The morning was quiet. Sunlight poured gently through the estate's windows, casting a warm glow across the dining hall. Plates of steaming eggs, grilled vegetables, and toasted bread lined the long wooden table, the scent of breakfast filling the room. I sat at the far end, sipping tea, still trying to wake up. Leviathan sat beside me, resting her cheek on one hand, eyes half-lidded, hair mussed from sleep.
Chimera hummed while bouncing in her chair, Ziz tore into her meat like a wild animal, Bahamut sipped her tea like nobility, and Behemoth, as usual, chewed slowly and watched everyone without saying a word.
"I had the strangest dream," Leviathan mumbled groggily.
Saphielle chuckled from the far side of the table. "Do tell, dear."
Leviathan's voice was low, dreamy. "It was… really warm. I was on top of Master… kissing him softly… pinning his wrists…"
My hand froze mid-sip.
Ziz turned slowly, chicken leg halfway to her mouth.
"And he looked at me with those sweet eyes… so flustered… but he didn't resist…" Leviathan continued, her eyes still half-closed. "I kissed down his chest, and whispered… 'Please… I want more… I want to feel you inside—'"
"LEVIATHAN!"
Her eyes snapped open.
She blinked.
She looked around the table.
Everyone was staring at her.
Her gaze drifted to me. My face was bright red. Ziz's jaw was on the floor. Chimera was frozen mid-chew. Bahamut had one eyebrow raised. Behemoth blinked slowly, while Saphielle had her hand to her mouth, stifling a snort.
"Wha—what…?" Leviathan blinked again, then slowly replayed her own words in her mind.
Her entire face turned crimson.
"I—I—"
She shot up from her seat, knocking her chair over, and bolted out of the room, twin-tails flapping behind her.
The room was dead silent for several heartbeats.
Then—
"Ohhh my gods," Ziz said with a wide grin. "She wants to ride you!"
Chimera cackled and rolled onto the table. "Master, you're corrupting her!"
"I didn't do anything!" I yelled, face burning.
Bahamut tapped her fingers thoughtfully. "But interesting that even her subconscious is that needy."
"She's always been shy," Saphielle said, sipping her tea. "But it looks like our little water dragon is getting bold in her dreams."
Behemoth stood up calmly. "I'll go check on her."
"Give her space," I said quickly, standing. "I'll talk to her."
The others exchanged knowing glances as I left the dining hall and made my way down the hallway. I checked the reading room, the garden, and finally the balcony, where I found her: Leviathan, curled against the wall, her face still bright red, hugging her knees.
"…Leviathan?" I asked gently.
She flinched, then looked up at me.
"I-I'm so sorry!" she cried. "I didn't mean to say any of that out loud—I didn't even know I was talking—I just—"
"It's okay," I said quickly, raising my hands. "Really. No one's mad. They're just… surprised."
"I'm humiliated!" she wailed. "I'll never be able to show my face again!"
I slowly sat down beside her. "It was just a dream."
"But I said… those things…" she whispered, curling tighter.
Silence hung for a moment, broken only by the wind brushing through the open balcony.
Then she spoke again, voice barely above a whisper.
"…But I meant it."
I turned to her.
She stared down at her hands, fiddling with her fingers. Her voice trembled, but her words were clear.
"I think about it a lot… what it would be like… if you held me like that. If you kissed me like that. If I could… touch you the way I wanted to. It makes my heart feel like it's going to explode."
I swallowed, unsure of what to say.
She looked up, eyes shimmering. "I know I'm not as bold as Ziz or as wise as Bahamut or as strong as Behemoth… but I love being close to you. I love when you hug me, or smile at me, or even just say my name. And I know I shouldn't have dreamed of… that, but…"
She leaned in, hugging me tightly. Her cheek pressed against my chest, warm and soft.
"…Would you really… do those things with me someday?"
My heart thudded.
"I… I care about you, Leviathan," I said, slowly wrapping my arms around her. "A lot. I don't know what'll happen, but… I won't lie and say I haven't thought about it too."
She looked up again, eyes wide.
"Really?"
I nodded, blushing. "You're cute. Sweet. And when you're like this… it's hard not to think about it."
She squeaked and buried her face in my chest again.
"I'm so embarrassed…"
"I am too," I admitted, resting my chin gently on her head.
We sat there for a long moment, just holding each other.
Eventually, she whispered, "Thank you… for not laughing."
I smiled. "I couldn't. You're too cute when you're flustered."
She groaned into my chest again. "Stop saying that…"
But she didn't let go. And I didn't want her to.
Eventually, I walked her back to her room, still holding her hand.
As we passed the hall, Ziz poked her head out.
"Look who's back from the dream dimension!"
"Ziz!"
"I bet he kissed her like in the story!"
"No I didn't!" I shouted, blushing again.
Bahamut chuckled from the library doorway. "Yet."
Saphielle just gave me a sly smile from across the hall, mouthing the words: She's yours.
Leviathan tightened her grip on my hand, her face red—but this time, she didn't let go.
And honestly… I didn't want her to.