Chéri didn’t move, following the indication of the priest, who was swallowed by the doorway, then came back.

Chéri did not ask any further questions on the subject, but simply let Malachi go.

While the priest was away, they stood up and took off their jacket. It was getting too warm near the fire and they needed to breathe, they also loosened the cravat a little bit and passed a hand through their hair, definitely looking now less put together than before. They put both their hands against the wall and stared at the fire, letting their troublesome thoughts burn while the fire painted their face and their shirt red.

Chéri sighed deeply and closed their eyes, as if in deep meditation.