I slowly opened my eyes, groggily taking in the unfamiliar surroundings. I was lying on a couch, in a room that was sleek and modern, with walls adorned with artwork and shelves lined with books. A soft blanket was wrapped around me, and a cold compress was pressed against my forehead. I tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through my head, making me wince. That's when I saw him - Ralph, sitting beside me, his eyes filled with concern, his face etched with worry lines.

“Now, you’re going to sit here and let me bandage you up, like a good girl,” Ralph murmured, his voice soft and gentle, yet commanding and reassuring. He ruffled my already messy hair, his touch sending a soothing sensation through my scalp. “You’re my good girl, aren’t you?” he asked, his eyes sparkling with a warm light, his gaze filled with a deep affection.

I raised an eyebrow, trying to appear more confident than I felt. “I’m a grown ass woman,” I reminded him, my voice firm but laced with a hint of amusement.

Ralph's expression turned sincere, his voice dripping with conviction. “Of course you are, there’s no denying that.” He leaned in closer, his face inches from mine. “But let’s not forget, even adults need pampering and care. And you, Little Miss,” he whispered, his breath caressing my skin, “are in extreme need of it, considering your condition.”

His gaze roamed over my face, taking in the cuts and bruises that marred my skin. His expression softened, his eyes filling with a deep concern. “I was right beside you, yet those fuckers dared to hurt you,” he muttered, his voice low and menacing, his eyes flashing with anger. “There’s no way I’m leaving you alone for a second. Starting from today, you’re completely under my guard.”

As he tended to my wounds, his touch was gentle and soothing. He applied antiseptic cream to my forehead, his hands moving with precision and care. He blew on the wound, his breath cool and calming, and I felt a sense of relaxation wash over me.

“You’re going to be safe and sound, I promise,” he whispered, his eyes locked onto mine. “I won’t let anyone hurt you again. You’re mine to protect, mine to care for.” His voice was filled with a deep possessiveness, a sense of ownership that made my heart race.

“Is it hurting a lot?” Ralph inquired, his brow deeply furrowed with concern as he leaned in closer. But before I could even muster a response, he let out an exaggerated yelp, clutching his own side dramatically. “Yo! What the fuck? I’m the one who’s supposed to be doing that! You’re stealing my thunder here. Now what am I supposed to do? Reassure you that it’s all fine and dandy?”

I rolled my eyes, though a smile tugged at the corners of my lips. Ralph always had a knack for turning the simplest situations into grand performances. “You won’t even let me be a proper patient, will you? And here I thought you were being all caring and considerate. Sneaky devil.” I reached for his hand, trying to soothe his theatrics, which only seemed to encourage him.

Ralph’s lips formed a pronounced pout, and he kept it up like a sulky child denied his favorite treat. “I’m supposed to be the one taking care of you, not the other way around! You’re ruining my hero moment here.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle, shaking my head at his antics. “You’re such a drama queen, Ralph. I swear, if this was a movie, you’d be demanding a rewrite.”

He straightened up, puffing out his chest in mock indignation. “Excuse me! I am merely expressing my concern in a highly effective and memorable manner. There’s a difference.”

Growing tired of his exaggerated complaints, I playfully slapped his mouth. “Shh, Ralph. You’re going to be okay. I promise.”

His pout grew even more pronounced, but his eyes twinkled with amusement.

“Can you please be quiet now? I’m the patient here, and you’re the one crying. Be a skillful doctor and treat your patient wisely,” I said, trying to inject some humor into the tense situation.

Ralph shook his head, his eyes wide with disbelief and concern. “No way! This must be aching like hell. Treating you is making me feel extreme agony. What immense pain you must be in.” His voice was a mix of frustration and sympathy, reflecting the turmoil he felt seeing me hurt.

With a gentleness that contrasted his earlier outburst, he caressed my face and carefully placed the last bandage on my knuckles. The tenderness in his touch spoke volumes about his feelings. “Back there, I hadn’t noticed your hands. Now that I do, I wish I had given him a worse death!” He groans, a fierce protectiveness simmering beneath his words.

I reached out, grabbing his face and raising my brows in a mixture of concern and determination. “Either way, he was going to die. It doesn’t matter how harsh it was. You’ve killed him, that’s what matters. And I know you too well. You won’t spare the remaining ones; you’ll let your impulsive thoughts and actions take over.” My voice was calm but firm, hoping to ground him amidst the chaos.

Ralph’s eyes darkened, a flicker of anger mixed with fierce protectiveness. “You think I’ll just let them go after what they did? They deserve everything coming to them.” His voice was low, almost a growl, as he spoke through clenched teeth.

I sighed, my grip on his face softening. “I know. Just promise me you’ll be careful. I don’t want to see you get hurt because of your rage.” There was a pleading note in my voice, a vulnerability that I rarely showed.

He nodded, his expression softening as well. “I promise. But they won’t get away with this. Not while I’m still standing.” There was a steely resolve in his voice, a promise that he would protect me at all costs.

The tension between us eased slightly, but the underlying determination remained. We both knew that the fight was far from over. The room seemed to close in around us, the weight of the situation pressing down. Yet, amidst the bandages and bruises, there was a shared understanding and an unspoken bond that would see us through whatever came next.

As I settled back, the pain throbbing through my body, I watched Ralph clean up the makeshift medical supplies. His movements were brisk but careful, a reflection of his inner turmoil. Despite his anger and the violence he was capable of, there was a deep-seated care in his actions, a desire to protect me above all else.

Ralph glanced back at me, his eyes softening as they met mine. “I know you worry about me, but I can handle it. I’ve faced worse before.” He tried to reassure me, but I could see the strain in his features.

I nodded, forcing a small smile. “I know you can. Just… don’t lose yourself in the process. Promise me that.”

He crossed the room in a few strides, kneeling beside me and taking my hand in his. “I promise. For you, I’ll keep myself in check. But those who hurt you will pay.” His grip tightened slightly, conveying both his promise and his anger.

As I watched Ralph disappear into the kitchen, his eyes sparkling with mischief, I couldn’t help but chuckle. Shaking my head in amusement, I made my way to the terrace, the rain's relentless drumbeat against the roof and walls a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing within me. Ordinarily, I found the rain gloomy and depressing, but today, something felt different. Perhaps it was the tension building up inside me, or maybe it was Ralph's antics, but I felt an inexplicable urge to embrace the rain's chill embrace.

“He’s going to scold me for doing this,” I thought, a thrill of rebellion coursing through my veins. “Nevertheless, I want to do this, to set myself free.” With a deep breath, I stepped out into the wet, the cold rainwater enveloping me like a shroud. “Dang it! Bloody cold!” I muttered, my teeth chattering, but I refused to back down, immersing myself fully in the rain's icy grasp.

At first, the cold wind and rain stung my skin, but as I stood there, letting the water soak through my clothes, I began to feel a strange sense of liberation. It was as if the rain was washing away my worries, my fears, my doubts, leaving me raw and exposed, yet curiously at peace. I closed my eyes, letting the water cascade down my face, and felt a sense of peace settle over me like a warm embrace.

“This doesn’t feel that bad,” I pondered, my mind surprising me with its calmness. “The cold wind and weather still suck, but… maybe this is what I needed.” And so I stood there, letting the rain work its magic, washing away my doubts and fears, renewing me from the inside out. When I finally retreated back into the warmth of the house, I felt refreshed, renewed, and ready to face whatever lay ahead.

Ralph, intent on pampering me with a warm, comforting bowl of soup, searched the house high and low for any sign of my presence. When his efforts yielded nothing, he carefully placed the steaming vessel on the dining table, his eyes scanning the empty rooms with a hint of concern. Without hesitation, he dashed upstairs, his footsteps echoing through the silent halls.

Meanwhile, I stood still in the rain, my gaze lost in the distant scenery. The droplets cascaded down my face, refreshing my skin and calming my mind. The world around me came alive, and I felt a sense of peace settle over me.

“You’re here?” I asked, my voice soft and questioning, without turning to face him. The rain continued to pour down around us, the droplets hitting the ground with a soothing melody.

“You’ll catch a cold,” Ralph said, his voice filled with concern. “Why did you come out here? It’s not good for your health, especially in your current state.” His words were laced with a gentle scolding, but I could sense the underlying worry behind them.

As he spoke, he wrapped his arms around me from behind, his chin resting on my shoulder. His hand settled on my waist, offering warmth and comfort. I felt a sense of security in his embrace, a feeling of being protected and cared for. The warmth of his body seeped into mine, chasing away the chill of the rain.

I leaned back into his embrace, feeling a sense of relaxation wash over me. The tension in my body began to ease, my muscles unknotting as I let out a slow breath. Ralph’s arms tightened around me, holding me close as we stood there in the rain, the world around us fading into the background.

“So it’s true that fallen angels are warm-blooded,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper, as I tilted my head and swept a stray strand of hair out of Ralph’s eyes, our gazes meeting in a tender moment of connection.

“Yeah, I’m warm-blooded,” Ralph whispered, his breath caressing my ear like a gentle breeze on a summer’s day. His words sent a shiver down my spine, and I felt my heart flutter in response.

As we stood there in the rain, Ralph’s body began to sway to an unheard melody, his movements graceful and fluid. He drew me into the rhythm, our bodies moving in perfect harmony. I felt my tension melt away, my muscles relaxing into the gentle motion. The silence between us was palpable, a sense of tranquility settling over me like a warm embrace.

But then, Ralph’s hands grasped my nape, spinning me around to face him. His eyes locked onto mine, piercing and intense. “You could have easily treated me,” I said, my voice laced with curiosity. “Like you did there in your land. Then why did you choose to wrap bandages around me?”

Ralph’s gaze never wavered, his eyes burning with a deep sincerity. “I want you to see me as a human, a trustworthy one you can rely on,” he said, his voice low and husky. “I could have easily cured your wounds, but that would have meant urging you to feel weak. You’re a strong woman, and I knew that would have hurt your ego. So I preferred to be your counterpart, your loyal mate. You don’t require a knight in shining armor, but a partner who will stand by your side, through thick and thin. Someone who will support your strength, not diminish it.”

His words struck a chord within me, resonating deep in my soul. I felt a flutter in my chest, a sense of vulnerability washing over me. But Ralph’s eyes held mine, his gaze steady and true, and I knew that he was the one person I could trust, the one person who saw me for who I truly was.

His eyes were like bottomless pools, filled with a million emotions that threatened to drown me. I was too afraid to dive in, to explore the depths of his soul, knowing that it could be the beginning of my downfall. “You don’t exactly know me, Lumen,” I whispered, my voice low and husky, barely audible over the sound of my own heartbeat. “I would have appreciated it if you used some magic to heal me.”

His index finger traced my lips, sending shivers down my spine like a whispered secret. Then, he swept me up in his arms, cradling me like a child, his embrace warm and comforting. “Save your arguments for later, we’ll sort it out then,” he mumbled, his breath warm against my ear, his words a gentle caress.

I buried my face in his chest, clinging to his leather jacket as if it were a lifeline, my fingers trembling with a mix of fear and longing. The world around us melted away, leaving only the two of us, lost in a sea of uncertainty. His heart beat steadily against mine, a reminder that we were both alive, both vulnerable, both bound together by a thread of fate.

As I lay there in his arms, I felt the weight of his gaze upon me, like a physical touch that sent shivers down my spine. I knew that I was at his mercy, completely and utterly, and that thought both terrified and thrilled me. I was trapped in his eyes, drowning in their depths, and I couldn’t help but wonder if I would ever find my way out again.

“Why are you so good to me?” I asked, my voice soft with genuine curiosity.

Ralph descended the stairs, his eyes fixed on the first aid kit in his hand. “Because I want to, and I wish to,” he replied, his tone gentle and sincere.

He placed me on the bed, his hands moving with a gentle care that belied his scolding words. “Under my watch, you will no longer act recklessly and risk your health. No more running out in the rain,” he chided, his eyes sparkling with a mix of concern and amusement.

I couldn’t help but gaze at him, my eyes drinking in the sight of his strong jawline, his piercing eyes, and his chiseled features. Ralph knew I was checking him out, and a hint of a smile played on his lips.

“Don’t you have some sort of magical or evil medical dressing that could heal this in a day or a second?” I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me.

He patted my thigh, his touch sending shivers down my spine. Sitting beside me, he pulled me closer, his eyes locked onto mine. “Maybe I’ll show you some magic later,” he said, his voice low and husky. “But for now, let’s focus on getting you healed.”

“My stubborn girl,” Ralph murmured, his eyes gleaming with amusement, “I am sworn to my words; no sort of magic shall be used for stuff that requires me to be a good boyfriend.”

I narrowed my eyes, shoving him away with a hint of irritation. “I never agreed to be in any sort of relationship with you,” I retorted, my voice laced with a subtle defiance.

Ralph’s hand flew to his mouth, his eyes wide with feigned innocence. “But we have already kissed, and I have confessed my feelings! Is that not what couples do? Wait... is there more to it in the human world? Tell me, what am I supposed to do next? How can I prove my devotion to you?”

He tossed his jacket aside, his fingers grasping the hem of his damp white t-shirt, his movements suave and graceful. I let out a shriek of frustration, grabbing a pillow and hitting him with it, the soft fabric barely making a sound. “Shut upppp!!” I exclaimed, my voice muffled by the pillow.

Ralph laughed, his eyes sparkling with mirth, his chest rising and falling with each breath. “Ah, I see. So that is how it is.” He advanced on me, his eyes gleaming with a playful intensity, his movements slow and deliberate. “Well, in that case... I shall have to convince you the old-fashioned way.”