Bloom is watching idly while his friends are winding down from the day, each in their own way. But really he's not watching David and Clark bicker while Megan is pretending to be annoyed by their shenanigans. He's also not watching Sharylda in her separate corner hugging herself or Jacques staring at her with an inscrutable look on his face.
Bloom's attention is only on one man. Focused on the flow of his meteor hammer. All movement. Grace. Danger. Beauty. Strength. The man who cries over hurting insects and during battle turns into the most brutally efficient killing machine. Puzzling.
A soft smile spreads on Bensai's face.
Behind him the quiet steps of bare feet on leaves. Almost impossible to make out despite Bloom not trying to be especially stealthy.
A content hum in greeting from Bensai. Without opening his eyes, without getting up or turning around. Calm.
The rustling of branches as Bloom settles low in one of the trees to Bensai's left.
Comfortable silence spreads between them.
It's nice to have company. And it's nice to be understood without words, they both think.
A bird calls. Its mate sings back.
Bloom looks up to watch their dance. Beautiful.