Victor's arms remained around Elias for a long, unmeasured moment, the sound of both their breaths filling the quiet, the crimson hum of Victor's ether folding closer, almost cocoon‑like, before it gradually softened and settled.
When he finally loosened his grip, it was only enough to look Elias in the eyes, his hands still braced at either side of Elias's jaw.
Victor's hands didn't leave Elias's face; his thumbs lingered against the curve of Elias's cheekbones as if memorizing the warmth beneath his skin.
He leaned in slowly, with a quieter air, rather than the piercing urgency he had been carrying moments earlier.
Victor's breath ghosted against Elias's hair as he lowered his head, and then the soft press of his lips met Elias's forehead. A grounding, a wordless promise poured into a single touch.
Elias felt his chest tighten, not with fear this time, but with a heat that rose unexpectedly behind his ribs, a knot of relief loosening in its wake.
