Chapter 7.

Ignis wakes up, daylight streaming through the opened balcony and she stretches, her body aching. Elijah is lying beside her, his eyes are open, looking at her.
"That's creepy." Ignis states trying not to smile.
"My apologies." He smirks. He's still dressed in his suit. She looks back into Elijah's sparkling eyes.
"How old exactly are you?"
"Too old." He replies playfully. Ignis allows herself to smile this time, her frizzy hair falling on her face. But before she can move it herself, Elijah leans over and tucks it behind her ear, his fingers soft. With an automatic response, she reaches to his hand, grabbing it tightly as if her were going to hit her. Elijah watches Ignis loosen her grip on his hand, wondering.
"I'm-I'm sorry." Ignis murmurs tilting her head away. She cracks her neck and then her knuckles, the crackling of her joints are loud in the silent room.
"Do you think it'll get better?" her head falls back onto the pillow.
"No, I just think it gets easier."
Ignis stretches again, her body stiff.
"I should go." Ignis concludes standing, making her way to the bathroom. She halts and gradually turns back to Elijah who is sitting on the bed, still watching her. "Thank you for last night, there's something about you…" she awkwardly smiles, "…You're just ever so noble. Has anyone told you that before?"
Elijah laughs lightly and smiles; a smile so wonderful, Ignis knows she'll never forget it.
"Only a couple of times."