A name is a name is a name

"Oh, it's higher than I thought when we started everything from the bottom," I commented halfway up the hill.

"As I thought--"

"Nope," I stuck my tongue out and hid my laugh behind Shwa when Natha pursed his lips. 

He had been making all kinds of excuses, asking if my arms were tired, or that it would be safer for Shwa to be held by him. I ignored all of them though--not because I wanted to monopolize Shwa, but because I wanted him to be honest. 

"I want to carry him too..." he muttered with a quiet, pitiful voice. 

Finally. Was it so hard to admit that you were a doting father who wanted to be with your child? It wasn't like he'd become less dignified because of it. 

"Pfft--fine, you can have him until the upper gate."

He swiftly took Shwa from my arms as if worried I would change my mind--how cute. It was even cuter when he took my hand with his other hand, taking both of us in stride toward the Temple on the hill.