Chapter Text
Tick tock
Jade blinked tiredly as she stared at the closed door. The Spine had told her he would be back in three days.
She wanted to leave the room and greet him in the Hall of Wires, but he always told her to never leave her room when he was away. It was dangerous to go out when he was gone. She couldn’t leave even if she tried since the door was already locked. She actually was never allowed to venture further than Hall of Wires. It was all she knew. Whenever she asked about going outside, The Spine would always tell her it’s too dangerous for such a small thing like her. She frowned when she remembered how angry he got the last time she asked. She never asked him again after that.
Jade sighed as she looked around her enormous room. She had finished all of her chores and had done her lessons planned out for her. She had read all of her books and had depleted her supply of crayons and blank paper. She had asked The Spine to get her more before he left.
Clutching a red, stuffed giraffe to her chest, she stared at the ceiling and counted the cracks. She couldn’t count up higher than one hundred. When she was done counting, the five-year old child decided to sing to herself. She loved singing the songs her pappy sang to her. He was a lovely singer. His singing almost always put her to sleep.
She glanced out of her tiny window and saw the beautiful garden down below. It was almost night now. He would be back by tonight. She wanted to stay up and wait for him but she was just so tired.
Sitting in her bed, Jade stared at her closed door once again. She had to stay awake for The Spine. Her vision was going blurry now. Before she knew it, she was lying down and slowly closing her eyes.
Jade wasn’t sure if she was conscious or not. She swore she could hear the door opening and closing. A familiar hum filled the air as heavy footsteps walked around the room. Jada eye’s fluttered open when she felt a cool hand stroke her cheek.
“Pappy Spine?” She muttered tiredly.
“Go back to sleep, love. I’ll be with you soon,” The Spine purred.
Jade smiled as she watched her pappy tiredly. He was always a hard worker. She admired that and hoped to be just as hard working as him some day. She watched on as he put away his belongings in his closet.
“Did you get me crayons and paper, Pappy Spine?” Jade asked.
“I did, love. You can use them tomorrow after your lessons,” The Spine replied while placing a large package on her desk.
Jade wanted to squeal in delight, but all that came out was a loud yawn. Everything was going nicely as always. She couldn’t wait for tomorrow.
“Did you miss me, love?” The Spine asked while removing his fedora, vest, dress-shirt, and shoes and placing them neatly on a nearby chair. Jade nodded her head sleepily and watched as he laid down next to her.
“Why do you have to be gone so long, pappy?” Jade muttered as she cuddled close, resting her head against his chest. The sounds from within his body were oddly soothing.
“It’s my job, Jade. Now, you get your rest. It’s very late,” The Spine crooned while petting her messy black hair. Jade smiled as she was pulled into a protective embrace. The Spine reached over and turned off the light in the room. Jade looked up and saw the green glow of his optics staring down at her.
“Goodnight, Pappy Spine,” Jade whispered while kissing him on the cheek.
“Goodnight, love,” The Spine purred while planting a cold kiss on her forehead.
This was her home.