Fauna, ever attuned to his mood in her own baffling way, caught the fatigue in his eyes. She twisted around, peering at him with worry, her brow creasing as she searched his face.
"I don't know what you're going through right now, Mika." She said softly. "But you look like you need a hug."
Her eyes grew round, the kind of wide-eyed look only animals and Fauna could muster, and she asked, almost shyly.
"Do you want me to give you a hug, Mika? A really, really comfortable hug, the kind you always love?"
Mika looked down at her—at her genuine, unguarded care, at her silly puppy-dog eyes—and for all his frustration, he felt the ache in his chest loosen, just a little.
He managed a small, real smile, and nodded.
"Yeah, Fauna...I'd actually really love a hug right now."
