There's a flutter of wings and a darkening by his window, that's all Mickey needs to know that his friend has arrived. Without a word, he opens the window and holds up a berry. It's not a gift, it's an exchange.
The raven tilts his head, showing off the shiny green bead he's got in his beak. He waits for Mickey to smile, pleased, then puts it down at the same time Mickey places the berry on the windowsill.
They both snatch up their prize, Mickey admiring his latest treasure, the bird swallowing the berry down. One of these days, Mickey will build it a feeder, something worthy of the majestic creature, with some of the treasures it brought build into it. For now, the windowsill will have to do.
Bird and man regard each other silently, then go their separate ways.
The raven flies through the sky, observing all that lies below, from the green grass dotted with cows, to the tall trees that have begun to grow their shiny red apples. Summer lies just around the corner.
A red fox shoots between the bushes, rushing to where her young are waiting hungrily, unseen by all but the raven. Soon, the sound of crickets will fill the air, but for now, all remains silent.
All but for the boy, humming under his breath while he prepares a hearty vegetable soup over the warm glow of a fire. He rubs his eyes, the smoke irritating them. A tapping on the window makes him look up.
The first bumblebee of the year greets him by repeatedly flying into the glass, then buzzing off. Ian opens the window a crack, letting in the fresh smell of grass, overpowering that of the burning fire.
Something lingers in the air. Ian smiles. Whatever it is, he loves it. He can't wait for summer to begin.
Coming this summer! A Gallavich summer camp fic from The Gingerbread Cottage: written by Sky @transmurderbug and Willow @ian-galagher, with art by Nosho @creepkinginc and betaing by Julia @blue-disco-lights