The boy is close to teenagehood, but this is perhaps a testament to how young he really still is -- defenses abruptly slipping away in favour of curling next to the closest warm body. When he's less exhausted, suspicion may rise again, but for now? He's in another country, with no home really to go back to, and Cricket is the sole immediate source of safety in all of that.

So it's a very childish clinginess that prompts him to lean against the older, and Hugh by nature is quite an affectionate boy to begin with. He's also exhausted, so when the arm slips around him, he's practically melting against the other. He nods sleepily to Cricket's words, not yet really absorbing the full weight of them -- that he's going to let him stay with him. Hugh's still a bit out of it from fatigue, and after only a few moments of sitting there getting cozy and warm, he's falling asleep.

It's calm, peaceful. For a few moments, anyway. It won't be too long at all until an odd sound begins to emanate from his small body, quietly at first, then a little louder. A hum, muffled but audible, and accompanied by the softest vibrations, if Cricket can feel them from his position.

The dozing boy isn't alone -- and what have been sleeping inside him are waking up now, lulled by the warmth from the furnace.