#millardnullings

“Thank you,” He whispered.

“Anything for you Millard,” I replied with a sweet smile. Once Millard was okay I went to my room. I got out a blank canvas Miss Peregrine was able to get me. I got out my paints and placed everything on/around the easel. 

With swift strokes I was lost in my world of art. I wanted to make this perfect, it is for Millard after all. I made sure to recreate the scene from earlier, taking time to get every detail right. 

*Knock knock*

I ignored the sound and continued painting. I wanted to finished this soon because I couldn’t wait to see how Millard would react.

*KNOCK KNOCK*

The person was getting impatient and I just let out a sigh.

“What?!” I shouted.

“It’s dinner time!” An angry Enoch replied. I let out a sigh and put away my art supplies, making  sure to clean accordingly. 

~~~~

It took a few days to finish the painting. Once I was done I made sure to hide it. I went to find Millard but he was no where to be found.

“Last I checked Millard was studying the pigs,” Emma spoke up. I smiled at her and nodded. I made my way down to the village, waving to people who passed me. I got to the pigs and looked around. Millard was an excellent hider, but I was a better at making him reveal himself.

“I wonder where Millard could be,” I said dramatically. “I wanted to give him a present but if I can’t find him I guess Olive would appreciate it.” 

“Present?” I heard Millard ask to my left. I let out a giggle and nodded. 

“C’mon,” I gestured him to follow me as I started to walk back to the house. 

We walked in silence, in fact the only way I knew he was with me was due to the fact that he was holding my hand. Something that wasn’t unusual for us to do. We were close friends but our bond was definitely stronger than that. 

Once the house was in view I started to run, dragging the poor boy behind me. We got to my room and I made him sit on my bed.

“Are you ready Mill?” I asked with a giant grin. 

“The most ready I’ve ever been,” He replied with what I imagined him to be smiling as well. I grabbed the painting that was in my closet. I turned around and showed him what I created. There was a deafening silence before I was embraced. I hugged back, being careful of the painting. “Thank you,” Millard whispered into my ear.

“Of course,” I whispered back. The painting contained Millard and I, both with loving smiles. Millard pulled away slowly and carefully grabbed the canvas. 

“I’m going to keep this safe and cherish it with my entire being,” He said gratefully. 

“Not as much as I cherish you!”

“You just did,” He blandly responds. I gave him the best glare I could muster at the moment and he let out an irritated sigh. “What?” 

“What would you do in my position?” I asked out. He raised an eyebrow and I rolled my eyes. “Millard and I...”

“I wouldn’t be in that situation,” Enoch scoffed out.

“I know you wouldn’t but try and have some sympathy,” I snarked back crossing my arms. I knew it wasn’t a good decision asking Enoch but dang was he pissing me off. 

He rolled his eyes, “I don’t know, ignore him or something, maybe then he’ll get the picture.” I watched as Enoch’s slightly shorter figure walked off. Maybe if I ignored Millard he would just end it since I don’t have the heart to. Maybe for once Enoch had a point. 

~~~~

I was getting something to eat when Millard came in as well. 

“Hello love,” Millard greeted and I felt my stomach drop and cheeks redden. This was going to be hard but it will be for the best in the end. Hearing him call me love though hurt, I can tell he likes Lilly more yet he still was calling me that. 

Ignoring his presence I finished my food and left without a word. I felt bad but I kept telling myself this is the best for him. 

~~~~

Millard went and talked to Bronwyn. (Y/n) has been ignoring him for awhile now and if anyone would know why it would be her. 

“Bronwyn, do you know why (y/n)’s been ignoring me?” Millard asked. 

“Oh dear,” She muttered to herself knowing exactly what was going on. 

“What?” Millard asked confused. “What’s going on?”

“It might be better if you ask her yourself,” Bronwyn said, sympathetically patting his shoulder. Millard nodded with determination standing up. He wasn’t going to let the love of his life suffer alone. 

~~~~

I laid down feeling the overwhelming sadness of heartbreak before anything even happened. Yet I wasn’t allowed to wallow in peace since someone decided to disturb me. I opened my eyes and saw nothing, which only meant that Millard was here. I closed my eyes once again, not wanting to talk to him. 

“(Y/n), we need to talk,” He said sternly. Here it is, here is what I’ve been waiting for yet I still wasn’t prepared to hear it. I felt myself sigh and opened my eyes once again. I could tell that he sat by me and he continued, “Why have you been ignoring me? Did I do something wrong?” I didn’t expect that. I looked to where I believed he was and shook my head with a frown.

“No,” I mumbled out. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Then what’s going on,” Millard pressed. Not liking confrontation I went to stand up and leave but he stopped me before I could. “Please tell me,” He pleaded out. 

I couldn’t stay silent any longer as I felt tears start to fall down my face, “I...I’m sorry.”

“Hey,” Millard said softly hugging me gently. “It’s okay, it’s alright.”

“No,” I exclaimed. “I shouldn’t have pushed you away like that, I was just scared.”

“About what?” He asked, starting to play with my hair gently. 

“I can tell how much you and Lilly get along,” I started. “She’s so much prettier, and you two get along so much.”

Millard let out a laugh and I felt my heart break. Why was he laughing? Was I right? The entire time? I looked up to where his face would be with wide, teary eyes. 

“I don’t like her like that,” Millard spoke out softly, holding my face in one of his hands. “She’s just a friend. No one could out match you for my love (y/n).” I felt my breath hitch and my cheeks heat up. I felt embarrassed that I made this such a big deal. I should’ve just talked to Millard about it. I’m never listening to Enoch again. Of course Millard wouldn’t play with my feelings like that. He’s too sweet too. 

“I’m sorry Millard,” I whispered. “I just love you so much and the thought of losing you hurt so much.” 

“I understand,” He replied. “Now how about we go out and do something?”

A smile formed on my face as I nodded happily, “I’d love to!”

"J-Jacob?!" I exclaimed out my eyes watering.

"Heeeeeeey (y/n)," He spoke out awkwardly. "How've ya been?"

"That's the first thing you have to say to me after you disappeared?" I shouted, some tears falling down my cheeks. "I was so scared."

"I'm sorry about that (y/n)," He breathed out, he sounded truly sorry. "I didn't mean to scare you all like that. But I'm here now...I also have a favor to ask you."

I stayed silent trying to comprehend what the hell was going on.

"Uh...please don't be mad," He started. "But do you think my friend could stay with you?"

"..." I had no words for how angry I felt at that moment. Did he even know how terrified and sad I felt when he was gone? And now he's just asking for a favor like nothing happened.

"N-now before you -"

"Jacob Portman," I growled out. "You have no clue what you put me through and then you have the audacity to ask me for something like nothing ever happened."

"I really am sorry (y/n)," He pleaded. "But this is a big deal and my friend really needs a place to stay...but lets just say he wouldn't be accepted anywhere and I know how nice you are."

I let out a sigh, "Fine but only because I love you."

"Thank you!" He exclaimed out. "I'll make it up to you I swear!"

"When is your friend going to be here?" I asked out.

Yet the other side was silent.

"...Jacob," I whined out knowing his silence wasn't good.

"We may be outside your door right now..." Jacob trailed off.

I stood up and pulled up my pants and smoothed out my shirt. I definitely wasn't ready for a person to come over at the moment. I tossed on a hoodie and made my way to the front door. Brushing my fingers through my hair I opened the door. Yet I was confused because I only saw Jacob standing there holding a suitcase.

He smiled shyly and waved a bit, "Hey."

I glared at him, "Well, where's your friend?" Jacob looked to his side at nothing and nodded his head.

"Hello, I'm Millard Nulling, at your service ma'am," Someone said. Someone who wasn't visible.  Someone who had no light reflecting off of them, or maybe the light passed through them? Yet I know that that's not possible. Th-this has to be sort of joke.

"He's invisible," Jacob chimed in.

"Is this a prank?" I asked crossing my arms. "Are you trying to become one of those stupid prank channels that are always clearly fake?"

He glared at me, "No this is real, I thought you would be more accepting."

"Wha!" I exclaimed. "Are you trying to guilt me now?! You do know that invisible people aren't exactly the norm so you must understand my disbelief!"

"I'm sorry to have disturbed you miss," Millard the invisible boy apologized. I felt bad for how I treated him and let out a sigh.

"I'm sorry if I offended you Millard," I apologized. "And please, call me (y/n)." Opening the door wider I invited the two boys into my house.

"Do you live here alone?" Millard asked.

"Yeah, my parents got me my own apartment cause I was apparently too much of a bother," I explained shrugging.

"Oh."

"You'll sleep in the guest bedroom," I said pointing out a door to my left. It opened, letting me know this was all real and happening.

"Thank you," He thanked taking the suitcase from Jacob. "You're very kind to house someone like me." I felt my heart crush at how he must feel so alienated in a world like ours. Jacob was right, Millard wouldn't be accepted anywhere, anywhere but here. I will make sure Millard felt like he belonged here and this was a true home.

"I have to get going now," Jacob said. "My parents don't like me being out of their eyesight much anymore."

"I wonder why," I stated sarcastically. "I'm glad your back and safe," I spoke softly pulling him into a big hug. He hugged back and then left after. I turned around facing the room which I think Millard still was in.

"Well Millard," I smiled. "Would you like a tour?"

"Of course!" He exclaimed. "Do you think it could wait a moment though? I should get changed first."

"Oh...OH!" I realized what that meant and felt my cheeks warm up. "U-uh yeah," I stuttered looking away from the room and closing the door. So I have been talking to him while he was nude this entire time, great. After a few seconds the door opened and there stood floating clothes. Old fashioned clothes. Very old fashion.

"I'm ready," Millard said slightly breathlessly.

"Well then follow me and I'll show you around," I smiled. I walked around the big apartment showing him the different rooms. I ended the tour with, "Welcome to your home Millard."

"My...home," Millard repeated.

"You are living here now so this place is yours as much as it is mine," I grinned opening my arms out. "Now how about a hug?" I noticed the shoulders of his jacket tensed and I didn't want to seem too pushy. I let my arms fall slightly but Millard was quick to take the hug that I offered him. He was still tense and awkward but the hug was sweet none the less. We pulled away and a sudden question filled my mind.

"How did you and Jacob meet? And do you know where he disappeared off to?" I asked moving to sit on the couch with Millard sitting next to me.

"Well it's a long and unbelievable story," Millard stated.

"I think I could believe anything you tell me," I laughed. "Plus I got time."

That started Millard's truly unbelievable story, and I believed every word he told me.