"I am not a mother hen," he grumbles, shutting his eyes. After a moment, he adds, with a slightly awkward clearing of his throat: "Sorry for all the threats."

Knocking someone out is a terrible way to try to get them to have a restful sleep, after all. Other, more effective methods are available.

"All right, I'll make you some hot chocolate. If you want a bedtime story, though, you're going to have to ask someone else."