Elias was still holding my hand.
I did not pull away.
For a moment, neither of us spoke. The space between us had changed in a way I could not quite put into words, but I could feel it clearly. When I looked at him now, the heaviness that had clouded his expression earlier was gone. Not completely, not perfectly—but enough that it no longer weighed him down the same way.
He looked… lighter.
And somehow, so did I.
There was a strange feeling settling in my chest, something loosening, something easing in a way I had not noticed until it was already happening. The tension that had been sitting there for days, perhaps longer—felt like it was slipping away.
I frowned faintly, my gaze lingering on him.
I wondered why?
[Host,] Nero's voice slipped into my thoughts, far too aware for my liking, [we have already established this.]
I exhaled softly.
Established what?
[That you like him.]
I paused.
Yes. But...
The thought lingered for only a moment before I let it go.
