* * *
“…Ugh.”
I flinched when Zerbin’s hand brushed over my tattoo.
A shiver ran through me at the feeling of his rough fingers tracing the back of my neck.
It wasn’t because I disliked it—it was just that the magic engraving was sensitive.
Every time his hand grazed the tattoo, my body instinctively pulled away.
Maybe that’s why he keeps touching me more—to chase after it.
Since it’s Zerbin, I won’t stop him, but every time this happens, it leaves me with a strange feeling.
The way he holds me in his arms and strokes my skin as if cherishing me…
It’s probably just because magic engravings aren’t common, right?
That’s what I tell myself, but when his fingertips slowly glide down my neck, an indescribable heat seeps in, something beyond mere warmth.
Is this… also a kind of temptation?
“…Want to go again?”
The sun was already beginning to rise, but it was still early morning.
One more time wouldn’t be impossible.
“No.”
Oh, so that’s a no?
Good.
Honestly, after rolling around from evening until deep into the night, my body felt completely drained.
Still, if Zerbin wanted to, I was willing to put in the effort.
“Then should I just stay still?”
“Don’t make me repeat myself.”
Yes, sir.
I shut my mouth and remained still.
His rough fingers combed through my hair with a surprisingly gentle touch, making my scalp tingle.
…Is he being this careful because he thinks I might break?
After thinking it over, I realized Zerbin is actually quite good at taking care of others.
Not just anyone, of course—only those within his walls.
I suddenly felt guilty for doubting what Fer had said earlier.
Zerbin may not be the most skilled at it, but he still considers others in his own way.
So, he really did take care of Fer when they were younger?
The wandering knight story might take some time to uncover, but maybe I should at least work on turning this into a friendship.
He told me to stay still, but I couldn’t just remain in his arms forever—I had things to do.
“Zerbin.”
His hand, which had been stroking my hair, stopped.
Gray eyes shifted, locking onto mine.
It was just eye contact, yet being held in his arms made my heart flutter for no reason.
I mean, I know I’m thinking too highly of myself, but when a handsome man holds you and looks at you like that, isn’t it natural to feel something?
It’s just human instinct.
“About Fer… Were you really not close?”
Instead of answering, Zerbin pressed his finger firmly against my forehead.
It was just his index finger, but it hurt like hell.
I wanted to scream, but I held back with all the pride of an adventurer.
“I was just curious… Did I annoy you?”
“Would that make you happy?”
I mean, I wouldn’t expect you to feel good about such a question, but I don’t see why it would upset you either!
Is he mad because I doubted what he said?
Oh, right, he literally just told me not to make him repeat himself.
Asking again so soon must have been irritating.
Yeah… I definitely approached that wrong.
I need to be more strategic about this.
“It’s just… You’re the first person I’ve met who says they were close to him. And, well, I think you’re a kind and considerate person too. Other adventurers respect you, but they don’t actually know you, so… I thought that was kind of a shame.”
“…”
Is he buying it?
“If you two were really close, then for once, I’d be able to talk about your good qualities with someone else.”
Zerbin pulled his hand away.
See?
He actually responds well to compliments.
It’s kind of cute, honestly.
Not that I’d ever say that out loud unless I had a death wish.
“…I do remember helping him a few times.”
“You only helped? Never played together or anything?”
“What’s fun about hanging around a kid who cries all the time?”
Wow.
That was more blunt than I expected.
So they really weren’t close?
Maybe it was just one-sided.
“But he called you ‘Bati-hyung,’ though?”
If it was that one-sided, there’s no way he would’ve allowed such a familiar nickname.
This is the Zerbin Batista we’re talking about—the man who draws the clearest lines in the world.
“You were paying attention to that?”
Zerbin frowned.
“No! Not really. Just pure curiosity!”
The way I said it made it sound like I actually cared.
I was just gauging whether their relationship had any potential to develop into something like true affection.
I wasn’t thinking too much about it.
Really.
…Okay, maybe a little.
But it’s not like I wanted to get caught obsessing over it.
“Then you call me that too.”
…What?
Did he just casually allow that?
Just like that?
No hesitation?
You literally said you’d kill me for it last night!
I was planning to never bring it up again! What changed?!
“Me? Call you that?”
“You don’t want to?”
I—I wouldn’t say I don’t want to…
It’s not that I dislike it, but… It feels like too much.
Like I’m crossing a line I shouldn’t.
Not Batista, but Bati…
Just rolling the nickname around in my mouth makes me feel all kinds of weird.
I have no idea how I’ll react if I actually say it out loud.
My heart starts pounding louder.
“…Bati.”
I—I said it.
I really said it.
He gave me permission, so it’s fine, but still, it feels way too audacious.
My whole body tensed with nervousness.
Suddenly, a large hand covered my face.
My vision went black.
“Wha—? Why?”
“…Stay still.”
Did he say yes without thinking, but now that he’s heard it, he hates it?
If that’s the case, he could just take it back.
But his voice sounded strangely weak, so I couldn’t bring myself to ask.
The heat from his palm reminded me too much of last night.
My body grew warm.
…Yeah, maybe this nickname thing isn’t a good idea.
“I’ll just call you Zerbin.”
But the hand covering my eyes didn’t move.
So that wasn’t the problem?
What else could it be?
“…No.”
…You want me to keep calling you Bati?
Honestly, that’s way too embarrassing.
I mean, it’s not like we’re dating or anything!
Not that I’d call you that if we were!
It’s stupid to even be thinking about relationships over a dumb nickname!
It’s just—Zerbin is the kind of guy who never lets anyone get close to him, so it’s different!
That’s all!
I’m not overreacting!
“T-then… Should I just call you by your name?”
We’ve known each other for a while now.
Dropping the last name and using just his first name should be fine, right?
It’s less of a jump than going straight to a nickname.
Silence.
I can’t tell if it’s an agreeable silence or an awkward one.
Since his energy doesn’t feel all prickly, I assume he doesn’t hate it.
Let’s test the waters.
“…Batista.”
The hand pressing down on my eyes loosened slightly.
That was definitely a positive reaction.
Though I still had no idea why he wasn’t moving his hand away.
“Raul.”
Zerbin called my name as if he were returning it to me.
It’s really strange.
Why does it feel so embarrassing when Zerbin says my name?
It’s like being wrapped up in something warm and soft.
“Yeah, Batista.”
“Not bad.”
Despite receiving a positive evaluation, Zerbin—or rather, Batista—still didn’t move his hand, so I had to remain in darkness for a while longer.
I didn’t know why, but the lingering warmth wasn’t unpleasant.
If Batista wanted this much, then fine.
* * *
Only had to sleep with him twice to get on a first name basis 🤣
Owwwww