^_^;; When I posted that, I was just trying to find a recent post from you ^_^;; Which is why it kinda go stuck on this... but I did read the story! And, might I say, it totally rocked! The story was great! A tragedy displayed by subtle hints of sorrow. I really liked the usage of hide-and-seek throughout the short - not just in the burned down house but also in the meeting with Rei's grandfather. I did, hold my breath for a moment, wondering if Rei and Takehiko would meet as a child when Hikawa was first introduced, but then my mind was like: "Wait, isn't Hi-kun like... older by like... a few years, wherein Rei would be baby-Rei when this occurred." So hopes were dashed, but one love-square is enough for the story, so I wasn't going to like weirded out and I got over the anticipation of baby-meetings.

Anyway! Hi-kun as a child...

GUSH!

Oh my god! He is just so cute! He's cuter because he's got angst! He's an angsty pretty little boy who we all know will grow into an angsty handsome, pretty, pretty man! Ohhhh... YUMMY! You just want to hug him in the story! I really liked where he hid in the dining room... really lovely scene when Helga found him.*sigh*

Angsty men are so totally HOT!

(As requested: One actual comment on the story. Can I also appease you by pointing out that the vivid imagery was brought on by rereading the last two chapters of Exiles, because of a lack of updates – not accusing anyone, of course – which led to deprivation which led to hallucination? No? Well, I tried ^_^v)