Their gaze lingered longer than either of them would normally allow.
There was no immediate interruption, no quick averting as usual. It was direct. Present. And, for Ouroboros… a little too much.
Her fingers continued to move, slower now, but still restless, tracing that same irregular pattern against her own leg. Her eyes met Strax's for a few seconds—long enough to feel the weight of that gaze—before wavering. She looked away.
First subtly.
Then more noticeably.
Her chin lowered slightly, her dark hair slipping slightly forward, creating a partial barrier between them, as if that would help lessen the intensity of the moment. But it didn't. Not really.
She took a deep breath.
And murmured, without looking at him:
"...stop looking at me like that."
Her voice came out low, almost muffled, as if part of her didn't really want to say it aloud. Still, she left. And stood there, between them.
Strax didn't respond immediately.
