Leo was completely at a loss, his words tumbling out in a jumbled mess. Only after finishing did he realize how incoherent he'd been.
"No," he said, frustration creeping into his voice as he frowned. "Can you... forgive me?"
Instead of a verbal response, Nadi pulled him into a tight embrace.
Holding Leo close, Nadi wanted to tell him that he wasn't the one who should apologize, it was her, burdened by her own heavy sins.
But her throat felt tight and bitter, words failing her completely. All she could do was hold her little brother even tighter.
She was terrified this was all just a fleeting dream.
When Leo had asked for a hug, he'd meant to comfort her. Yet now, enveloped in Nadi's arms, he stood frozen, basking in the warmth like sunlight on his skin.