"Daddy not GO!"
Hank gently tried to pry his four-year-old daughter's hands off his arm but to no avail. Her sharp talons dug into his flesh as her agiation increased. Sapphire eyes gazed up at him pleadingly.
"Now, Sunshine, we've discussed this. You're a big girl now and no longer need to fear the dark."
"But The Boogeyman will get me!" wailed Siku.
Beast sighed. As many times as he tried to explain to her that her fear of the dark was irrational, she still refused to go to sleep unless he was ther. Even the three night lights he had bought for her did little to soothe her fears.
"Please Daddy? Just one more time?"
He couldn't do it. There was no way on earth Hank could look into those innocent eyes and refuse to do as she asked. It was a small thing after all.
With fatalistic aplomb, he settled himself on the floor next to her and tried not to miss his big soft bed.
"You caved."
Hank bristled in defense of his actions. "I would hardly call assuring my daughter that no nocturnal monsters were going to attack her-"
"She batted her eyes at you and you caved," Logan snorted in disgust. "You're too soft on her. If you don't put your foot down now, she'll run you the rest of your life."
Beast frowned. "That's a slight exaggeration, don't you think?"
"Nope. That lil' darlin' has you wrapped around her little finger."
Now if that ain't the pot callin' the kettle black."
Rogue stood in the doorway, wearing jeans and a t-shirt that read; "Lobdell is a Loser". Her long hair was braided and hung over one shoulder.
Logan's eyes narrowed at the southern belle. "What's THAT supposed to mean?"
Rogue smirked at her fellow X-Man. "Aren't you the same man who went to Boston just to make sure Jubilee was okay and wasn't too lonely at her new school?"
Wolverine hesitated. "Yeah.....but-"
"And didn't you drive three thousand miles just because some old lady had a Grumpy Bear for sale and Jubilee wanted one for her birthday?"
Logan growled. "I see your point."
Beast eyed Rogue hopefully. "I don't supposed you have a situation to Siku's fear of the dark?"
Rogue crossed her arms over her chest. "As a matter o' fact, Ah do."
Logan raised a brow skeptically. "And what would that be, Oh Wise One?"
She looked down her nose haughtily. "If yoah gonna act like that, Ah'm not telllin'". She turned back to Hank. "Jus' make sure you and Siku stay out oof her room 'til bedtime and Ah'll do the rest." She glanced at Logan. "That goes for you too, hoser."
"What's my surprise, Aunty Rogue?" Siku asked excitedlly as Rogue led her and Hank to the little girl's room.
"You'll see," the southern woman answered mysteriously and threw open Siku's bedroom door.
The room was covered in stars from floor to ceiling.
They ranged from the size of a quarter to four inches across and came in a wide spectrum of colors. Scattered among the stars were planets, comets and a spaceship or two. Hank was impressed to see that the stars were arranged in constellations and cluster patterns. Rogue had gone to a great deal of trouble.
"Ooooooh.......pretty!" exclaimed Siku, eyes shining in awe. Beast echoed his agreement.
"You haven't seen the best part," Rogue smiled, "wait 'til Ah turn off the lights."
Siku shrieked at the mention of being in the dark, until she saw the shimmering glow of the stars.
"Phosfluorescent", mumbled Hank in amazement, glancing around the room.
Rogue nodded proudly. "Yup. Ah found 'em at the mall." She turned to her niece. "These stars are so bright it's like havin' all the lights on and," she whispered in Siku's ear. "These are magic stars. They'll protect you from monsters in the closet and even under the bed."
"What about The Boogeyman?" Siku whispered back.
"No problem. They'll kick his booty all the way t'China."
"Wow!"
"Sikudhani?" Beast kneeled in front of his daughter. "Are you going to be all right by yourself from now on?"
Siku smiled bravely. "Those mean ol' monsters won't get me!"
"That's my brave girl!" he tucked her in and he and Rogue left the room.
"That was very kind of you," Hank told her gratefully.
She grinned. "Ah was glad t'do it. Ah just hope the paint doesn't peel off when Siku decides to take those stars down."
The End
Author's Note: I have these stars in my room. If you don't take them down just right, they'll peel the paint right off the walls. However, they are great for children who are afraid of the dark but don't want a night light because they don't want to feel like a "baby".