It's a very predictable (even cliché) sequence of events, but I like what it does to characterize Fern and Stark.
Like with Fern genuinely trusting Stark, because she can see his resolve even in the way his tired and damaged hands look, but also because she can see herself in him and hopes he can overcome his fear the same way she did, and so they have this genuinely nice and heartfelt moment with her trying to reassure him, at the same time this series refuses to make either of them overly emotional about it so it has the, at this point trademark, Frieren understatedness to it, which I think makes a lot of sense because they did pretty much only just meet! Stark, for as much as he's opening up, still feels like he has his defenses up, so the whole exchange feels sweet and genuine, but with a certain awkwardness to it.
But then also with how they portrayed Fern's disappointment lol, I just love this little scene of Fern just absolutely not wanting to go face the dragon without Stark (I mean, she does just not wanna fight the dragon, but wanting Stark to not run away is also part of what goes into this moment I'd say).
Just, the palpable way both of their mental states is pretty much just "ugh...". Something about it also feels very real (how they even got to this point aside), with how even if it's funny it's not overly exaggerated, and the only voice acting here is Frieren making frustrated effort noises.
And even more importantly: happy Fern:
