"It's probably 'cause we jumped right into sleeping in the same bed," he chuckles softly. "Easy to get real attached, real quick like that."

Loki gets a few more soft kisses, and Cricket's embrace eases up to something less like a death-grip and more like a snuggle. "I guess maybe company means more to me on account of being an only child and not really...havin' much in the way of parents or anything. I was little when my mama died, and Aunt Winnie started losin' her mind when I was twelve or so. Just being close like this is so, so good."