I did like it! It was a very quick and easy read, too, but I'm sure there are depths in it that I would appreciate on a reread. Would be interesting to read more about the process of him becoming the beloved child of the House--I mean, I'm sure he was angry and bitter at first, and with good reason, but when/how did he first begin to find comfort in the House? I've checked out some of the Yuletide fic, but none of the ones I read have explored that.

I do hope the birds can get out again; I mean, I'm sure the gulls can survive there long-term, what with the marine fauna, but I'm not so sure that starlings could. No worms for them! Well, I shall make it my head-canon that they can slip easily in and out again. : )