Arthur felt it.
Something shift. Inside. And between them.
The cub took one more step.
Then pressed its head lightly against his hand.
Arthur blinked.
Then slowly, carefully, he raised his hand and rested it on the cub's head.
Gentle.
No force.
The cub didn't pull away.
Arthur let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding.
"…Thanks."
His voice was quiet and sincere.
"Let's do this together."
The cub shifted closer, its body relaxing just a bit as it leaned into him.
Not fully at ease.
But no longer distant.
That was enough.
For now.
Arthur's hand moved slightly, a light pat.
Then..
A faint glow flickered in his vision.
He paused.
"…There it is."
A familiar presence.
The system interface as it appeared quietly, but clearly.
Arthur smiled as he looked at it.
It wasn't a smirk like he usually did. it wasn't a small grin too..
it was a genuine smile as he whispered into the air
"…Took you long enough."
