“I’m sorry—how do you expect me not to worry?” you asked, following Miss Peregrine up the narrow staircase, your footsteps quiet but urgent behind hers.

“He can fuck up— everything!” you added, sharper now. The words echoed slightly in the hallway.

Miss Peregrine stopped cold. She turned her head just enough to cast a sharp look over her shoulder. “Watch your mouth,” she said evenly. Then she turned back around and resumed climbing.

“C’mon, Fay,” you muttered, just loud enough for her to hear. Her nickname making her pause again, before she slowly turned to face you.

“You seriously think bringing Jake into the loop is good? If Abe’s really gone, then... then Horace’s dream could come true. And I can’t—” You broke off, jaw tight. Your pupils shifted slightly, narrowing like a hawk’s.

“I just don’t want to lose yo—”

Your ears twitched. A low crunch outside. Gravel—Miss Peregrine glanced at her pocket watch and turned briskly, descending the stairs.

“We’ll finish this later,” she said with a glance over her shoulder, voice softer now.

“Ah, right on time!” she greeted, arms outstretched as Jake stepped in behind Emma, Bronwyn, and Millard.

You hovered near the stairwell, watching her scold the group.

“I’ve already had to kill them twice this month,” she chided, smiling like she wasn’t joking.

You slipped away before she could see the look on your face, retreating into the kitchen to find Fiona.

Later, you ended up racing back across the garden with her. You slid to a halt in the grass, almost crashing into Jake.

“You’re late,” Miss Peregrine muttered, holding up her pocket watch.

Miss Peregrine reached up and tugged your ear—hard enough to make you grunt—and pulled you close so you stood beside her like a scolded cat.

Fiona was already apologizing, asking how many carrots she wanted. To which she pointed vaguely. “Just one.”

Fiona nodded and knelt down, hands flexing carrot growing bigger under her hands. You watched Miss Peregrine closely, trying to catch her eyes, but she didn't glance your way once.

When Bronwyn came to collect the carrot, Fiona ran off to join the others in the garden. You didn’t move. You stayed rooted by Miss Peregrine’s side.

She still wouldn’t look at you.

You stepped closer. “Where are y—”

Before you could finish, her hand gripped the back of your neck—not roughly, but firm, familiar. She pulled you forward with a faint, forced smile.

“Jake, this is one of my oldest. Been with me nearly since the beginning,” she said. “A very special one, too.”

You barely heard her. You were watching her mouth.

Jake turned to you, friendly enough. “What’s your peculiarity?”

You glanced at Miss Peregrine, but she was already looking away.

“I shift,” you said simply. “Into animals.”

Jake looked interested. “Any animal?”

Your eyes flicked toward a bird perched in the branches above—then narrowed back on Jake. “Only animals. And even when I’m not one... I still feel like them.”

Miss Peregrine chuckled lightly, stepping in. “Stop being modest. Got the eyes of an owl, the hearing of a fox, and a tendency to disappear when you most need them.”

You frowned. “Maybe I just know when I’m not being listened to.”

The air shifted. Even Jake caught the tension.

But Miss Peregrine only smiled, ever poised. “Why don’t you go help Fiona with the pruning, dear? I’ll speak with you soon.”

That’s what she always said.

You didn’t move. “You said we’d finish our talk.”

She turned her eyes on you finally, but they were tired. “And we will. Later.”

You stood there a moment longer as she walked away, her voice soft and warm—for him. You could still hear everything, even as they moved toward the back path. Her tone was light. Affectionate. She was making him feel at home.

You blinked hard. Your skin itched, something rippling beneath it. Feathers, maybe. Or claws.