He had changed, of course, but the change was subtle; as though he had been put into an oven and baked to a hard finish. He looked as though both muscle and skin had drawn in just a bit, grown closer to the bone, so he was more tightly knit; he had never seemed gawky, but the last hint of boyish looseness had vanished.
The character undergoes a noticeable transformation, though the changes are not overt. The process of this change is likened to being baked in an oven, suggesting a gradual yet definitive shift in his appearance. His physique has tightened, indicating a loss of the youthful boyishness that once defined him. This evolution implies a maturation that is both physical and perhaps emotional, marking a departure from his earlier self.
As a result, he now bears a more compact and defined look, with muscle and skin appearing to be drawn closer to his bones. The passage conveys a sense of resilience and strength, contrasting with his previous gait. This newfound solidity hints at the experiences that have shaped him, reflecting a deeper complexity beneath the surface changes that are observed.
