Deep in the middle of the night, a young childish voice rang in Dylan's head. It was clear, soft and melodious, beautiful sounding. "Lyn." The voice called.
Dylan opened his eyes, his lips widening in pleasant surprise. "Fir?" He responded in his mind.
"Mm." Fir sounded tired and weak. "Where are we?"
"This is Earth, the birthplace of Sherry." Dylan got up from his bed and opened the curtains. He was greeted by the sight of apartments and the busy streets below. It was beautiful in the way the bright lights contrasted the darkness of the night.
"Sherry…?" Fir remembered that it was the name of Dylan's beloved. On the day he called for him, Fir witnessed the strong man break into sobs, mourning his loss and wallowing in self-hate. Fir hated the person who made his precious master and saviour sad but he was also curious about her. What was she like, for Dylan to invest so many emotions in her? She must've been a great person, Fir thought.
Every time he spoke of her, Dylan's face would soften with warmth and he would forget about his never-ending quest for revenge for just a bit. Then he would remember, his face hardening with sorrow and blood lust. However, this time, when Dylan spoke of her, he looked happy. He was bright and bursting with affection, the previous hate absent.
"She's alive, Fir. She's alive." Dylan announced, his voice quaking with emotion.
Suddenly, Dylan's memories of the past month flowed into Fir's mind. He saw how Dylan smiled and laughed and joked when he was with her. He saw him let go of his hate, forget about his revenge and just be himself. This kind of Dylan, he hadn't seen him since they first met.
"That's great Lyn, you must be so happy! Like super-duper happy!" Fir exclaimed with tears in his beady eyes. He came out of Dylan's contractor space and materialised in his small form. Letting out a soft, low growl and perched himself on Dylan's shoulder, rubbing his little head against Dylan's cheeks.
Dylan let out a giggle. "Now that you're awake, everything is perfect."
Fir whistled, flying around the room. His white feathers glowed in the dim moonlight, looking lively and eye-catching.
Dylan placed a finger between his lips. "Shh, people are sleeping."
Fir glided back and landed on Dylan's arm. Utilising their telepathic connection, he spoke to Dylan. "Are you finally going to tell her? Please tell me that you're going to tell her."
Dylan smiled and shook his head. "Not yet, not now."
"Why?! But I thought you regretted not! Oh, c'mon, just tell her. Tell her, tell her, tell her!" He chirped, whining endlessly.
Dylan chuckled. He missed this liveliness and endless chatter. "At first, I did plan to do so but I was so caught up with the thought that she was alive that I completely forgot."
"Hahahahaha, Lyn is a dumb-dumb. Stooooopid~" Fir carried on like a child, laughing and teasing.
"Hehe, well, I also realised that I was relying on her for everything. I want to support her and be a shoulder she can lean on. Before then, I don't want to tell her, I won't."
Fir thought that was foolish but did not speak his thoughts. Dylan had his own pride and thoughts, if this was what he wished to do then he would not interfere. He had a lot of time anyways.
"I can't wait!" He chirped in anticipation. "Hey, when can I meet her? She must want to meet the ultra-super-duper cute adorable me. I'm so cute that she'll probably fall in love at first sight." Fir narcissistically said.
Dylan laughed and rubbed Fir's head. "She won't be coming over for at least two days. Maybe you can go to her instead?"
"I can? I wanna go now! I wanna go now~~~~!!!!" Fir excitedly whinged.
Dylan smiled and shook his head. "It's late now, go tomorrow."
"Aww, but I wanna meet her now." Fir dejectedly said.
"Tomorrow." Dylan firmly refused. "Come, let's sleep."
Fir chirped to reply and flew over to the bed. He made himself at home on one of the two pillows, making sure to make a hole indent in it. Fir lay on the pillow, snuggled up. Dylan grinned and lay down beside Fir, listening to the sound of him breathing as he fell back to sleep.
The next morning, Dylan awoke to the melodious but noisy chirps from Fir. He flew around Dylan's head like an annoying fly that just would not go away. Glancing over at the digital clock, Dylan saw that it was only 3am, an hour earlier than usual.
"Fir, I'm tired." He grumpily mumbled.
"It's tomorrow, Dylan. It's tomorrow." Fir chirped as he circled around Dylan's head once more before landing on his chest.
"It's too early." Dylan grumbled. Fir tilted his head, his body tilting with him. Dylan felt his heart soften up, this gesture was really cute, too cute. "She's still sleeping. You can go over in the afternoon."
"But you promised that I can see her tomorrow." Fir cried, not happy.
"Fir, you mustn't inconvenience others for your selfish purposes." Dylan sternly scolded. Fir hang his head low, his head drooping.
"Okay…I'll go later."
"Good boy." Dylan smiled and pat his head. When he did so, Fir retracted it, making his neck disappear into his feathers. Dylan could not help but to laugh at the sight.
After his morning exercise, Dylan cooked breakfast for both Charlotte and Janine and ate his own. When Janine came out of her room, she rubbed her eyes thinking she was seeing things.
"Good morning, Janine." Dylan greeted.
"Dylan, am I still sleeping or is that a bird on your head?" Janine said with straight face.
Dylan laughed while Fir whistled. He was nesting on Dylan's head like usual, making for a comical but adorable sight. "This is Fir, that contracted spirit I told you about two days ago." He introduced with a grin. Fir chirped in response, his beautiful singing filling the apartment.
"…Is that so? Well, I'm Janine. Nice meeting you, Fir." Janine decided that she was just going to blame everything on magic from now on. Thinking about the details would just make her head hurt.
Fir flew over towards Janine, perching on her shoulder. Janine nervously reached her hands towards him, prompting Fir to settle on her arm instead. With an abated breath, Janine courageously touched Fir's soft feathers, her fingers gliding over its surface and sinking into the feathers.
She made a surprised face. "It's cold on the surface but somehow really warm inside."
Dylan chuckled. "He's a wind and ice spirit, of course he'd be cold on the outside."
Janine's eyes never left Fir. She silently admired his beauty and grace. "Can I take a photo of him?" She asked.
Dylan nodded his head. "Sure."
Janine grinned and rushed to get her camera. Fir flew back in surprise and roosted on Dylan's head once more.
"When can I go?" Fir asked impatiently.
Dylan merely laughed. "After she's done."
Janine came back, eyes sparkly and breath short with excitement. Somehow, Fir felt that it was going to be awhile until he could finally meet Sherry.