I hurry through the plants, trying my best not to catch my cloak on any as I run along. It's dark and almost completely black but my eyes have adjusted well to the darkness. Finally I see the faint glow from inside the hut in its little clearing. "Thank goodness." I sigh and rush to the door. It then dawns on me how Muriel may already be asleep and I quieten. Slowly my hand pushes the door open and I peek through the gap. The fire is so low I'm surprised I could see it's glow from outside. Muriel's lying sprawled out across the sofa with a little whittling beside him. I chuckle and shut the door slowly before creeping over to him. He's partially curled up, feeling the cold a little, and I have to slowly take the things from his hands. "Hmm..." He stirs and shuffles.
"Muri?"
"Mm..." I assume that was a reply? He seems to be awake.
"Come to bed." I hold his arm and tug slightly. He groans and tries to stand immediately, almost falling onto me. "Woah! C'mon this way!"
"Whas time..." he mumbles as I try to bring him over to the bed.
"Past midnight." I'm not even sure.
He huffs and stumbles into the bed himself, "I'm tired."
"I can tell." I pull off my cloak and various other items of clothing before realising how cold it is.
"Hurry up..." He whines into the pillow as I start to shiver.
"It's so cold I'm gonna freeze."
"Muriel is blanket." he's so tired even his words are exhausted.
"Okay." I smile and shuffle into the bed. He slides his arms around me and holds me like a teddy.
"See."
"Yeah." I chuckle at him and stroke his hair. Very slowly he starts to fall asleep and I can feel him shifting as he breathes. It seems so cozy yet why can't I sleep? A cool breeze comes through the gaps of the door and I slide further under the covers, shaking. Muri starts to shuffle and I stroke his hair again to calm him. It's so cold now I curl up completely covered almost at the centre of the bed. The sounds of wind in the trees outside and owl hoots has my attention for a while. I wonder how owls sleep with the bright daylight. There's some shuffling for a moment and I feel a face inches from mine. "Hello."
"Hello." I smile.
"What are you doing." his voice is too raspy to convey a tone.
"I can't sleep..." I didn't want to tell him but what else to say.
"why?"
"I'm not sure... usually the cold helps me sleep..."
"You're cold again?" He sounds a little saddened now, bringing his arms out for me to snuggle into. I wriggle into him and press my face against his chest. How is he so warm!!!
"How cold does it get at christmas?"
"hmm... when's that again?"
"Oh you celebrate something else?"
"No... it's just winter..." He says as if I'm acting strange.
"You haven't had a christmas?"
"I think when I was little the people of Vesuvia would buy all these bright coloured boxes at some point in winter but i never saw what was in them."
"Those are the presents, Muriel. They go under the tree."
"Which one?" it's too dark to see but i know he's furrowing his eyebrows.
"You bring a little tree into your house and decorate it."
"That's...weird."
"I'll show you when it's christmastime." I yawn against his chest and squeeze him.
"Okay." He smiles and chuckles a little, holding me close and warming me as best he can. It's still a little chilly on though. "Nanna!" I call into Muriel's chest. Claws pitter patter on the floor and I feel a weight on the side of the bed. Very softly a nose makes it's way under the covers, followed by the rest of her. She curls up against my bag and sighs tiredly. "She's starting to like you more than me." Muriel says, almost concerned.
"Silly. Nobody likes you more than her." I pause to kiss his collarbone, "Except me."
