"Yeah. Who knows what kind of diseases you're carrying. If anyone has to be infected, it might as well be me."
"Hey!" he protested.
"Shut up," she shot back. "Be grateful, I am hugging you out of pity."
Kael opened his arms again as Tila stepped toward him, reluctantly wrapping her arms around his torso.
He returned the gesture, gently pulling her close.
It started awkward—her muscles tense, her hands hovering like she wasn't sure where to place them.
But then Kael exhaled slowly and let his subtle power activate—Empathetic Resonance.
It wasn't flashy or obvious. But it sank deep. Her heart rate ticked up—first barely, then noticeably.
Blood warmed in her cheeks.
Skin prickled from the temperature shift, her tension slowly dissolving, her muscles relaxed.
The hug grew warmer—emotionally and physically.
She leaned in just a little more.
She didn't even realize how long she'd stayed in his arms.
Also, she didn't even had to hug him.
