[It feels strange to have friends, but he doesn't argue with Sion. He really does see the man as a friend, and he's surprised at how familial it feels. It has been ages since he had siblings, he might not have had any at all, but he thinks if his brother had been anything like Sion... maybe they would have had a chance at being a proper family.
Then Sion is reaching for him, and Belthazar glances at the movement of the cloth before he's yanked into an embrace. He squeaks in surprise but, again, he doesn't shove Sion away. There's always that initial stiffness; he's gradually relaxing, but sudden physical contact has always done that for him. It's as automatic as blinking when someone tries to poke your eye. And, really, his mana feels so nice, how can he ever say no?
He exhales shakily. That's a hefty promise. It might be easy for some people, but for a boy who has learned to only rely on himself, it might have been impossible. He's spent more than a year in the care of Adrasteius, though, and he has befriended the other children and acted as a guardian for them. Belthazar-- who only ever took care of himself before-- has seized the duty of caring for others with zeal.
Sometimes Adra needs to be taken care of. Is Belthazar not the same way?
He reaches up to finally return the hug. His fingers do not latch on like they did before, but the embrace is still as honest as ever. He's just trying to be mature about it, rather than when he was a sobbing mess on the train.]
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Then Sion is reaching for him, and Belthazar glances at the movement of the cloth before he's yanked into an embrace. He squeaks in surprise but, again, he doesn't shove Sion away. There's always that initial stiffness; he's gradually relaxing, but sudden physical contact has always done that for him. It's as automatic as blinking when someone tries to poke your eye. And, really, his mana feels so nice, how can he ever say no?
He exhales shakily. That's a hefty promise. It might be easy for some people, but for a boy who has learned to only rely on himself, it might have been impossible. He's spent more than a year in the care of Adrasteius, though, and he has befriended the other children and acted as a guardian for them. Belthazar-- who only ever took care of himself before-- has seized the duty of caring for others with zeal.
Sometimes Adra needs to be taken care of. Is Belthazar not the same way?
He reaches up to finally return the hug. His fingers do not latch on like they did before, but the embrace is still as honest as ever. He's just trying to be mature about it, rather than when he was a sobbing mess on the train.]
I-- I will. I promise. [He will try.]