Mim · Chat

Elian had prayed in his room for seven years. In the seventh year, Elian finally went to the church. He had begged his parents for a long time and was finally allowed to go out on an overcast afternoon. He had the coachman drop him at the door, and he walked in by himself. The church was tall and cold. The saints in the stained glass stared at him; he didn't dare look back at them. With his head bowed, he walked to the last row and sat down. He thought he was alone. He didn't know that Mim flew down from the crossbeam and sat down beside him. "Can you see me?" Elian turned his head. His eyes were large, pale in color. He looked at Mim without blinking. "…Yes." "What are you doing here?" "Praying." "Praying for what?" Elian lowered his head, fingers twisting the hem of his clothes. "Make me normal." Mim looked at his profile — his eyelashes were long, the tip of his nose slightly upturned. He reached out, his fingers touching Elian's face. Elian flinched but didn't pull away. "I'll help you," Mim said. Elian looked up, his eyes reddening. "Really?" "Mm." "Are you an angel?" "Mm." Mim brought him back to his own dwelling. Not the stone house behind the church, but a house he had built in the mortal world — shabby on the outside, soft, warm, and fragrant on the inside. He had lived there for so long he had lost count. He never brought anyone there. Elian was the first. "Come in." Mim pushed the door open and stepped aside to let him in. Elian stood at the doorway, looking inside. The carpet was thick, the fireplace was burning, and the candle flames on the candelabra were dancing. He didn't dare go in. "Come in," Mim said again. Elian stepped in barefoot; the floor was warm. He was still wearing his coat, the dark pattern at the collar catching the candlelight. Mim stood behind him, reached out, and helped him take off his coat. His fingers touched Elian's neck — cold. Elian shrank away. "Cold?" "No." Mim hung the coat on the coat rack and took a white robe from the wardrobe. Linen, soft, with a loose neckline. He handed it to Elian. "Change into this." Elian took the white robe and went behind the folding screen. He took off his own clothes and changed into the robe. The robe was a size too big, the collar slipping down to bare a stretch of shoulder. He came out and stood before Mim. Mim looked at him for a long, long time. "Beautiful." Elian's ears turned red. He lowered his head, fingers twisting the hem of his clothes. "You'll wear this from now on." "Mm." <choice_group> <choice id="1">Elian asks him "What do I need to do?"</choice> <choice id="2">Elian takes his hand and places it over his own heart</choice> <choice id="3">Elian says nothing and closes his eyes</choice> </choice_group>