Even sitting, the height difference was noticeable. His six-foot frame versus her eight feet meant he had to look up to meet her eyes properly. But somehow that didn't matter; it didn't feel awkward or wrong.
"I care about you," he said simply.
"Not because you're training me or helping me or giving me a place to stay. Because you're you. Because you make me laugh, because you challenge me, because when I look at you I see someone who's strong and kind and everything I—"
Sigora kissed him before he could finish, leaning down to close the distance between them, her hand cupping his face with surprising gentleness.
The kiss was soft, tentative, and questioning, both of them testing this new territory, seeing how it felt, whether this was real or just adrenaline and proximity creating false connection.
It felt real.
When they separated, both slightly breathless, Sigora's expression was a mixture of wonder and uncertainty.
"Was that—" she began.
