"It bit you really badly, Brother Karl!" Julian sighed, his concern only growing. "What if it was a dangerous mosquito? I heard some diseases can spread from mosquito bites!"
Karl stiffened. "I-It's fine! I—"
"I think we should go to a healer tomorrow," Julian interrupted, his eyes full of serious worry.
Karl opened his mouth to protest, but before he could, Ruby stepped in.
She turned toward Julian and gently took his hands in hers, her fingers squeezing lightly to reassure him.
"Jules," she said softly, looking up at him with a small smile. "It's alright. Nothing happened to him. He's perfectly fine."
Julian's tense shoulders visibly relaxed, his worried expression easing slightly.
"If you say so…" he mumbled, still not fully convinced but trusting Ruby's words.
Karl, who had been silent through this exchange, suddenly noticed their joined hands.
His baby blue eyes flickered downward, locking onto their fingers intertwined so naturally.
