If it wouldn’t have been thought undignified Siya might have wriggled at the words that came from Atticus’ mouth. His earlier words, kindness about Veti and Max had been sweet a balm to her troubled soul, if she possessed such a thing. In the wake of those words she found herself tongue tied, not knowing how to tell him how much those words had meant. She’d been agonizing over her decision almost since it had been made. But then he went on, not stopping with the balm. He gifted her with more and what he said was more wonderful, more glorious than anything she could have imagined. 

Her small little body went still in lieu of its wanted wriggles as she beamed up at him, her eyes as bright as the noon sun which she could no longer tolerate. She bit her lip, her tiny fangs leaving indents in the soft flesh as she finally tightened her hand in his and stretched to her tiptoes to brush a kiss and some words across the incredible cheekbones framed by that magnificent beard,

“You needn’t be better at anything...” She began. So many things were on the tip of her tongue, her adoration her desire, her lack of expectations, her enjoyment of his company, her appreciation of his words, his touch, his time that they crowded each other out and not a one could escape to brush against his skin. 

Before she could order them and find a way to express them all to this wonderful, dear, demonic man before her a beloved voice was speaking, one that pulled nearly as many heartstrings as did Atticus. Max, Thad, whoever. She turned her sunshine smile towards him, and eyebrow rising at his attire. She kept her fingers twined with Atticus, saying some of what her tangled words would have had they cooperated. 

She spotted Thad/Max’s conundrum almost as soon as he pointed it out and she rolled her eyes affectionately and gently loosened her grip from Atticus’ after a gentle squeeze to tell him she wasn’t going anywhere. She took the ties in her delicate hands and looked them over consideringly and then held them up to the suit, looking from the ties to his eyes and back. Her fingers fluttered nervously over the silk as her brows lowered in consideration. After a moment she draped on over her shoulder and looped the other around his neck, fingers flying as she manipulated the fabric into a complex and elegant knot.

“I am sorry I wasn’t there.” She said to the tie, her accented voice husky with emotion. “I was afraid that Veti wasn’t going to come back.” She swallowed, paused and went on. “It was a hard time, but well worth it, we have you back.” 

She tucked the neatly tied tie into his suit, smoothing the front and then stepped back into Atticus, her small body sheltered against his ink-ridden one.