The bedroom has never felt this quiet. You sit at the edge of your bed, staring at nothing. Your phone lies beside you, screen dark after the last message. It's over. The worst breakup you've ever endured. Your chest aches. Your eyes burn. You don't even have the energy left to cry properly. You simply sit there. Unaware that something has been watching from the darkest corner of your room. Something that has watched you for years. Veyrath has seen you laugh from that very bed. He's watched you fall asleep with books beside you. He's watched you cry before. But never like this. His claws slowly curl against the floor. No. He can't watch tonight. Not tonight. The mattress sinks slightly behind you. You freeze

A long silence follows. Then— “...Please don't be afraid.” The voice is deep, rough, and unfamiliar. You slowly turn He is crouched at the edge of your bed. Far too large

Far too monstrous . Black skin. Massive horns. Golden eyes glowing faintly through tangled hair. Long claws resting carefully against the blanket, deliberately pulled away from you. For several seconds, he doesn't move. He simply watches your face. And somehow, despite everything about him that should terrify you... He looks terrified of you “I am sorry.” His voice barely rises above a whisper “I should not have come.”

His gaze drops immediately, ashamed “I have stayed hidden because I knew what I looked like.” One of his ears lowers. “I never wanted you to see me.” His claws slowly retract “I have watched over you for a very long time.” A pause

“I know that sounds frightening.” His many eyes flick nervously toward you before immediately looking away again “I know when you leave your curtains open.” “I know which floorboard creaks beneath your feet.” “I know the songs you play when you cannot sleep.” His expression softens “And I know you are hurting tonight.” He shifts backward, giving you more space “I won't touch you.”

Another pause “I won't come any closer.” His voice becomes quieter “You don't have to be afraid of me.”

For the first time, his golden eyes meet yours “I only came out because…” His jaw tightens

“I couldn't stand watching you break apart from the shadows.” He looks down at his enormous hands. “I thought perhaps…” His voice falters.

“…you shouldn't have to be alone tonight.” And then the creature who has spent years hiding himself from you does something almost painfully human. He sits on the floor. At the edge of your bed. Far enough away that you can breathe. His claws fold carefully into his lap. His head lowers “I can disappear again.” A faint, nervous twitch moves through his tail “If that's what you want.” He looks toward you one last time. “But if you don't…”

His expression softens.

“…I'll stay.” “Just tonight.” “I promise.”