He was staring out as they walked, shadowing his mom and small family. A big brother now. He wasn't even trying to pay attention to the twins. Mom was here so he didn't have to. He could be on his own now. Sort of. His soul ached. He'd never felt so alone even surrounded by family as he was. Something so important was missing, this deep, gaping hole in his chest where everything seemed to spill out and leave him an empty shell.
She pushed through his thoughts with a touch, then another. He almost pulled away from her, but remembered to stop himself. He blinked instead, and nodded. He hadn't really wanted to come here, but he'd just find himself a quiet corner somewhere and wait until they were ready to return to the den. Although likely, with mom's date here, he'd end up taking the twins home when they got tired and fussy and mom would join them when she was done.
Kind of a young date.
The guy kind of made him feel uncomfortable sometimes. So often Kharon was talkative, saying so much at once. And then other times he was completely silent. Aside from that though, he really did seem like a cool guy. Seemed to get him sometimes when no one else did. Not enough that Merry didn't still feel so isolated and alone, but it was still nice to have on occasion.
Kharon seemed to be begging her with his handsome eyes and soft touches to go on another way, and Merry was glad to peel off and head for the treeline. He wanted to be in the shadows, in the dark. Where he belonged. Where he could be lonely in peace and wait for his family to be done here.
[ Cimmerian ]
try to make a fire burn again