Thicket of Secrets foolish antics

Although he initially felt very little as Malien tried to dry him, eventually sensation did return. Warmth and feeling came back to his ears and toes, then gradually to the rest of him as well. A very tiny part of Arty felt guilty about not helping, or about causing his company so much worry, but mostly? He enjoyed the attention and was content to bask in it while catching his breath.

He probably could’ve fallen asleep to Malien’s grooming in fact, were it not for the other choosing to speak when he did. I looked for you, Mally admitted. Hoped you were alright.

Again, there was that odd sensation, upon hearing that particular admission. Like butterflies in his chest, or something. Nobody had ever cared just because.

Arty moved a little, propping himself up on his forelimbs. ”I looked too. But after a while, I thought maybe you’d finally gotten bored of me.” The soft chuckle following his words and the wry smile across his countenance displayed the sentiment was mostly humor. At least now, after those concerns had been proven wrong.

Now, all the more, he was glad there was nothing between himself and Torah. Arty’d once thought he ought to mention it. But why, when it had amounted to nothing? There was no reason to bring that up.