“Okay.”

He moves a little closer and squints his eyes at the text as she turns to the first page. What poses the greatest problem for him when it comes to reading is the size of the text and connecting the letters that make up the words. He has not had much practice reading out loud, and when he tries it sounds like a first grader’s attempt.

(Oh ( Read more... )

It leaves him breathless for a moment ( Read more... )

Sullivan raises the axe and starts chopping away at the bottom of the trunk. It’s not something he is used to, and it takes quite a lot of strength to topple the tree over, more so than he expected. “So, do we carry it back home?”

Vaguely he remembers Oakley using some sort of air magic to transport Anton, ages ago, after the fight with Usoa- that ( Read more... )

He slows down a bit, nodding thoughtfully. With everything going on, the thoughts race so fast in his head that he didn’t even think of how they were supposed to bring it back with them. “Let’s do that. You aren’t supposed to put up the Christmas tree until the 24th of December anyway.”

Finding a store that sells decorations is anything but ( Read more... )

When Sullivan finds Ariya sometime later, she is absolutely absorbed in the book she is reading, and she does not notice him until he is right next to her and raises his voice, “Good book?” Her eyes snap up to him in surprise. She nods. “Let’s get that book too, then,” he says, bending down to examine the cover.

They go to the counter to pay, and ( Read more... )

“Sounds good.”

They grab their jackets and boots and head back to Anton’s house. It’s a pleasant walk, spent chattering and bantering about meaningless things, with Agni teasing him until his cheeks are as flaming red as his hair.

“Do you want to come inside for a cup of tea?” he offers when they reach the door. “Or do you have to get ready for ( Read more... )

Sullivan sits next to her and pulls long legs close to his chest, listening closely. It doesn’t take long for his eyelids to fall shut, and soon he is completely relaxed, in awe of the beauty of the piece that plays. They sit like that, side by side, shoulders brushing together, and listen.

“It’s beautiful,” he murmurs once it comes to a stop, ( Read more... )

”I told you before, on Halloween- Christmas is to humans what Halloween is to monsters. It’s that one big holiday that they love so much.” A wide smile splits his lips. “All the streets are decorated with bright lights and golden stars, and the humans become really nice to each other. And you put this special type of tree in your living room and ( Read more... )

”Sullivan.”

A curious sort of warmth spreads through his chest at the sound of the name.

His name. His very own.

He repeats it to himself again, then again, marvelling at the feel of the letters on his tongue, and each time it sounds new, not quite like before, in a way he can’t put in words. But he knows without doubt that it belongs to him, ( Read more... )

Sullivan listens to Anton’s even, deep breaths with eyes closed and a little smile on his mouth. They are sweaty and sticky from more than just oil, but he’s happy to stay on top of him, molded against his body.

Sleep won’t come to him, though.

It doesn’t take long for the old familiar unease at being in a wide bed to seep in. But he thinks, ( Read more... )