Benjamin truly was the best medicine, the cure for all my anxieties and doubts. Just being near him made everything seem right, made the world feel whole and complete.
Wait, more importantly!!
"Benjamin, are we not going to help them?! They'll actually die if left alone with that dragon!"
He turned to me smiling brightly, his eyes crinkling at the corners with that particular warmth that always made my heart flutter.
"No, I refuse. But seriously, Heka, you are surprisingly kind. And these are even strangers, but you're willing to help them. You even stuck out for Lei and Khüch... Mhm. That's a wonderful quality to have sometimes."
His voice carried a gentle teasing, but beneath it, I could hear real appreciation.
The words settled over me like a warm blanket, comforting and unexpected.
I had not realized he had been paying such close attention to my actions.
