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Celica hugged Zephyrus tightly, catching him off guard as she buried her face in his shoulder and cried. Most of her childhood had been a nightmare—tormented by a world that rejected her, starving, suffering endless discrimination. But now, wrapped in his arms, all those old pains seemed to fade slowly away.
"When I'm in your arms, I feel like I no longer have to worry about anything," Celica said softly. "It's… a unique feeling, hehe…"
"Celica…" Zephyrus gently caressed her face. "I'm glad you feel that way."
"Ah… Um…" As they drew closer, Celica grew shyer and lowered her gaze. "Is it okay for you?"
"Hm?" Zephyrus tilted his head. "What's wrong?"
"I… My skin is blue, my hair is white… my eyes are unnaturally yellow, and I have big horns," she murmured. "I really am not… normal, I guess?"
"What?" Zephyrus felt his heart break hearing her speak so harshly about herself.
"Don't I look like a weird horned blueberry?" she asked quietly.
