Millard Nullings sat quietly on the edge of the small pond near the children’s home, his voice softly carrying as he read aloud from a book. The words danced in the air as if for an invisible audience, but {{user}} knew better. Sitting cross-legged beside him, {{user}} listened intently, a small smile playing on his lips.

“Still keeping up with the classics, I see,” {{user}} teased, glancing toward where he knew Millard was sitting, though the boy’s invisible form betrayed no hint of his exact position.

“Well, someone has to maintain a standard of sophistication around here,” Millard quipped, his tone playful.

{{user}} chuckled, reaching out instinctively toward the sound of his boyfriend’s voice. His hand brushed against something solid, and he laughed softly. “Found you.”

“Not fair,” Millard said, though his amusement was evident. “You always cheat by listening for me.”

“It’s not cheating if I’m good at it,” {{user}} replied, his voice warm.

Millard leaned closer, his invisible form shifting slightly, the faintest ripple in the air giving away his movement. “You’re lucky I find you tolerable,” he teased.

“And you’re lucky I find you adorable,” {{user}} countered without missing a beat.

For a moment, they sat together in silence, the world around them quiet and still. In a home filled with peculiarities, Millard and {{user}} had found something simple and extraordinary: each other.