Adam kept one hand gently stroking the top of her head, fingers threading slowly through her crimson hair in soothing, repetitive motions. His touch was warm and careful, pouring quiet comfort through every stroke as if trying to chase away the lingering fear still trapped inside her.

Ignis only clung tighter in response, arms wrapping around his neck and back with desperate strength, her face buried deeper against his chest. Her small wings trembled as she pressed herself flush against him, golden tears still slipping down her cheeks.

Adam let out a soft, strained chuckle. "Hey... if you keep hugging me this tight, I might actually break, Ignis," he teased gently, voice low and warm against her ear.

Ignis froze for half a second, then a tiny, watery laugh escaped her lips. She pulled back just enough to look at him, golden eyes still glistening with tears but now carrying a spark of her usual fire.

"You’re not that weak, Adam," she murmured, voice hoarse but teasing back. A small, shaky smile tugged at the corner of her mouth.

Adam kept gently stroking Ignis’s head, his clawed fingers moving slowly and tenderly through her crimson hair, careful not to scratch her golden horns. Each stroke was steady and warm, like a silent promise that he wasn’t going anywhere.

Ignis let out a shaky breath and hugged him even tighter, her arms locked around his neck as if she wanted to melt into him. Her body was still trembling slightly, but the tension in her shoulders slowly started to ease under his touch.

After a long moment, Adam spoke again, his voice soft but firm against her ear.

"You’re not weak, Ignis. You never were. That mirror... it wasn’t testing your strength the way you think. It was trying to break you from the inside. The fact that you’re still here, still fighting even after falling this deep... that’s proof of how strong you really are."

Ignis sniffled, her golden eyes still wet as she pressed her forehead against his chest.

"But I failed... I let myself get swallowed because I was too full of myself. I wanted to show you I could stand beside you without being a burden..." Her voice cracked again. "I hated being alone in there. It was so cold... so empty. I kept thinking... what if Adam never comes? What if I really am just a weak little lizard who only knows how to burn things and act tough?"

Adam smiled faintly and kept stroking her head, slower this time, letting his fingers linger comfortingly at the base of her horns.

"You’re not a burden. You’re family. And I’m not leaving you behind again, not in a trial, not in a mirror, and definitely not in this damn abyss. We’re getting out of here together."

Ignis stayed quiet for a while, simply letting herself be held. The faint golden glow of her Solar Aura slowly began to return, warm and flickering like a candle slowly reigniting. She finally loosened her death-grip hug just a little, though she still refused to let go completely.

"...Thank you for coming for me," she whispered, voice small but sincere. "Even though I was stupid."

Adam chuckled softly and rested his chin on top of her head, still gently petting her hair.

"Stupid or not... you’re my stupid dragon. I’d dive into a thousand abysses if it meant bringing you back."

A tiny, genuine smile finally broke through Ignis’s tears as she nuzzled closer, her tail curling loosely around his leg.

Adam kept gently stroking Ignis’s head, his fingers slowly threading through her crimson hair. The silence between them felt warm and intimate, broken only by the faint sound of her breathing slowly steadying.

After a while, Ignis slowly pulled back just enough to look up at him. Her golden eyes, still a little red from crying, locked onto his crimson ones. She stared at him quietly for a long moment searching, vulnerable, full of emotions she couldn’t quite put into words. Adam stared back, his gaze soft and steady, his hand pausing on the side of her head.

For a few heartbeats, neither of them spoke.

Then, without warning, Ignis leaned forward and suddenly pressed her lips against his.

The kiss was impulsive, desperate, and warm, carrying all the fear, relief, and affection she had bottled up. Her small hands clutched the front of his chest as she kissed him deeply, almost like she was afraid he might disappear if she let go.

Adam’s eyes widened slightly in surprise. His body tensed for half a second before he instinctively relaxed, one hand still resting on the back of her head. He hadn’t expected the sudden kiss, especially after she had just been crying so hard, but he didn’t pull away.

’...I didn’t expect Ignis to kiss me,’ Adam thought, eyes widening slightly in surprise. His body tensed for half a second before he instinctively relaxed into it.

Ignis lingered for a few moments longer before slowly drawing back. Her cheeks were flushed with a faint crimson glow and her golden eyes looked a little shy, yet determined.

She bit her lower lip, then spoke in a quiet, slightly pouty voice.

"...You’re always so passive with me, Adam," she murmured, her fingers still gripping his clothes. "It makes me sad sometimes, you know? Lilith is so aggressive... she just takes what she wants from you. But me? I have to be the one who always steps forward first. I’m not as bold as her... I get shy and wait for you to notice me. It’s frustrating..."

Her voice grew smaller, almost embarrassed.

"I know I’m not as bold or seductive as Lilith... but I still want you to want me too. Not just... wait for me to jump on you like this."

Ignis lowered her gaze, tail curling tighter around his leg as a faint, embarrassed flame flickered across her horns.

Adam stayed quiet for a moment, processing her words. A gentle, understanding smile slowly formed on his lips. He cupped her cheek with one hand, tilting her face up so she would look at him again.

"Ignis..." he said softly, his crimson eyes warm. "I’m sorry. I didn’t realize I was making you feel that way."

He leaned in and gently kissed her forehead, then the tip of her nose, before pulling back just enough to meet her gaze again.

"You’re right. I’ve been too passive with you. With Lilith it’s easy because she charges straight in... but you’re different. You’re more sincere, more pure-hearted. I guess I was worried about pushing you too hard or making you uncomfortable. But hearing you say that... I understand now."

Adam’s thumb gently brushed her cheek as he continued, voice low and sincere.

"I do want you. Not just when you come to me first. I want you all the time... your energy, your smile, your fire... everything. From now on, I won’t make you wait or chase after me like this. You deserve better than that."

He gave her a small, teasing smirk, though his eyes remained gentle.

"And for the record... you’re plenty bold when you want to be. That kiss just now? Pretty aggressive for someone who says she’s not as bold as Lilith."

Ignis’s golden eyes widened slightly, a fresh blush spreading across her face.