The meaning of help (Kaya/Holt)

[Kaya]

"Don't you worry your head about it one bit," Melinna insisted. She set her hands on his shoulders and smiled firmly. He was not to feel bad on her behalf. He had enough to sort and keep track of. "Now, why don't we go inside and you can wash up while I get out some pie?"

"pie sounds good," Holt mumbled quietly. He was always excited about his mom's pie but it felt inappropriate to enjoy that too much in K'tar's current state.

[Ghost of Fire (Fëanáro)]

K’tar’s answering smile was shaky, but he did manage a nod. Pie sounded amazing. It would make him feel better. Less cold, less empty.

Never empty! Never!

K’tar’s smile widened, then slid off his face once more. However, he followed after Holt’s mother without even allowing his feet to drag. His thoughts fixed on pie, for to think of the other, somehow especially here, around what his family had never been, could never be, now, would lead to tears, and he was not willing to shed still more of them yet.