"Heya," Whisker waved.
Noctis lunged straight into Atticus' arms, smearing his face with slobber.
"Kuu! Dada!"
"Hey, little guy."
Atticus tried, and failed. to get him off. He sighed and let him continue. But Noctis clearly had no intention of stopping.
"Alright, alright. Enough."
He pried Noctis off, earning a sad look.
"I missed you too."
"Kuu~"
"Honestly, man," Whisker said, shaking his head, "you've got to teach him more words than Kuu, Dada, and Ozzy. It was cute at first, but now it's just embarrassing."
"I'm glad to see you alive too, Whisker."
"Of course!" Whisker flicked his hair dramatically. "You can't get rid of peak."
Atticus scoffed, then eyed him properly.
He hadn't changed at all since he last saw him on Eldoralth. Beach shorts. Flip flops. Open vintage shirt, revealing his ripped muscles.
"You used your will."
Whisker's smile faded, but he shrugged. "It was either that or death. I chose the obvious option."
"But—"
