Chapter 76 Strange things

Chapter 76 Strange things
Elara suddenly became very aware of how close they were standing.

Too close.

His presence still filled the room like a storm that refused to calm, his eyes dark and focused, watching her as though she might vanish if he looked away for even a second. The towel wrapped around her body suddenly felt too thin, too fragile under that gaze.

“I… I need to dress,” she said quickly, her voice coming out breathier than she intended.

Varian didn’t move.

Didn’t blink.

Didn’t even pretend to turn away.

He simply kept staring.

Her eyes widened. “W-What are you doing?” she gasped. “Turn around!”

Silence.

His gaze flicked from her face to the towel, then back to her eyes, calm and unapologetic.

“You’re a pervert!” she blurted, flustered, her cheeks heating instantly.

Still, he didn’t budge.

“I don’t see the problem,” he replied flatly.

She huffed, spun on her heel, and marched straight back into the bathroom, slamming the door shut behind her. The moment she leaned against it, she pressed a hand to her chest, her heart racing wildly.

Why is he like this?

And worse, why does it make me feel like this?

She glanced at her reflection in the mirror, eyes shining, lips curved in an uncontrollable smile. She shook her head at herself, laughing silently as she slipped into her cute, soft pajamas, simple, comfortable, and unmistakably human. She dried her hair, tying it loosely so it wouldn’t bother her while sleeping.

Still smiling.

Still thinking about him.

When she finally stepped out of the bathroom, the room had changed again.

Varian was sitting on the edge of her bed now, elbows resting on his knees, fingers loosely intertwined. His posture was relaxed in a way she rarely saw, no tension, no readiness to strike. Just… him.

His eyes immediately lifted to her.

He studied her slowly, carefully, as though committing every detail to memory.

“What type of clothing is this?” he asked at last. “I’ve seen you wear it many times.”

She blinked, then smiled. “These are pajamas. Humans wear them to sleep.”

He frowned slightly. “Why must humans have clothes they wear just to sleep?”

“Because it’s comfortable,” she said simply.

He clicked his tongue softly. “You humans are strange.”

She laughed quietly, walking closer. Before she could say anything else, he lifted two fingers and gestured for her to come nearer.

Her steps slowed as she approached him, heart fluttering in her chest.

“Have fun here,” he said. “Because once you return, we’ll begin preparing seriously for your competition.”

Her smile faltered. “Are you leaving now?”

He tilted his head, studying her expression. “Should I?”

Her answer came instantly, without thought. “No. Please don’t.”

She stepped forward and hugged him tightly, burying her face against his chest. Her arms wrapped around him like she was afraid he might disappear if she loosened her grip even slightly.

For a moment, Varian froze.

Then slowly his body relaxed.

He didn’t hug her back, but he didn’t push her away either. His hands remained at his sides, yet his presence softened, the sharp edges dulling. If anyone were watching closely, they might have sworn his lips twitched, just barely, as if he almost smiled.

“I think you should sleep now,” he said quietly.

She nodded against him. “Okay.”

She climbed onto the bed first, pulling the covers back before sitting down. Then, without even asking, she reached out and tugged his sleeve gently.

“Come here.”

He hesitated, then lay down beside her. The bed dipped slightly under his weight, and she immediately scooted closer, pressing herself against his side. She wrapped her arms around him again, this time resting her head against his chest.

She held him like she was afraid of the dark.

Like she was afraid of being alone.

Her small hand began patting his back softly, slow and rhythmic. She didn’t even realize she was doing it, it just felt natural. Comforting. Familiar in a way she couldn’t explain.

Varian stiffened at first.

No one had ever touched him like this.

No one had ever tried to comfort him.

But something about the steady movement, the warmth of her body, the quiet trust in the way she held him, it seeped into him slowly, dissolving walls he didn’t even remember building.

Minutes passed.

Then something strange happened.

His breathing evened out.

His thoughts, usually sharp and restless, began to blur. His eyelids grew heavy, heavier than they had ever felt before. He tried to fight it, confusion flickering through his mind—

I don’t sleep.

But his body betrayed him.

Before he could make sense of it, darkness gently pulled him under.

A deep, steady snore escaped him.

Elara’s eyes widened slightly before she smiled.

She tilted her head up, studying his face. Without the usual coldness, without the constant control, he looked… peaceful. Younger. Softer.

Handsome.

Cute.

“He sleeps,” she whispered to herself in awe.

She leaned up carefully and pressed a gentle peck to his cheek, barely there, like a secret. Then she settled back against him, her hand resting over his heart.

She closed her eyes, smiling.
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