Phoenix Maplewood lentando

It felt so nice to just let himself melt into someone else. He’d missed it so much that he was reluctant to pull back, but after a few moments he felt heat rush to his face and he did move a little, feeling the familiar flutter in his chest as he looked down. Arric was always so ready with a hug and a kind word.

He shook his head, swallowing. Something… really bad happened. I don’t think she left on purpose. He couldn’t put words to what he really thought might have happened. As if saying it might make it real. But I can’t… I had to come back. For the rest of them. Even with the choice made, he longed for reassurance that it was right. Reassurance he knew he shouldn’t be asking for, because Arric had no reason to know what was right. It wasn’t his decision to bear.

You’re still… things are okay? Ashlar asked as he was struck by his own rudeness. He’d spilled all of that without even asking!