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With the passing of time came the change of seasons. It had been a couple of months since Monty finally met Talon. Since then, Monty had come by at least once a week, sometimes even helping the both of us with our shop chores. As his own kids were growing, he was more able to rely on them to take care of themselves, and each other, while he was out for a few hours. The company was nice.

And, of course, Talon seemed to approve. I’m sure the frequent gifts played some role, but I can’t say I blame either of them. Much of the scare from Rezki’s visit was relieved with some time, care, and reassurance. It had set him back a little bit, where he was more cautious about being in the shop with other patrons, worried that his contacts were more obvious than he thought.

What he couldn’t understand is that they did their job well, but you can’t cover up all of your insecurities. However, with some work, both Monty and I managed to help pull him from that shallow pit and back up to how he was before the ordeal. A couple weeks of encouragement and it was but a sour memory. It’d do for now.

As Talon settled more and more into my small house, it was made clear that I would need to make more amenities available for the both of us. I didn’t have much furniture, really, just the couch and loveseat in the main room and a couple small tables in the bathroom and kitchen. I didn’t have, need, or really want for anything fancy or unnecessary, but maybe…

Hm…

There was something I wanted for a while, but put it on the backburner to make room for Talon and the help he would need, as well as for basics like food, clothing, and medicine containers. Luckily food and medicine containers were pretty cheap if you knew where to look and went after sources instead of other shops. Trying to find clothes for Talon was a bit of a pain, I admit, given his height, and often required special ordering. Well, those things don’t come cheap, but I’ll be damned if he won’t be fed and clothed properly in my house. In our house.

I looked at the rather sparse main room, then back toward the window. It was a nice sunny day, around late morning. Talon and I had both eaten and he was still out in the shop managing the floor as I took a little break.

With the both of us here now we could have the shop open for more hours during the day, which patrons seemed to appreciate. The little bit of extra income was certainly welcome, but it made me stop and really think how my hazelnut went from the bloody, cowering figure in the streetlight to…a helpful assistant and wonderful home company. I felt very fortunate that he had no plans to try moving back to Psycrhel even if or when he finally recovered. I had gotten so used to him being here that I don’t think I would know what to do were he not here anymore. It was nice having someone to talk to, to cook for, to teach new things to and learn new things from. Despite the, uh, culture clash, I think the experience was mutually beneficial and appreciated, to say the least.

Maybe now it was time for a little change. I think he would like it, too.

Opening the door to the shop, I poked my head out and looked side to side for Monty, finally spying him at the table inspecting spent containers.

“Monty, hey, could you come here for a minute?” I called.

He turned to face me, a slight look of confusion on his face. Nonetheless, he got up and sauntered to the door. Talon was off to the aisles putting away some new drug stock and not really paying much attention to either of us. He’s a good kid.

I tugged Monty inside the house and closed the door behind us.

***

Monty had been looking over the spent and recycled bottles to ensure they could be reused. As patrons used what medicine they purchased, they would also return the bottles. If they did, we gave them a small amount of money back in return. It was a good system, I thought, as there is little point in making many more containers if it was not necessary. Both Ruun and Monty would look over the containers, but Ruun had gone inside to take a short break. She had been doing this more and more over the past couple of weeks, and I had become a little concerned. I hoped I was not doing something wrong.

…She would tell me, would she not?

A few short minutes passed and the door reopened.

“Talon?” came a gruff voice.

“Y-Yes?” I responded, jumping a bit.

“Ruun and I are going to run some errands,” Monty answered. “Can you watch the shop for a while? We shouldn’t take longer than an hour.”

“Oh, um, yes, that is fine,” I answered.

“Alright, see you in a little bit!” he laughed, closing the door.

I was a little confused, but it seemed harmless. I stood up, stretched, and made my way toward the far table for more full containers. I had never been left alone here before, but…how hard could it be?

***

After a short walk we both made it to Monty’s house. Not too big, not too small, it was a rough old farmhouse with a couple preserving jars out front and a small shed to the side. Just a bit past the shed was a barn for his few livestock. On the other side of the plot was some land for crops and a small orchard of peach trees, where I assume Talon ate from back months ago.

“I know it’s still not quite the right season yet, but I know you keep preserves,” I started. “He seemed to really like those peaches, so I bet he would like other preserved foods as well.”

“Oh, that’s not a problem,” Monty said. “What kind of things were you looking to get?”

“Well, I’m open to just about anything, but what I would really like is what he seemed to eat the most while he was around here,” I said, looking toward the trees. “If you remember, can I get a few jars of those?”

“Of course, give me just a few minutes,” he replied, taking my backpack and heading around the house to the cellar.

I climbed up the few stairs and sat on the deck, taking in the nice weather. It was nice to get further away from town once in a while, especially with the coming of spring. The kids were in school this time of day and Beyle was in her shop just past the barn, some quiet sounds of machinery still emanating all the way across to me. By now she was just old enough to not need to be in school anymore and I could tell she was taking full advantage of that.

Sure enough, after a few minutes of admiring the atmosphere I heard the deep plodding steps of Monty with the sound of rattling glass jars. I turned around and he handed me the backpack, which dropped my hand a bit upon receiving.

“You sure you don’t want me to carry that?” he asked.

“Oh, no, I will be fine, I just didn’t expect this many,” I grunted, hoisting the pack onto my shoulders. “What all did you put in here?”

“Well, there’s more peaches as well as corn, beans, tomatoes, potatoes, and I added some milk as well,” he listed. “You said he seems to like cheese, so maybe he’ll like milk too.”

“Well no wonder,” I giggled, handing him a fair handful of coins. “I think he’ll like these a lot.”

Monty took half the offering and pocketed the coins. I sighed and took back the remainder. I should probably know better by now.

“So, where to now?” he asked.

“Oh, uh, how did you know there was more?” I asked sheepishly.

“You’re carrying an awful lot of money around for this to be the only stop,” he grinned. “I’m old, I know better. Where to?”

“Well…”

***

It had proven to be a lax afternoon with few customers. Many of them were probably out enjoying the coming of spring rather than worrying about getting medicines. I could not blame them, and found myself getting lost in my own thoughts. Faradus was very pretty during this time of year, I admit, having gotten to see it myself for the first time. I had been here for so long that Psycrhel just seemed like little more than a memory. A bad one, but still just a memory.

I was welcomed by the one person I could look up to. I was helped in ways I could not have imagined, and honestly still could hardly believe. I was given opportunities—a place to live, a place to work, a means to eat and bathe. I learned that Ruun found out from Rezki about what brought me here, but even then I was not pushed away or made a villain.

No, I…I was hugged. I was held close with those small but strong arms and told that none of that mattered anymore. The crackling of her voice and the wetness of tears down my face…

…I think they finally assured me that it was all true.

I was broken of my thoughts when the both of them came in through the front door.

“See? About an hour,” Ruun said as the door closed behind them.

Monty just laughed and made his way to the table.

“Hazelnut, we got some groceries,” Ruun beamed, holding up a couple bags.

I nodded, a little puzzled. Ruun went off through the house door, presumably to put away those groceries. After a few minutes she came back out and the day went on as normal, a few customers coming in and laughs shared with the three of us.

At around 3 o’clock Monty took his leave, saying that his schoolkids would be on their way home and that he wanted to be there for them when they arrived. Now it was just the both of us.

A few more customers, more things sorted and put away, some special orders filed for next availability.

Finally came closing time at around 7 o’clock, so the door sign was flipped and the door itself was locked. Everything was locked up and the lights were shut off in preparation for the weekend. Ruun opened the house door and I followed her in, closing it behind me. I then looked into the main room and saw a bunch of jars lying on the couch.

“I hope you like them,” Ruun hollered from the kitchen. “We went back to Monty’s house and I bought some canned food. Those things aren’t in season yet, so this is the best I can do for now. You seemed to like those peaches, so I hope you like these too. He said that you seemed to like these the most back months ago.”

I let out a small laugh under my breath before scooping them all up and putting them away in the kitchen. Ruun was cooking, making something very familiar both in sight and smell. I could not quite place the name, though. Well, it did not matter much as they were very quickly prepared, and before I knew it we were both eating at the little kitchen table. Some kind of dumpling, I think they are called? Some thin dough pocket stuffed with minced meat and some spices. Something about it made me think of Psycrhel, but back to my mother and father, before my father passed away.

It was strangely pleasant. I do not know where she got the idea or recipe for this food, but it reminded me so much of food my mother made when I was very young. Somehow it made the food taste even better.

After dinner it was a typical quiet night of keeping records, reading, and a little conversation. It was nice, with the aroma of dinner still hanging in the air and two mugs of tea between us. The warming temperatures from outside and the light cloud cover made for a wonderful atmosphere with the turn of seasons.

A few hours later and the both of us grew tired. Ruun got up, stretched, then looked towards the closet.

“Talon, could you help me move something from the closet?” she asked. “It’s not really heavy, just awkward for only one person to carry.”

“Um, okay…” my word trailed as I rose to my feet.

I made my way to the closet and Ruun opened the door. On the floor was some thick, folded mat of some sort. I grabbed one end while she grabbed the other, both of us setting it down in the main room in front of the couch and loveseat. Ruun then grabbed the corners and opened it to reveal the mat was some kind of futon, and quite a large one at that. She flopped onto the futon and smiled.

“I had been planning to get a bed for a while, but with the winter season and having other expenditures, I sort of left the idea low on my to-do list,” she laughed. “Since today was so nice I thought I would finally buckle and get one.”

“Oh,” was all I could really find to say.

Ruun got up to grab her pillow from the loveseat.

“What’s really nice is that when you’re not using it, you just fold it up and put it some—”

She turned around to see me lying on the couch after removing my contacts, then tossed her pillow on the futon. I looked back to her in confusion.

“Ruun?” I asked timidly. “Did I do something wrong?”

She said nothing, just walked over, grabbed my pillow as well as I by the wrist, and dragged me to the futon. She suddenly sat down and I lost my balance, taking a tumble onto the bed.

“I didn’t buy this whole thing for me, you know,” she chuckled. “It’s meant for two.”

“…Two?” I choked.

Ruun got up and turned off the light and quickly returned to bed.

“Why would I get a bed for myself if you’re right here?” she playfully chided.

“I…I suppose…” I quavered. This was all very new.

“Well, remember that we have plans for tomorrow since it’s the weekend,” reminded Ruun. “I think you’ll like them.”

“Y-Yes, right…” I conceded, lying down and stretching my legs. This would take time to get used to.

I do not remember when, but I must have fallen asleep not long after. Was I really that tired?

I woke up briefly from a sudden feeling of warmth on my back. I blinked my eyes open enough to see, then turned my head as much as I could to take a look. I saw a dark arm across my back and upper arm, hand in a light grasp around my inner elbow. As I moved my head I also felt the breath of another’s snout in the crook of my neck and the lump of another arm under my pillow.

Even in sleep I was held close and dear. A small smile crept upon my face as I nodded back off to sleep.

Never before had I slept so soundly.

---

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Description
Previous: silasagnostos.deviantart.com/a…

With the passing of time came the change of seasons. It had been a couple of months since Monty finally met Talon. Since then, Monty had come by at least once a week, sometimes even helping the both of us with our shop chores. As his own kids were growing, he was more able to rely on them to take care of themselves, and each other, while he was out for a few hours. The company was nice.

And, of course, Talon seemed to approve. I’m sure the frequent gifts played some role, but I can’t say I blame either of them. Much of the scare from Rezki’s visit was relieved with some time, care, and reassurance. It had set him back a little bit, where he was more cautious about being in the shop with other patrons, worried that his contacts were more obvious than he thought.

What he couldn’t understand is that they did their job well, but you can’t cover up all of your insecurities. However, with some work, both Monty and I managed to help pull him from that shallow pit and back up to how he was before the ordeal. A couple weeks of encouragement and it was but a sour memory. It’d do for now.

As Talon settled more and more into my small house, it was made clear that I would need to make more amenities available for the both of us. I didn’t have much furniture, really, just the couch and loveseat in the main room and a couple small tables in the bathroom and kitchen. I didn’t have, need, or really want for anything fancy or unnecessary, but maybe…

Hm…

There was something I wanted for a while, but put it on the backburner to make room for Talon and the help he would need, as well as for basics like food, clothing, and medicine containers. Luckily food and medicine containers were pretty cheap if you knew where to look and went after sources instead of other shops. Trying to find clothes for Talon was a bit of a pain, I admit, given his height, and often required special ordering. Well, those things don’t come cheap, but I’ll be damned if he won’t be fed and clothed properly in my house. In our house.

I looked at the rather sparse main room, then back toward the window. It was a nice sunny day, around late morning. Talon and I had both eaten and he was still out in the shop managing the floor as I took a little break.

With the both of us here now we could have the shop open for more hours during the day, which patrons seemed to appreciate. The little bit of extra income was certainly welcome, but it made me stop and really think how my hazelnut went from the bloody, cowering figure in the streetlight to…a helpful assistant and wonderful home company. I felt very fortunate that he had no plans to try moving back to Psycrhel even if or when he finally recovered. I had gotten so used to him being here that I don’t think I would know what to do were he not here anymore. It was nice having someone to talk to, to cook for, to teach new things to and learn new things from. Despite the, uh, culture clash, I think the experience was mutually beneficial and appreciated, to say the least.

Maybe now it was time for a little change. I think he would like it, too.

Opening the door to the shop, I poked my head out and looked side to side for Monty, finally spying him at the table inspecting spent containers.

“Monty, hey, could you come here for a minute?” I called.

He turned to face me, a slight look of confusion on his face. Nonetheless, he got up and sauntered to the door. Talon was off to the aisles putting away some new drug stock and not really paying much attention to either of us. He’s a good kid.

I tugged Monty inside the house and closed the door behind us.

***

Monty had been looking over the spent and recycled bottles to ensure they could be reused. As patrons used what medicine they purchased, they would also return the bottles. If they did, we gave them a small amount of money back in return. It was a good system, I thought, as there is little point in making many more containers if it was not necessary. Both Ruun and Monty would look over the containers, but Ruun had gone inside to take a short break. She had been doing this more and more over the past couple of weeks, and I had become a little concerned. I hoped I was not doing something wrong.

…She would tell me, would she not?

A few short minutes passed and the door reopened.

“Talon?” came a gruff voice.

“Y-Yes?” I responded, jumping a bit.

“Ruun and I are going to run some errands,” Monty answered. “Can you watch the shop for a while? We shouldn’t take longer than an hour.”

“Oh, um, yes, that is fine,” I answered.

“Alright, see you in a little bit!” he laughed, closing the door.

I was a little confused, but it seemed harmless. I stood up, stretched, and made my way toward the far table for more full containers. I had never been left alone here before, but…how hard could it be?

***

After a short walk we both made it to Monty’s house. Not too big, not too small, it was a rough old farmhouse with a couple preserving jars out front and a small shed to the side. Just a bit past the shed was a barn for his few livestock. On the other side of the plot was some land for crops and a small orchard of peach trees, where I assume Talon ate from back months ago.

“I know it’s still not quite the right season yet, but I know you keep preserves,” I started. “He seemed to really like those peaches, so I bet he would like other preserved foods as well.”

“Oh, that’s not a problem,” Monty said. “What kind of things were you looking to get?”

“Well, I’m open to just about anything, but what I would really like is what he seemed to eat the most while he was around here,” I said, looking toward the trees. “If you remember, can I get a few jars of those?”

“Of course, give me just a few minutes,” he replied, taking my backpack and heading around the house to the cellar.

I climbed up the few stairs and sat on the deck, taking in the nice weather. It was nice to get further away from town once in a while, especially with the coming of spring. The kids were in school this time of day and Beyle was in her shop just past the barn, some quiet sounds of machinery still emanating all the way across to me. By now she was just old enough to not need to be in school anymore and I could tell she was taking full advantage of that.

Sure enough, after a few minutes of admiring the atmosphere I heard the deep plodding steps of Monty with the sound of rattling glass jars. I turned around and he handed me the backpack, which dropped my hand a bit upon receiving.

“You sure you don’t want me to carry that?” he asked.

“Oh, no, I will be fine, I just didn’t expect this many,” I grunted, hoisting the pack onto my shoulders. “What all did you put in here?”

“Well, there’s more peaches as well as corn, beans, tomatoes, potatoes, and I added some milk as well,” he listed. “You said he seems to like cheese, so maybe he’ll like milk too.”

“Well no wonder,” I giggled, handing him a fair handful of coins. “I think he’ll like these a lot.”

Monty took half the offering and pocketed the coins. I sighed and took back the remainder. I should probably know better by now.

“So, where to now?” he asked.

“Oh, uh, how did you know there was more?” I asked sheepishly.

“You’re carrying an awful lot of money around for this to be the only stop,” he grinned. “I’m old, I know better. Where to?”

“Well…”

***

It had proven to be a lax afternoon with few customers. Many of them were probably out enjoying the coming of spring rather than worrying about getting medicines. I could not blame them, and found myself getting lost in my own thoughts. Faradus was very pretty during this time of year, I admit, having gotten to see it myself for the first time. I had been here for so long that Psycrhel just seemed like little more than a memory. A bad one, but still just a memory.

I was welcomed by the one person I could look up to. I was helped in ways I could not have imagined, and honestly still could hardly believe. I was given opportunities—a place to live, a place to work, a means to eat and bathe. I learned that Ruun found out from Rezki about what brought me here, but even then I was not pushed away or made a villain.

No, I…I was hugged. I was held close with those small but strong arms and told that none of that mattered anymore. The crackling of her voice and the wetness of tears down my face…

…I think they finally assured me that it was all true.

I was broken of my thoughts when the both of them came in through the front door.

“See? About an hour,” Ruun said as the door closed behind them.

Monty just laughed and made his way to the table.

“Hazelnut, we got some groceries,” Ruun beamed, holding up a couple bags.

I nodded, a little puzzled. Ruun went off through the house door, presumably to put away those groceries. After a few minutes she came back out and the day went on as normal, a few customers coming in and laughs shared with the three of us.

At around 3 o’clock Monty took his leave, saying that his schoolkids would be on their way home and that he wanted to be there for them when they arrived. Now it was just the both of us.

A few more customers, more things sorted and put away, some special orders filed for next availability.

Finally came closing time at around 7 o’clock, so the door sign was flipped and the door itself was locked. Everything was locked up and the lights were shut off in preparation for the weekend. Ruun opened the house door and I followed her in, closing it behind me. I then looked into the main room and saw a bunch of jars lying on the couch.

“I hope you like them,” Ruun hollered from the kitchen. “We went back to Monty’s house and I bought some canned food. Those things aren’t in season yet, so this is the best I can do for now. You seemed to like those peaches, so I hope you like these too. He said that you seemed to like these the most back months ago.”

I let out a small laugh under my breath before scooping them all up and putting them away in the kitchen. Ruun was cooking, making something very familiar both in sight and smell. I could not quite place the name, though. Well, it did not matter much as they were very quickly prepared, and before I knew it we were both eating at the little kitchen table. Some kind of dumpling, I think they are called? Some thin dough pocket stuffed with minced meat and some spices. Something about it made me think of Psycrhel, but back to my mother and father, before my father passed away.

It was strangely pleasant. I do not know where she got the idea or recipe for this food, but it reminded me so much of food my mother made when I was very young. Somehow it made the food taste even better.

After dinner it was a typical quiet night of keeping records, reading, and a little conversation. It was nice, with the aroma of dinner still hanging in the air and two mugs of tea between us. The warming temperatures from outside and the light cloud cover made for a wonderful atmosphere with the turn of seasons.

A few hours later and the both of us grew tired. Ruun got up, stretched, then looked towards the closet.

“Talon, could you help me move something from the closet?” she asked. “It’s not really heavy, just awkward for only one person to carry.”

“Um, okay…” my word trailed as I rose to my feet.

I made my way to the closet and Ruun opened the door. On the floor was some thick, folded mat of some sort. I grabbed one end while she grabbed the other, both of us setting it down in the main room in front of the couch and loveseat. Ruun then grabbed the corners and opened it to reveal the mat was some kind of futon, and quite a large one at that. She flopped onto the futon and smiled.

“I had been planning to get a bed for a while, but with the winter season and having other expenditures, I sort of left the idea low on my to-do list,” she laughed. “Since today was so nice I thought I would finally buckle and get one.”

“Oh,” was all I could really find to say.

Ruun got up to grab her pillow from the loveseat.

“What’s really nice is that when you’re not using it, you just fold it up and put it some—”

She turned around to see me lying on the couch after removing my contacts, then tossed her pillow on the futon. I looked back to her in confusion.

“Ruun?” I asked timidly. “Did I do something wrong?”

She said nothing, just walked over, grabbed my pillow as well as I by the wrist, and dragged me to the futon. She suddenly sat down and I lost my balance, taking a tumble onto the bed.

“I didn’t buy this whole thing for me, you know,” she chuckled. “It’s meant for two.”

“…Two?” I choked.

Ruun got up and turned off the light and quickly returned to bed.

“Why would I get a bed for myself if you’re right here?” she playfully chided.

“I…I suppose…” I quavered. This was all very new.

“Well, remember that we have plans for tomorrow since it’s the weekend,” reminded Ruun. “I think you’ll like them.”

“Y-Yes, right…” I conceded, lying down and stretching my legs. This would take time to get used to.

I do not remember when, but I must have fallen asleep not long after. Was I really that tired?

I woke up briefly from a sudden feeling of warmth on my back. I blinked my eyes open enough to see, then turned my head as much as I could to take a look. I saw a dark arm across my back and upper arm, hand in a light grasp around my inner elbow. As I moved my head I also felt the breath of another’s snout in the crook of my neck and the lump of another arm under my pillow.

Even in sleep I was held close and dear. A small smile crept upon my face as I nodded back off to sleep.

Never before had I slept so soundly.

---

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