XOXOXO
Red was cleaning up the remains of dinner when Nicky trudged into the kitchen of their small apartment. She put the containers of leftovers into the fridge and then began to wipe down the counters. Red smiled to herself as she recognized the fumbling footfalls that were edging nearer.
"Ma?" Nicked asked, as she moved closer. Her voice was thick and the singular word sounded like it was taking all the energy she had. Red knew that she was exhausted - they both were - but she wanted to finish before she called it quits for the night.
Dropping her head, Red tried to keep her amusement hidden. She couldn't help but enjoy the way Nicky sought her out with such shyness. There was no reason for it, but it was something that seemed to bring her daughter a sense of security and she would never deny that.
Red wasn't sure the exact moment that it happened, but she clearly recognized that Nicky trusted her more than anyone. It hadn't always been like that, even when Nicky had begun to seek her out and vie for her affections. Nicky needed a mother and Red gave her that.
They were mother and daughter for some time before Nicky finally understood that Red wasn't leaving. Granted there were still times when Nicky needed the reassurance, but she never doubted that Red would be there to catch her if she fell.
"What is it Nicky?" she asked. Once she'd collected herself she tossed the rag into the sink. She wasn't in the mood for games, but she had a feeling that Nicky was. Wiping her hands clean, she turned to face the younger woman.
Without looking up, Nicky stepped into Red's space and leaned against her. She didn't even wrap her arms around Red. Instead she let them hang limply by her sides and nestled her head against Red's shoulder.
"Go to bed," Red chuckled. She wrapped Nicky up in her arms and kissed the side of her head, already knowing that it was a mistake. A little affection and Nicky would never leave her side - at least not until Red tucked her away into bed.
When Nicky had first been released she'd slept with Red almost every night - there had been too much space, she'd explained. She hadn't been alone in years and even her tiny bedroom in the apartment felt like it swallowed her and choked her with fear. When she was next to Red she could breath.
Now it was once every few weeks that she made her way into her mother's bed. Red didn't mind. Out of all of her children Nicky had claimed her place as the baby of the family. It was a position Nicky had fought for and never intended to give up. Red had never known Nicky as a child, and Nicky had never had any sort of maternal attention. It was something they both craved.
"Come help me finish the dishes," Red suggested, knowing it was in vain. She ran a hand up and down Nicky's back, trying to offer both comfort and encouragement. Whichever would allow her to finish up the fastest. Despite her love for cooking and feeding people, she didn't actually enjoy spending all of her time in the kitchen. She was ready to get off her feet and relax.
Nicky turned her head and buried her eyes against Red's shoulder in protest. "Don't wanna," Nicky grumbled. She shook her head for added effect.
Red sighed and pulled Nicky away from her. "Faster I get finished, faster we can go lay down," Red urged. She cupped Nicky's face and waited. She knew she would win - when it came to moments like this she always did. The promise of comfort always pushed Nicky into action.
Nicky sighed with heavy dramatics and walked towards the sink. She snatched up the dishtowel and climbed on the counter sitting next to the dish drain. They had a dishwasher, but with only two of them it could take the entire week before it was full enough to run.
They made quick work of the dishes -Red washing and Nicky drying. It didn't take long at all for them to finish. Most night it was just the two of them, but they'd invited the neighbors over for dinner and Red, as usual, had gone overboard with the food preparations.
"Alright kid. Let's go to bed," Red announced, dropping her hands onto Nicky's knees. She saw Nicky bite her lip and backed away with cautious steps. "Nicky," she growled in was not a good look. It was a troublesome look. It was the look Nicky gave her before she made some outlandish and childlike request.
Nicky popped out her bottom lip and held out her arms. "Carry me?" Nicky knew it was an impossible request, but she was feeling impossible. It had been weird to have people in the apartment. It was even weirder because they were "normal" people. They didn't understand their prison lifestyle or why Nicky liked things a certain way. Sometimes it felt like she and Red had come to this place from a foreign country - because no matter how long they would be free, some habits and ways of life become imprinted on you.
Red rolled her eyes at the request and walked out of the room. "I'll be in my room when you remember how to walk little girl," she called after her. She knew Nicky would be quick to follow. However, as she made her way to her room and changed for bed Nicky still hadn't shown up.
Shaking her head, Red laughed gently. This had become a game of patience. Nicky was testing her. She wanted to see how long it would take for Red to come looking for her. Looking at the empty doorway, Red arched an eyebrow in challenge. It was time for Nicky to do the chasing. She walked to the side of the bed and turned off the lamp on the nightstand. Within seconds Nicky was standing in the doorway, tentatively calling her name.
"Come on then," Red said, turning the light back on. Nicky was too predictable. If she ever hoped to win any of these silent matches that they had she'd need to be more creative. Toddler antics no longer worked. Red hoped that she would never move into teenage rebellion and manipulation. She had been through it with her boys and had no desire to repeat it with a daughter.
Nicky's eyebrows furrowed in realization. "You tricked me!" she petulantly argued. She jerked her body in annoyance, looking like a child throwing a tantrum. She didn't care how ridiculous she looked - a grown woman acting with a severely degressed level of maturity. This was the place and the person where she could freely explore things she'd never known as a child.
"Mhmm," Red agreed. Ignoring Nicky's antics, she pulled the covers down and slid into bed. "I'm too tired to play games Nicky. Come get in bed." She patted the spot next to her. Despite her feigned irritation Red loved that Nicky still sought her out when she needed to. It was a bond that she cherished and never wanted to lose.
Trudging over to the opposite side, Nicky grumbled under her breath about Red not playing fair. She climbed under the covers and instantly wriggled to the middle of the bed. Without any hesitation Red pulled her close and Nicky hummed in approval. She felt a wave of tension and all the feelings of annoyance wash away. This was all she had been after, in her sleepy state she conceded to Red's success. As long as she ended up here, it didn't matter who won.
Red stroked her hand against Nicky's cheek and forehead until her breathing evened out. "Spoiled girl," Red said, as though she was chiding Nicky. She knew that she was the only one to blame for it. She indulged Nicky and let her get her way more often than not. However, at the end of the day, if she had earned this level of Nicky's trust she considered it a good day. With a final kiss to Nicky's head, she allowed herself to be overcome by the tugging exhaustion and fell asleep.