He just shook his head, a low, rough chuckle escaping him, a sound meant to dismiss the tension, but which held too much feeling to be casual. Words felt impossible. Instead, he leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to her temple. His lips were warm against her skin, a silent promise and a thank you for her presence, for being his anchor.
As he rested his forehead lightly against her hair for a second, the thought unfolded in his mind, clear and bittersweet.
I miss you, big brother. I wish you were here. I wish you were alive.
He could almost picture it. His twin, alive and whole, standing beside him. He imagined the inevitable, amusing confusion on Alina's face, trying to tell them apart, her laughter as she'd inevitably get it wrong. He could hear his brother's teasing, see his identical smile aimed at her fondly.
