[It was a strange thing. Normally, someone being so understanding, so kind to him would make him more suspicious, more likely to try and keep them at arm's length behind artifice and masks than anything. Because surely they were just trying to get one over on him.
But there was an almost uncomfortable sort of genuine air to Rue's compassion. Something that made it almost dangerously easy to allow it to wend past defenses at least a little. Encouraged the half-orc to open up even a small bit.
And it wasn't like he'd never experienced affection in his life. But it was always couched in more boisterous, casual sorts of efforts. A slap on the back, a rough pat to a shoulder or arm, rather than anything gentle or soft. So it took him a moment to register what it was Rue was offering, and there was a flash of surprise in his studying gaze. But whatever he saw in them, it just had him huffing a faint sigh, maybe a bit shakier than he would ever admit here or elsewhere, as he shifted gingerly to let the owlbear put wings around him. Rue might be amused at the delicacy of the motion, as if the half-orc were loathe to somehow be too rough, or hurt them on accident in the process.
It wouldn't hurt anything. And who would even believe them if they did tell anyone about this?]
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But there was an almost uncomfortable sort of genuine air to Rue's compassion. Something that made it almost dangerously easy to allow it to wend past defenses at least a little. Encouraged the half-orc to open up even a small bit.
And it wasn't like he'd never experienced affection in his life. But it was always couched in more boisterous, casual sorts of efforts. A slap on the back, a rough pat to a shoulder or arm, rather than anything gentle or soft. So it took him a moment to register what it was Rue was offering, and there was a flash of surprise in his studying gaze. But whatever he saw in them, it just had him huffing a faint sigh, maybe a bit shakier than he would ever admit here or elsewhere, as he shifted gingerly to let the owlbear put wings around him. Rue might be amused at the delicacy of the motion, as if the half-orc were loathe to somehow be too rough, or hurt them on accident in the process.
It wouldn't hurt anything. And who would even believe them if they did tell anyone about this?]