[nudging the rabbit off of his lap and standing up, coaxing the child up with him. he still wants to scoop him up and squish his little cheeks, and his fingers flex like he hasn't completely taken the act off of the table. he reigns in his impulses when he looks at the closed door, hears nothing but silence behind it, and feels the light grief still settled in his heart.

for the moment, at least, he tries to be on his somewhat-middling-best behavior as he makes for the tree]

Should I give you a handicap? It's a little unfair, since I'm taller. I could try climbing with only one arm?