Well at least you get the best big brother reward?" She offered with a sly smile

That at least prompted a smile from him.

Then a frown right after

"Do you really think that?" He anxiously muttered. "Do you think I'm doing good?"

Vanessa's seen a lot from Mike. She's seen him happy. She's seen him angry. She's seen him speechless. She's seen him in grief. But seeing him look so lost, so puzzled and with such a saddened expression was new. It caused her stomach to churn with a deep ache.

Her uprising filled with abuse, manipulation and 'love' that she hopelessly clung to from her father that she had been harshly forced to realize was all for further control over her life—never made her good with comforting people. She wasn't aware of the right or wrong thing to do and when the right time was. She wanted to envelop him with her arms and sooth his problems.

But she was scared too. She wasn't sure when she was supposed to just shut up and listen, or actually do something. And she wasn't sure what he'd want.

Vanessa sits up, shaking her head. "—Of course! Of course you are, Mike."

He didn't look convinced.

"How could you think you aren't?"

"It's just— do you really think I'm fit to raise her properly?"

"You have for what? All eleven years of her life?" She adds, "You feed her, get her clothes, toys and other needs. And you work tirelessly to keep a roof over her head. And she's happy."

Mike considers this.

"I think you're more than worthy of being able to raise her properly, Michael Schmidt."

He offers a small snicker at his full name being pulled from her mouth but doesn't protest or counter. Simply huffs out a blow of air that almost resembles the start of a chuckle but he smiles nonetheless. She notices a faint red hue dawning his cheeks but she chops it up to the sun coming in.

"Maybe you're right."

"I am right."

——————

Abby returned from school ecstatic. She's practically bouncing off the wall seeing Vanessa still around.

She happily tells Mike and Vanessa about how her friends had loved her costume and she'd gotten numerous compliments from teachers, other students and even the bus attendants. If Vanessa was to say she didn't feel her ego blossom even in the slightest at that; she'd be lying big time.

The look on her face was absolutely priceless at finding out that not only Mike would be taking her Trick-Or-Treating but that him and Vanessa would. Her face appeared to literally light up at that.

Neither her nor Mike exactly had time to put together a costume to really 'dress up' but the effort was at least there. Mike sported a pair of black cat ears that almost blended in with his hair. Along that was a simple white shirt with a black jacket and black jeans. Abby had convinced him to let her draw on black whiskers on his cheek to Mikes utter defeat. Vanessa on the other hand wore a black witches hat and a black dress with purple accents. Underneath were black leggings. She did some minor makeup as well, or tried.

Abby's pillow case for a candy bucket swung back and forth as she skipped down the sidewalk in front them. Surprisingly she wasn't the only one who had chosen a Freddy's character to dress up as.  She saw more people dressed as Freddy, Bonnie, Chica and Foxy than she would've ever expected.

She guessed after the town declared both her and Mike complete lunatics; it somehow gained more traction and popularity.

Funny how that works.

Abby seemed thrilled to see other kids dressing as her friends which was the only good part Vanessa could draw from the bizarre phenomenon.

She ran up to the next door and knocked, turning towards Mike and Vanessa to make sure they still were right behind her. She had not gotten over her shyness completely. A older looking lady opened and immediately smiled at Abby.

"Trick or treat!" She announced happily to the lady.

"My! What a nice costume, young lady." She cooed. Her face crinkled with joy, grabbing a large bowl of candy by the door and tossing a hand full into Abby's pillow case. Abby stared into the pillowcase turned candy basket like it held golden doubloons rather than cheap candy before she turned away just to be stoped by Mike. 

"Abby, what do we say?" He said just above a whisper.

"Oh! Thank you, miss!" Abby turned and rocked back on her heels in embarrassment.

The elder women simply laughed halfheartedly at the child's reaction and patted her amongst the top of her head. "It's okay. What a nice little family you have, so polite." She directed more to Mike and Vanessa rather than Abby.

Vanessa barely compressed the cough that threatened to rip out from her throat.

Family? Them?

She guessed it probably did appear that way from outsiders and assumed it was a reasonable assumption. She was an outsider, an intruder in their home but she'd admit it felt good to be considered somebody's 'family'. Her own family never really felt like her own and.. well were gone now.

She didn't dwell, neither did them as Abby was already dragging her and Mike away from the house and to another.  More children piled onto the streets as the night lingered, the sun no longer showing any sign of life and the Moon's illumination hitting the street amongst the street lights. A full moon tonight, the stars were prettier than ever. It was honestly a beautiful night for the date.

The pavement and road was not only filled with the joy and chaos of children's laughter and hurry and teenagers emitting chaos but the warm silver that bathed the street from the moons appearance.

They went to the next house, then the next, and the next. All while Abby held the biggest grin imaginable and made everybody handing out candy just adore her.  As soon as they'd leave the porch; she'd immediately start going on about the candy she got from it, especially when she got some of her favorites. Mike seemed dreadful almost of it, no doubt Abby was going to have a sugar rush after this which he'd have to try and calm her down from.

Vanessa tried to keep her attention on Abby as much as one could but it was difficult because her mind didn't want to, it wanted to focus on a random women's words 'A nice family' it made sense why one would assume that but the way Mike nor Abby didn't question, nonetheless attempt to correct her.

Abby knocked on the next door with eagerness. They both could tell she was trying to not display any of prior shyness and show confidence with this one. She didn't even look back at them like she had for everyone previous with those doe eyes.

She was delighted when a man opened the door wearing a Bonnie costume. A purple onesie with a lighter purple chest and red bow tie on the neck. The hood of it donning rabbit ears and two goofy red eyes.

"Bonnie!" Abby stated within a second of the door being open. The man gave the trio a glance before turning his attention to Abby with a toothy grin.

"Oh hello, Chica." He crouched down as he addressed her. The man ruffled her hair. "Funny seeing you here." He chuckled in tandem with her before standing to grab the salad bowl that was laid on a table behind him.

"Trick or Treat!" Abby blurted out as if she'd completely forgotten script. He she held up the bag of candy with one hand as she grasped as much candy as the small or her hand would allow.

"Thank you, Mister."

"Happy Halloween, kiddo!"

"You too!!"

"Happy Halloween." Mike and Vanessa agreed

As soon as the man closed the door, she turned to them and pointed excitedly.

"Did you see that? It was Bonnie!"

"Yes, it was very nice."

"And he had Ring Pops!" Her favorite, Vanessa remembers her mentioning that at some point during a conversation she couldn't pinpoint the time nor location of.

As they continued trolling down the pavement;  Vanessa was almost in disbelief that she could barely remember ever doing this at some point. And that she missed doing all of this for so long. It made her father not allowing her feel even crueler.

'Jealousy' felt to harsh. Envy wasn't unfamiliar to Vanessa. She's felt envious about practically anybody else who had the fortune to live even the barest minimum of a normal appearing childhood.

Admittedly, she felt envy towards Mike and his family.

She was glad Abby got to experience it. And that she was able to join along their side.

The fall's chilly air startled to truly set in the later it became and biting at her skin. She was never more thankful for the leggings she had chosen to wear last minute.

Her fingers were aching, she clenched them tightly to try and keep her finger-tips sensation.

Abby could only demand to continue further for so long before she started to grow tired. Vanessa noticed the subtle signs that she was growing to sleepy— the yawns that came to frequently to be a coincidence, the ways her eyes fluttered more and her blinks became to often and would sometimes linger for seconds longer then needed. The way her steps were wobbly at times and she kept having to run forward to meet Mike and Vanessa's (slow) pace was the candle atop the cake.

The neighborhood around them slowly started to settle in as well. The oranges, greens and purple lights lining the decorations from left to right slowly faded as they were switched off and the lights among the houses turned to black. It started to bathe the sidewalks in only the incandescent lampposts and the moons gaze as they turned to make their way back.

And the weather deepened, sharp like the blade of a serial killers knife thrust into the rural side.

Abby attempted to protest but quickly gave in and opted to silently walking, holding Mike and Vanessa's hands on each side. She tried to show her disdain but it was unfortunately not a very good act. Vanessa couldn't help but giggle to herself at the stubbornness of the girl.

She reminded Vanessa of herself a lot as a child.

Vanessa could also tell Abby got her hardheadedness from her brother. As stubborn as a can of paint.

The night was beginning to become particularly bitter as families and teenagers moved out and the weathers bone-chilling wind came full force at them. Abby clearly shared the same opinion as she could spot the little girl shivering multiple times. The source of reason why she wasn't protesting

Warmth emitted from Mikes house immediately took hold of her with a glow that expanded through her entire body like the suns first few rays in the morning showering her. Indescribable but comparable to a fresh breath of air after being underwater. She often considered Mike's house too cold but not now.

Mike was now carrying a sleeping Abby in his arms while Vanessa carried her filled pillow case of candy. Trick-Or-Treating had really worn her out.

He just seemed relieved to not have to deal with an Abby being high of energy from eating candy. She could imagine the struggle of attempting to get her to bed as to not miss school or be tired and cranky in the morning. The promise of what was to come was tomorrow's problem.

Mike had practically collapsed under his own weight onto the couch after putting Abby to bed. Vanessa mused with the hems of the dress she had ran home to dig through her closet for. She wasn't a dress kind of girl typically. There was very few dresses in her closet that weren't reserved for special occasions and were way to fancy looking to be anything causal.

"Tomorrow's going to be fun" he muttered mockingly. "Yeah. All the candy wrappers, crumbs and a sugar high Abby does sound awfully fun."

There's a pregnant pause lingering. It stretched like a taut wire. A rubber band being pulled to its limit, at any point being able to snap.

She decided to kick the bucket with an almost imperceptible mutter. "Hey, Mike..."

He responds with a small tilt of the head in her direction.

"Earlier, when we were with Abby, and that lady had called us 'a nice looking family'" She gulps down a breath of air to collect herself before risking to look at him. He had an almost confused but indescribable expression on his face that pushed her forward. She decided to rip the bandage off and get it over with before chickening out. "Why didn't you correct her?"

Mike stared at her.

"Because you're family."

Her whole world was tilted backwards, going black and white and stilling at his seven words. Her heart demanded to lurch from her chest with how fast it must've been going. He answered her question with question himself, like it was silly to even ask and the answer had been the most obvious thing.

That couldn't be right. He had to be lying to her for some sick reason.. though when she searched his expression for any malicious intent; she didn't find any. It didn't sound like something he'd do but he had to be lying, right.

...Right?

She was an intruder, she wouldn't— couldn't have a family outside of him.

"I-I am?" She questioned for clarification.

"You're Family, Ness." His face is so gentle in that moment Vanessa can't help the warm fuzziness showing itself. "I see it, Abby sees it."

Vanessa was unable to grapple the severity of his words.

'Family'... 'Ness'.. What a novel concept it resembled.

She feels her lip quiver a little then the familiar sign of tears about to fall like rain with the slight not-quite sting she feels coming to be.

Deja vu of having a heart-to-heart conversation with Mike earlier on this same couch came to her. Really brought out all the water works and sappy shared words.

Mike seemed to notice the signs and slumped forward a little.

"Does that make you uncomfortable?" He asked in a tone that was so weird coming from him. She rubbed her eyes with her sleeve before shaking her head.

"No— no. It's just." She was speechless, unable to form coherent words to express her gratitude. Instead she settled on slotting her hand against his that sat between them, he tensed for a mere second before intertwining their fingers together. His hand was calloused but dexterous.

Her cheeks heat up significantly but she doesn't find herself coming up with another excuse or urge to hide the source of it.

Mike shows the same with the way his eyes avert her gaze to stare between them, at their shared warmth but he puts no effort into hiding his head away when red dusts his cheeks in light color. The chronic eye bags under his eyes appear lighter and almost entirely absent.

Selfishness ran in her family and right now; it demanded that she give into that small selfish part of her to lean into his space and connect her lips with his. Even to just connect her lip to his cheek for a moment to see if the pain would wash away like rain into a storm drain.

Mike looked like a nervous wreck. Somebody running on over two days without rest and a dose of caffeine to be relied on. He nervously licked his lips or chewed on his bottom one. She couldn't tell if his thoughts were the same or in similar fashion to hers or if he had something on the tip of his tongue that was particularly stubborn. Or maybe his lips were just dry and chapped.

She almost felt intoxicated as she stared at Mike for a lingering lapse of silence but this time; it wasn't drowning. It felt like a mutual intimacy.

Vanessa might as well be intoxicated with how up and down her emotions were, switching like the day and night cycle. Today has felt like a particularly weird fever dream but a welcoming one rather than a generally weird, forgettable one.

Then a broke, chopped sob came from her that she wasn't entirely sure came from her throat or that she was even capable of making such a perplexing sound. Then Mike was holding her in his arms— or rather arm. He kept his intertwined fingers with her like a cage was trapping them together.

Her face was pushed into his shoulder and she embraced it. Her hand reached behind and clutched a hand fist of his jacket.

He dare not speak, like it would bring them down from this intimate moment they were sharing together.

She silently spilled tears below, soaking up into the fabric. She silently vowed to offer to clean it later for the inconvenience. Something she'd probably promptly forget about later from the outburst of emotion she was collecting from it.

The low rise and fall of his chest against her was unbelievably comfortable that Vanessa couldn't understand how she went all her life without it

And never wanted to again.

Mikes nose pressed into her shoulder as she cried tears but not of sadness, not of the pain ridded kind but tears of happiness and gratitude.

Their interlocked fingers rest between them, settling on Mikes leg as he rubs the back of her thumb soothingly with his own.

The rooms tension is nowhere in sight if there had been any to begin with. The air is light, clear of any fog. Just the two of them in the world, holding each other tightly like lovers who were still in the honeymoon phase.

What a silly thought.

Her body has felt unexplainably heavy all day and she hadn't realized until it no longer did, in this moment. Her tears start to reduce in numbers and the air is filled with the faint sounds of sniffles and their in sync breathing that was rhythmic to the ear. Like an empty vessel, hollowed out and silent. She pushed her cheek into his shoulder, it compressing into the fabric. She internally cringes at the wet patch that do doubt stained his clothes for the time being but even then; she stays there for a moment longer before reluctantly detaching herself from his arm

The touch between them doesn't detach entirely. His hand moves from the small of her back to her arm, gently remaining there while her own free hand sits on his upper leg, just above their hands.

Vanessa was one to hate showing any form of weakness. It was drilled into her from the earliest memory she has. Crying was merely a vulnerability to be exploited and gave others a weak spot to poke and prod at. But now? This vulnerability she showed was natural feeling. Vanessa still urged to look away and not show her tear streaked face out of embarrassment.

But she didn't.

Mike's visage held zero ounce of repulsion but adoration. Similar to how he looked at Abby but different. Not that of an older brother and little sister. More intimate in a different sense.

His hand (which she hadn't comprehended moved from her arm) reached her cheek and held it gently, as if she was a prized possession, such as a porcelain doll, or a shiny gem to be treasured.

He almost appeared to scrutinize her expression before gazing away. Then the next second his lips were slotted against hers in a gentle dance. Like a moth to a flame, a fish to water. A necessity.

Vanessa's heart raced like it was on a world champion marathon. She almost jumped away from him in pure instinct but after realizing what happens she melted into his arms with ease. His fingers idly stroked her burning cheek. Their fingers were slotted together in their own warm embrace that was that of a puzzle piece that had been lost for ages finally being back where it should be. The key to the cage. His hand right where it should be; with her very own.

The pain didn't disappear but it was bearable. At least for the moment. She bas hope— hope that she'll really get through this grief and dismay for once since leaving the hospital. Just her, Mike and Abby. Hope for the future.

She savored the chaste embrace of lips. Maybe that was a generous way to put it. It was more comparable to a crude clashing of teeth. It was a weird sensation but not an unpleasant one by any means. She felt absolutely drunk on it. The taste of him filling her senses was addictive and causing her to want more and more. To not want this to ever end.

He tasted like faint watermelon gum. Something sweet but electric. Maybe like salt and honey.

Vanessa almost felt like she was in a romance movie where there'd typically be fireworks shooting off in the background by now. Maybe she imagined there was, as cliche as it was.

Is this his first kiss?. she wonders in the back of her head. It was her first kiss. She'd long squished any chance of a romantic relationship for as long as she could remember. Even when she was a young teenager.

Her stomach was doing somersaults as they pulled away. Both their faces flushed crimson and neither would fully look at each other like they were kindergarten children hiding behind a tree in the playground to share a first kiss. that didn't stop them from leaning in for seconds after seconds of catching their breath.

Their lips were brought together again and Vanessa's hand slid away from his leg and planted itself on his chest to steady herself as she sat up to move closer to him. Their mouths would detach and reconnect like magnets. A gravitational pull.

It started off hesitant, slow and soft but in the short span of it; it was now them kissing like they had been for thousands of years. A fire igniting and burning bright in both of them that demanded further fuel. A fire that refused to fizzle out and Vanessa allowed and welcomed to consume her.

She feels him lightly squeeze her hand tighter.

When they pull away from each other; they're practically panting, their entire face red with heat.

A shyness lingers in the air between the two. Their hands still touching each other. Vanessa's on the space between his neck and shoulder and his still pressed against her cheek.

She risks a glance at Mike, who's off in his own world seemingly. His eyes are big and moony. She finds herself able to be completely hypnotized in his eyes, maybe intoxicated by mere staring into them. Strains of his hair abstract his view and she can't resist bringing her hands to push it past his eyes.

He freezes before lifting his eyes to her. She's beaming at him and feels awfully giddy under his gaze.

There's no words shared between them at the moment. Only his hands lightly caressing her cheek, her hand smoothing his hair out and their connected fingers. It's such an insanely intimate moment it's overwhelming to Vanessa's senses but it feels right.

His hand lightly comes behind her head, combing through her hair with nervousness radiating off of him.

He was tense, in typical Mike fashion but she couldn't find it in herself to poke fun at him for it because she was just as nervous, if not more than him. Even if her body didn't show it.

Mikes fingers fiddled with the strains of her hair, eventually guiding her face to rest against his shoulder— the opposite one thankfully so there was no wet patch. The sensation of him softly combing through her hair was like a comforting lullaby.

"... Thank you."

Small uttered two words come from her throat. It feels like a deeply secret confession. It's as quiet as a whisper, additionally the jacket beneath her face doesn't help

"For?"

"Everything."

A simple world but her vision is abstracted from the view of Mikes countenance. The way his facial expression falters, the way his brain short-circuited. A feeling of deep longing resurfacing. Perhaps one that was always there but was never registered until now. A space that longed to be filled.

Had he secretly wanted this from the start?

Maybe.. maybe he did.

"Yeah.... Yeah, of course."

They held each other tighter like they physically had to and if they didn't; they'd never be able to again.

Mike had never considered a romantic relationship in his situation. Sure, he's found many women pretty, many women have came up to him before but his situation gave very little breathing room for anybody. His financial situation, the whole thing with his Aunt, Garrett and his sister. and overall the lack of motivation. It was too inconvenient to have to explain to everyone and he'd learned it was simply not worth the trouble and exhaustion.

But Vanessa— she was different. When she was around it was like a perfect, steady rhythm. She had become a part of Mike's life that he didn't think he could allow slip from his grasp. His stubbornness often kept him isolated from forming any real connections to people. Or maybe it was fear. It helped immensely that Vanessa was well aware of his situation. It wasn't a tricky situation that would need to be brought up.

It was something she had the knowledge of in this moment, in the moment she accepted his advance.

She knew about Abby, Garrett, his Aunt, his money struggles, his trauma— All of it.

He still had issues but the number of them had been enormously decreased. Could he let her in? In a different way. He wasn't entirely clueless that Vanessa has taken up a big part in his everyday life and thought process.

Mike could reasonably conclude that Abby would be absolutely delighted with that change. He saw how Abby and Vanessa interacted. Sometimes he'd look into her room or stand outside the door watching or listening to them whether they saw him; he didn't know but one thing that was certain— Abby undoubtedly saw Vanessa as a mother figure or sorts.

She, in turn, had made Vanessa a big part of her life just as he had. She drew Vanessa in her drawings. Ones of her and Abby camping had turned into all three of them camping. Mike and Abby sailing the seven seas? Now it was him, Abby and Vanessa. When Abby wasn't talking about her friends at school or her animatronic friends; it was Vanessa. The front and center drawing on the fridge was Him, Vanessa and Abby holding hands with her robot friends.

His heartbeat thudded at his chest rapidly and from the position he was in; he was sure Vanessa could hear it pounding against his ribcage.

She was nestled against half his shoulder, half his chest. He wasn't able to make out her face as his vision was blocked by the back of her blonde mop of hair. It wasn't new to have somebody pressed against him. The past decade was filled with to many moments to count of Abby cuddling him. After the incident at Freddy's; she practically lived in his room for an entire month.

But having a really pretty woman snuggled into him was definitely new.

Both their minds were a mess of tangled veins stretching out in places, tightening in others. As mangled of a mess as they were themselves.

And for the moment, the constant lump lodged in his throats loosened.

Mike finally concluded to himself in the short time (not like he's thought of this countless times) that he'd like that. He'd thoroughly like Vanessa being a part of his and Abby's world in a deeper manner. It was new, and such an unfamiliar concept to him. But one he'd like to explore this new territory with her.

He panicked for the briefest of moments when she tore herself away from his shoulder.

They gingerly stared at each other. Vanessa's doubt, and fear started to creep down her spine, sending a shiver down it. She was fearfully stuck between wanting to belong with the Schmidt's and the fear she never would.

Even after all that's happened; she questioned if he felt the same— really felt the same. There was no reason he'd do what he did if not but her mind tried to convince her nonetheless and she reluctantly indulged the thought. Her stomach twisted in intangible knots.

She decided to fiercely shove all the doubts and the nagging brain-eating amoeba down to not see the light of day.

Mikes free hand that was clinging onto the back of her dress suddenly slid around  to her cheek, she leaned into the touch as he swiped a stray tear falling from her cheek.

Oh she was tearing up again.

"What's wrong?" He was hesitant to ask as to not make her upset, or ruin the moment.

"Nothing's wrong-" she cups the hand situated on her cheek softly.

A unknown shyness returned as she leaned forward and captured his lips with her own. That familiar sweetness flooded her system and made her stomach lurch with warmness. His heat and amiability was like a shield from all her pains and worries.

It was heartfelt, she realized, really came to grasp as she barely fluttered her eyes open and seen his closed eye face meeting hers. It was so genuine, so soft and almost too much for Vanessa to physically handle.

Vanessa couldn't help but smile into the kiss. She was absolutely starstruck feeling. Vanessa felt like the luckiest girl in the world.

Their lips in a tight embrace wasn't sloppy, not messy. But comparable to a sweet melody, a smooth wordless rhythm. One that loudly said all the unspoken words between the pair.

This time when they pulled away; Vanessa had the biggest grin on her face. All her prior self-doubt abandoned and replaced with pure giddiness. She giggled at Mike's flushed face as if her own wasn't glowing crimson as well.

Mike just smiled softly at her and allowed his gaze to linger on her facial features with admiration racking his form.

She noticed that some of her dark lipstick she had been wearing for her costume smudged off onto Mikes mouth which only made her chuckle more. She used her finger to attempt to rub it off of him (which only ended up smudging it on his face further.)

"What? Do I have something on my face?" He said with a confused twitching smile.

"Just my lipstick." she tried to stifle her giggles.

"Well and the cat whiskers Abby drawn" she added with a smile plastered onto her face. They were also smudged but for unknown reasons, maybe sweat.

He used his sleeve to wipe his lips.

Gone was the (physical) evidence but not the tension.

Now that the storm clouds cleared; the rainbow shows its face from the distant horizon. The room around them almost felt more vibrant than previously. Purified from her tears clearing the long settled dust.

The battlefield of her own mind now shedded to mere ash and the lulling silence. And though the pain and sadness was still there, deep down— there was that sense of buoyancy.

Without knowing themselves; they found themselves sprawled on the couch. A tangle of limbs intertwined. Mikes head was propped up by the couch's armrest whilst hers was rested atop his chest. His arm was gently draped over the small or her back in a gentle but unyielding caress.

His free hand was entangled in her blonde locks.

Any other time; Mike was cold, literally. His skin, especially his hands were constantly freezing cold in any weather like he'd been frost-bitten and locked in a freezer for hours on end. Icy like a corpse.

But now; he was a giant heating pad—no, a furnace. A giant furnace that breathed and wrapped around her entire body was more accurate. She almost questioned if Mike had been swapped for a doppelgänger that was warm-blooded.

She rested the side of her face down to view the TV from the position they lie in. The original 1978 Halloween was playing.

As much as Vanessa tried to focus on the movie; she really had no luck. Not because she was lost, or afraid of horror movies even. She quite liked horror movies in fact (most of the time). Sometimes they hit too close to home but others she particularly enjoyed.

Mike grabbed the blanket that had been discarded on the ground at some point and dragged it over them. With the living radiator, sun-baked stone; There was no doubt she'd be hot and sweaty in a few minutes with another source of heat on her.

Mikes heartbeat under where her head rest was comparable to a comforting murmur in one's ear. Or the golden weight of the suns gentle embrace in a quiet dawn. She found herself captivated in its fragile but glowing melody that evoked a small but insistent tug inside her very soul like dope being directly injected in her veins

Her hands sat comfortably snug at his sides.

The living room was engulfed in darkness aside from the moonlight finding its way into the cracks between the curtains and bathing sharp lines of the room with a dull blue light. Some of the Halloween decorations Abby had helped her set up lit up in the background but not enough for distraction. The noise coming from the TV was audibly drained out from the scene.

Vanessa had never officially announced she was sleeping over but it seemed to be one of her and Mikes many unspoken agreements tonight as she was soon feeling a wave of heaviness dragging her down, particularly in her upper half.

Mike seemed to also be getting tired as his grip on her would suddenly go slack and almost slide off before clutching at her tightly again. And the way his breathing was tamer. Or even silent at times.

His eyes were half lidded and casted towards the TV but just like her, he wasn't paying attention to it.

the back of her fingers gently caressed the side of his cheek, her knuckles dragging down softly. His eyes rolling over to her. Pure love and longing ceased his entire face. He was mesmerizing. Such a sight for sore eyes.

He leaned forward, inviting her which she obliged immediately.

One last closing of the gap between their mouths and bumping of their noses that was filled with the utmost gentleness. It wasn't prolonged, starved. It was— a lit match to a quiet forest but because it was that of something real, truly real. Yearning, soft and certain.

Maybe the universe wasn't so cruel. Maybe this was what heaven tasted like.

Her hand was in his hair, mapping the contours of his scalp and sorting through the strands.

Their breaths mingled together as one as they pulled apart with two soft smiles stretching across each other’s faces with a mutual smile of warmness. Their cheeks both that same hue of red. She planted her the side of her face back into the front of his shirt.

The day had been a particularly bad train wreck of emotions for Vanessa but overall hadn't ended in further disaster and lost.

It ended with Vanessa realizing something real, finding someone real, that she could see herself spending the rest of her days with— two in fact.

Mikes lips pressed down against the crown of her head with such gentleness she barely registered the sensation. His fingers slung over her side traced small pictures over her side. The heavy feeling in her bones intensified, along with her eyelids, dragging them down like an anchor.

She surrendered, allowing them to slip close and plunge her into the peaceful but dark embrace of dreamlike unconsciousness.

At least Vanessa would awake in the morning to a real sense of direction and a place she could call home that held the attached meaning. She'd awake with a supportive family by her side, with the knowledge that she was loved and cared about by two awesome people.

A new life where every aspect of it wasn't being controlled and instead, one she could hand-craft herself.

Her first real life decision is declaring she wants to share it with Michael Schmidt.

And maybe, just maybe she'd awake to the morning sunlight pouring in like a warm embrace, still in the arms of the man she can confidently say she's fallen for and the man she could could see herself spending her entirety with.

She softly falls into a dreamless slumber to the soft wordless song of Mike's heartbeat against her ear as background noise. She briefly believes she heard him murmur two sweetly-laced words,

"Sleep well."