What makes you think I'm gonna spoil the surprise? [ he says, watching the cocoa puff slowly ascend to the top of will's head and cover his eyes with its shadow paws. ]
Careful. If you give them too much attention now the others will be jealous when we get home. [ as if this is actually going to happen. the puff chirrups and loafs on will's head happily. ]
...you've really gotten used to them, haven't you?
Then I'll just have to give them plenty of attention when we get back.
[...but, ah. yeah.]
Mm. It's like I said before - I accept them. [he doesn't repeat exactly what he'd said before, since they have an audience. but. nico will know.] I know it's probably been frustrating waiting for me to get used to them, so - thanks. For being patient with me.
I have a feeling they're going to be just as energetic when we get home as they were when they first came back with us.
[ but he looks briefly surprised before he settles again. very fond, very gay, very sweet. ]
You're doing better with trying to understand. [ it's murmured a little because they are still around an audience. ] And you know I appreciate that. Obviously they do, too.
So we could go on walks together. That sounds nice to me.
[it's nice to imagine - being back at camp, strolling around hand-in-hand while the cocoa puffs trail along behind them like smoky, shadowy ducklings.]
nico leans against him, and will settles. they can just fall asleep together like this, it's fine.]
I won't. [oh, he's getting kind of sleepy... his eyelids feel heavy. what time is it, anyway? are they drifting off naturally, or is this how the curfew knockkout starts?] I'll see you in the morning, Nico.
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