Fast or slow, when it's the time, then it's the time

"Master..." when the sun climbed to the peak, Jade climbed into my lap again, laying his head on my shoulder. "Jade sleepy..."

I hugged the little boy and patted his back gently. "It's alright, you play a lot with us today. You can have a nap,"

"But...Jade...will be bird again..."

"It's okay," I kissed his temple and told him softly. "You'll still be the Jade that I love."

Jade let out a soft giggling sound, and, perhaps feeling reassured, the little boy started breathing softly, steadily, as I caressed his back, singing him the lullaby my Grandma used to sing. Zia and Izzi left then, to not disturb the little boy, and a few minutes later, I could feel Jade grow slack in my arms, and the boy started to glow.