[ He's not privy to Shadow Milk's turmoil. Not exactly. He can sense the grief radiating off that one frayed string, but that's been constant since he arrived.

He does crack a little smile when his father says that. As though he hadn't gotten his ass handed to him by that former god. He won't point that out. Shadow Milk knows he knows and he still... looks up to him. He still trusts his ability to protect him ]

I know. My dad's the best.

[ ... That isn't a lie. ]

It was still scary. I remember when it happened. Getting sealed. I didn't know what was happening but Master had me and Sugarfly go into her jewelry box and... that's where we were stuck.

[ he had no idea what happened to his father for so long. Of course he was worried.

His father pulls him close and Pavlova lets his eyes close, arms wrapping around his father and tucking his face against him. ]

I love you, dad.

[ Truth. ]