Silence or Kiss

"Father, I really don't need anyone watching over me!" she let out an exasperated puff of air, the rules had been getting more and more ridiculous as of late but this really was the final straw.

"Astrid darling, please be understanding" her father gave his usual gentle look but his voice was firm, his decision unwavering, "with all that's going on at the moment, I really can't afford for anything to happen to you"

"But-"

"Humour this old man won't you?" he said with a hearty chuckle, ever since he hit 43 and one or two grey hairs appeared he's been referring to himself as such.

"Maybe you will get along with them and have a friend outside of those fantasy books you always read" Astrid shot him an incredulous look, "I have friends!" She shouted, "yes honey, and they're all fictional"

"Arthur!"

"Astrid!"

They both stared eye to eye in a standoff, Astrid was fuming and the glint of mischief in her father's eyes only added fuel to the fire, "you're an impossible man" she grunted out. Chuckling he tucked a ringlet that had fallen out of place behind her ear, "with an impossible daughter who takes after him"

"Arthur" a gruff voice came from the doorway, she knew what that call meant, her father would be away on duty again.