It was unlocked already, so he quickly pushed inside, closing the door behind himself. He smiled as the sound of clucking reached his ears.
Inside was a field size space that perfectly mimicked the world above—well, it would if they weren’t in a fucking desert wasteland. With real grass beneath his feet, there was an artificial climate machine creating a blue sky with fluffy white clouds above, along with a gentle breeze.
Grazing all around were chickens of all kinds. Deeper in the field were six chicken coops that had white siding and brown gable roofs with dormers above the stable doors. While the colors were faded and aged, from left to right the trim changed in color in rainbow order.
The chicken coops were luxurious, of course, though they may have just looked like mini old-fashioned farmhouses withfenced in porches, ramps, and, of course, cute colored hearts in the dormers above the doors. The whole area was really just his little piece of heaven underground, that he lovingly called The Coop Room.
“My babies.” Ender giggled happily. His feet were almost silent as he crossed the grass. Hurrying to the nearest chicken, which happened to be Charlie, Ender scooped the rooster up, hugging the fluffy white silkie to himself as the bird instantly started to nuzzle.
“Ahh, you, my flock, are all I need in this world. The only ones who truly understand me!” Ender cried dramatically, before chuckling at his own nonsense.
He smiled down at them as one by one his chickens came to him. The ones already outside the coops came rushing over instantly, while the ones inside emerged quickly. Ender soon found himself pleased as a peach, and surrounded by twenty-seven chickens—three of them roosters, the rest hens.
Setting Charlie down, he hummed, “Oh, I bet you’re hungry, ain’t ya?! Feeding time!”
Cyrus eyed his surroundings as he pulled Killian’s seat out for him, before taking his own at the table set in a small alcove. The three walls around the table gave the illusion of looking out into a grassy field at night with fireflies lighting up in the distance.
Overall, Hidden Places had hardwood floors, doorways that were framed in wood, and it looked like vines were growing from the framing onto the deep-teal walls. And while Cyrus hadn’t gotten a chance to really look around, from what he had seen the first time he’d been here, and walking through just now, there seemed to be many turns and small hidden spots, which he supposed went with the name.
Large wooden lanterns casting yellow light hung from the ceiling, and smaller lanterns floated above each round table, which were simply decorated with white tablecloths. The chairs they were in, on the other hand, looked like they’d grown into their formation rather than having been carved.
They remained silent as the maître d' noted that their server would be over to them soon with the menus, before walking off. But only seconds passed before a delicate-looking Water Nymph, who couldn’t have been more than five feet, approached their table. With long braided cyan hair hanging over his shoulder, and wisps around his face, the Nymph’s large silver-flecked golden eyes seemed to sparkle as he smiled at them.
“Hello, welcome to Hidden Places. I’m Bellamy Malone, the owner, and I believe we have mutual friends.”
“You would be correct.” Killian smiled and nodded in greeting. “Killian Neftlem.”
“Cyrus Grimm,” he drawled, shaking the Nymph’s hand briefly when offered.
“Well, while I’d love to join you and chat, I have plans that I am already late for. I just wanted to introduce myself. Though, based on how you two are dressed, I’m sure even if I wasn't busy, I’d have been a third wheel anyway. Have fun on your date, you two!” With that said, Bellamy spun away, disappearing as fast as he had arrived.
Cyrus snorted. “Based on how the two described him, the Nymph seems more energetic than I assumed he’d be.”
Killian chuckled. “Well, we would have known sooner if we hadn’t showed up so late to Skya’s birthday party.”
He didn’t bother suppressing his groan. “Ugh, by the threads, don’t remind me. It’s been seven months and Severo is still pouting about it.”
Cyrus couldn’t say he regretted losing track of time while having sex with Killian, because he didn’t. In no timeline wouldhe ever want to find himself surrounded by small children for hours. But, even arriving late, while they may have missed meeting Bellamy, due the man having to run out, they had still been there for twoverylong hours. Seriously, what kid needs a six-hour long birthday party?!
“He isn’t as easy to bribe into forgiveness as Skya is,” the Siren said, clearly amused.
“Yeah, cookies don’t cut it.”
Their conversation paused as the server came over with their menus and introduced themselves, taking their drinks order before leaving.
“I will say, having now seen Hidden Places as it’s meant to be, Seri wasn’t lying, it is rather pretty,” Killian mused after the man had left, before giggling. “Not that he would, but it’s shockingly different from what it looked like back in January for Skya’s party.”
Cyrus glanced around again. The theme of Skya’s party had been animals, and while the structure was still the same, the lighting had been completely different, the fixtures swapped out, and the furniture replaced by brightly colored pieces, often in the shape of animals, or less detailed plants. It had been a lot.
“I’d say Bellamy did a great job of hiding what was here and replacing whatever he could with bright, colorful, cutesy decorations.”
“Mhmm,” Killian hummed in agreement, as he started to tap through the digital menu. Cyrus did the same, silence forming as they read. Soon enough, their server returned and took their order.
Alone again, Killian asked, “Did you see the latest announcement of who is coming to The R-Kive?”
The R-Kive happened to be Killian’s favorite local art gallery, mainly as they tended to invite artists that were to the Siren’s taste.
“I haven’t. Who is it?” he mused with interest. Not that he was that interested in art, but whatever made his Baby happy, he couldn’t help but want to know about it.
