Continue [Zachariah Trench/Jesse Faden]
Marvin curls over Zachariah’s chest as if it was his little nest. Waking up with this first sight in the morning makes it worth it to even start the day.
He gets up to make some coffee; a pinned note on the fridge that’s been there two weeks ago catches his eye and wraps around his head: “Always have a full meal!”
He obeys it. Toast with butter, at last. The rest will do.
Journal opens and the news isn't bad. Same upsetting shit. Zachariah wonders what might be going on with the Bureau—what are the shifts inside the Oldest House and if someone got stuck. Are there any AWE alerts happening somewhere in this instant?
Zachariah flips over a page and hears the birds singing. Going out for work at 5 a.m. never permitted him to appreciate the sound in the later hours.
He gets dressed for a walk with Marvin. It’s just a little snow around; chill blows over his face and the sky is lovingly blue with a few clouds. Sun hurts his eyes against glimmering white, but the warmth compensates.
Marvin’s tail wags as he meets the red-haired Director waiting outside the House. Jesse kisses his forehead over a hundred times. “You’ve grown so much!” She tells him, “I missed you.” And she spares one for Trench’s cheek, taking the opportunity to inspect how well he is. Zachariah doesn’t speak due to shame—instead returns the affection as an apology.
But later on he unravels everything to the Bureau's plants in his apartment, as much as it brings a bitter taste to his mouth. Tries not to cry, or feel apathetic, or angry at himself, yet they come as resent weighing his head down.
The pup walks in, licking his fingers. Zachariah raises him to meet the dog in the eye. He holds Marvin close to his chest, and the promise... he will not fail it again.