This time, she isn’t even surprised when she feels the bond open up. There’s that same crackle of energy up her spine, but this time it feels more like a hand sliding up her back— reassuring.

She hears his voice, and realizes all at once what she was trying so hard not to think about.

He steps up next to her and she’s a little embarrassed to have been caught like this, looking longingly at a silly party. There are so much more important things in the world, and this feels small and insignificant. But she missed out on so many small things, hasn’t she?

“I’m alright,” she assures him, wrapping her arms loosely around herself as she looks over at him. “There’s a big party. I was curious about it.”