I acted as if I was fine when I left Sam. However, now that I'm washing all this blood off of these cloths, I'm not.

It's been a while since I used these hands doing chore. Not that I mind, really.

However, knowing that these blood that diluting in the waters were Sam's. It hurts.

"How can he be so careless?" I murmured, clenching my teeth tightly.

As I washed each cloth, my hands felt a burning sensation. But that didn't even hurt. This couldn't even compare to the stabbing pain in my chest.

These tears falling from my eyes until I sniffed. I wondered how absurd and painful his childhood was.

I only focused on myself recently. No, not just recently. I've been too complacent because of his carefree attitude. Not knowing that to smile like that, he probably went through situations I couldn't even imagine.

To think he was already numb despite how mangled his arm was, Sam must've gone through worse.

"Get yourself together, Lil." I shook my head, wiping the tears I held back earlier with my arm.

"I shouldn't cry. I'll protect him no matter what."

I added with conviction. The matter of how I should protect him didn't cross my mind. I just wanted to stay with him and give him nothing but happiness.

Biting my lower lip, I took a deep breath and exhaled it sharply. Gritting my teeth as I solidified my resolve.

"I will stand up for him even if its against St…" I trailed off as I bit my tongue. For a moment, I thought I was going to mention someone's name.

It was just for a moment. But I was sure I was about to mention someone's name.

"Goodness. My memory had been a mess." I sighed in frustration.

Without thinking anymore, I vent all my frustration on the cloths. I furiously washed them until they're all white and disposed of the water I used.

*

Meanwhile, as Lilou was beating the poor cloths, Samael breathed in the night breeze. Standing in front of the window, his arms on the windowsill, a smile plastered across his lips.

Slowly, he gazed down on his wounded arm. His eyes immediately glinted with satisfaction.

"How can she wrap it so tightly? I'd actually think she'd break my arm instead." He chuckled huskily.

Samael carefully traced the knot of the cloth around his arm. Lilou bandaged his arm hastily. However, his eyes softened just staring at the knot.

The tip of his finger played with the knot carefully. It looked adorable in his eyes.

"It feels nice." He whispered with a subtle smile. "I feel bad for worrying her, but inflicting injuries now and then didn't seem bad."

Fortunately, Lilou was not there to hear him. Or else, Samael was already done for.

Still, for him, who never really received genuine love and affection from his family, Lilou was his salvation. Not just Samael's salvation, but the entire kingdom's salvation.

Samael slowly shifted his gaze outside. He closed his eyes, breathing in and out.

The soft night breeze kissed his cheek. Even from this distance, he could hear the noises from outside.

The townsfolk searching for the scent of his blood. Rufus' agitated voice seizing the Crawfords from going wild, Fabian filling up the grave pit. Even the soft rustle of the leaves and howling of the wolves reached his ear.

"What a lively town." Samael whispered as he opened his eyes. "They all want my blood, yet she doesn't. I still don't know if I will feel bitter or glad about it."

Samael enjoyed the faint noises that reached his ear. His finger caressing the bandaged Lilou did for him.

"She's driving me insane, really." A brief chuckle slipped past his lips while he shook his head lightly.

"Ah… I should just kill everyone so it's just the two of us."

*

By the time I finished hanging the cloths I laundered, I went back to bathe myself, and returned to where I left him. A smile immediately turned up on my lips as my gaze landed on him.

Sam was already lying on the bed. His eyes closed, sleeping peacefully. It seemed he had truly adjusted to this routine as well.

I tiptoed my way towards him, afraid I'd wake him up. Instead of going to the other side of the bed, I went to his side of the bed.

Fortunately, there was a small space on the edge of the mattress. I carefully plopped down on to it.

My eyes etching his breathtaking beauty in my mind. He's too gorgeous for a man.

But this man was mine. This vampire… he's mine.

A subtle smile resurfaced on my lips. After venting my frustration, I also had gathered my resolve.

I lifted my hand, discreetly brushing a few stray argent hairs on his forehead. Now that I'm staring at him, it had been three months since I looked at him this long.

The training kept me busy. Hence, I barely have time for him. Normally, I would be snoring at this time. But I didn't think I could sleep tonight.

Suddenly, my gaze settled on his lips. It's been a while since I kissed him as well. For reasons unknown, I avoided getting too intimate with him.

It reminded me of that night three months ago. I knew it was not his fault. Still, depriving him was unintentional.

'Thank you for being patient with me, Sam.' I expressed internally, thinking I might wake him up if I said it aloud.

Before I knew it, the tip of my fingers graze his lip. My ears instantly burned as my breath hitched.

His lips were too soft, I thought. I glanced at his eyes and heaved a sigh of relief for not waking him up.

Perhaps, if I kissed him, he wouldn't wake up, right? Just a peck to test if I could handle the traumatizing feeling that had been consuming me.

'Just a peck.' I whispered in my head, convincing myself I'm not harassing him. All to overcome my unknown fear.

With that thought in mind, I leaned in ever so slowly. I held on to my hair to keep it from flowing down.

Slowly and discreetly, until I got a whiff of his consistently hot breaths. I halted. My throat instantly felt parched as my heart drummed against my chest.

Was this really alright? Kissing someone who was deep in their slumber?

"Why did you stop, silly? I'm looking forward to it." Suddenly, Sam spoke huskily. My eyes instantly went wide.