JP - Manipulated the Manipulator

Ami had been dozing off, but Klaire’s yelling and slamming a door had her wide awake.

Cody jerked up in bed and looked around, half asleep. “What? Who? Huh?” Blinking, he rubbed the sleep from his eyes and stepped out of his room.

Ami had stepped into the hallway in her pajamas, looking anxious.

Tzeitel finished her glass of pollen water, and sighed when it still had little effect.

Cody looked at Ami. “You heard it too, huh?” He asked.

“Yeah.” Ami said worriedly.

Cody offered Ami his hand, always protective of her. With his other hand, he pulled out the gun Klaire had taught him how to use from his bag just inside his room. “Let's go see what’s going on, but be cautious.”

Ami’s eyes widened at the gun, but she nodded and followed her brother.

Cody walked toward the kitchen and peeked inside. “Hello?” He asked cautiously.

“Hi Cody- aren’t you supposed to be in bed?” Tzeitel asked.

“Aren’t you?” Cody retorted with a worried look on his face. “Yelling and a door slamming woke us up.”

“Oh… I just pissed off Klaire again.” Tzeitel sighed.

Cody sighed heavily. “How did you piss her off this time? Was she trying to help you again? You seem to get really defensive when people try to help now…”

“All I did was tell her that she wasn’t Frisk- maybe Klaire is being too damned touchy.” Tzeitel said defensively.

“And there you go getting defensive again,” Cody said, rolling his eyes. “She was probably trying to be a good friend and get you to go to bed, right?”

Tzeitel scowled. “I’m not ready to sleep yet.”

Cody just stood there staring at Tzeitel, keeping Ami close. “You’re dealing with your stress and problems in an unhealthy way.”

“I’m not drinking or working out until I drop. Aren’t I doing better tonight than last night?” Tzeitel asked, hurt.

“Scowling at everyone isn’t going to fix anything.” Cody sighed.

“I’m just trying to get through tonight without getting wasted or hitting the gym!” Tzeitel said irritably.

“Then try to get some sleep,” Cody suggested. “You haven’t slept right for the past few days. Aren’t you exhausted?”

“I’m tired, but I’m not ready to go to bed yet.” Tzeitel did not see what was so hard to understand about that. She did not want to get into it. She had conquered her nightmares years ago, but she had already started having new bad dreams BEFORE learning about Canestone being back. She did not want to know what her subconscious mind would do with that if she slept.

Cody just sighed and took Ami back toward her room. “Let's just get some rest…” He told the mini-Tzeitel.

“She’s not going to be okay…” Ami worriedly whispered to Cody.

Tzeitel found a deck of cards and started a game of solitaire.

“I know, but it’s up to her to ask for help, Ami.” Cody explained. “Do you want to sleep in bed with me or are you good on your own, still? I can always get you one of your other plushies from the van.”

Ami shrugged. She had actually been thinking about sleeping with Tzeitel tonight.

“Would you rather sleep with Tzeitel whenever she finally comes to bed?” Cody said, adding that third option because of how much they always slept in the same bed before.

Ami nodded. “I think I used to keep her nightmares away… she never screamed in her sleep when I was with her.”

“Then maybe you can convince her to come to bed…I don’t know.” Cody looked defeated and tired.

Ami nodded. She went back to the kitchen. She yawned huge and hugged Tzeitel.

“Ami, you should be in bed.” Tzeitel said.

“I’m scared of nightmares.” Ami yawned.

“Okay… I’ll stay with you, okay?” Tzeitel said. “Let me get into my pajamas.”

Ami looked at Cody, a slightly cocky smirk.

Cody smiled back, proud of Ami. Giving her a thumbs up, he went to his room.

Tzeitel finally fell asleep, curled up in Ami’s bed with her little sister curled up with her.