Irina's gaze lingered on him, the faint glow of the mana gate casting a pale rimlight along the edge of Astron's profile. Always still, always composed, always just slightly unreadable—even now, after everything.
She let out a quiet breath, somewhere between a laugh and an exhale.
"It's strange," she said, her voice low, almost amused. "Watching you do all these thoughtful things with that weird, impassive face of yours."
Astron didn't answer.
Didn't glance her way. Didn't give a shrug or a smirk or even a blink longer than necessary. Just stood there, his hand still gloved, his presence quiet.
Predictably quiet.
And maybe because of that, Irina's smile only widened.
She stepped closer—not dramatically, just enough to close the air between them—and without asking, without warning, she reached down and took his hand.
Not forcefully. Not hesitantly.
Just… took it.