Ah, February. The month of...emotions and bonding, apparently. Will hasn't read too much up on them, because he's been busy musing about his and Mike's upcoming birthdays. It's just the two of them in the house now -- Nancy's gone, Brianna's gone...his mom's gone.

Will's been trying not to think about it. Thinking about it makes it real. Thinking about it makes him think about losing her the first time, showing up in Deerington, then the second time, when he and Mike decided to come back. When they chose the dream over reality.

And how short it lasts for some people. If Will had his way, he'd stay forever. He'd never leave and nobody else ever would. But they have, and he can feel the weight of them, sometimes. It's a lot of work, remembering them all.

Perhaps thematically, this is when Shiro shows up. Will is aware of this because Marshmallow has a habit of poking his head through the front window, onto the porch, whenever anyone comes up the front steps. Like a...creepy horse doorbell.

Sorry in advance, Shiro.