[ The gentle nudge of fingers seems half-prompt, and half-opportunity to spread them slightly, allowing room for Mikleo to lace them, if he so chooses. Sorey won’t push, of course. It’s a simple comfort already as it is, just having their hands linked like this.

But there’s a pause, an unseen shudder in him at just how exquisite his best friend is in this moment: the glow of the room’s low light all around him, that gifted gemstone around his neck, a soft smile on his face that speaks so loudly... Combining it all together gives Mikleo an ethereal quality that jostles Sorey’s shoulders gently with a chill that rolls through him. He’ll play that off, directing their attention back to the journal like he wasn’t just staring in awe. (Seriously, where did that come from?) ]

You did a really great job with this. [ Focusing back on the book now; just ignore that dusting of pink on his cheeks. ] It’s still hard to believe I was gone so long... but, I guess now we’re even, huh?