H-Hello...!

Massive WIP - gimme time Part of Sleepless Citizen - Alive

[noneuclideanlove-blog]

Abyss | Sora + Akira

Scribble, scribble. Scribble. Scribble, scribble.

Sora was writing away considerably furiously in his notebook. He sat with his back resting upon a tree in the wooded area. 

He closed his eyes for a moment. He hadn’t had any coffee today, and was Exhausted.

He appreciated the serene silence of the forest. Nobody there to bug him. Through his closed eyes, he saw…

…The cold, calm, silent abyss before him.

Of course, this serenity was short-lived. He heard someone walking about nearby, and opened his eyes. Can’t afford to let your guard down during a closure. Best to not Dream here anyways, huh?

Sora felt a stab of ice drive through his heart when he saw who it was approaching.

It was Akira.

…He looked back down to his journal, and began scribbling again. Seemed like he hadn’t seen him yet.

“…Akira-san. Hey.” Sora called out. Monotone.

[shsl-timidgardener]

Fresh air always helped him, that’s why he was walking through the woods- something that he always enjoyed. He held Little Foot gently in the crook of one arm.

It wasn’t the same this time. All the thoughts swirling around his head saw to that. He didn’t even register that his name was said until a moment after. Who it was had shot him back into clarity and a stab of pain in his chest when he actually saw.

“...” he didn’t know what to say, honestly. He was happy that  the other was okay. He was worried because of how he looked; tired and empty- A lot like himself. But... The most prominent feeling was hurt- because he left him alone when he said he wouldn’t.

Akira felt the tears welling up, the lump forming in his throat, and the pain scratching at his chest; but he just closed his eyes and looked to the ground, biting his lip to keep any noise from escaping.

“... H-hello...” he was able to force out a greeting, though it was quiet and he wasn’t looking at the blonde. His free hand pushed gently against his chest trying to calm down the ache.

Was Sora expecting anything else from him? He hoped not; he didn’t know what to say to him nor what to do. He quietly stood there with his eyes still shut to try and stop any tears.

So much for a calming walk.

[nakano-hisashi]

Homeward Bound| Nakano Ch4 Day 18 | Closed for Akira

Fuji Safari Park. Despite the familiar pristine and well maintained entrance the quiet was… upsetting. Nakano had visited home many times before but this time he was very glad he had someone with him. He turned with a smile, “Welcome to Ueda Safari Park - home of free range Lions, Elephants, and boy.” He patted his chest to make it clear he was referring to himself. 

He stopped just inside the entrance in front of a large sign. “Looks like the bus ain’t here yet. A road travels through the open areas, but all the buildings and stuff around here are closed up, petting zoo, gift shop, smaller animal exhibits n’ stuff.” He stretched out, the train ride had been pretty long, “Wanna stop in anywhere while we wait?”

[shsl-timidgardener]

Akira adjusted his hold on Little Foot as Nakano spoke- so they were going to ride a bus to the other areas? Sounds fun, he guessed anyway. This was his first time at a zoo of this size honestly- but he was more excited than anxious.

“A-ah well...” Petting had caught Akira’s attention- “Wh-what... a-are the smaller... a-animals...?” He doubted there be any rabbits- not that exotic for a zoo. “A-and... wh-what’s... a-at the... p-petting... zoo...?” he seemed a little nervous to ask that- though he wasn’t sure why himself.

[shsl-timidgardener]

nakano-hisashi‌:

Nakano, startled for only a short moment, eagerly returned the embrace. Akira was really there, really safe, and after their conversation, perhaps a little bit closer to feeling like himself. Pride was quite a foreign feeling for Nakano, but for a moment he so strongly felt proud of Akira. Still scared, still upset, no one could fault him for that, especially after the tragedy still fresh in their minds, but still keeping going. 

Well in all fairness it was only about half his brain feeling pride, the other half was hug nice good yes. 

“…You’ll be okay, Hisakawa, I’m certain. You’re a lot stronger than you know.” 

Akira held tighter for a moment before leaning back, returning his hand to Little Foot’s ear. The smile was still there, but who knows how long it’ll last...

Let’s not think about that.

Instead he looks towards Nakano. “A-ah... W-would... it b-be a-alright i-if... I c-call you... Nakano...?” he asked with a slight tilt of the head. “I... I j-just... w-wanted to... a-ask to m-make s-sure... Y-you... c-can j-just use Akira f-for me too...”

Almost shyly he looked back to his lap, there were very few people he’s asked that, so it’s still new to him- but he felt that Nakano deserved it- if he wanted it. While he waited his habit of playing with Little Foot’s ear returned.

[shsl-timidgardener]

nakano-hisashi‌:

Aw shite crap. Nakano had no frame of reference at all, to romance, to complicated relationships of any kind. If he was scared he hid. Simple, easy. But he couldn’t just tell Akira ‘well why don’t you just avoid him? can’t lose someone if you can’t mess it up.’ He huffed. 

“… Talking… is necessary. And not always easy, especially when its serious.” Nakano’s all too familiar with the difficulty in communicating real feelings. “But… do you think you’d lose Kobayashi just for saying how you’re feeling? …For questioning him? He’s not… that kind of person.” Nakano wasn’t certain. 

“… it’s … it’s scary not to know how someone will react. But… while he could react in a way you don’t want… its not like he’d cut you off just like that?” 

Akira listened quietly, his one hand still playing with Little Foot’s ear. He nodded slightly in response and turned towards Nakano again.

“I... d-don’t th-think so...” he glanced away for a moment before looking back. “I-I’m j-just... o-over worrying... I-I know... I-I’ll... t-try to... f-force myself t-to... t-talk to him...”

A small smile came to his face, and even though his eyes were red from crying still, his smile was genuine.

“Th-thank you... H-Hisashi-san...” Akira leaned forward and wrapped his free arm around Nakano in a gentle hug. “I-I’m s-still... s-scared a-and... upset... b-but... I... I th-think I’ll... be o-okay...”

[shsl-timidgardener]

nakano-hisashi‌:

‘He was that bad’ Nakano choked back the spiteful words before he could say them. It wasn’t like him to be so… bitter, and the fact that the only reason he didn’t speak his mind was so he wouldn’t upset Akira made him do a mental double take. Sora was on the line that Nakano made his judgements from, teetering side to side. So he took a moment to put his… shamefully aggressive thoughts into something more manageable. 

“Charlotte wasn’t the one in danger.” He huffed. Well… she was in a way, “Immediate strife I mean. You were the one suffering right there.” And he hadn’t done anything either, so what right did he have to judge. “… An explanation ain’t an excuse.” It wasn’t working. The words were okay, but not what he wanted to say. 

“… If you forgive him, that’s fine, you’re smart. But you ain’t obligated to.” What was it that he’d been told all that time ago, “Your suffering isn’t changed by the existence of someone else’s suffering.”

Akira didn’t know what to say in reply to him, he was right after all. He took another deep breath before trying to speak, the hand holding Little Foot tightening a little again.

“I... I w-want to...” he spoke softly, hoping the slight guilt he was feeling didn’t show in his voice. “I... I j-just... d-don’t know... i-if I f-fully could...”

Forgiving was easy for Akira- Why wasn’t it this time? He couldn’t help but wonder that. Maybe because it’s him. A sigh passed through him and he closed his eyes for a moment to relax them a little. 

“I... I k-know... I-I’ll h-have to... to talk a-about it... w-with him...” His hand on Little Foot starting to fidget a bit. “I...”

“I-I’m... s-scared to...”

Akira trailed off before looking towards Nakano for the first time during their conversation- it only lasted a moment though before his gaze turned to his lap and he whispered something- mostly to himself.

“I... d-don’t... w-want to... l-lose him...”

[shsl-timidgardener]

nakano-hisashi‌:

Seeing Akira slowly calming- no, not quite calm, just perhaps a little more settled - It made brought a restful heat to Nakano’s chest. Still, he knew what he was willing to do for his friend. Nothing stupid, of course, he wouldn’t put them all through that, but… his own commitment alarmed him. He was a coward, he knew that better than anything, it was what he hated most about himself. Still, the idea of letting Akira get hurt like that again, or Fukai, or Haruna or Yajiro. It made him livid. 

With a little rumble in his throat, “I’m not going anywhere, and I’m not going to do anything reckless. But I won’t stand by and let you get hurt.” Not by that hag… and not by his other friend. Although the latter may take more work…

“And…” He gentle placed his hand atop Akira’s free one, “You won’t be alone. There are good people here, Kobayashi…” Was… also a bad kid during the trial, “Kobayashi will come around, with a little talking to.” And till then, he’d be there. 

Akira had finished wiping the tears from his eyes- at least for now; who knows when they’ll start up again. He didn’t know really what to say in reply to his friend’s determination... At least he cares... He jumped a little when he placed his hand on  his, not expecting that- though it wasn’t that noticeable.

Nakano then brought up Sora and a sharp pain shot through Akira from it. That was another thing that... that scared him. Tears started forming again, though at a much slower pace. The hand that wasn’t being held turned to Little Foot and held the plush gently.

“S-Sora was... w-wasn’t... th-that b-bad...” he didn’t believe the words himself, but he wanted to. “I... I... k-know... h-how much... Ch-Charlotte... m-means to h-him...” It almost hurt to say her name. “H-he... e-explained th-their... r-relationship t-to me...” But it still hurts. He wanted to say that, but his voice started to die on him from the fear building inside. His hand tightened its hold on Little Foot while he tried to focus on breathing.

[shsl-timidgardener]

nakano-hisashi‌:

“We’ll find a way, we’ll find a way.” Nakano gently echoed, “We have two months to look around, to come up with solutions. It’s not over yet.” Pat pat, pat pat. “Let’s slow things down a little, can you breathe a little slower?” Slow was good, it was easier to think when things were slow. 

His mind darkened as he thought of the her in question. Boufana had it out for Akira, he didn’t know why it was him specifically, she seemed to detest all of them, but goading him in the wake of his own mother’s death? “… I won’t let Boufana near you again.” There wasn’t much he could do offensively, but when the time came he was determined to be between them.

He shook his head, “It’s best to go visit your furry friends as soon as possible, to see if your dad takes over in caring for them or if we need to make a plan. How’s that sound?”

Slow? Yeah, right. Slow. Gotta relax and slow down. Akira’s grip on both his shirt and arm tensed a little more as he shut his mouth for a moment to inhale instead of talk. He released it in a shaky sigh and nodded a little in response.

His breathing wasn’t normal, but it was slower at least. He shook his head in reply to his statement. “I-I... d-don’t want... y-you to... g-get hurt...” he took another deep breath, his grip on his clothes lessening. “I-It’s... okay...”

Akira was contemplating on doing that too, but... “I...” he released his arm and wiped away some of the tears finally. “I... c-can’t...” he was sounding a little normal, if still on the quiet side. “N-not... alone...”

He was sure it would be painful to go back home. Memories of his mother would flood him and he’d just feel worse... It’d just be a reminder that she’s gone.

[shsl-timidgardener]

nakano-hisashi‌:

Oh… oh no. Now that was a feeling Nakano could relate to. He’d felt the exact same fear when he’d first learnt the world had become Sleepless. But he had the zookeeps… the keepers. Brain don’t fail him now. He take gently puts a hand against Akira’s back. Secure is good right? 

“If there’s people still doing their jobs, there are pet hotels, right?” He hummed, “… couldn’t hurt to give them a try, ‘specially since ya book online these days.” Pat pat. “… and, maybe for the times when we’re not at closure, you could bring em here. We got folks who’d lend a hand.” 

He wanted to calm Akira down… and if he wasn’t sure how to do that the next best thing he could do was offer ways to solve the problem. 

The hand on Akira’s back helped ground him more, but that didn’t stop his panic. Nakano’s ideas were good, he won’t deny, but he had his doubts. He doesn’t look towards the other, still just staring at himself in his tea.

“B-but... th-they’re... s-stuck in the s-same r-routine, r-right? Wh-what i-if... th-they’re i-i-ignored...?” He shook his head a little. “A-and... a-asking... h-her” Akira hoped Nakano would understand who he meant- “w-won’t d-do a-a-anything... Sh-she... h-hates m-me...” 

“Th-they n-need daily c-care...” his voice was just over a whisper as he mindlessly listed off a schedule of rabbit care that the mun is too tired to look up at this moment. The hand on his chest was gripping the fabric now and a few tears had escaped down his cheeks.

[shsl-timidgardener]

nakano-hisashi‌:

Woaoh. Maybe touched a nerve there. Was it the animals? Maybe talking about how they weren’t sleepless? No, what had Akira said… nest? Afraid of birds? No, that was dumb. Come on Nakano! He wanted desperately to ask how to help, what could he do, but that put all the weight of the decision on Akira, who had long since been proven to put the comfort of others over the well being of himself. These thoughts raced through his mind while his expression was still. 

Instinct and wits were the weapons of the prey animals. He studied Akira’s expression. One thing he was good at, seeing what was there. It was the reason he liked people like Akira so much. Now what was it? Fear. Concern? Worry! He gently moved closer. “… The nest? Are you worried about some-” Oh, animals! Home! Akira’s home animal family! He tried again, “Are you worried about your rabbits?” 

Akira hadn’t moved much, aside from the shaking of his hands. He gripped his arms tightly, trying to ground himself, his body was starting to react to the sudden surge of emotions- his heart pounding against his chest and tears returning to his eyes. At least they weren’t falling... yet.

At Nakano’s question, Akira nodded stiffly. He sucked in a shaky breath before trying to speak.

“S-she... S-she was... th-the one wh-who... L-Looked... a-after th-them for... me...” He was somehow able to speak, even if it was obviously forced. “I... I c-can’t... g-go e-everytime... wh-who... wh-who will t-take care of them...” he was speaking a little faster than he normally would.

Akira felt his breathing starting to become a little shallow with his panic and tried to focus on that, trying to make himself relax in this state wasn’t the easiest, and the pain in his chest was not helping. A hand moved from his arm and pressed against his chest, in an attempt to calm it down. Not that it ever really worked.

[shsl-timidgardener]

nakano-hisashi‌:

Nakano nodded understandingly. Well, somewhat. Akira looked… sadder for a moment… calming down a little. He wanted to say something comforting, like ‘Your mom probably didn’t suffer.’ But he thought that would make things worse rather than better. “… It’s okay not to know. You might feel like that for a while, but eventually things will get better. Maybe not the way they were, but better.” 

He sipped his tea, taking a moment to think. They did have a while before the next- well better not to think about it. “… I’ll have to go home again soon. In a week, I think. If you want to, I’d like you to come with me. It can be nice to be surrounded by animals, they’re just the same as they’ve always been, capricious and conscious.” He didn’t say anything about the reason he would have to go… but he himself was at piece with it. Somehow, even though not even an hour had yet to pass since they’d awakened. 

Akira nodded slowly at Nakano’s attempt to comfort him- it worked a little. He took another sip from his cup as the other continued to speak. His invitation was welcome and while Akira wanted to agree to go, he couldn’t focus enough to say anything, his mind zeroing in on one word.

Home.

He wouldn’t be able to go there without thinking of her. All the pictures scattered around the house, his garden, his-

“Th-the... n-nest...” His rabbits- who would look after them? Yeah, his father was still there but... It was his mother who looked after them for him. And he couldn’t just keep going there after every closure- besides what about when it was closure? They could be stuck there for weeks.

Thank goodness he had already put the cup down, he might’ve dropped it otherwise. The shock of his realization had the haze fall away, his arms both wrapping around himself and Little Foot. His blank expression turned to one of worry and fear.

He didn’t say anything else, though at least his gaze was focused on something- his own frightened expression in his reflection in the tea.

Okay so maybe it wasn’t the best thing to focus on.

[shsl-timidgardener]

nakano-hisashi‌:

“Empty huh…” Nak echoed quietly. Boy he could relate… but he’d never seen Akira like that. Akira got upset, Akira tried to hide it, but Nakano had seen him sad, seen him afraid. To be empty now… that definitely proved it in his mind. “Well… ah, what did they call it… ‘dissociation’ right. Dissociation and feeling empty is a normal way of coping.” Ah… maybe he was overstepping a little. 

A whistle from the kitchenette caught his attention, and he hopped up for a second, going on as he went, “…Ain’t a professional or nothin’, but it might be better to feel that way.” He feels like he isn’t really doing well… Haruna would be way better at this. Still. Nakano prepares two cups, Chamomile tea, and sets one down in front of his friend. “Are you okay with feeling this way?” 

Akira furrowed his brow when Nakano mentioned dissociation. Maybe that was it. He was just... trying to escape what happened- pretend it wasn’t real, all that. Pretend that not only was his mother gone... the one he loves doesn’t care either. A stab of pain went through Akira at that thought his hand reaching up to his chest, his expression mimicking the feeling. 

The wistle stopped that train before it went off the rails and the thoughts subsided again, though he could feel them there- distant in his mind. He nodded in thanks when he noticed the tea through his haze, using his free hand to pick it up. He softly blew on it before carefully taking a sip, the warm feeling helping his body relax, at least a little.

“I...” he placed the cup back down in front of him. “I... d-don’t... k-know...” It honestly was the first time he’s felt this way, he wasn’t even sure how to deal with it.

[shsl-timidgardener]

nakano-hisashi‌:

Home sweet Cafeteria. Nakano quickly ducks into the kitchenette and flicks on the kettle, reemerging with a concerned look. “… It’s good to look on the bright side… but I think there is not much room for things to be worse…” He didn’t really take Akira to be that much of an optimist, he was glad though. 

Sitting and vaguely gesturing for Akira to join him, he paused, “… I can’t claim to know your exact pain… but I can say that things are going to be really rough before they get better. And as long as that takes, I’ll be here to help, however I can.” 

Akira silently sat down next to Nakano when he gestured to the seat. He didn’t reply at first to what he said, opting instead to just start idly playing with one of Little Foot’s ears.

“... i-it’s... n-not exactly... pain... I-I think...” he mumbled quietly. “I j-just... f-feel...” he paused, a small frown coming to his face as he tried to think what exactly he was feeling.

“... Empty...? M-maybe...?” He shrugged in response to his own words. He hadn’t looked towards Nakano while he spoke- still staring out at nothing.

“... Th-thank  you... Hisashi-san... I... I a-appreciate... it...”

At least he knew one person who cared enough to.

[noneuclideanlove-blog]

5 + (-sqrt(1 – x^2 – (y-abs(x))^2)) * cos(30*((1 – x^2 – (y-abs(x))^2))), x is from -1 to 1, y is from -1 to 1.5, z is from 1 to 6 | Sora + Akira

[shsl-timidgardener]

noneuclideanlove‌:

Body language speaks volumes. 

Sora sat up, stood up, and went to sit next to Akira. Wordlessly, he wrapped one of his arms around Akira’s shoulder. Then, the other. A big nice hug.

“I’m so, so sorry for how I treated you, Akira. I’m sorry.”

Sora glanced to his math journal. He left it open, and visible was literally two pages chock full of indiscernible mathwork. Circled in the middle, however, was a large, fully blackened-in star with a few smaller ones around it. Underneath it was large, boldened letters with an underline:

‘GOAL’

Guess everyone has to doodle during their work now n’ then, huh?

He looked back to Akira, looking the bun right in the eyes.

“I’m so sorry.”

Akira’s posture instantly relaxed when Sora wrapped his arms around him and he leaned into the hug, burying his face into the crook of his neck. The arm that held himself instead found its way around Sora as he returned the hug.

At Sora’s apology, Akira shook his head and held tighter for a moment. “I-It’s.... o-okay...” He nuzzled in closer- all the tense feelings falling from him just being in his embrace.

“Th-thank you...”

[noneuclideanlove-blog]

5 + (-sqrt(1 – x^2 – (y-abs(x))^2)) * cos(30*((1 – x^2 – (y-abs(x))^2))), x is from -1 to 1, y is from -1 to 1.5, z is from 1 to 6 | Sora + Akira

[shsl-timidgardener]

noneuclideanlove‌:

Sora was indeed looking back to Akira, at this point. 

“Thank you for trusting me, Akira. I promise you that I will give you every reason to.”

“The easiest way I can put it is, like, what I feel for you is absolutely love. What I feel for Charlotte is existence and purpose. Even without her around, I still- like- her existence is the reason for mine. It’s the biggest thing that drives me onward.” He glanced back to his journal.

“Everything I’ve ever worked for was for her. I can’t just undo that… So I have to keep going. I need to Get Out. For all of us stuck here… and everyone else, too.” There are those words again.

Akira felt his heart flutter still when they had eye contact- even for that small moment. He followed Sora’s gaze when it turned towards the book again.

Get Out. Akira felt himself tense a little at that- why? He wasn’t sure... He wanted to ask what he meant- he really did- he just wasn’t sure if it was his place to...

So, He didn’t.

Instead he just moved his gaze back to the ground, one arm releasing himself to wrap around Little Foot instead. The smaller teen glanced at the other from the corner of his eyes, an almost longing look on his face.

He... He really wanted some contact after all that- but he couldn’t just... say it. Akira may still have minor doubts but... He trusts Sora more than anything.

[shsl-timidgardener]

nakano-hisashi‌:

Okay step one - genuine apology - Complete! Now onto step two - comforting friend who has just been through unimaginable loss. 

Well, there hadn’t really ever been a plan. Nakano saw Akira’s slightly dazed expression and with pursed lips gently took his arm, “… Why don’t we find a place to sit for a bit.” The cafeteria would be the best guess, get some fluids and a nice familiar setting… but beyond that… he had no idea what to do. He’d never lost anyone, eZeKiAl, he’d never known anyone who’d lost anyone, well except maybe- 

He wouldn’t let Akira turn out like that. “… How are you holding up? I know- now is the worst time but… talking can be good. Talking lets me know how I can help.”

Akira didn’t really seem to respond to Nakano taking his arm, just letting the other tug him along to where he wanted to go. No objections from this bun.

Talk? Would talking help...? Akira wasn’t sure himself but... if it would help Nakano feel better he could try.

“... f-fine... I-I... guess...” Lying bun. “.... i-it... c-could... be worse...” Doesn’t mean you’re doing fine. He pressed Little Foot more to his chest- more than he normally would. Squishing your friend won’t help, you know... His arms relaxed a little soon after that thought.

[noneuclideanlove-blog]

5 + (-sqrt(1 – x^2 – (y-abs(x))^2)) * cos(30*((1 – x^2 – (y-abs(x))^2))), x is from -1 to 1, y is from -1 to 1.5, z is from 1 to 6 | Sora + Akira

[shsl-timidgardener]

noneuclideanlove‌:

No dice, huh? Sora hadn’t expected any sixes from this conversation. Talking in detail about his abstract feelings for Charlotte never really got him anywhere with anyone in the past.

“It’s… Very hard to explain. A lot of it has to do with what I’m doing, what I’m working for, and my passion for math all entangled within one other human being. Even without her here, I have to press on. It’s what I’ve spent my entire life doing.”

He sighs. 

“It’s all I know.”

“Maybe that’s an issue. I don’t know. But I don’t feel right otherwise. There’s a… Force, I guess, within me, driving me on. Something I can depend on. It keeps me grounded.” 

This was indeed a very abstract conversation, but Sora was hoping this would help elucidate things for Akira. Being stuck in the dark was never fun.

But knowing the dark you were stuck in, on the other hand, was the next best thing.

Akira continued to hold himself, unsure of how to respond. The closest he felt to anything like that was his... His mother. She encouraged him, was even the reason he started gardening. He saw her doing it when he was little and wanted to do it too.

“...” Akira had tried saying something- of course it barely was loud enough for even himself to hear so with a shaky inhale, he tried again.

“S-Sorry... I... I s-still don’t... un-understand...” He held himself tighter taking a moment to steady his nerves. “... b-but... I... I... t-trust... you...” he paused, looking up towards Sora, to see if he looked back at him. “I... t-trust... wh-what you’re... s-saying a-about... it...”

[shsl-timidgardener]

nakano-hisashi‌:

After one last squeeze Nakano pulled away, ignoring his tears. “Don’t you apologise,” he said softly, “not a damn thing that’s happened has been your fault.” He knew apologising was Akira’s go-to, but Akira wasn’t allowed to be the guilty one. 

“I just… when Boufana caught you I thought-” He took a rattly breath, “I thought you were gone for good.” He opened his mouth to continue, but found no words for the subject. He shouldn’t make it about him right now, especially since while he got Akira back, Akira wouldn’t be getting back his mom. 

Nakano steeled his heart with a huff, “As your friend, its my job to be worried about you… and I failed. I’m so sorry Hisekawa, I should have been there for you, especially at the end but even before that, and I wasn’t. I don’t want you to forgive me, I just want to promise it won’t happen again.” Never again. He wasn’t losing akira anyone ever again. 

Akira steadied himself after Nakano released him, his gaze turning down to the ground when he continued. The half-hearted smile was still there, but his gaze seemed distant as he listened.

Without looking up Akira nodded a little. “Th-thank you... Hisashi-san...” he was thankful, really. He just didn’t know what else to say other than that. His arms were still wrapped around Little Foot- somewhat tighter than normal.