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It had been around a day since Hollow had last left their blanket nest. They've been doing that more often now, curled up in the blankets and wasting the day away.
Well, 'wasting' was a a insensitive way to put it; if Ghost had been subjected to countless years' worth of an angry moth goddess trying to burn holes through their body to escape, they're sure they'd have days where they'd want to do nothing but rest, either.
Sibling preferred to to live a slow, quiet life now. Once in a blue moon they'd accompany Ghost or Hornet someplace, but they were content to just stay in Dirtmouth. Ghost can tell that they've been lonely though, since they and Hornet were away more often than before.
It's not like the other bugs weren't friendly with Hollow; they just didn't understand. They didn't understand what it was Hollow had survived, nor what sort of place they came from, how much pressure they were under, shouldering an unfair responsibility that shouldn't have been theirs in the first place.That wasn't to mention everything else that had come after.
Ghost could understand. Not fully, but more than enough.
Hollow did not stir as Ghost climbed into the nest. Sibling liked to build the nest high, almost like a cocoon. It felt safe. Ghost could vaguely remember their time in the Birthplace, when they would snuggle in the deep, dark crevices with their other siblings. They scooted closer to Hollow, who un-scrunched themselves enough to allow Ghost against their chest.
Any other bug would have recoiled at the icy cold, but it was the most comfortable feeling for Ghost. Even Hornet struggled to cuddle with the both of them sometimes, only able to stand it for a couple of minutes unless she donned a thicker, warmer cloak. Ghost pressed their mask into Hollow's chest, tiny nubbin arms reaching up to pat their cracked shell.
Hollow responded by using their remaining arm to pull Ghost closer, pressing the bottom of their face on the top of their head between their horns. Ghost never understood the purpose behind it, but he seen other bugs do it with their hatchlings and their family to show affection that words could not express.
Ghost was happy that they were a family again; nearly all of their family was gone now. Ghost hoped that others had made it out of the Birthplace and were now living their best lives far, far away from this place. As of now, this is all that they could ever want.