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Ezekiel fell on his butt when Skyla threw herself at him. He gripped her shoulders tightly, afraid that she would hurt herself, and stiffened when he felt her arms go around his waist. 

He pursed his lips as he pushed his body forward and got a good hold around her, stabilizing their position. He could feel the slight tremble along her shoulders and couldn't help but tighten his grip around her. 

Just thinking about the events she had gone through, made his face furrow in grief. He closed his eyes as he burrowed his nose in her neck and mumbled, "Thank you, Skyla" 

He felt her body flinch from his touch making his lips curl slightly. He pulled back and gazed into those tear-filled eyes as a sudden pang scorched his heart. 

His eyes softened naturally as a gentle gaze settled on Skyla. He cupped her cheeks and knocked his forehead against hers, "Thank you for protecting us"