Z'akel scratched his chin in confusion, he was reading a book, one of his early readers that he had recently lent out from the library. It was early morning on the weekend, and Z'akel was sitting in the kitchen in the silence, sipping his favorite tea.

Grubsod was up early as usual to get his morning cleaning done, he would smile when he saw Z'akel up and reading. " Morning big guy " the old goblin said as he walked over to make some tea for himself. " Morning " Z'akel replied "..grubsod..z'akel has question" he looked up at the goblin. Grubsod looked over " whats up?" he leaned against the counter as he waited for the water to boil.

" this book talks about love....what is love?" Z'akel asked, raising his eyebrow slightly. Grubsod blinked in a bit of surprise "...hm" the goblin rubbed the back of his neck and sighed " well, you're going to have to learn it sooner or later." the water was now boiling and grubsod quickly fixed his tea and sat across from Z'akel " love eh...its a deep subject to talk about, it can be pretty complicated." grubsod started. Z'akel tilted his head and waited.

" Well, the simplest way I could put is like, when you really really like something, or someone. For example, I love helping people, it makes me feel good when I can help someone find a home, feel warm and safe." grubsod said. " hm.." Z'akel blinked and looked at his tea " ..Z'akel loves tea then..because it make z'akel feel warm inside " the tall humanoid looked over to the goblin " yup, you do love your teas " Grubsod chuckled.

Z'akel looked back into his book " ..but..that not what they mean in book. " he sipped his tea again. " ..humans love humans?". Grubsod now sighed " this is where it can be complicated. Love can mean a few things, you can love someone as a friend, or you can love someone...in a way that you want to be with them forever..which leads to something called marriage, and families and such, you understand." he asked Z'akel.

Z'akel blinked and rubbed his head " ...kind of. So, Z'akel can feel love to?" he asked. " Of course you can, you said so yourself you love tea. Anything or anyone you really really like you can love." grubsod said " but you got to be careful who you say it to..males don't like other males saying they love them..yah its complicated like that hahah" Grubsod said. " But...mosquite, never love...z'akel never feel love nor see love." " Ah well, thats a culture thing, but you have every right to be loved and to give love. Trust me Z'ak ....you're loved "

Hearing this kind of blew Z'akel's mind, as he had said, it never existed in his life. But as he thought about it more, he could almost see what Grubsod meant, but it also didn't seem possible for something like him to ever love or be loved. " ...love doesn't have to result in marriage and such Z'ak .... friends can love each other, families love each other. It all depends on what you feel in your heart " Grubsod pointed to Z'akel's chest. " you're heart always knows love". " ..heart?" Z'akel would put his hand over his heart " ..how does it know?". Grubsod chuckled " you'll feel it".  

Feel it, Z'akel had to think hard on this, wondering if he ever did feel it and didn't know it. Again after a few moments in silence Grubsod chuckled, Z'akel sighed and looked to Grubsod " does Grubsod love anyone?" he asked with a child like curiosity. Grubsod blinked and glanced out the window " yah, i love everyone in this shelter, even those that have grown up and left. We're one big family here". " But..Z'akel thought that family is only by blood?". " hahah..no, it doesn't have to be. If there are a few people who care so much for each other, it doesn't matter if they're related, if there is love and care,its a family" there was a breif pause " but yah, I love someone, but she probably doesn't love me as much".

Z'akel blinked " love as friend?" he asked " heh..no..more than just a friend." Grubsod was hiding a slight blush. " err..anyways, i should get to some cleaning. Enjoy the rest of your reading" the goblin said, quickly getting off the chair and heading out the door " Wait, Grubsod..one last question!" Z'akel exclaimed. " what is it?" Grubsod looked over his shoulder slightly " ...what easier way to tell if love someone , as very very good friend".

" that is simple luckily...try to think of your life without them. " Grubsod then headed out, leaving Z'akel to ponder those words. " Imagine my life without them..." Z'akel thought to himself, and looked outside, seeing the sun appearing above the trees ".....I don't think I can ever think of my life without them...it's, impossible....".