Cricket could tell Enkai was holding back tears, and wishing to comfort him, she took his hand. They sat in silence for a long time, just holding hands, and when Cricket heard Enkai sniff, she knew he was crying.
“You should go. You shouldn’t see me . . .”
“What?” said Cricket at once. “Be a person? Have feelings? Here . . .” She took a washcloth from the nightstand and dabbed his tears away. “I cried when I lost my friends. One of them died to get me here too.”
“I’m sorry,” Enkai said, blinking sympathetically as Cricket wiped his face.
Cricket smiled. “No, it’s alright. I still see her sometimes.” She dropped her eyes to the washcloth as she contently folded it and set it aside.
Enkai frowned. “You’re weird, Cricket,” he said with a laugh, and Cricket laughed as well. “But . . .” he added, “I guess that’s why I like you.

Ash Gray