Willow's lips trembled before curving into a shaky smile, relief flooding every inch of her chest.
"Hector…" she breathed softly, her voice catching.
"What's wrong?" Hector's grin faded a little, concern flickering in his eyes.
Willow hesitated. How could she even begin to explain everything that had happened. The kidnapping, the assassination, Ezrik's ridiculous fake dating stunt. And worse, how close she'd come to believing she'd lost him too so suddenly.
She forced a laugh instead. "I'm just… glad to see you. You did not even call me."
Hector smiled sheepishly. "Trust me, I wanted to. I just haven't had time for myself lately. But do not worry, I am eating well. I even added a few extra muscles."
Willow rolled her eyes, but her heart eased a little at his familiar teasing. Still, something about the way he rushed his words made her chest tighten. He was deflecting like he always did when things were not okay.
