Ailette tightened her grip on Reed’s arm slightly, as if to playfully chide him for his teasing remark. Despite the pressure, which should have been somewhat stifling, he merely laughed, his amusement evident in the way his throat rumbled with mirth.
Trying to sound nonchalant, I said,
“Now you seem to be feeling a bit better.”
“Thanks to you,” Reed replied.
It was a response that carried a plain, heartfelt sincerity. That’s why I found myself thinking I’d like to hold him a little longer like this.
But then he spoke,
“By the way, Ai. Just in case you forgot.”
“Yes?” I answered.
“Right now, you’re not in a child’s body,” he said.
“No, well, since it’s for comfort…” I mumbled.
“It’s a pity it’s so innocent,” Reed said. “But I think there’s another issue beyond what you intended. Did you really forget?”
“Huh?” I responded, puzzled.
That’s when it happened.
[ Warning. You have fallen.]
“Eek!”
Startled, I…