Emberwood and it hurts my soul

bhediya frowned at pygmalion's compliments. they felt back-handed, each one directly tied to her dimunitive size. it was the main source of her insecurity, but because he didn't yet know this, she chose to let it go. not before warning, don't call me wee. she grinned and reached to nip at his chin.

at one point, there was enough room in her heart to house the entire world. it'd shrunk significantly since then, now only able to house the family that she knew to be alive. it was easier to remain closed off and cold than to hope for the best and only recieve disappointment.

bhediya sighed. you think so? she asked. there were time wherein she didn't even feel alive, but if pygmalion insisted that she was... 

she nestled closer to him then. i'm happy to know you, she whispered, her voice just loud enough for him to hear.