Disclaimer: I own Chrono, yes I do! I'm a liar, how 'bout you!
Author's Note: See chapter one or chapter seven.
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Ticks of the Clock
Fright
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"Chrono. . . ?"
The whispered name echoed soundlessly through the stone room, making the groggy devil's ear give a slight twitch. One red eye peaked open.
"Rosette. . . ?" he whispered curiously, voice cracking. Sitting up slowly, he yawned and ran a hand through his loose hair. "What are you doing . . . ?"
She pouted slightly behind her too-big sleeves, hiding in the shadow of the doorway's left column. Embarrassed fingers flexing inside of the crisp folds of the nightshirt she had borrowed from Sister Kate, she bit her bottom lip. Her bare feet began shuffling. "I. . . um. . . that is to say. . ."
Chrono's head tilted, still heavy with sleep. Maroon orbs half lidded, he watched her shift nervously in the moonlight.
"I. . . uh. . ." Rosette swallowed, reaching up to twist a strand of her recently chopped hair. "I had a bad dream. . ." A magenta flush dusted her nose and cheeks.
"Oh. . ." The demon cleared his throat, still working to stay awake. From the room next door, the Elder gave a loud snore. "I see. . ."
"And I- I. . ." -the girl seemed to find her toes very fascinating all of the sudden- "I was wondering if. . . if I could. . ." She trailed off, glancing up at the devil with a hopeful shine in her eyes. He stared back in utmost bewilderment.
Her face fell.
"Er. . . never mind. . ." she choked, hugging herself tightly before moving to turn away. "Good night, Chrono."
He blinked after her.
"Wait- Rosette. . ."
She paused, glancing at him from over her shoulder with a depressed and empty look in her sapphire pools. "Yes. . . ?"
The demon smiled softly- the warm, gentle expression that he saved for her and her alone. "It's. . . it's awfully dark and scary in here . . . And to tell you the truth, I'm kind of frightened staying here all by myself. . . Would you mind staying with me tonight?"
An expression of pure relief shone on the young girl's face for a split second- before the cocky grin he had grown so fond of appeared in it's place. "Well, I suppose I will. . . if you want me to."
"If it's not too much trouble," Chrono insisted, scooting over as Rosette shook her head violently 'no'. "Good. . . thank you."
"No problem!" she chirped, hopping into the space he'd made for her and cuddling underneath the blankets, using him as a huge teddy bear. "Don't worry, Chrono. I'll always protect you!"
He beamed softly, gingerly wrapping his arms around his young Contractor and burying his face in her hair, savoring the moment- knowing it would slip away all too fast. "I know you will, Rosette. I know."
(Note: Everyone needs to write a little bedtime-fright fluff. . . it's like a tradition!)