Insomnia

Marshmallow was displeased with the whole situation. 

She already cleaned the whole house, finished laundry, even did her best at helping Azélia with her homework. All of this so that when Yodokia returns, they could have some time all by themselves. 

But it appears Azélia had different plans.

- Azelia, I already let you stay up one hour more, you need to go to sleep!

- No - the girl muttered from behind the covers.

- Your mother wouldn't be happy

- It's your fault. I'm under your care 

- No it's not. Sleep 

- No

It was no use. Azélia was stubborn and she wouldn't listen to Marshmallow that easily. What a pain in the ass!

This was a complete disaster. Marshmallow had ~certain plans~ with her wife and this annoying brat could destroy them completely! 

Marshmallow felt helpless. She knew Azélia enough to figure out that yelling was pointless. And she wouldn't even try force, no no no! Yodokia might seem calm and collected but the moment you hurt her child, well. You can as well shoot yourself. Marshmallow knew she wouldn't be treated much better if she tried raising hand at her daughter.

Not to mention Azélia would bite her hand off.

This was tough.

She was left with only one option.

Bribery.

- You know, I have some real good candy, I can share it with you, If you promise to go to sleep in 10 minutes

- You don't have the candy

- Yes I do

- No you don't 

- ... Did you eat all of my candy? 

Azélia only sticked her tongue out in response. 

Marshmallow sat down on the armchair, resigned. She really had no patience for this kid, she admits it, but she really isn't that bad of a child taker, especially now. Marshmallow let out a loud sigh. She really liked these candies too! Yodokia to compensate for her absence at home often brought Marshmallow many expensive gifts. Marshmallow was of course very grateful but she didn't care about those that much. Except for candies. Those expensive kinds of sweets could always brighten her day! 

And that brat just spitefully ate them all!

Logical conclusion would be to just ignore Azélia, but if her only goal was to make Marshmallow mad, then ignoring her would only make matters worse.

- I really didn't want to do this but you leave me no other choice.

She stood up and Azélia tensed in her covers, Marshmallow's words sounded vaguely threatening. Young woman took the little stool and moved it towards the wardrobe. Marshmallow usually relied on her wife to reach for things for her, but when she wasn't around she needed other forms of help. Marshmallow stood on the stool and started rummaging through clothes on the very top shelf.

Both Marshmallow and Yodokia left choosing clothes for Azélia so most of her clothes were in places easily accessible to her, except those that marshmallow bought her. ~Strangely~ all the stuff marshmallow gave to Azélia ended up lost, dirty beyond washing up, cut into pieces or burned into ashes. Yodokia decided it's better to keep the remaining things up here in case Azélia starts wearing them. Everybody knew those will never be worn by Azélia. Marshmallow has to finally pack them up and send them to the orphanage or something. 

Finally marshmallow found what she was looking for, she took it in her hands and stepped down from the stool.

Azélia stuck out her head from behind the covers just slightly, puzzled by the strange item.

- I was supposed to give it to you on your birthday, but I may as well give it to you now.

Marshmallow sat back on the armchair, a strange item still in her hands. 

Azélia couldn't contain her curiosity any longer and sat down on the bed to see better. What Marshmallow had in hands was a book, encyclopedia of astronomy to be exact.

- If you promise me, to go to bed right after that, I'll read to you one chapter, look. - Marshmallow leaned over the bed to show Azélia the contents of the book - It has every constellation described, galaxies, stars and all that jazz. So how about it? We have the deal?

Little girl looked at the book in amazement and nodded vigorously. She picked one chapter and Marshmallow started to read it out loud, while Azélia listened, absolutely captivated by it.

Yodokia smiled wide listening to Marshmallow's voice. This scene was so peaceful and she wouldn't dare to interrupt this sweet moment. Yodokia managed to cut her work short tonight, she had ~certain plans~ with her wife, but this can wait. She was just so happy that Marshmallow and Azélia started to finally get along! The woman looked at her small family once again, then headed to the kitchen with the warm voice of her wife still audible from the nursery.