"Elijah, your obsession with this bear is beginning to worry me."
I turned, smirking slightly at a tired Elena. She was snuggled into her covers, her arms and legs tightly fitted in between the sheets. I tilted my head, chuckling lightly and slowly twisting the stuffed animal in my hands.
"And," I started, "You sleep with this?"
Elena rolled her eyes teasingly and then sat up. She reached out for her teddy with a pleading expression painted on her face. The look was childish, innocent and I couldn't help but smile.
"Is there any significance to this bear," I began with another sneer slowly forming on my lips, "To help you fall asleep?"
Elena held out her hand. "May I please have my teddy back?"
I couldn't help but notice; she was nervous. Her hand was shaking ever so slightly and I had become conscious of the evaluation. It seemed to give me the assumption of something I had not yet realized was completely tangible in our relationship. Nervousness in someone's presence showed lack of courage by the appearance, but if you were to dig deep enough into this interpretation you'd know nervousness was also a sign of desire.
Slowly, I handed her the bear and she retrieved it quickly as if I would coil back. With a cocked eyebrow I watched her struggle to tuck herself in. Each moment her heart beat grew quicker. I had guessed embarrassment; but I wouldn't get ahead of myself.
Without a word I was next to her side of the bed in a sudden movement. She began to sit up, but I carefully pressed her back down. Elena was frozen, laying awkwardly in place before I arched her back with my hand, retrieving the trapped sheets. Again, when her back hit the mattress, she was solidly in place.
While untangling the sheets, I felt her gaze. I chose to ignore it, pretending as if what I was attempting was just a friendly gesture. Finally, I had her mummified the way she seemed to like it.
Elena looked up to me, her lips barely parted. Her breathing was ragged and she or I didn't speak a word. I just slowly wiped my hand across her cheek, watching her delicate face slip into a slumber.
"Sleep well, lovely Elena," I whispered.
I began to exit the room.