"O-okay…" he whispered shyly, hiding half his face behind his hand.
Dante chuckled quietly, the sound deep and warm. "You miss her a lot, don't you?"
Sable nodded, his voice barely above a whisper. "I remember she said my shadows look pretty… no one ever said that before."
Dante's expression softened even more. "Then make her proud when she returns."
Sable looked up at him, then reached his small hand toward one of Dante's horns and gently touched it, a tiny, innocent gesture of affection.
Dante froze for a moment, surprised, then smiled faintly, carrying him down the corridor. "Let's go, little one. Before your friends eat all the food."
Sable giggled softly, resting his head against Dante's shoulder as they walked. "Okay… but I want black grape juice first."
"Of course you do," Dante murmured with amusement.
**
