It’s 4 am when Gigi finally concludes that sleep won’t take her tonight. She sits up in bed, glancing at the alarm one more time—still 4 am With a sigh and a stretch, she finally gets up. The floor is cold, and her feet refuse to press firmly against it.
Wish I had socks right about now. She looks down, hoping, somehow, to find socks or slippers. But she lost them last week—orange slippers, a gift from Cecilia, meant to match the green ones the automaton had.
Maybe I should try to find them.
A smile tugs at the gremlin’s face as she resists the urge to lie back down and escape the coldness of the air and floor. She stands up despite the chill beneath her. Her tail sways gently as she strides toward the bathroom, wearing nothing but a tank top and shorts.
In the bathroom mirror, a mess stares back at her. Her face bears the unmistakable marks of sleeplessness—dark circles shadow her eyes, her skin looks pale and dull, and her eyelids droop with the weight of exhaustion. Even her gaze seems unfocused, as if tethered to a distant dream she can’t reach.
Damn. I look awful.
Having had enough of this reality check on her ongoing neglect of sleep, she steps out into the hallway. As she does, her feet meet the even colder wooden floors.
The lights… they’re on. Who’s awake at this hour? Despite her complaints about the cold floor, curiosity wins out. The gremlin quickens her pace.
When she reaches the living room, she encounters an unusual sight.
The living room is dimly lit, and Cecilia is sitting on the ground, her back leaning against the couch. A green blanket is wrapped around her as she attempts to solve a jigsaw puzzle on the coffee table. Her squinted eyes and repeated attempts to place the wrong piece tell Gigi that Cecilia has decided this is the activity to turn off her brain.
Deciding not to be more of a stalker, the gremlin walks into the room. Cecilia doesn’t notice her immediately—not until Gigi is standing on the round carpet that extends just slightly beyond the coffee table.
“Why aren’t you powered off yet?” she asks the dazed automaton, who seems to be experiencing the same woe she is. As Cecilia’s eyes lock onto hers, there’s an understanding that clicks between them. A connection that says:
Oh, you too?
“Well… I was going to sleep early. But!” Cecilia’s eyes suddenly light up, becoming more aware, which makes Gigi feel some type of way. In a delusional part of her brain, she likes to think it’s because of her presence.
“My automa-parents called me while I was getting ready, and then we kept chatting. After that, I just didn’t feel sleepy anymore.” When she finishes speaking, Cecilia takes a second to glance at the jigsaw puzzle again, then back at the gremlin.
“Wanna join me? I have some tea brewed…” Cecilia’s eyes search hers, pleading green orbs that steal the breath right out of Gigi’s lungs.
What could she do? There was no saying no to this—not now, not ever. A smile escapes before Gigi can stop it, and she’s already sinking down beside the automaton without a second thought.
“I’ll help. I saw you try to place the same wrong piece, like, three times already,” Gigi teases, but her thoughts betray her: Yes, yes, a million times yes! why would I ever say no?
“Heck yeah!” Cecilia whisper-shouts, her smile widening as her eyes sparkle with excitement, the energy in her voice practically contagious.
Gigi gets more comfortable beside Cecilia, feeling the warmth of the tea-filled air and the quiet of the room. The puzzle pieces lay scattered in front of them, a mess of colours and shapes that seems to mock their attempts. Cecilia picks up another piece, studying it with a furrowed brow.
“Okay,” Gigi says, picking up a piece herself, “this time, we’ll figure it out. I’ve got your back.”
Cecilia flashes her a grin, her fingers poised over the puzzle, but then her gaze flickers to Gigi. “You sure? I’ve got a pretty solid track record of failure.”
Gigi laughs, nudging her with her shoulder. “Don’t worry. We’re in this together. Besides, failure’s just part of the fun, right?”
Cecilia nods slowly, her eyes half-lidded as she picks up another piece. She stares at it for a few moments before her hand falls back to the table with a soft thud. “Yeah... I guess I’m just not all there tonight. My brain’s like... all over the place.”
Gigi watches her, a smile tugging at her lips. “You’re still here though. That counts for something.”
Cecilia yawns quietly, her head tilting back slightly as she glances up at the ceiling. “Mmm... I’m here physically, but mentally, I’m like... half in another universe right now. You know that weird in-between zone? I’m definitely there.”
Gigi chuckles, picking up another piece and trying to fit it in place. “Yeah, I get that. It’s like your body’s still awake, but your brain’s already in dreamland.”
A soft laugh escapes Cecilia’s lips, her eyelids fluttering closed as she sinks further into the couch. “Exactly. But, hey, at least I’ve got you to keep me grounded.” Her eyes drift back to the puzzle in front of them, though it’s clear she’s not fully focused anymore.
“Can you imagine,” Cecilia suddenly asks, her voice slow and dreamy, “one day we might sing this live?”
Gigi freezes for a second, blinking at her. “What, like perform it?”
“Yeah,” Cecilia mumbles, her eyes still scanning the pieces with no real purpose. “Wouldn’t that be cool?”
Gigi smiles, amused at the sudden shift in conversation, but her voice is calm. “It would be cool.”
Cecilia lets out a small sigh, her smile still there but a little sleepier now. “We should jump! I mean, jump on stage. Like, we should totally do it. Can I do a flip?”
Gigi looks at her in mock seriousness. “I’ll throw you. Like a trapeze.”
Cecilia gasps dramatically, her eyes widening as though Gigi had just revealed the most brilliant idea. “Do you think you could throw me?”
Gigi shrugs, her tone casual. “Yeah. I mean, I’ve got the strength. Totally could toss you, no problem.”
Cecilia giggles softly, her head leaning slightly against Gigi’s shoulder as she lets out another yawn. “That’s insane. But... could we actually do it? Like... one day?”
Gigi nods without hesitation. “Sure, why not?”
Cecilia grins, her exhaustion still hovering in the background, but she’s clearly enjoying the thought. “You’re such an enabler.” She lets her head rest against Gigi’s shoulder fully now, her eyes fluttering closed again. “Maybe we should do flips on stage. You and me... famous trapeze artists.”
Gigi shakes her head, smiling fondly as she glances down at Cecilia, who’s already half-drifting into sleep. “Yeah, I could see that.”
As Cecilia drifts deeper into sleep, her head slipping further onto Gigi’s shoulder, Gigi watches her for a moment longer, her smile softening. She can feel the weight of the automaton's head becoming heavier, the soft, rhythmic breathing beside her soothing in a way she can't quite explain. But Cecilia's form isn't going to stay comfortable like this for long.
With a quiet sigh, Gigi carefully slides her arm under Cecilia’s shoulders, gently lifting her off the ground. Despite their height difference, Gigi doesn’t struggle, though she does need to adjust her grip to make sure Cecilia stays supported. Cecilia stirs slightly but doesn’t wake, a soft murmur escaping her lips before she settles back into her peaceful slumber.
Gigi shifts her weight as she carefully stands, lifting Cecilia with ease, and gently walking her over to the other couch. She leans down slightly, laying Cecilia down with the gentlest of movements, making sure the automaton’s head is cradled comfortably on the cushions. Her heart stirs as she watches Cecilia’s face, still relaxed in sleep, the faintest smile still lingering on her lips.
Once she’s certain Cecilia is settled, Gigi notices the blanket that had been haphazardly thrown around her earlier, still draped loosely across the couch. She picks it up, shaking it out carefully before draping it across Cecilia's body. The blanket settles perfectly around her, tucking her in warmly. Gigi takes a moment to pull the edges up around Cecilia’s shoulders, making sure she’s cosy.
As she steps back, she looks down at the slumbering form of Cecilia, her breath steady, the faintest of sighs escaping her lips. The warmth in her chest swells again, and Gigi allows herself a quiet smile. There’s something so simple and right about this moment, even if it's just for now. It’s a small act, but one that feels meaningful.
“I’ll catch you when you do a flip,” Gigi whispers, her voice barely audible in the stillness of the room. Then, she lingers for a moment, watching the rise and fall of Cecilia’s chest before she finally turns away.
She walks back to the couch, returning to her spot, sitting down and curling her legs up under her. The quiet night stretches before them, and And for the first time tonight, sleep feels a little closer.
But for now, this—the gentle care, the peacefulness of Cecilia asleep and comfortable—feels like enough.