Blanket Game (Pitch Black x Reader Oneshot)

The heat of fabric had become uncomfortable, sweat collecting in that small indention on your top lip, and even seeming to somehow gather beneath every individual strand of your hair. You'd waited longer than usual, and an old worry- along with a slight prick of embarrassment over the dependence you'd found yourself in- swept over.

Twice you'd considered turning the tables and wriggling from under the thick blanket and instead searching for him, and the first time you'd silently debated your own mind, successfully talking yourself out of it.

The second time, the pad of his heels against your carpet, inaudible to all but you, caused you to reconsider and reassured the ever precious notions you held.

"Oh I wonder where my little love is," The English inflection finally came, playful as ever. "She's very good at hiding, isn't she? She's a sneaky one..."

You bit your bottom lip, trying to chew that smile away at the flashing memory of the tall and pallid myth seeping into your room and eyeing your small stature, pity marking itself clearly now that you could reflect on it and recognize this emotion. A lithe giant compared to the tiny child that had been holding herself and weighed down by an ache in her chest, tears streaking your face and making strands of hair stick to your cheeks.

Children can be cruel. It was not an easy lesson, or even a necessary one for everyone, but it had been yours. The old rhyme about sticks and stones didn't do justice with consolation. The appearance of this dark man could only add insult to the injury, your days and now nights both ruined. You could only tighten your grip on yourself in fear, press your back against your bedframe, squeeze your eyes shut and whimper.

"You're not very good at disappearing," He'd whispered, and you jumped slightly when cloth was laid gently over your head. He'd only feigned a confused gasp and made the sounds of searching, "Oh! Now, where did that little girl go? She was here a few moments ago..."

You blinked, confused but filled with the sparks of intense curiosity that came with youth. Peeked out slightly, watching the man curl and duck his slender form around as if hunting for you.

"She must be very smart to hide this well," His head tilted and irises slid in your direction, offering a playful smile.    

The years had not made this game any less reassuring, and his presence was only one of that nature- comfort.

The blanket ripped away, heat fleeting and replaced by mercilessly cold air. You yelped in surprise, staring up at him. A pout dawned on your expression.

His face, however, split ear to ear by a toothy smile of mock-victory. "I win as always."

You giggled, allowing his arms to slip around your frame with no protest, sinking against his affectionate embrace but uttering a laze-doused reminder. "I have to wake up early tomorrow, you know..."

Pitch only snorted, and you knew he'd also probably rolled his golden eyes at the statement. He responded in kind, however, "Fine, then sleep, (name)..."

Your eyelids began to rest as you felt the blanket being pulled back over you, his own warmth leaving. He was quick to add a reminder of his own.

"But don't expect that this game won't continue tomorrow night."