Lucien looked away. "It's quieter than school," he muttered, eyes on the floor.
Alina smiled and walked over to the rug, sitting down cross-legged.
"You don't have to act so grown up all the time, you know," she said. "I think it's okay to be a little boy sometimes, too."
Lucien didn't answer right away.
Then he slowly walked over and sat beside her — teddy bear still in his lap.
Alina sat quietly beside Lucien, watching him as he clutched his teddy bear, his tiny fingers brushing along the soft fur.
A thought tugged at her heart, gentle but curious.
She glanced at him.
"Lucien…" she asked softly, "where's your mom?"
The moment the words left her mouth, she regretted it.
Lucien's shoulders stiffened.
He looked down, his voice low and quiet. "I don't have one," he muttered, still not meeting her eyes.
Alina's heart twisted.
"Oh… oh my god. I'm so sorry, sweetheart," she whispered, quickly scooting closer.
