"I gave a hug," Larrikin whined. "Why do I always have to be the one giving hugs and everyone thinks that counts? You didn't give one back! You were positively flaccid."

Anton sighed and turned, but there was a smile hidden around his mouth. "I'm leaving. Larrikin, the next time you steal from my office I'm exiling you from my bed."

"I'd rather if you tied me to your bed," Larrikin called after him, and then grinned at Valdis. It was a watery grin, a wavering one, but truer than the edge and fragile ones from the last few days, and with his wet eyes it made him look especially young. He didn't loosen his grip on the books. "He loves me."