I catch wariness--but I nod, when Kazari ruffles my hair. The touch is annoying, but I'm not going to fight it. Right now, anyway. If it goes on too long, I'll knock his hand away a little brusquely.

"I'm fine. There are people who are kind, even if they don't understand. I waited for a time. Caught glimpses."

I swallow my desire to reach out for his shirtsleeve or his shirt, knowing that at least those times are behind me. "What about you?"

"I missed you," I say, soft and under my breath. It's barely audible--I'm barely aware I said it as well. "Will you let me be around?"