### A Little Too Comfortable
With a warm smile on his face, Draven stood quietly beside his mother, still wrapped in her gentle embrace.
Her arms were around him, firm but soft, and he could feel the steady rhythm of her breathing.
It was… comforting.
Unexpectedly so.
*This is a strange feeling.*
A rare warmth spread through him.
*I didn't expect this to feel so nice.*
It was warm.
Peaceful.
Comfortable.
He hadn't expected himself to relax like this, but somehow, standing there in his mother's arms, he found himself doing exactly that.
For a brief moment, he even felt his eyelids growing heavy.
His mother stood close, her eyes gently closed and a playful smile resting on her lips. She seemed perfectly content to remain like that.
Then she broke the silence.
"Honey, I thought you didn't want to give Mommy a hug… but you sure seem happy."
A mischievous glint flickered in her eyes.
Draven's eyes flew open.
A flush of red immediately spread across his face.
*Shit!*
*It was so warm and comfortable that I actually started falling asleep!*
He quickly turned his head away, trying to compose himself as his cheeks grew hotter.
His mother simply smiled, clearly amused by his reaction.
"No need to be shy, sweetheart. It's not like this is the first time."
*Yeah, that's exactly why I don't want to do it anymore.*
Draven clicked his tongue inwardly.
*And who the hell said I'm shy, anyway?*
Before he could come up with a response, his mother leaned slightly toward him.
"Why don't you give Mommy a kiss too?"
Draven froze.
He could already feel the heat rushing back to his face.
*I guess I've already lost.*
There was no getting out of this one.
With a quiet sigh, he slowly turned toward her.
His mother had already crouched down to bring herself to his eye level. She was still smiling, wearing that soft, teasing expression that seemed to come so naturally to her.
For a brief moment, their eyes met.
Hers were bright with affection and amusement.
Draven hesitated.
Then, leaning forward, he planted a quick kiss on her cheek.
The moment he pulled away, he turned around again, clearly hoping she hadn't noticed how red his face had become.
"I'm going to take my leave now," he announced stiffly.
His mother chuckled.
"Okay, honey."
Draven wasted no time. He began walking away from the pavilion, doing his best to shake off his embarrassment and act as though nothing had happened.
Unfortunately, he hadn't gone very far when he noticed two familiar figures approaching along the garden path.
Lyriana.
And Aldric.
Draven's steps faltered slightly.
*Wait…*
His expression stiffened.
*Where the hell were they this whole time?*
He glanced at the two approaching figures, then briefly looked back toward his mother.
*Were they nearby the entire time?*
A terrible possibility suddenly crossed his mind.
*Oh, God. Dammit…*
His ears grew even redder.
*Please tell me they didn't see any of that.*
The thought alone made him want to disappear.
*That would be so damn embarrassing.*
He quickly turned his attention forward and continued walking, doing everything he could to maintain a perfectly normal expression.
Unfortunately, the burning sensation in his ears wasn't helping.