“Oh-” Marcie held her breath as Kaden hugged her, fighting against the surge of emotion, and dropped the pillow so she could hold him too. It was easy to forget that he was still a child, when he was being a smartass and making dumb videos and being a dick online. He was still only fifteen, and the stability of his world was being taken apart brick by brick.
At least he would have Tragos with him. At least the brothers wouldn’t be alone.
Her grip tightened in his top and she sighed, taking in the smell (body spray, sweat, warmth) and feel (thinner under his big hoodie than you’d think) of him, trying to fix it in her mind. As she slowly pulled back from him, she kissed him on the cheek, her hand on his other cheek as she looked at him affectionately.
It’s for the best, she wanted to say, but her throat wouldn’t let any sound out so she gave him a small smile instead.