Stone Circle From Bali to Cali, far beneath the Coral Sea

But she did seem rather worried. Atreus was quietly flattered by this, a smile pulling at his lips as she nosed at him. It sent a little tingle through his skin, reminding him of the days when she had introduced him to the magic of touching and being touched.

No, I’m perfectly fine, Atreus assured, skin warm.

He would’ve told her a little more about Brecheliant but he suddenly found his gaze lingering on her middle. Had she gotten a little plumper too? Atreus’s smile grew even fonder, though he suddenly felt self-conscious of his own pudge. Had she noticed?

Ink sidetracked him by saying something Atreus didn’t quite follow, so he echoed, Your Merry…? with an inquisitive tilt of his head.

Before she could even answer him, a realization hit him like a punch. Merry must be a friend, someone who hadn’t abandoned her to her trauma. Because of them, Ink was doing better now. Atreus was glad, though it made shame curl in his over-sized gut.