But Mikhail knew exactly how she felt. He had known how she would feel since the beginning.
And that's why he didn't even hesitate.
Mikhail leaned his head forward, bringing his lips close to Azalea's left ear.
"I love you, Azalea."
The hug grew tighter. Warmer. More pleasant.
Mikhail backed up to look at her face, and what he saw stunned him.
A radiant smile, more beautiful than anything he could remember. Coupled with tears of joy that slowly fell from the woman's eyes. Her arms had long since wrapped around Mikhail, and she was quick to hold him as tightly as she could muster.
"I love you too Khail!"
She buried her face against his neck, hiding her tears under the cover of Mikhail's long and glossy black hair.
Though, Mikhail didn't let her do that for long, reaching up and over her shoulder to wipe some of the tears away.
"Come on, A-Z. We can cherish this step forward once we're out on the surface again."
