“No,” Ari said quickly - almost too quickly. “No, I’m fine.” He wasn’t hurt, really, only the shock had thrown him off, and that was nothing for the other boy to be sorry for falling into him for. Besides, now the poor lad was stuck with him all the rest of the way to the hospital wing, because there was nothing that would deter Ari from seeing him in that doorway to be seen by the nurse now.
(Even if he would really much rather let go.)
Maybe to chase that uncomfortable feeling away, or maybe because the other boy was actually kind of funny, Ari ended up laughing a bit at his muttering of thanks, in spite of himself. He tried to suppress it in his shoulders - he was supposed to be supporting him, after all, not making limping along more of an ask - but he was still battling a grin, nonetheless. “Don’t worry, you’ll be fine too,” he added, with bright assurance, before he added, a touch more tentatively, “I’m Ari.”
(Even if he would really much rather let go.)
Maybe to chase that uncomfortable feeling away, or maybe because the other boy was actually kind of funny, Ari ended up laughing a bit at his muttering of thanks, in spite of himself. He tried to suppress it in his shoulders - he was supposed to be supporting him, after all, not making limping along more of an ask - but he was still battling a grin, nonetheless. “Don’t worry, you’ll be fine too,” he added, with bright assurance, before he added, a touch more tentatively, “I’m Ari.”
