Bedtime.
Clopin had really started to hate bedtimes recently.
The twins were now six, and honestly, the idea of sleep seemed foreign to them. Every night there was an argument, and Clopin now started the night angry. He didn't work his way up to anger anymore when they inevitably ignored him.
He started angry to get through to them, to try and persuade them to actually go to bed on time.
It never worked.
Clopin was never sure what they were talking about when they huddled close to one another like this. Saphir would whisper something before handing one of their toys over to Esme, and she would do the same for him.
It went back and forth like this for ages, Esme giggling as Saphir whispered something in her ear.
Usually, whatever he was saying was accompanied with a sly look at Clopin… which wasn't reassuring in the slightest.
"They're growing up so much." Imelda had moved over to him, standing by his side as she watched them as well, "Who told them they were allowed to do that."
"They're growing up and getting more cunning." Clopin narrowed his eyes at the pair, "I don't like it."
"Wait until they're teenagers." She then turned to Clopin and pursed her lips, "I wonder what they're talking about?"
"Nothing good if I know those two." Clopin frowned, "They've come up with a new way to try and avoid bedtime every night for a week now, and I do not trust them."
"You don't trust those two cuties?"
"No… and you shouldn't either." Clopin stared at them for a few moments more, before shaking his head, "You take Saphir and I'll take Esme."
"Why that way around?"
"Esme bites… I wouldn't put you through that."
"Bites? How hard?"
"Let's just say I still have the scar from last time."
Imelda winced, before nodding in agreement with the plan, darting in and grabbing Saphir, just as Clopin managed to get a hold of a squirming Esmerelda. The twins immediately started to protest, not even calming down when Imelda tried to hum a soothing lullaby.
It took another two hours before the twins fell asleep, and by the end of it, Imelda and Clopin were completely exhausted.
"See what I mean?" Clopin collapsed onto his own bed, throwing one arm over his eyes, "How do I just get to sleep on time!"
"… Have you tried sending them to help the nightwatch?"
Clopin frowned.
The nightwatch was exactly what the name suggested. The braver members of the community would dress up and disguise themselves in order to keep a watch on the sewers that led to their hideout and discourage anyone who was getting to close to the entrance.
There was a reason Paris had some of the best ghost stories in the world.
"You mean…. Send them out at night?"
"Not out of the sewers…. But maybe in them. They can be messengers. If something goes wrong, one of the men can tell them and they can come here and tell us. All that running, and late nights should wear them out."
Clopin had to admit, it was a good idea.
"Alright…" He sighed, "… Let's talk with the nightwatch and see if they agree to it."
…
"I should sit on the throne, I'm a boy!"
"And I'm a girl, and therefore smarter!"
Clopin couldn't help but roll his eyes. One day Esme's strong nature would get her into trouble. "Saph! Esme!" He called out, stopping them mid-play, "Come here."
The twins glanced at each other warily, before slowly making their way over.
"How would you like to go to bed a little later tonight?"
They glanced at each other in glee before nodding their heads eagerly.
"Great!" Clopin wrapped an arm around each of their shoulders, "Because I have the perfect job for you two."
"A job?! Clopin!"
He tightened his grip so that they couldn't escape, pulling them towards the entrance to the sewers.
"It's a very important job though." Clopin stated, "You want to help keep us all safe, right?"
The pair glanced at each other before nodding up at their older brother,
"Well, this is a very important job. You will be responsible for letting us know if anything bad is going to happen, therefore keeping us all safe."
Esme and Saphir were silent.
"I know you two want to do more around here, and this is the perfect way to do it."
"… Does that mean we get a later bedtime."
Clopin resisted the urge to smirk. He's got them…. Hook, line and sinker.
"Yes, it does." Clopin faked a deep sigh, "I've given up fighting with you two, so you win… you are officially allowed to stay up past your bedtime."
Esme and Saphir both whooped in glee, high-fiving each other as Clopin let go of them, letting them run ahead of him.
"We're going to be messengers! We're going to be messengers!"
As they rushed on ahead, Imelda turned to Clopin and smirked, "Regret it yet?"
"Ask me that in a few weeks."