"She's here?" a vaguely familiar voice cuts through the all-consuming darkness.

"Yes, Sir. We're able to capture 'Unicorn' again. She is also prepared for your research," a cold neutral voice answers obediently.

"Perfect, good job. Start with the basic tests. I want the results asap." orders the first one coldly. "Especially the energy stats from the aether core."

Then the voice gets closer, "I knew we'd meet again, Miss Hunter. Welcome home," a false friendly whispering in the darkness before it fades away into the void, leaving nothing as silence and shadows behind.

Terrified by the nightmare you just had, you stir awake. The setting sun throws deep orange rays through the dome of glass that adorns Rafayels luxurious bedroom. You are alone and the world around is serene, only some screams of seagulls are heard along the rhythmic crashing of waves.

What did you just dream? It felt like you were captured somewhere dark and freezing. Neither could you see nor could you move. And what about these voices? They sound so cold, and neutral... like scientists or something. That one male speaker somehow rang a bell... if you only could remember why.

Carefully you sit up in the huge bed, and the wound at your waist immediately starts to protest harshly. A dull pain radiates from the injury, signaling it's time for more painkillers. In addition, your stomach grumbles, and you feel a little nauseous.

Like a signal the wooden door to the bedroom opens and Rafayel enters balancing a tray quite elegantly on one hand as he closes the entrance again with the other.

"Hey, sleeping beauty." he greets you with an affectionate smile. "How you're feeling?"

"Hey," you smile back, weakly, but you do your best. "My side aches," you answer him honestly, knowing how upset he was as you tried to act tough the last time he asked this.

"No wonder, time for your meds." he places the wooden tray on the counter beside the bed and sits close to you on the edge of the mattress. "I've made some seafood soup. Easy to digest and full of good stuff that helps you get your energy back."

His radiant smile doesn't leave you unaffected, and you take his hand, pressing it lightly. "Thank you, Rafayel," and after a second "for everything. You know you don't have to do this, right? I would also be fine at the hospital."

The purple-haired man shakes his head violently. "And leaving you to suffer under Dr. Snowman? Nu-uh. No way, cutie. You're better here with me and there's nothing the doctor and nurses do, that I can't," he says with a little adorable pout.

That gets you to chuckle, but the pain makes you stop immediately. Is he a bit jealous?

"Hey, no laughing," comes his chide softly and a warm hand touches your forehead. " Already forgotten that it hurts you?" a little wink. "Still no fever. That's good."

The hand leaves you and Rafayel pulls the wooden tray onto his lap. Now you can see that it is painted with some fish and underwater scenes. Even this isn't spared by Rafayels creativity, you think with a little grin. A steamy dish with a delicious-smelling soup lets your mouth water, which takes up most of the space on the tray with a filled-up glass and a tiny plate with some pills.

"Here. Careful, it's hot," he blows onto the silvery spoon before he feeds you slowly.

And there Rafayel says he's bad at taking care of others, you think. The whole day he was nothing else than attentive and soft towards you. You don't know how you ever manage to leave him once the day arrives. And you're sure that time will come. You haven't forgotten that you're not at home here, even if it gets harder to remind yourself of that with each passing day and hour. But you're only on borrowed time, you don't belong here. And your heart throbs with these thoughts. How can you live a normal ordinary real life after you have met Rafayel? An existence where he's just a fictional character in a game? You don't know, and it feels like your heart is ripped off your chest. A small tear escapes your eye and runs down your cheek where it is caught by the thumb of the man in front of you, the one you fall in love with even more after all this time here.

"Hey where's this little pearl coming from?" worry laces his voice and sunset eyes search your gaze, filled with adoration and tenderness. You blink a few times, not wanting to burden Rafayel with the sadness that engulfs your mind. Now it's not the right moment for this kind of talk. And maybe he wouldn't suffer as much as you, once you were back in your world? At least there will still be the MC by his side.

"It's just the injury. It starts to hurt like hell," seeking refugee in another truth. Not able to retort his worried gaze you look at the wooden tray, that's securely on his thighs. "Mind helping me to take the meds? I don't know if I can hold the glass by myself."

"No need to ask. Here." Rafayels voice sounds a bit hoarse as he reaches out to you with the pills and the glass of water that stood beside the soup.

Does he suspect what you're thinking about right now? Maybe he senses the ache in your heart, who knows? Trying to distract him and yourself, you ask him about your twin. "Any news regarding her disappearing?"

Rafayel only answers with hesitation. "Maybe. Her hunter's watch has been found," and he cradles your cheek in his warm palm. "Please don't make yourself guilty for it. You didn't know what would happen. The Anhaunsen class isn't fully researched since there are only a few in every generation. I know she's still alive and whatever happened we'll find her."

You gaze back at him. "We?"

"Yeah...," now he looks somehow distressed and annoyed. "Xavier and Dr. Zayne insisted on helping with searching for her," then he scoffs. "Can't believe I actually have to team up with those weirdos." You inhale sharply, unsure if you should scold Rafayel or laugh about his behavior. "Don't worry. I'll behave," he winks at you with a glint of mischief in his eyes, "For now."

You laugh, and he continues feeding you the rest of the soup.

"Now go to sleep again." Rafayel tugs you back into the soft sheets. "I'm right here if you need me," he gestures to the other side of the bed."

With your mortified look he smugly chuckles. "What? Do you think I'll do something to you? After I cared for you? Wouldn't that destroy all my efforts in getting you healthy again?" he mocks you and goes to the adjourned bathroom. "Don't worry, cutie," and with a cocky grin " And if you think about to ambush me in my sleep, I don't need to be afraid about that. You're weak like a baby right now."

Oh, how much you wanted to throw a cushion after him, but you can't even hold a glass. So you only shout after him "Rafayel! You!"