The Heartwood If the Fires don't burn it down

She'd at first felt short for breath under his grin, not necessarily a bad thing to her, but it always made her recall their first meetings, her expression transitioning to a smile. Then Atka exhaled a sigh, still graced with a smirk.

❝Of course.❞

She stepped closer, the air feeling light. Atka knew it would soon become heavy again, despite his playful edge on words he was troubled by something. His amorous words were common, but she had no complaints.

❝What's on your mind?❞ She sat beside him, lightly shouldering him as a prompt.