Work Text:
“Can’t sleep, love?”
Nerissa heard Elizabeth whisper from the other side of the realm to her phone, voice soothing the weary demon. She only dozily hummed in response. She was very tired but she was unable to sleep.
She had just returned from the studio. Her appearance for a friend’s 3D birthday live was scheduled for today so she gave it her all, dance and vocal lessons becoming more and more fruitful with the way she was able to easily sync with her duet partner, not leaving any room for disappointment. As much as she absolutely loved to perform with friends on their special day, tiredness proved to be a difficult foe. She wanted to go home and see her cats very soon.
Now that she arrived, she went with her usual evening routine and went straight to bed, scrolling on her phone to retweet some art and reply to her favorite cosplayers before she drifted off to sleep. Both Little Darling and Little Baby were curled up beside her to give warmth which she appreciated dearly. She closed her eyes to finally rest for tonight.
But she was wide awake. Her phone was placed down on her bedside table and she’s fighting the urge to pick it back up again, losing as she decided to reach out for it to open Discord. Maybe she could chat with her friends a bit until she’s exhausted from social interaction. When she opened the server, she noticed Elizabeth alone in a work-related voice channel, her finger hovering the join button while wondering if it was alright. Elizabeth, noticing how the demon went online, undeafened, hinting that she can join anytime she likes. Nerissa finally decided to hop in.
“Hello, Nerissa” Elizabeth softly greeted. She knew how late it was in the Far East.
“Elizabeth~” Nerissa faintly whined. “Are you planning on working all night again?”
“As always, yes.” Elizabeth chuckled, knowing she’d only be able to sleep during daytime. Thankfully she didn’t have any work meetings for tonight. “How about you? Isn’t it late for you, young lady?”
Nerissa groaned after checking the time on her phone. It was currently around three before early dawn.
“Can’t sleep, love?” Elizabeth asked, Nerissa softly humming to it. “Is there any way I can help you go through that?”
Nerissa paused to think. She always loved to hear Elizabeth speak, more so if it’s towards her, soothing vocals like serotonin for her. She requested the redhead to talk more, any topics about her day or what she’s working on as long as it was alright to share. Elizabeth then teased saying it’s a secret, Nerissa pouting yet excited regardless. Then goes her “adventures” with Queen Mother visiting their friends, attending some events and drinking a pint of cold Guinness at a local pub, sending a picture to Nerissa with her pet dog Bobby chilling in front of the glass, making her giggle. Nerissa smiled, just listening to how much fun Elizabeth had and for someone who’s very workaholic, she deserved every bit of it but she also couldn't help but want this kind of fun with her as well in the Far East.
“I miss you…” Nerissa subconsciously whispered while Elizabeth was in the middle of talking about her ongoing music project, making her pause and beam knowing the demon felt the same way as her.
“I miss you too…” She sincerely responded, both not saying anything after but a quiet laughter in the call. Both wanting to spend more and more time together when time allows, wishing they’re together right now. The melodic hums as Elizabeth worked made Nerissa slowly blink, sighing blissfully as she listened to it like a sweet lullaby. Hearing the shuffling of the pillow, Nerissa hugging it close to her face made Elizabeth consider an idea that popped up in her head.
Picking up the comfiest pillow from her bed, she went back to her seat, hugging the pillow as well and mumbling to Nerissa what her idea was.
“Imagine the pillow you’re hugging right now is me.” Nerissa then instinctively grasped tightly on her pillow, humming to herself as she tried to remember Elizabeth’s warmth. Only thing missing was the feel of the light thrumming of her heartbeat to her own. She missed that feeling. Elizabeth continued. “I will do the same as well. Hopefully, this can also help you ease into slumber.”
The humming continued. Elizabeth was following a melody from a sweet love song she discovered a week ago, slow and tender, perfect music to feel at peace. Nerissa was slowly blinking again and again and before she knew it, she fell asleep, murmuring a soft ‘Thank you’ before that. Elizabeth let the song continue, staying in the call for a few minutes before whispering gently to her phone.
“Sleep well, sweetheart.”
“I already woke up and yet you’re still awake.”
“I finished up typing some things. I’m about to sleep.”
Nerissa’s alarm blasted, informing her about the stream she scheduled for just about thirty minutes from now. She’s about to check on the “tiny babies” roaming and causing drama in her silly island game, small versions of her friends that she missed greatly. When she opened her Discord again, she noticed an online status from Elizabeth. She called her. Seems like she’s still awake.
“Yet I just saw you retweet earlier.” Nerissa continued, quietly giggling as Elizabeth admitted defeat.
“I’m trying, love. I already stopped working tonight.” Elizabeth replied and sent a photo of herself with Bobby chilling beside her on the bed, both ready to be asleep. Nerissa immediately saved the picture in her gallery.
She still had about 25 minutes left before the stream. She wanted to talk more to Elizabeth. It’s her time to be the one listening to the other with adorable sleepy voices and soft yawns.
“How about I help you sleep then? To return the favor?”
Elizabeth grinned, hugging the pillow again from the bed she was finally lying down on.
“That would be lovely.”