The Bedtime

“You know, Victor, it's been awhile since I've cooked for anyone other than myself. I'm not very good at it, I'm just warning you,” Morena murmured, cracking a smile.

Victor shrugged, wringing his hands in his lap. The lackluster linoleum floor was cold against his feet, a stark reminder that this wasn't his home. He turned his head, watching Morena shuffle around the kitchen. She moved awkwardly, as if she was unfamiliar with the process of cooking.

Victor stared vacantly at his neatly prepared tableware. When he had first set foot in the house, Victor had noticed that both sides of the table had been set, despite Morena seemingly living alone. He poked his spoon, a fine layer of dust clinging to his finger. Hoping to avoid her eye, he wiped off his utensils with his sweatshirt.

“Hey, Victor, what's up? You look like you just saw a ghost,” Morena called from across the kitchen.

Victor flinched. “Um, nothing's wrong! I'm sorry!”

Morena sighed, stirring the pot on the stove. “I didn't mean to scare you. Are you one of those people who's neutral face just looks glum?”

“I guess.”

Victor had lied. Being alone in Morena’s house was one of the most uncomfortable experiences he had ever been through (not counting the times he had almost died on missions), and Victor was definitely feeling it. Sitting at her table while she cooked for him, Victor felt like a burden to her, almost embarrassed by his need to eat.

Stomach twisting in knots, Victor didn't feel quite as hungry as he did earlier. He wanted to tell her to forget about cooking dinner, but he was also too embarrassed to tell her that as well.

He missed his parents. He missed Matthew's casual chatter as he stood in the kitchen and cooked dinner, he missed Umbra and Aunora’s witty banter in the living room. Victor gritted his teeth. He was already torn up after a few hours being away from home- how was he going to survive several days?

“Here you go, fresh off the stove and made with love,” Morena chimed, interrupting his increasing negative train of thought. She plopped a bowl in front of Victor, making him jump.

Morena scratched the back of her head. “Well, actually, it's from a can, but I don't think you mind, do you?” she said, falling into the chair in front of Victor, sitting down her own bowl.

As Morena dug into the soup, Victor could only manage to stick his spoon in it. His heart was racing as he awkwardly met eyes with Morena and quickly looked down again. His appetite was gone, replaced with a nervous ache in his stomach.

Morena pursed her lips, watching Victor stare at his food with a look of concern. She put down her spoon, almost like she wanted to say something, but the silence stretched on.

“I'm going to bed,” Victor said quickly, standing up and crossing his arms. He wasn't sure whether he was supposed to tell her goodnight or not.

“Oh,” Morena said, calling after Victor as he rushed down the hall, “Goodnight then!”

Victor internally groaned as he stood at the threshold of his temporary room. He was supposed to tell her goodnight.  

He pulled his clothes off, changing into his pajamas and crawling into bed. The room was pitch black, and Victor was terrified. Hugging his stuffed dragon close to his chest, Victor regretted being too afraid to ask Morena for a nightlight. He didn't plan on getting much sleep tonight.

He heard a soft knock at the door. Morena pushed the door open, sliding into view.

“Jürgen told me you were afraid of the dark. I got this from the bathroom. Figured you could get more use out of it.” Morena knelt down, plugging a small nightlight into the socket on the wall. A warm yellow light illuminated the corner of the room, and a sense of contentment fell over Victor.

Victor swallowed, shakily returning Morena’s smile. “Thanks,” he said clumsily, trying to hide the stuffed animal he was hugging under the blanket, “I, uh, thanks.”

Morena laughed, leaning against the doorframe. Her sharp features were relaxed, a gentle air around her. “Sweet dreams, Victor.”

Author's Note- sorry for the delay! time got away from me!

this wasnt a plot heavy chapter, but there was some foreshadowing and vital character interactions!