oh noes! Ayita won't be going anywhere, will she? :-) And congratulations on the wedding!
Word Count → 355
Hati wondered if his mother ever got lonely. Father had many duties that kept him busy, patrolling the border and such, but Mother usually busied herself with domestic work like cooking and cleaning. He was starting to see his parents as individuals now, with their own histories and personalities and secrets he did not know about them. As a child, it was easier to see his parents more as entities that cared for him instead of people with feelings of their own. His parents didn't speak much of Noah, but he knew he did have a mysterious older brother somewhere else in the world. And Liam had left recently to find his own fortune, something he knew must make their mother sad. But Ayita had been in good spirits ever since Amaranth's return, and he hoped that the presence of her grandchildren would keep her optimistic. His mother's smile could light up the room, and he wanted to keep her happy. He wouldn't leave her like her older children had.
The crashing of something collapsing sent his heart leaping into his throat. What just happened?! Was she okay? He surged forward, pale eyes wide as he skidded into the room. Books were scattered across the floor, and his mother stood over them, seemingly unharmed. He caught her by the shoulders in an instant, white fingers squeezing lightly in concern. "Are you all right, Mother? Did you get hurt?" He paused, only just realizing that she was laughing. Did she think that was funny, scaring him like that? He huffed, realizing he had overreacted, and let his ears fall back in embarrassment. It was also strange to realize that she was no longer taller than him; he had grown a lot this season, nearing his adult height as his shoulders broadened into something masculine he was not sure he was ready for. "Let me help you pick them up," he mumbled, releasing his hold on her as he knelt to the floor. He was more comfortable when she was hovering over him, as she had done when he was small. It was awkward to grow up.
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