There was something there, and Ernie wasn't sure if he was the only one who suddenly felt it. There was no way, Zacharias had to feel it too, he was the one that was staring. Well, Ernie was staring too. So maybe they were both just strange. Still, Ernie hadn't been this close to someone since Cynric had left, and he was noting all the little flaws that weren't really flaws across his face. The freckles, the little scars, from... whatever.
The silence was fine, at least for Ernie. It was somewhat awkward, and maybe speaking would have only made it worse. This silence felt almost intimate, actually, and he quite liked it.