Player Chapter 34. Sleep with Me
Her fingers slowly loosened their grip on his tunic, though she didn't step away entirely. The iced tea in the cup clinked softly as the remaining cubes shifted.
He gently pressed the cup back into her hands.
"Now drink this all first," he said. "I fought a lot making this."
She blinked. "You fought?"
"For ingredients. And fire control. And myself."
She laughed weakly.
"You're unbelievable."
"I know."
She brought the cup to her lips again. The ice had cooled the drink perfectly now. The floral aroma lingered faintly. She took a deeper sip this time, letting the sweetness settle.
It wasn't perfect.
But it was his effort.
And that made it warmer than any temple blessing.
She never thought Riven would be this nice.
He was sharp-tongued. Dramatic. Slightly unhinged at times. He complained about reputation more than conspiracies.
But she had mentioned the tea once.
Once.
And he made it.
For her.
Her chest tightened again, but this time not from loneliness.
"Thank you," she said softly.
He shrugged, looking almost embarrassed. "You were about to cry into the sky. It was distracting."
She smiled.
She felt happy.
Not saintly composed happy.
Not responsible leader happy.
But genuinely, stupidly happy.
For a moment, she imagined telling him about her old favorite tea shop. The sugar level options.
He would probably analyze it like a side quest.
She finished the tea slowly.
The last sip melted into her tongue, and she realized something.
She didn't feel as homesick right now.
He took the empty cup from her hand and casually stored it away.
"If you aren't anything else," he said lightly, "then I'm going to sleep now. It's been a long day."
She hesitated.
He turned slightly.
She stepped forward.
"Wait."
He paused.
She reached out and grabbed his arm.
The movement surprised even her.
"How about… I'm staying in your room too?"
The words tumbled out before she could overthink them.
He blinked. "Excuse me?"
Her face warmed immediately. "We're not going to do anything!" she said quickly. "I just… I mean…" She swallowed. "I just want to make sure you're not going anywhere."
He raised a brow.
"I mean," she continued awkwardly, "if you're here… then I'm here too. And if you're going back someday… then I'm coming with you."
There it was.
The fear.
He saw it.
The fear of being left behind again.
Of being the only one trapped.
He exhaled softly. "What about Saint needs to be pure and such?" he asked, trying to lighten the moment.
She rolled her eyes slightly. "We aren't going to do a thing."
He tilted his head. "You sure?"
She gave him a flat look. "Yes."
He looked at her for a few seconds longer.
She didn't let go of his arm.
In fact, her grip tightened slightly.
A bit clingy.
She knew it.
She didn't care.
He sighed. "Fine."
Relief washed through her instantly.
"Come with me," he added. "Just… I'm not responsible for your reputation and all, okay?"
She almost laughed. "You're the one worried about reputation."
They walked back toward his room side by side.
She noticed how steady his pace was now.
Lighter.
Because she wasn't alone.
And neither was he.
They entered his room.
But it looked… unused.
Too neat.
Too quiet.
Too plain.
Elena blinked. "You said you cleaned, but this looks like no one even lives here."
Riven paused at the doorway.
"Right."
He stepped inside fully and pushed the door closed behind them.
Then…
-Click!
The lock turned.
The sound echoed louder than it should have in the small room.
Elena jumped slightly. "Is that necessary?"
He glanced at her casually. "Yes."
She folded her hands instinctively. "Why?"
"I don't want anyone disturbing us."
She froze. "D-Disturb us?"
He raised a brow. "Yup."
Her face turned red instantly.
He stepped closer and extended his hand.
She flinched.
"What are you—"
A faint shimmer of dark mana gathered around his palm.
A circular tear opened in the air beside them.
A portal.
It wasn't flashy like combat magic.
It was smooth.
Controlled.
Stable.
Elena's eyes widened. "W-What's that?"
He grabbed her hand lightly before she could step back. "My real room."
"This is your room."
He tilted his head. "Upgraded version."
He stepped toward the portal…
Then paused.
[Alert!]
[Elena Vale cannot enter the Pocket Dimension.]
[Condition: Companion Registration Required.]
He blinked. "Seriously?"
Elena stared at the floating notification. "Companion registration?"
He sighed. "System. List her as my companion."
[Companion request initiated.]
A translucent window appeared in front of Elena.
[Companion Request from Riven Goldborne.]
[Accept Companion Status?]
[Yes / No]
She stared at it.
Her heart thumped loudly in her chest.
Companion.
The word felt bigger than it should.
She glanced at him.
He looked mildly impatient, but not pushy.
Just waiting.
"If I say yes?" she asked softly.
"You can enter," he replied. "That's it."
She swallowed.
And pressed.
Yes.
[Companion Registration Successful.]
He smirked faintly. "See? Easy." He tightened his grip on her hand. "Don't let go."
And stepped through.
The world folded.
Stone walls vanished.
Cold air shifted into warmth.
They landed inside…
A modern apartment.
Soft lighting.
Polished floors.
Couch.
Bookshelf.
Kitchen counter.
Metal appliances.
Glass shower door visible down a small hallway.
Elena's mouth opened slightly. "Oh my God…" She turned slowly in place. "This is…"
He scratched the back of his neck. "Pocket Dimension."
Her eyes darted everywhere.
The clean lines.
The ceiling light.
The counter.
She walked toward the kitchen instinctively and touched the surface. "It's… like home."
He leaned against the wall casually. "Close enough."
She turned toward the bathroom door and blinked at the shower head. "…Is that—"
"Yeah. Shower's there."
Her eyes sparkled.
"And I have a tea counter," he added. "Normal one. Not medieval kettle over fire."
She laughed softly.
Then her eyes drifted toward the bedroom area.
There was only one bed.
A large one.
King-sized.
She blinked.
He followed her gaze. "…Yeah." He cleared his throat. "Bed's only one." He gestured toward the couch. "I guess I'll sleep there."
She turned to him immediately. "No."
He blinked. "It's fine."
"It's a king bed."
"So?"
"Sleep with me."