He couldn't help but stiffen at the sudden embrace. It was a well trained response that likely wouldn't be disappearing anytime soon, however, this was his mother. Mumbling 'mom' again, Laharl made no motions in the slightest to push her away. Although, it took several long moments for him to even begin to relax, but eventually Laharl did and he ended up settling his head lightly against her shoulder, closing his eyes.

The boy would never allow anyone else to hold him like this, but for his mother? He didn't mind. He didn't mind in the least. Why exactly that was, beyond the fact of it being his mother, Laharl wasn't sure. He wasn't sure how to explain how he felt so... at ease.