Milo left his room, knowing the wards he’d created and put on his room would keep her from destroying any items and kick her out once he was far enough away. He wandered around the campus for a while, walking with no real direction. When his legs got tired, Milo decided to sit on the ground next to the courtyard fountain so he could think while the water rippled its song as the fountain ran. 

A while later, the sun was starting to set and turn the sky brilliant colors of pink and orange. Milo was still lost in thought, but he faintly heard the sound of footsteps coming up toward him. “Milo, hey…” Hati greeted gently, sitting  next to him. “You’re upset; do you want to talk about it?”

Milo gave a weak laugh. “Is it that obvious?” He quipped. 

“Not to humans.” Hati told him in the same gentle tone he’d used before. 

“Then how can you tell?” Milo asked. 

“Werewolves can smell changes in the chemicals that your body uses. You smell different when you're upset or happy or angry.” Hati said. “Same thing with if you need to eat or something.”

“Really?” Milo questioned, interested. 

Hati nodded. “My pack helps a lot of different kinds of healers distinguish illnesses all the time.”

“That’s really interesting; thank you for telling me.” Milo said.

“Of course!” Hati said cheerfully. “You're always welcome to ask about things if you're curious! Though,  I have a feeling you should talk about what's bothering you.”

“It’s just dating stuff, honestly. Probably really boring.”

“Milo, you're never a bore to me. Your feelings are important,  and it's not bad to talk about dating troubles.” Hati told him seriously. “I listen to Carmen vent about her dating life when she needs,  and I don't mind lending you an ear either.”

“...I ended up breaking up with Sirena a bit ago. Apparently she only wanted to date me for her reputation and it only came out after I caught her sleeping with my best friend.” Milo explained. “The relationship wasn’t good to begin with, but it still hurts more than I thought it would.”  

“That's a lot to find out at once.” Hati said in a soft, understanding tone. “ I'm sure you were very hurt,  I'm sorry you had to go through that.”

“I-” Milo paused as he actually realized his thought process. “... thank you.  I didn't really realize I needed someone to  say that.” 

Hati gave a small shrug. “Sometimes we don't realize we didn't have the support we needed until it's offered.  It's okay to not know some things.” He said, turning to look up at Milo. “Thank you for telling me what was bothering you.” 

 Milo stared at him, surprised. “You don't need to thank me for that.” 

Hati’s sincere expression didn’t change. “I know. I didn't say it for myself.”

Milo had to take a moment to process that before he smiled down at his friend. “You're really sweet,  you know that?”

Hati frowned this time, looking away to an ant questing across the cobblestone. “... for a werewolf,  you mean?”

“What? No!” Milo responded immediately, surprised and appalled that Hati even had to think of that possibility. “As a person,  Hati.  Why would I…” Milo trailed off as he watched Hati look at him with the same expression, the words dying in his throat.  “...Anyway,  I mean, I'm just saying you're a kind person, and I would say that no matter if you were a human or a demon or a werewolf just like you are. I was only thinking about you being a nice person.” 

“Oh... well,  thank you.” Hati said, smiling a little, only  a ghost of the smile Milo had come to know and enjoy. “I haven't gotten many compliments since we left the eyr…”

“Oh, I'm sorry about that,  Hati.  You deserve every compliment, and it's a travesty you haven't been receiving them.”

 Hati’s face flooded with blush at that. “oh... thank you.”

Milo put on a sly grin. “Looks like someone's fond of compliments~.” He teased lightheartedly.  

Hati’s eyes went wide as saucers.“What?! I-” He said frantically. 

Milo chuckled a little. “I'm just teasing you, don't worry. It's totally normal to enjoy compliments! True,  some do enjoy it more than others,  but there isn't anything wrong with that either.” He said.

 Hati was bright red, and he pouted at Milo for a second or two before he spoke. “You changed the subject, you know.”

“Did I?” Milo asked with faux innocence, still teasing his friend a little.

Hati furrowed his brows, as if confused that Milo didn’t get it. “Wh-” He deepened his pout then. “Yes! You did!”

Milo chuckled again, this one a more relaxed than the other one. After he stopped, he gave a smile to Hati. “Thanks,  Hati.  I really needed a friend and a laugh today.”

Hati’s pout lessened asa though that was the only reason he’d set his attitude aside. “I'm always happy to help you,  Milo.”