[Video]

[ahandsomedevil]

[If there's one thing Adstringendum is good at, it's yanking people around. Where Horst had been laughing and giddy the night before, he's...well, not now.]

Mina was sent home. I'm sure those of you who knew here are aware, but....

[But he personally checked everywhere she could possibly have gone. Just in case. Hope springs eternal, they say

Comments

[Offline] If that's okay?

[madcuriosity]

Horst?

[Offline] Of course!

[ahandsomedevil]

[Horst looks up and moves an arm, inviting her closer.]

Are you having trouble sleeping?

[Offline]

[madcuriosity]

I... saw Miss Mina left and I knew... [He'd be upset.] So I stayed up. [She's quick to move close to him and climb in his lap to hug him.]

[Offline]

[ahandsomedevil]

[Horst gathers her up and hugs her, careful not to squeeze too hard.]

Don't let me ruin your beauty sleep.

[He exhales softly and rests his chin atop her head] I won't do anything stupid again. I promise.

[Offline]

[madcuriosity]

You aren't ruining anything. But I didn't want you to have to be alone. [She rests her head against his chest. It was a pure effort to stay up at this point but she was going to.]

I can't really do anything but stay by you when you're sad, so I'm doing just that.

[Offline]

[ahandsomedevil]

That's not true. You do much more, Alice.

[He cradles her, still so that if she falls asleep he won't wake her.]

Help me make cookies tomorrow?

[Offline]

[madcuriosity]

Of course. Just you and I? [She shifts slightly and it's clear her eyes are struggling to stay open but she shifts again taking a deep breath to stay up.] Mmn, do you have a favorite?

[Offline]

[ahandsomedevil]

Just us. [He wouldn't mind if others joined in, but he remembers being Alice's age. He'd needed time spent with just him, sometimes.]

I like the ones with bits of chocolate in them. Or those little peppermint candies.

[Offline]

[madcuriosity]

We'll make both then. [She snuggles into him. Horst is an amazing pillow. She smiles as she hugs him.]

[Offline]

[ahandsomedevil]

Who should we bring them to?

[Offline]

[madcuriosity]

We'll keep some for home and then... whoever you want. We can make enough for everyone.

[Offline]

[ahandsomedevil]

I'll make a list, how's that?

[Offline]

[madcuriosity]

[She gives a small nod.] Raven and... Johannes... [She mumbles another name at this point incoherent. She's lost the struggle with her eyes and sleep. The little seven year old was now fast asleep in Horst's lap, holding onto him tightly even in sleep, afraid he would disappear.]

[Offline] ;; so cuuuuute

[ahandsomedevil]

[Horst stays with her for almost two hours, waiting until she's deeply asleep before he sets her in her bed and tucks her in. He makes sure Basil is in her arms and his jacket is over her--so when she wakes she'll know he's still there--before he goes to meet Break and Spike and Raven.]