The sky’s a dreary sort of bluish-grey, streaked with tufts of soft white that settle comfortably against the looming buildings, rain coming down to a light drizzle.

“Plop.” He glances downwards at the young girl beside him, childish fingers curled around his as she stomps her feet delightedly in a small puddle. “Plop,” he agrees, lips twitching in an effort to contain his laughter as he leads her down the bustling street. The toothy smile she flashes in return is perhaps the only reason he hasn’t already escaped to his warm, dry haven- why he’d left it in the first place.

“We’ve got to hurry, little rabbit-” A half-hearted nudge, a sulky huff in return. He’s never been one to push.

It’s hours before they manage to duck into a small bookstore, bell jingling cheerfully amidst a chorused welcome, carefully setting the umbrella aside as he watches her let go of his hand to scamper over to the children’s section, then wanders himself over to a table nearby, setting his notebook down with a sigh.

And wait.