Time flew that evening. Favna lay restlessly in bed, fiddling with her laptop game.

Her gaze kept drifting to Alte’s small bed.

Moving in hadn’t felt strange before—but now, facing the *real test* of sharing a room? Pure agony.

“Sleeping in the same room with a guy I’ve barely known for days… Is that really okay?”

Her nerves made her gameplay noticeably clumsy.

Just then, Alte pushed the door open. “Want me to move the bed out and sleep elsewhere?”

He clearly knew Favna was flustered.

Sure, *he* had thick skin—sharing a room meant nothing to him.

But Favna? If forced to share, she’d probably short-circuit on the spot.

“N-no! It’s fine…” She peeked timidly from under the blanket, shaking her head.

As shy as she was, kicking *him* out felt far worse.

This was *his* room. She was the intruder—no right to send him away.

“But won’t I keep you awake?” Alte shrugged pragmatically. “I’ll just move it back tomorrow morning.”

A solid plan—but Favna still felt it was wrong.

Seeing her silent, Alte started lifting the bed.

“W-wait! It’s okay! Saves on heating… Yeah, *mostly* for the heating!”

Her voice perked up, clutching the excuse. Alte chuckled wryly. “So… can you actually sleep with me here?”

“I… should be able to,” she murmured uncertainly, then nodded. “I’ll manage.”

“Alright. If you can’t sleep, I’ll take the hint.”

Her stubbornness settled it. Alte dropped objections.

Childhood nights sharing a bed with his little sister had built serious tolerance. Zero shyness.

And honestly? Their relationship was perfectly innocent.

He glanced at Favna. Exhausted from the day, she tucked her laptop away, pulled the covers up, and settled in.

Silence filled the room—only soft, rhythmic breathing remained.

Ironically, the one who’d sounded so calm—Alte—couldn’t sleep.

Eyes adjusted to the dark, he watched her sleeping on her side, face turned toward him.

He could hear her calm, even breaths.

“Sleeping like a log,” he whispered, warmth blooming in his chest—a quiet joy from being trusted.

He sat up, stepped to her bedside, and gazed at her peaceful face. A faint flutter stirred his heart.

His pulse quickened. A blush warmed his cheeks.

But he knew: this wasn’t love.

Just a reaction to her beauty—like something long ago.

Truth was, he *was* a normal guy.

Seeing such a lovely, defenseless girl asleep before him? Zero stray thoughts? Impossible.

He sighed inwardly.

*Thank goodness for self-control.*

Anyone else might’ve slipped under her covers.

But Alte held firm. Crime averted—by sheer willpower.

…Though… *just* a gentle head pat couldn’t hurt, right?

His fingers brushed her silver hair—silky smooth, irresistibly like Dove chocolate.

Beneath it, her dewy cheek felt faintly cool.

After a light tap, he withdrew his hand, checked she still slept deeply, then gently tugged her blanket higher.

“Since I’m awake… time to work,” he murmured. “Taking Favna to the Dragon Knights Barracks tomorrow might be a good idea.”

He slipped out of the room.

————

Dawn’s light roused Alte, slumped over his office desk.

He stretched, working stiffness from his joints.

“Still early… Favna’s probably still out.”

He eased the bedroom door open. In the dim room, she slept soundly—soft, adorable breaths escaping her lips.

Yesterday’s tension must’ve drained her.

Now, utterly relaxed, she radiated lazy warmth that even made *him* drowsy.

Undeniably… this sleepy Favna was dangerously cute.

Alte couldn’t resist—gently poking her cheek.

A sleepy murmur escaped her. Her emerald-green eyes fluttered open, gazed at him drowsily, then closed again.

Slowly, she caught his large hand and pressed it to her cool, dewy cheek.

Still half-asleep. Clueless.

But…

Faced with this unconscious intimacy, even Alte felt his rationality evaporating fast.

*Somehow*, he held on.

Watching her, he mused softly, “Wonder how this shut-in dragon will react when she wakes up…”

So he left his hand there—letting her keep it pressed gently to her cheek.