Dal sniffled but beamed up at Gabriel. He took note of the smallest things since the start: like Dal not eating breadcrust. He took note of them and made them important. He made Dal feel important. The smile lasted only seconds before he wrapped his arms around Gabriel’s waist and pressed his face against his chest.

Dal always liked cute things. Little cushions shaped like flowers, a dumpling nightlight, adorable kitchenware, all of that sort of stuff. All little luxuries he hadn’t considered for the better part of the last decade. Why bother with cute things when he could end up booted out of his apartment at any time? They would just be things to be stolen or sold.

But now? Now he could consider them again. He could have a cute coffee mug in the kitchen, an adorable rice bowl, chopsticks with pawprints on them. A room – a whole room! – full of plushes!

Dal laughed against Gabriel’s chest, then tilted his head back to look up at him. “But we need room for the sugar gliders.”