The hug was a surprise to Duo. Never in his wildest dreams would he have imagined a lion, a talking lion, giving him a hug. He felt himself stiffen in the embrace. It was so weird. And the fact that the last person to give him a hug was now dead...

The lion pulled away and Duo was grateful, somewhat because of the heat, but also due to the fight or flight response he was experiencing. It was all so unusual. No one else had hugged him since Sister Helen. He couldn't decide whether or not he liked this one.

But the comment made Duo frown a little. Underestimating Duo wasn't all that smart.

"M'not worried 'bout gettin' hurt. I put kids in the hospital because they made fun of me." Despite the weird hug, and the lion insulting him but not really, Duo reached out again to take hold of the lion's t-shirt. "But sure...okay."

With his free hand, Duo tugged down on his hat. "M'Duo."