Chapter 34 - Picnic pt1

The rest of the week passed by quickly; things went back to the routine they had before.

Faun baking, their reading lessons, the lively walk in the woods.

After three straight days of going to the main parts of town, the serene quiet of the cottage was very much welcome.

Declan would pick spending his day in his cottage over a day of fun in town every time, but now... he wasn't so sure.

"Why are you up so early?" He grumbled, watching Faun bustle around the kitchen.

Faun turned to him in disbelief, like he couldn't believe he had just said those words.

"It's Saturday." He huffed, swishing his tail. "I'm preparing for the picnic."

Declan gave him a look. "At 5 am? … You know what, never mind that. Why am I awake too?" He grouched, pushing a hand through his hair.

"Because I need help with the preparations." Faun pouted.

Declan went silent at this. "So you just wanted to ruin my sleep." He translated.

Faun kept his back steadfastly to him, clutching his tail in his arms without saying a word.

"The picnic doesn't start till at least 10 am." He concluded, striding forward.

Faun still had his back to him so he was caught off guard.

"Hey! Put me down!" He protested when Declan swept him off his feet and threw him over a shoulder.

"Quiet down, it's early." Declan said calmly, striding to his room.

Faun was so stunned by this comeback that he spluttered for a few seconds, unable to come up with a suitable response.

"Put me down right now!" He ordered crisply, his ears standing erect in his irritation.

"Sure." Declan agreed, placing Faun down on his bed.

Faun sat upright at this. "Not here." He grumbled, his cheeks heating up.

Declan studied him in the dim light of his room; Faun almost looked different, but it was hard to tell when he saw him every single day.

He was a comfortable weight now though, his body filling out, which was no surprise as he ate as fast as he cooked and baked.

Declan left him to his antics, giving in every time Faun asked him to taste some new recipe he tried even though he wasn't a big fan of sweets.

"Sleep, Faun." He muttered dryly, pushing open the curtains.

There was no fear for their privacy because there were no neighbours to worry about. The moon was out even though it was so early, spilling into the room with a soft silvery glow.

"Fine." He agreed grudgingly. "As long as you don't tug on my tail." He bargained, holding his bushy tail in his arms like it was one of his stuffed toys.

Declan had a bit of trouble holding back his laughter, but he managed it somehow. "Deal." He accepted, getting on the bed as well.

Faun seemed almost at a loss at this turn out, like he hadn't been expecting Declan to give in so easily. He let go of his tail, getting comfortable on the bed.

This was the first time he was sleeping in Declan's bed since the day of the fair, but it was still within the same week so it should be worrisome if anything.

Declan's hand wrapping around his tail dragged him from his thoughts, a sound of shock leaving him. "You promised." He accused dramatically, looking up into Declan's face.

Declan's pale grey eyes seemed to reflect the moonlight. "To not tug on it, I'm merely holding it." He corrected calmly. "Can't have you running back to the kitchen when I'm not looking."

Faun's ears pressed flat on his head as he averted his eyes. "I won't." He mumbled weakly, wishing he minded even a little bit.

"Sleep, Faun." Declan repeated, his voice softer.

It was roughly two weeks since the hybrid crashed into his life, yet it felt like he had always been around.

Declan's mind was subconsciously made up for him a long time ago, because he knew deep down that he wasn't letting Faun go.

Faun wanting to stay as well was a very welcome bonus, he would offer for him to stay forever soon. Declan still very much had his baggage and the future was bleak but what better time to live than in the present.

A sound of dismay roused Declan, the bright sunlight on his face making him squint. He immediately turned to look for Faun as soon as his brain cells fired up and he found him trying to pry Declan's hold from his tail loose.

"What are you doing?" Declan's brow furrowed.

Faun shot him the evil eye. "Let go of me." He complained.

Declan's voice was raspy from waking up, he leaned forward to place an arm around Faun's waist to pull him closer. "'Always so eager to leave." He drawled.

Faun did a terrible job of hiding the shiver that Declan's voice made run down his spine. "Yes, because it's already past 10 am." He crossed his arms anyway, trying to put on an upset front.

Declan blinked myopically, looking behind Faun to his bedside clock. "Shit." He cursed when the situation finally sank in. Isla and Lou could be here any moment.

"Hmph." Faun huffed self importantly, looking down at Declan with the same energy only to falter. "Wai…Wait, where are your clothes?" He asked when he finally noticed Declan's lack of a shirt.

"It got hot while I was sleeping." Declan mused, still holding on to Faun.

"This is why I didn't want to sleep with you, we always oversleep…" Faun was already complaining. "Wh-What are you doing? Let me go…"

Isla burst in at this moment, ready to jump Declan. "Hands off him, D…" She exclaimed, trailing off when she saw a sleepy Declan trying to cuddle Faun who was an uncomfortable red and just wanted to be let go.

Lou was behind her, a look of disbelief on her face. "Did you just break in?"

Declan hid his face in Faun's midriff and let out a juicy curse, why were they his friends again?

Faun still got to bustle in the kitchen, Isla joining him. She marvelled at every single thing he did, literally hanging off his arm in awe the entire time.

Faun was a happy fox, pleased to find someone who showed as much interest in cooking as he liked. Declan always listened to him ramble but it wasn't the same.