Page 24 of New Beginning

“Maybe you are a little disturbed. You apologize to the kettle.”

“It whistles as if I hurt its feelings.”

Mikkel smiled. “You talk to the plants.”

“Because they’re trying their best and need encouragement.”

“You thanked the dishwasher.”

“It works hard. Though I suspect you could just click your fingers and the dishes would be clean.”

“The house likes doing it. It wants to feel helpful.”

Teddy smiled.

“You like the house and the house immediately liked you,” Mikkel told him.

“I do like it. It’s charming and fun and I feel lucky to be here.”

Mikkel chuckled. “Turn and look at the window.”

Teddy swivelled in his arms and laughed. Outside it was raining rose petal hearts. As he watched, the petals formed a heart-shape on the window.

“I love you too,” Teddy called.

“And I love you as well,” Mikkel whispered.

Teddy stiffened and then turned round to face him. He opened his mouth, then closed it again.

“Thank you,” he eventually whispered. “But I’m weird.”

“You’re Teddy.”

There it was again—that feeling of being looked at as though he wasn’t too much or too loud or too strange. Just…himself.

Teddy reached up and smoothed a piece of hair away from Mikkel’s forehead. “Now it’s my turn.”

Mikkel sighed dramatically.

“I know,” Teddy said. “It’s a long list.”

Mikkel raised his eyebrows in disbelief.

“First.” Teddy tapped the centre of Mikkel’s chest. “You make me feel safe. Not because you’re a big guy and an even bigger demon, but you tell me the truth. I might not always understand it, but you tell me. Second, you listen. Actually listen. And I know I talk a lot but you always listen.”

“You have interesting things to say.”

“I spent years being told the opposite.”

“Well.” Mikkel kissed the top of his head. “Whoever told you that was wrong. You’re endlessly fascinating.”

Teddy closed his eyes. Mostly, compliments bounced right off him, unable to stick. But every now and then one found a crack and settled somewhere deep.

“And third?” Mikkel prompted.

Teddy opened his eyes and grinned. “You laugh at my jokes.”

“They’re funny.”