Ace could feel his heart grow a bit lighter. "I am." It was a simple, short response that hid no implications behind it, since he'd already commented on her choice before with the same certainty.

"A little reminder to us both," he raised his hand to gently tap the chocobo on her feathery head, which elicited a muffled squeak from the bird. "Every world has its light that you don't want to forget."

Being able to experience such a wide array of emotions was a reward on its own that he had once been denied. The cadet shifted to rest his head against the girl's shoulder and smiled, even if she could not see it.

"This one is no different."