Hogtober, Day 21: Past/Future
Past: Anne and Ominis / Future: Their children, Leigh and Albert 😌💕
"Do my ears deceive me? Have our guests arrived?" Ominis's voice drifted down the stairs. He alighted before them, extending his arms out for a friendly hug.
"Have your ears ever deceived you?" Sebastian said as he helped Damien set Leigh's presents down on the dining room table. He then swooped into Ominis's arms, returning the hug, finishing with a swift pat on his oldest friend's back. "The party can officially start now that your most esteemed guest has arrived."
Ominis chuckled under his breath as Damien, likewise, pulled him into an embrace. "Ah yes, we have been waiting for Uncle Damien to arrive, haven't we, Leigh?" he said.
As Sebastian held back a snort, Leigh darted down the stairs, her long blonde ponytail whipping behind her.
"Uncle Damien! Uncle Seb!" she exclaimed, vaulting into Damien's outstretched arms. Leigh was quite tall for her age, but Damien caught her and spun her around, letting loose one of his deep belly laughs.
Sebastian felt a pang of longing at Damien's sudden burst of exuberance. He patted his robe pocket, confirming he brought his flask. Yes, it was there, and quite full at that. He wasn't sure if there would be libations today. Anne and Ominis's house had been quite sparse lately when it came to that. He suspected it was because of him, but he was reluctant to ask. No matter. That's what flasks were for, ever portable and convenient.
"Uncle Seb?" Leigh said, back on solid ground and glancing up at him expectantly with her dark brown eyes.
"Leigh! My favorite niece! Happy birthday," he said, tousling her hair.
She grinned, then squirmed away, breaking out into a run as she shouted for her mother.
⭐ Ch. 7 ("The Party") from "Book Three: You Cannot Put a Fire Out" on [AO3] and [Wattpad]