Mikey reacted to your laugh like a dog hearing its owner’s voice. Immediate. Instinctive. Automatic. It didn’t matter what he was doing — sparring, talking to Draken, eating, yelling at Emma — if you laughed, he turned toward you. Today it happened during training. He was practicing kicks, serious and focused — until you laughed at something Emma said.

His foot missed the pad completely. He stumbled. His eyes shot toward you instantly. You told him to focus. He didn’t even pretend to deny it. He just stared, cheeks warming, and muttered: “…It sounded nice.” And then he tried the kick again — this time still glancing your way.