you are my sunshine

[storywalks]

he promises lots of shiny star stickers for when he's proud of them
they're better than the stars up in the sky

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[storywalks]

[It's been some time since they invited Héctor to stay in what used to be the village they grew up in, in a twist to their story from before that make Mili smile a little to themself. It's nice to be able to do for him what he'd been able to do for them, even if they can't offer him nearly as much. They can't bring him the family he needs, even though they'd be part of it if he let them. They can only do so much when it comes to making him feel safe, even when they work to turn what used to be a home from the overrun, broken shack into something livable again. They can't even give him all the time in the world, with how they return to their Mamá and Papá's arms each night and soak in all the love they can. That's for the best, really. It's taken a lot of time to learn what boundaries existed where, and even now navigating things felt like a maze where all of a sudden they'd bump into an invisible wall and find themself trapped.

But it's...okay. Things are better, they think. As much as they can be.]

Señor Héctor?

[Their appearance has changed a little since that first day, too. Still a near-copy of Teto, with the same eyes, smile, and awkward angles they couldn't see as anything less than perfection. But now they have fuzzy little antennae where feathers once were, and moth-like wings fold behind them. More chaotic fluff to their already wild hair. Milinsectito, indeed.

Like a moth to a flame, they've marched their way straight to him, only slowing down enough to give their customary wave: Hi, House. Bye, House. See you soon, House. It's time to visit a man that needs a home, House. They bring their pace down again though as they near. You wait, and you listen to what it is he wants. He's fragile, even by human standards.]

I'm back! Buenas tardes! May I come in?

[As if the walls are more than rotting wood, wispy sheets, and magic threads to hold it together and keep the heat of the day's sun in. It's the empty loneliness of the space and Mili's force of will that ensures any real privacy.]