Hermitage

[Rayl]

While enjoying her breakfast of toast and a crispy strip of bacon, Rayl noticed Leo's wandering gaze directed toward her. She playfully smirked and let her freshly cleaned left hand gracefully trace her legs, eventually reaching the hem of her clothing. With a sly grin, she pointed towards where Leo was looking and teased, "Eyes up here, Leo," as she casually licked a stray drop of yolk that had fallen from her bacon onto her finger.

As she listened to Leo describe how he prepared the meal, Rayl nodded in approval and cast a thoughtful glance at the delicious spread on the table before turning her attention back to him. "It tastes like something a professional chef would make," she remarked, a smile gracing her lips. Her interest was piqued when Leo suggested buying a cookbook, and her eyes lit up with excitement. "I'd love that! We can definitely do that together."

However, a sudden pause in their conversation led Rayl to gaze curiously at Leo, who had allowed his bangs to grow long and had tied half of his hair into a ponytail. She hummed softly as she continued to eat, her eyes fixated on Leo's, particularly the strong line of his jaw and his pale ears. Rayl's imagination sparked a mischievous idea, and she couldn't help but amuse herself. Leo looking at her innocently, asking her action. "You know," she began, a playful glint in her eye, "you look even hotter when you have your ears pierced."

Rayl couldn't help but chuckle at her own response, finding it amusing to watch the range of emotions that danced across Leo's expressive face. She shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly, her gaze fixed on him. "Just something I imagined," she admitted honestly. With the last bite of bacon gone from her hand, she reached for another strip and took a satisfying bite. Meanwhile, her available hand deftly grabbed a fork, and she delicately sliced some of the eggs, placing them on top of her toast and then adding the bacon as the finishing touch.

As she assembled her breakfast creation, Rayl couldn't resist a playful comment, her eyes twinkling mischievously as she directed her words towards her beloved sitting across from her. "I mean, I've got a hot boyfriend right in front of me; can't blame me for indulging in a little daydreaming," she quipped.

[Leo]

Leo did not even realize his wandering eyes had followed Rayl's hand movement, sexily tracing her pale legs. Thus, it caught him completely by surprise when he heard her voice to look up. Astonished that she caught him staring, Leo's blue eyes darted upwards as he scrambled in his thoughts to apologize out of reflex. However, he's stunned by her action that followed, and was treated by the sweet sight of her licking her finger seductively.

His expression flattened at that. "You're doing that on purpose, aren't you?" It's ridiculous how easy it is for her to make him so out of sorts. Despite that, Leo looks like he's enjoying her little teasing.

The artist turns to look at Rayl incredulously as she commented the measly breakfast he made for her tastes like it was made by a professional. "Then I just need to educate your palate. I assure you, this tastes very ordinary." Perhaps Rayl was too used to eating bland things, that something ordinary for him might be something delicious for her. Which is why, he's very happy when his girlfriend agrees to them buying a cookbook and try cooking together. It'll be a nice way to spend time with each other.

After Leo had fixed his hair and caught Rayl's eyes, her comment about his ear came out of nowhere. "Huh?" Unconsciously, he traces his fingers against his earlobe as he thinks of her idea. "Pierced, huh... I've never really thought of that before." Though, if there is a way to make himself more attractive to her, he wouldn't mind partaking in such things.

"Hmm. How hot are we talking about here?" He plays around with the idea as he smiles. His attention is back towards breakfast, but his expression is open and willing. "I genuinely don't mind piercing my ear for you. Have you had your ears pierced before?" Leo takes hold of a fork and starts flipping a piece of bacon to roll on itself like a ribbon until he can securely pierce his fork through it.

He understands now what some of his clients felt when they told him they changed some parts of their style to better match what their partner finds attractive. It's an act of adoration, and love.

Thus, when Rayl spoke up that she couldn't help daydreaming because he's hot, a color of blush bloomed on his cheeks. "You have strange taste in what's considered hot, but thank you for finding me attractive.." His voice cracked a bit as he tries to imitate how she says the word 'hot' but ended up laughing a bit at his own impression. "I think I'm pretty ordinary, but perhaps that's your type?"

They exchanged glances, finding fun in each others' thoughts and ideas. His question about types urged Leo to find an answer of his own type. He cannot recall ever feeling physically attracted to another person before, be they men or women, as he had painted and sculpted many kinds of naked people. He never had any special emotional connections either. He always tried to be polite and kind to others, and had made several friends on his walk of life, but never anyone he can consider his significant other.

Until Rayl came into the picture.

Leo looks up at the woman, adoration in his eyes, as he swallows the bacon from his mouth after much chewing. "I was just thinking how I've never felt a connection to others before... I'd just like to say thank you for being my first love." There is a tone of unmistakable clarity despite his quiet voice, as if it's a statement for himself, yet the way he delivered those words felt like the universe itself is listening to him.

[Rayl]

Rayl arched an eyebrow and allowed a mischievous smirk to play on her lips. "Wouldn't you want to know?" she purred, a soft chuckle escaping her as she delicately nibbled on her toast. "Are you enjoying it?" she inquired, casting an appreciative gaze upon her boyfriend, who appeared thoroughly entertained by her antics.

With an affectionate eye-roll directed at Leo, she quipped, "Your girlfriend is singing you praises, give yourself a break," brushing some errant breadcrumbs from her hands away from the bed. "I'm really looking forward to cooking together with you. Baking cakes, sifting flours, cracking eggs, pouring milk... we'll be a flour-covered mess," she trailed off, her gaze fixed on Leo, eager to gauge his reaction. Over time, Rayl had become more and more open with Leo, gradually revealing something new even to herself, and now, she was comfortable expressing her emotions solely to him.

As she sipped the orange juice Leo had prepared, she couldn't help but scrunch up her face at its slightly sour taste, although the underlying sweetness saved it for her. "It's just a thought," she remarked with a shrug.

"Hawt for my eyes... only." she giggled, recollecting her visit to the salon where she'd encountered individuals imitating peculiar accents. "Sorry, I overheard it at the salon; it sounded cringey," she admitted, pausing in response to Leo's question and blinking. "I... I was just saying... you don't have to if you don't want to," she replied, shrugging her shoulders. "I used to have my ears pierced three times here," she added, indicating her upper lobe. "But I stopped wearing accessories due to my job… former."

Rayl emitted a small laugh, reassuring Leo, "I'm here adding some confidence in you, just like you add mine." She finished her juice, placing the glass on the tray. To prevent any further disturbances, she moved closer to Leo and patted his shoulder. "My type is just you... my thoughtful… straightforward… hawt boyfriend," she whispered, her fingertips gently tracing a path from his shoulder to his jaw, her face and body leaning toward his side. She placed a quick peck on the corner of his lips before drawing away and lightly licking her own lips. "And bacon-y," she added with a playful wink.

Rayl sighed, feeling a tinge of embarrassment at how openly Leo expressed his love for her. He was more warm than she was, but the two of them shared a deep, unbreakable connection as each other's first loves.

[Leo]

Rayl freely seducing him is a sight he never could predict back then in the mines. True, he did tell her there's a small possibility they might end up together for some reason, but for this woman enjoying breakfast with him, on his bed, wearing his shirt, glancing over to him gratefulness, is like something that came out of a dream for him. "Of course I'm enjoying it..." He answers her weakly, as if embarrassed. "In fact, I yearn for it."

Every single day, Rayl seems to have awakened some kind of sexual fantasy he never knew he has. It embarrasses him of how many she has unlocked already, and they've only been sleeping together twice so far.

Leo looks over at her with a distracted smile as she talks of her excitement to cook and bake together with him. "Despite how I look, I'm not a very organized person. You saw the chaos in my art studio. I'm pretty sure when we cook, I will leave things everywhere." He laughs a little at the imagination of himself spreading all kinds of ingredients on the table that they probably will not find the things that they actually need for cooking.

"Heh... cringey..." Something about that word sounded funny for the artist for some reason. Leo is busy chewing a piece of bacon when Rayl seems like she's taking back her suggestion regarding piercing his ear for her. He shook his head with a hum, swallowing. "No, really, I don't mind. Honest." He scoots a little bit closer to examine the ear lobe she had pierced previously. "Huh. Wanna get matching piercings then?"

His question came from an entirely innocent point of view. He does not realize couples do these. He just thought that since he's getting his ear pierced, and Rayl had quit her job, she could wear all the piercings she wanted. It's a win-win situation in his brain.

Leo appreciates the assurance she offers, but he's surprised to hear without him realizing it, he does the same thing for her. "I add to your confidence?? Me? To you?" He meant that partly as a joke, but it could sound a bit like putting himself down. But Rayl's next action shuts him up real quick. She moves closer to him, an assuring touch on his shoulder, and speaks true of her type, describing him to a T. Her quick kiss left him stunned for a moment, but her joke about him tasting like bacon bubbled a laugh out of his throat. "Well! Then your thoughtful, straightforward, hot and bacon-y boyfriend is happy to have you here with him." It was subtle thing, but the fact that he bothers to list what she thought of him means that he will keep her words to heart.

It was a calm, comfortable morning for both of them. Birds are chirping from outside the giant glass window overlooking their bed and the sunbeams aren't too bright as they continued to eat breakfast until it's almost finished. "You just got here yesterday, so we can just rest in the house for today. Have any plans on how to spend your time?"

[Rayl]

Rayl's smile grew as she observed Leo's embarrassment, appreciating his unfiltered honesty. Leo's straightforwardness might ruffle a few feathers at times, but to her, it was a sign of his genuineness when it came to expressing his feelings. It was one of the qualities that had endeared him to her. Yet, there were moments when she wished she could be as candid as Leo.

She glanced down at the juice in her hand and took a sip before continuing, her tone taking a more playful turn. "You know, we can work on that, clean up both the mess and ourselves," she teased, a hint of suggestiveness in her words.

Her gaze shifted to the bed, and she nodded, a warm smile gracing her lips. Leo's consideration for even the smallest things touched her. "I'd like that," she said softly, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. Even after all this time, she still blushed like a teenager whenever Leo complimented her or showed consideration.

Rolling her eyes, Rayl responded to Leo's surprise with a chuckle. "Sometimes, Leo, there are things you say that make me wonder if you're just kidding or not," she admitted with a shrug. "But it's all quite interesting."

A soft chuckle escaped her lips as she contemplated her question, memories of the intimate moments they had shared the previous night flooding her thoughts. Curiosity sparked a series of questions in her mind, and she eagerly anticipated Leo's reactions as she prepared to pose them. Patiently, she waited her time, allowing Leo to finish his breakfast and carefully place the tray on the table, all the while her questions simmering beneath the surface, ready to be unveiled.

When Leo asked about their plans for the day, Rayl's mind couldn't help but wander back to the previous night's romance.

Leaning on the edge of the bed, she looked at him with a mischievous glint in her eyes. "I've got some questions," she said, her hand supporting her chin, her gaze lazily fixed on the man before her.

With a pause, she decided to address a matter of concern. "Do you realize the consequences of what happened last night? Umm, you do recall what happened when you, you shot inside me, don't you?" Rayl asked, her tone serious. She watched Leo's reaction intently.

"Furthermore," she began, her voice tinged with intrigue, "Considering my unique half-demon heritage, have you ever delved into the intricate realm of carnal desires that demons can possess? Demons can often be likened to certain animals, with their own distinct seasons and habits." With a hint of playfulness, she crossed her legs and shifted her gaze to the hem of her shirt, awaiting his response with genuine curiosity.

[Leo]

The idea that it's okay to make messes while cooking as both he and Rayl will work on cleaning after one another is a very appealing idea for Leo. The suggestiveness in Rayl's tone had completely flew over his head, as the idea itself sounds too wholesome for him.

"Cooking together, matching piercings... I think we will be cohabitating fine." He looks calm but there's an undeniable sparkle of excitement in his eyes. To have someone to share all he has achieved in life sounds like a dream come true to one Leo de Piero.

When there was one last piece of bacon left on the plate, Leo pulls them apart, so there are two halves of the bacon. He gestured for her to finish one half as he bites on the other. After that, he takes his time finishing his orange juice.

The sun was beginning to get too bright for his taste since they're facing the window, so he commanded the AI governing his house to pull the curtain when he's too lazy to. "Exousia! On curtain 2." And just like that, a thin sheet of fabric slides itself to block the window. Against the window, there's another thicker layer of curtain that's left untouched. Leo usually pulls that specific one only when he wants complete darkness in the room. Currently he just want to slightly dim the light, since they're still eating.

Once Rayl spoke up that she wanted to ask him something, Leo realizes that she had already put the tray away. "Hm?" His expression is of curiosity, which turns into surprise once the question unveils itself. His face colored, recalling that he did indeed released his seed inside of her through pure carnal addiction. "I'm-- I'm sorry, I thought I could control myself better last night... I planned to buy you the over the counter morning after pill. There's still time, the pill can be taken up to 3 days after unprotected sex."

By how quickly he says it, he had probably read up on it only very recently. He understands the consequences of his actions and is willing to take responsibility over it, especially when this concerns a body not of his own. "Only if you prefer to though... I'm not sure of the hormonal side effects."

And then suddenly it hits him.
'Side effects? ...Wait does the pill work on demons...?'

As if reading his mind, Rayl opens up another topic that he had almost forgotten about; her half-demon heritage. She introduces the topic smoothly, only asking him a question that made his head spin.

"A-akin to animals? Huh, s-seasons...? Wait, hold on, what do you-" His voice got caught in his throat when Rayl slowly and seductively changes her posture, now sitting with her legs crossed. Leo swallowed, his eyes darting down and up and down again. "U-uh... please.. e-explain what you meant, by uhm. Ehem. C-carnal desire that demons possess...?"

He looks obviously distracted, but he pushes through his question in order not to mess up his next sexual activity with his partner. It's Rayl's body, and he feels the need to understand how it works first before he unknowingly impregnated her just because he had the wrong idea about her biological makeup.

"I... I uh..." He coughs to clear his throat, forcing his eyes to stay up and look at Rayl's face instead of what's between her legs. "I-I want to know.. More. O-of... your body."

[Rayl]

Rayl observed the man before her, and despite her subtle hint regarding the cooking, it seemed to fly over his head. She let out a scoff and rolled her eyes, occasionally wondering who between them was more oblivious. When offered half of the bacon, she accepted, using her thumb and forefinger to pick up the crispy strip, savoring the remaining traces of oil on her fingertips.

As the sun's rays began to flood the room with their morning glow, Rayl watched as Leo commanded an AI to draw the curtains. "You're depending too much on this advanced technology," she remarked quietly as she observed him finishing the last of his juice. "Next time you're feeling lazy, just let me know, and I'll take care of it... it's the least I can do for staying here without charge." She trailed off, her gaze shifting to her fingers as she rested her elbow on her knee.

She shook her head and muttered an assurance that everything was alright, her eyes on Leo, who now appeared curious and somewhat confused. It was as if he couldn't fathom her refusal to accept the pill he was offering. His eyes darted up and down her face and her legs, caught in the whirlwind of curiosity and distraction.

But what took Rayl by surprise was the sudden change in Leo's demeanor, his seriousness and intense curiosity. Instead of looking downward, his gaze locked onto Rayl's eyes. "Contraceptive pills don't work on demons... and half demons," she began, her face resting on her fist as she hesitated, feeling a touch of discomfort as she explained the delicate matter to Leo. "But potential pregnancies only occur when a demon's carnal desire becomes overwhelming." She cleared her throat and looked to the side. "This means we have a mating season, and during that time, the chances are... well, you can guess." She faked a cough and glanced away. "During those seasons, I'll be staying at Tenka... alone," she continued, her eyes finally returning to Leo's. "Is that alright with you?"

She suddenly paused and lifted her gaze, contemplating the upcoming season when she would be experiencing the heightened carnal desires of her demon nature. She could tell from the look in his eyes that he was on the brink of asking the next question. "That would be next week," she informed him.

[Leo]

Leo was a bit taken aback by Rayl's quiet remark of him depending on the technology in his house. To him, born and bred in Gradia, artificial intelligence and advanced tech were the norm. When he was traveling, it took a bit of culture shock to gradually wean him off of Gradia's technology. So to finally be back made him instantly overuse it.

"Why do you have to take care of things when I feel lazy? We could both be lazy together and allow the technology help us as it was meant to." He cleverly offers an insight. Leo wouldn't want the love of his life to be his maid or anything of the sort, he'd much rather they enjoy the benefits his house has already provided. He already paid for it anyway, he just wants to treasure his hard-earned wealth with his beloved.

However, the topic regarding her reproductive systems threw Leo into a loop. For a moment, he felt horrible to have came into her without properly asking and assuming her body works like a normal human. Then Rayl went on to explain that for her species, pregnancies only occur during mating seasons. "Oh..!" Having some understanding of what she means, the artist felt a mix of relief and wary curiosity.

When Rayl's eyes wander elsewhere as she states her intention to stay in Tenka alone, Leo looked crestfallen. However, he neutralizes his facial expression the moment her eyes returned to him. "You know your body best, so of course it's alright. Do what you must." Surely a week without Rayl won't make him yearn her all the more, right?

'Wrong. I would definitely be clingy...' He knows himself well. He will absolutely miss her presence after being physically intimate these past few days. A question was about to bubble out of his lips when Rayl efficiently answered it for him; her mating season starts in a week.

"A week..." He repeated her answer in a daze. It takes him a moment to recollect his thoughts after receiving such important information regarding her body, and Leo is intent to learn more to honor her this way.

"Then, for this week... I'd like to learn more." Never in his life would he expect he'd get romantically involved with a mixed race beauty. Leo inwardly vowed to himself that in order to build a life with her, he'd need to understand Rayl from her anatomy to her half-demon heritage. "What happens to you during this... mating season? Should I send some supplies of chocolates and tea sachets or something to your home in Tenka before it starts? Does it hurt...? Anything I can do to help?"

[Rayl]

Rayl tightened her lips, a skeptical frown creasing her forehead as she observed him. "What kind of girlfriend would I be if I couldn't take care of you?" she mused, then broke into a smile. "But I do agree, we can enjoy lazy moments together without becoming overly dependent on them," she added. Despite her proficiency in survival skills gained from her previous job, which included thriving in various environments and handling advanced equipment, Rayl harbored a disdain for technology due to its tendency to foster laziness.

After she explained her carnal instincts which aligns to her desire and lust, she observed his expressions, noting his confusion and curiosity. "Are you really sure you'll be okay with this?" she questioned, a sudden uncertainty creeping into her voice. She nodded in response to Leo's repetition of her answer, seemingly lost in thought, her computations working in the background.

Amusement flickered in her eyes as Leo eagerly offered his help for future needs. She chuckled, marveling at how she managed to capture his heart – he embodied the qualities of a rare green flag man.

Returning to his earlier question, she sighed and shifted her gaze upward, stretching her legs straight out while leaning on the bed. "Well, you see... don't do anything," she began, struggling to articulate her thoughts to Leo. "I mean, don't come near me during those times," she clarified, observing Leo's lingering confusion. "When that season approaches, roughly next week, my desires intensify. Locking myself up at my home in Tenka ensures our safety. Yes, it's uncomfortable, but my supplies there are up to date, so there's no need for you to... well, go there," she concluded. She suddenly blushes and looks away, "I might suddenly... take advantage of you,"

"A-Anyway, so what are we up to?" she coughs and intentionally tried to build up a new topic.