And he's smiling again, not the tremendous grin he's capable of but a genuine smile nonetheless. It all hurts still but now he feels like he can let it hurt without breaking, there's someone else there to help hold him together.

"All right, it's a deal."

Between the tropical weather and Cain's care the garden's thriving despite its relatively late start. The peas are climbing the trellis (and fence), the tomatoes are getting plumper and starting to turn red, savory smells waft up from the herb patch, and a pumpkin vine has already begun sneaking out to take over the yard. Meanwhile the plum tree by the grotto is laden with ripe fruit, and the elm is providing plenty of shade from the afternoon sun.

Once they have the cloth down and iced coffee poured, Glitch slips off his shoes and settles, legs neatly folded. "And here we are. Picnicking." Pause. "My first picnic of the summer, actually."

With such lovely company too. And no he's not counting meals on the island, they lacked sophistication.