you've been on my mind

”I won’t, Pa. It’ll be our secret,” the boy assures him with a grin, continuing to sneak out from behind the statue, all dark curls and freckles, the dragon clutched to his chest. I’m doin’ okay. I miss you, though. An’ Mauna. An’ I get real cold, Pa. Like I can’t breathe for bein’ cold.” A shuddering little breath leaves him, and he shuffles out in full before the dock worker. ”You’re drinkin’ again. Ma will be mad.” Ray is looking at the bottle now, wiggling bare toes on the sand. ”Can we go fishin’? I’ll stay in the shallows, I promise.” LUDO Braved the forests, braved the stone Braved the icy winds and fire Braved and beat them on my own