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Gourdy shifted in his bed, he was uncomfortable, stiff, tight, that feeling of being in the same position for too long. Insomnia was mean, it made your mind numb and eyes droop but refused to give you the sweet relief of sleep. Eventually he gave up on resting and slid out of bed. He carefully tiptoed around the hallway, and sat in the holiday lobby. Faint memories started to wisp around him. Memories that might not even be real. His father, holding him gently in his bed. His mother watched from the covers, chuckling. Eventually the memories faded and he was left with the scary reality. He didn’t have anyone to hold him after a nightmare.
“ my liege?" Metal clopping followed the concerned voice.
“I-I’m sorry Soulvester…” Gourdy sniffled “I’ll go back to bed now,”
“No, no, what’s the matter, young one?” The knight kneeled down to the child’s level “nightmare’s perhaps?” The pumpkin hiccups and nodded “that’s ok, how about you come hang out with me, I’ll read to you,”
“Story time?” He mumbled
“Yes, anything for my little prince” Soulvestor spoke with a gentle voice “come here,” Gourdy didn’t even think twice, he immediately leapt into his arms, clinging tightly. “There, There, little one, I have you,” he gently swayed his hips , rocking the child in his arms as he started to sob. “It’s ok baby, you’re ok,”
the knight started to walk to his bedroom. He sat Gourdy on the bed and picked up a children’s book. “Is this one to your liking, my liege,”
“Mhm.. yeah…” at his confirmation Soulvest sat down and started to flip the pages, arriving at the beginning.
“There once was a kingdom, very very far away…”
Gourdy would point, touch and interact with the book, soon one book became two, and two books became lullabies. Lullabies became discussions.
“So, what dream had you so wound up, my prince?” He asked , holding the child’s small hand.
Gourdy opened and closed his mouth, contemplating, before shaking his head and hiding in Soulvester’s chest
“Ok, I understand “ he reassured
“Thank you Mr Soulvester” he mumbled, hugging his torso tightly
At some point the child had fallen asleep on him, snuggling into his lap. The knight didn’t dare move him. It was a sacred duty to be a pillow now. Soulvester held onto the child tightly, not caring about the drool. Musical humming came from the knight. Metallic hands brushed his scalp, rubbing his cheeks and tracing his face. The pumpkin made a tiny noise of contentment in his sleep, tail twitching slightly.
“Daddy…”
“Dad?” Soulvester questioned “is that what you said little one?” Of course, Gourdy didn’t respond considering he was asleep. “Well, if a parental figure is what you need, then, a parental figure you shall have,” he bounced him a few times in his lap before whispering “goodnight my little one..”