The Hunchback's Perfect Family ✔

27 A HAPPY HOME

It was a week of wallowing in self-pity before Fanli found Pest waking up before her. To her amazement, she sat up from the floor to find a bowl of fruit. It was the typical way ogres got water, too.

He sat down beside her, in much higher spirits, naked as usual.

"Don't forget—" Upon seeing his clenched fist, Fanli calmed. The seed. It was of great concern to her today, too. She brought his fist into her lap and tried to peer through the top. Nothing. Not even one sprout. Perhaps he just wasn't a proper ogre and that was why.

This forced her to step over him and out the door. She found enough vines to drag back. Five minutes later, she sat beside him, twisting the greens as best she could. Embarrassment filled her as he watched her every move.

She knew etiquette, even knitting, but not how to weave a vine necklace. In time, her movements slowed.

Pest eyed her with interest. "What's wrong?"

Fanli stared at her pitiful effort. "I don't know anything about us. About ogres. Even children can make a proper necklace."

He was silent for a time then said, "Isn't that my fault for always dragging you all over the place growing up?"

"That's not the point!" She didn't mean to snap at him but couldn't bring herself to take it back. Tears stung her eyes. "It's been days and you haven't nourished the seed. And you haven't because I'm a shit excuse for an ogre who can't teach you how!"

He held her shoulder, begging her to calm.

They sat in silence for some time. Finally, he picked the mess of vines up and put them in her lap. The moment he eased closer, pressing his body to hers, he said, "I can't do this wit'out you. So maybe we just have to learn?"

Despite the bass of his voice, he sounded like the Pest she knew.

Several failed attempts later amounted to something half decent. She brought it up over his head, thankful that his tusks weren't yet fully formed. They'd taken on some length in the last few days.

Finally, she pried his hand open and gasped.

"What is this?" Pest marveled.

Fanli didn't quite know. Instead of a single seed, there were two. "I gave you one," she said.

"I had one," he attested. Then he asked the worst question. "Why is this happening?"

She didn't know. And the fact that she didn't troubled her. Was this possible for ogres? Was this something else?

Instead of answering, she gathered the two seeds and wrapped them in a leaf which she tucked inside the wreath necklace. He looked pleased but she wasn't. Though she was unsure about the two seeds, a wreath necklace was a thing of shame depending on the age of the child. It meant they were weak magic wielders. But not wielding any magic at all was far worse so she had to do this.

As of now, she didn't know if this was reversable.

"Ah, well, that's more comfortable." Pest looked down at the gift and preened. "Thank you."

His big smile made her laugh. This was the first she saw it since his transformation.

She ruffled his hair then brought it up atop his head. Once she used another vine to tie it, he looked rather fetching.

"Am I handsome?" he teased.

He was but Fanli refused to answer. When they were home, Pest wore nothing, and Fanli found it hard to imagine him otherwise. She'd taken to roaming without a skirt because he was such a klutz.