"I'm more than just Compassion now," Cole said softly. Before, he was only the one thing. Now, he was Compassion, but he knew grief and anger, he knew mercy and happiness and belonging.

The walk back to Krem's room was quiet, which suited Cole fine. He listened around him, but there was nothing that needed him so he stayed with Krem.

The nudge and kiss caught Cole by surprise, but he smiled at it and leaned in to give a kiss of his own in return. "I... missed you too."

That was what it was. When he kept going to go find Krem, only to realise Krem wasn't there. That was missing him.