Raviel entered Nao's room quietly, his presence calm and unreadable. Without a word, he took a seat on the couch. Nao glanced at him and spoke casually, "I'll take a shower first. You can go after me."
Raviel nodded. "Alright."
Nao stepped into the washroom. The space was grand and luxurious, the walls adorned with warm golden hues and soft lighting. Raviel waited silently on the couch, his eyes wandering around the room until the sound of the water stopped.
Moments later, Nao stepped out, towel-drying his wet hair. His damp skin glowed under the soft lights, and the water clinging to his slender frame caught Raviel's eye.
Raviel stared at him, unblinking. "In the water, your body looks… more attractive."
Nao paused, his face immediately flushing a deep red. "W-What…?"
Raviel smirked, clearly unbothered, but Nao quickly changed the subject. "G-Go take a bath now. I'll grab you some clothes."
Raviel stood and made his way to the washroom while Nao rummaged through the closet. Still flustered, he mumbled to himself, What does he mean by that? Attractive? He's a demon… what kind of demon says that?
Trying to calm his thoughts, Nao sat on the bed and picked up his phone. He opened his chat with Elias and sent a message:
Nao: Are you okay? I'm sorry for my brother. He always teases you.
A moment later, Elias replied:
Elias: I'm okay, don't worry. Tomorrow's your first day at the company, right?
Nao: Yeah. I'm nervous, but I'll manage.
Just then, Raviel emerged from the bathroom—wearing nothing but a towel wrapped low around his hips. Nao's eyes widened, and he turned red again from head to toe.
"W-Why are you not wearing clothes yet?" he stammered.
"You didn't give me any," Raviel replied calmly.
"Oh—! Right. I forgot," Nao said, jumping to his feet. He quickly handed Raviel a set of clothes. "Here. Wear these!"
Raviel nodded and took the clothes from him. As Nao watched the demon's sculpted physique walk away, he couldn't stop his thoughts from wandering.
Why is his body so strong? So... hot?
He shook his head, flustered again. Ugh, what am I even thinking?
Raviel stepped out of the bathroom, now dressed in the silk night suit Nao had given him. The smooth fabric clung lightly to his frame, making him look even more striking. Nao glanced at him and quickly looked away, his cheeks warming.
"You look… different," Nao mumbled, handing Raviel a blanket, his voice barely above a whisper.
Raviel raised an eyebrow. "Different?"
Nao cleared his throat. "I mean—you just look more decent now. That's all." He quickly turned toward the bed. "Let's sleep."
Raviel quietly made his way to the couch and lay down, pulling the blanket over himself. The room fell into a peaceful silence, but Nao could still feel Raviel's eyes on him. Trying to ignore it, Nao slipped into bed and closed his eyes. Yet the heavy gaze persisted, almost like a weight on his skin.
He opened his eyes slowly and turned his head, meeting Raviel's unwavering stare.
"Why are you still looking at me?" Nao asked, his voice groggy.
Raviel smiled faintly. "I don't need to sleep."
Nao blinked, confused. "Wait… you can't sleep?"
Raviel smirked, giving a slight nod. "I'm not human, remember? Sleep isn't necessary for me."
Nao sighed and turned onto his side. "Right… forgot that part."
He reached over to turn off the bedside lamp. The room was now cloaked in soft darkness. After a brief pause, Nao muttered, "Don't look at me while I sleep."
Raviel's voice came low, almost amused, from the couch. "Okay."
But Nao had a strange feeling he'd still be watched all night.
Nao lay in his bed, feeling a strange unease as the silence of the room enveloped him. He turned to his side, glancing toward Raviel, who lay still on the couch, his eyes glowing softly in the dim light of the room. Nao's heart fluttered nervously—he wasn't sure if it was the proximity, the intensity of Raviel's gaze, or something deeper that he couldn't quite explain.
Raviel's steady presence in the room felt both comforting and unsettling, a mixture of warmth and coldness, like fire and ice. Nao squeezed his eyes shut, trying to sleep, but Raviel's stare felt like it was burned into his skin. He was too aware of the space between them, yet it felt too small.
"Raviel?" Nao whispered, barely above a breath.
Raviel didn't respond immediately. His body lay motionless, but his voice came softly through the darkness. "Yes, young master?"
Nao hesitated for a moment, wondering if he should ask about Raviel's nature or something deeper. He settled on something lighter, something safer. "Why don't you ever sleep? Is it because you're... not human?"
Raviel's eyes gleamed faintly in the darkness, and he turned his head toward Nao, his smile unseen but evident in his voice. "I don't need sleep, Nao. I'm different from humans. I don't feel the same urges or desires you do."
Nao bit his lip, trying to hide his curiosity. He had so many questions, and for some reason, it felt right to ask Raviel now. "So, do you never get tired?"
Raviel's chuckle was almost imperceptible, like a whisper against Nao's skin. "Not in the way you do. I can rest, but sleep... it's not necessary for me. It's a human thing."
Nao nodded slowly, absorbing the information. He wasn't sure why, but hearing Raviel's voice in the dark, so close, made him feel safe and uneasy all at once. There was an aura of mystery around Raviel—something that both drew Nao in and made him want to distance himself.
"You know..." Nao started, his voice a little quieter now. "I'm not really used to being so close to someone like this. It feels weird."
"Close?" Raviel repeated softly, his voice carrying a knowing undertone. "You mean because I'm here, in your room?"
Nao nodded, even though Raviel couldn't see him. "Yeah. And... I don't know what to think about it."
There was a long pause. Raviel didn't respond right away, as though considering the words carefully. Finally, he spoke, his voice deep and calm. "Nao, there are things about me you don't understand yet. But I will always protect you. That's my purpose."
Nao's breath hitched slightly at the intensity of Raviel's words. "I know. But... sometimes, it feels like you know more about me than I do."
Raviel didn't answer right away. Instead, he turned away from the couch, his form shifting as he sat up slightly. "It's not about knowing more. It's about understanding that you don't have to face everything alone. I'm here, and I will always be here."
Nao's heart softened, but there was still that knot of confusion in his chest. He wanted to trust Raviel, wanted to believe in his words, but a part of him still didn't fully understand. How could he? Raviel was a demon, after all—an immortal protector bound to his family. Yet, Nao couldn't deny the pull he felt toward him. It was almost as if Raviel held a piece of the puzzle to Nao's life, one that Nao hadn't yet discovered.
"Thanks, Raviel," Nao whispered, his voice muffled by the blanket as he buried his face in it. "I think I'll try to sleep now."
"Good night, Nao," Raviel replied, his tone gentle but firm, as though there was more unsaid between them.
Nao closed his eyes, feeling Raviel's eyes on him even though he couldn't see them. The tension still lingered, thick and heavy in the air. The questions, the uncertainty, everything was suspended in that moment, but for now, Nao let sleep take him—tired, confused, but comforted by Raviel's presence.