[Mental State: Embarrassed, Self-Conscious, Hyper-Aware]
'...'
Soren paused reading, and his eyes subconsciously drifted down toward Ethea again. The tips of her ears were bright red, and the flush had spread across her face like a sunrise he couldn't look away from.
'Dup... Dup...'
His heart started hammering even harder than earlier. However, there was one thing he didn't understand.
'...Why is she self-conscious and... hyper-aware?'
He replayed the question in his head, trying to make sense of it. Then it hit him.
'...Could it be...'
He rapidly imagined their situation internally.
'Hmm...'
His arms... They were wrapped around her and her body pressed against his chest... He wasn't just carrying her. He... He was also hugging her! And he had been doing it for hours without realizing.
His face went hot in an instant.
'!'
And right at that moment, he felt it: a soft sensation pressing against his chest, and before he could stop himself, his gaze dropped.
'...'
