After a while, we finally finished eating.
And honestly... it was ridiculously good.
Not the kind of good where you nod politely and say, yeah, that was nice, but the kind where you sit there for a second afterward, staring at the table, wondering how sothing that simple could taste that satisfying. The flavors lingered. Warm, rich, and even comforting. It was the kind of al that didn’t just fill your stomach—it settled sowhere deeper.
I was full.
No—scratch that. I was stuffed.
My stomach was actually sticking out, pushing slightly against my shirt, and when I leaned back, I could feel the dull, pleasant heaviness weighing down. The kind that made moving feel optional and unnecessary. If I stayed like this for another ten minutes, I’d probably fall asleep right there at the table.
When everything was finally over and the plates were empty, I stood up and offered to clean the dishes.
"It’s fine," Juna said almost imdiately, waving her hand dismissively. "You should just stay there, Leon. Keep Zeruel and Selene company. I an, surely it’s more fun to hang out with them than with so old lady like ."
"Old lady?" I repeated, turning toward her. "I don’t really think soone in her mid-forties qualifies as an old lady. At least, not to ."
And I ant it.
Sure, if you wanted to be technical about it, so people would start throwing around the word old once a woman reached her fifties. But mid-forties? That never really made sense to . If anything, it felt like the point where maturity and confidence finally settled into place. Hell, there were won in their fifties or even sixties who were still undeniably hot and still seductive in ways that had nothing to do with youth.
But forties?
That was different.
There was a kind of ripeness there. A presence. A depth that ca from experience rather than innocence. And Juna embodied that perfectly.
"Fufufufu," she laughed softly, the sound light and amused. "You’re really good at flattering people, you know that? Is that how you seduced both of my daughters?" She tilted her head slightly, eyes gleaming with mischief. "If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were trying to seduce too. A mother and two daughters... I suppose that’s quite a wonderful goal."
She paused for just a beat before continuing.
"Although," she added, smiling faintly, "I don’t know if I’d really suit your taste."
It was obvious she was joking.
Clearly.
And yet... I couldn’t stop my mind from wandering for just a second longer than it should have.
"Well," I said, shrugging lightly, "it wouldn’t be so bad if that happened. I think I’d be pretty happy having you as my woman."
For a brief mont, she froze.
Then—
"My, what a thing to say," she replied, a hand rising to her cheek. "You’re making this old woman blush."
It was, by all accounts, a completely normal conversation.
Nothing outrageous. Nothing that crossed any real lines.
And yet, despite that, I found my gaze drifting toward her without even realizing it.
Her side profile caught my attention.
It was soft, elegant, and composed.
Despite calling herself an old lady, there wasn’t a single blemish on her skin that supported that claim. There was no harsh lines as well as no tired sagging. Just smooth, well-kept skin that spoke of care rather than age. If she hadn’t said her age herself, I honestly wouldn’t have guessed.
It made her words feel almost self-deprecating.
"Fufufu," she said again, her voice quieter now. "You know, Leon... I think our lives have beco much livelier since you ca into them."
She spoke calmly, but there was weight behind her words.
"I’m not going to lie," she continued. "You saved from a deadly illness. You cured when I thought I was already standing at the edge. And not only that..." She glanced toward the other room, where her daughters were. "You were there for my girls when I couldn’t be. You brought light into their world during a ti I wasn’t able to."
She looked back at , eyes sincere.
"That’s why I’m truly thankful."
"Well," I said simply, "it’s only natural."
And I left it at that.
I didn’t say anything more.
The truth was, my actions weren’t completely pure. There was a part of that knew my motives weren’t spotless, not entirely free of desire or self-interest. But that didn’t erase the core reason behind what I did.
I didn’t want Zeruel to suffer.
Seeing her lose her mother would’ve broken her, and I couldn’t stand the thought of that. She was one of my won. Soone important to . If saving Juna ant protecting Zeruel’s happiness, then I’d do it with no hesitation.
"If you ever need ntal support," Juna said after a short pause, "you can always co to . I may not be the type to simply lend a shoulder, but I can soothe you in ways you won’t find with many people."
I wasn’t entirely sure what she ant by that.
But I’d be lying if I said it didn’t pique my interest.
"Then I’ll take you up on that offer," I replied.
***
After she finished washing the dishes, I figured it was about ti to leave. I’d only been invited for dinner, after all. Staying longer than that felt like pushing it.
"Well, I’ll be heading ho now," I said.
"Why don’t you stay the night instead, Leon?" Juna asked suddenly. "Ah—well, I guess this place is pretty small compared to yours, huh?" She hesitated, clearly realizing how that sounded. "Sorry, that ca out awkward."
She smiled apologetically.
"Please be careful on your way ho."
Now I felt awkward too.
But she had invited .
And after a mont of hesitation, I decided to accept.
"If you don’t mind," I said, "then I’ll take you up on it."
She looked at for a mont, studying my face, before her expression softened.
"I guess I should prepare your bed, then," she said.
And just like that, I was officially staying the night at their house.
***
I was sleeping on the floor.
Well, not directly on it. There was a foam mat laid out beneath , thick enough to keep the cold from seeping straight into my back. It wasn’t luxurious, but it was comfortable enough.
As I lay there, staring up at the ceiling, a thought crossed my mind.
When was the last ti I’d done this?
Not the kind of sleepover where I went to soone’s place just to have sex. Not the kind that ended with bodies tangled together and clothes discarded.
A real sleepover.
Being invited to stay. Given permission. Treated like a guest rather than a temporary indulgence.
It felt... warm.
Not physically but emotionally.
A strange, quiet warmth settled in my chest, sothing I couldn’t quite put into words.
As I lay there, lost in thought, I suddenly felt soone approaching.
I turned my head slightly.
It was Zeruel.
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