By the time Ries noticed, Justyn had already changed clothes. He turned his head at the approaching footsteps and saw Justyn dressed a little differently.
Still draped in black from head to toe, but the outfit definitely looked more comfortable.
Must be his sleepwear.
A valuable addition to the ever-growing collection of Justyn’s wardrobe. Quite the discovery.
Though, one detail stood out.
Does he wear gloves to bed too?
Sure enough, he still had those black leather gloves on.
The mask was expected—but the gloves, paired with loungewear, looked awkward. Ries blinked up at him, staring in mild confusion.
As if expecting that reaction, Justyn hesitated briefly, then slowly removed the gloves. His hands were marbled with dark, vein-like markings—less severe than before, but still prominent.
He must’ve been worried the sight would make Ries uncomfortable. But that concern was unnecessary.
Trotting right up to him, Ries gently licked the tips of Justyn’s fingers. Only then did the man seem to relax.
“You don’t have to do that,” he murmured.
Despite the soft scolding, it was clear Justyn still wasn’t entirely at ease with anyone touching the cursed areas.
The lights went out, and the two got into bed.
Technically, Justyn lay dead center, while Ries curled up right beside him. It was much earlier than his usual bedtime, but with all that comforting body heat radiating around him, Ries had a feeling he’d fall asleep in no time.
Then a thought crossed his mind.
Doesn’t the curse get worse at night? Is he really okay?
He stared up at Justyn’s masked face, concerned.
“Meowww.”
“Ries?”
Ries gave the area where the veins should be a delicate little tap. Justyn chuckled softly, catching on quickly.
“Looks like I’m fine tonight.”
“Myaaaah.”
Great news. Ries let out a long, satisfied mewl, then yawned wide.
Nothing beat the heat of a human body and the softness of a proper bed. The side of his back that was pressed up against Justyn’s arm felt not just warm—it was hot.
A pleased purr rumbled up from deep in his chest. Everything was perfect for a good night’s sleep.
The purring slowed gradually as drowsiness took over—until eventually, it stopped altogether.
“Sweet dreams, Ries.”
“Mmmr…”
With that warm goodnight, Ries drifted off completely. When he opened his eyes next, it would be morning—their first one together. The thought made his breaths slow and even, a content little smile curling on his lips.
It really did feel like the coziest night ever.
But against all expectations, Ries woke again before dawn, well before the first light of morning.
Still groggy and half-asleep, he tried to focus on what had woken him. Through his blurry vision, he saw Justyn’s brow furrowed tightly behind the mask.
“…Ugh.”
If he listened closely, he could hear faint, muffled groans.
Definitely a nightmare.
Wobbling upright, Ries blinked slowly.
For nightmares, something warm and soft was the best remedy. That was the conclusion his sleepy, barely-functioning brain came up with.
Of course, he had no idea how ridiculous that logic was.
He climbed onto Justyn’s body and—plop—flopped down flat on his chest.
Warm.
That broad chest felt just like the electric blanket he’d left behind in his old world…
His already-heavy eyelids grew even heavier. No, don’t fall asleep yet. To shake off the drowsiness—and maybe comfort Justyn a little—he rubbed his head against the man’s chest.
Didn’t help. Sleep was still coming for him.
He forced his sleepy brain to think.
Nightmares were scary. When someone was scared, they needed comfort. Comfort meant grooming. Obviously.
Completely unaware of how off-track his thoughts had gone, Ries made his move.
“Nyng… nyng…”
His little pink tongue peeked out of his mouth, flicking toward Justyn’s skin—but missed entirely, just lapping at the air.
His sleepy eyes were barely open now.
The tiny tongue kept flicking aimlessly for a while, then gradually slowed… and stopped altogether.
Sleep had won.
Ries passed out, tongue still sticking out.
Morning came.
Justyn awoke feeling refreshed—except for the oddly heavy weight on his chest.
When he opened his eyes, he froze.
There was Ries, sprawled across his chest, fast asleep with his little tongue still poking out.
***
Ries took a moment to seriously reflect on his sleeping habits.
Why do I always end up passed out on Justyn’s chest?
The first night they’d slept together, he’d woken up the exact same way—spread-eagle on top of Justyn. He still remembered the man’s awkward expression as he’d mumbled a good morning.
The foolish master couldn’t bring himself to move the cat sprawled across his chest like it was a bed, so even after waking, he stayed exactly where he was. He was worried that shifting might wake Ries.
Ries had thought it was just a fluke. But the next morning—and the morning after that—he woke in the exact same spot.
At this point, maybe someone smeared honey on Justyn’s chest?
The fact that his body kept going there on its own was starting to concern him.
I remember waking up for a bit in the middle of the night…
The problem was, he had no clue what he did before falling back asleep. Odds were, that was when he moved to Justyn’s chest.
Maybe I should try sleeping in a different spot…?
He was pondering alternatives when—
“Ries.”
Justyn called his name. The gentle tap of his fingers and the softness in his eyes made all of Ries’s fretting feel completely pointless.
“Myaaang!”
Well, that settles it.
Clearly, the guy liked it when he slept on top of him anyway.
Ries bolted toward him—well, technically toward the bowl at Justyn’s feet. It was filled to the brim with chopped-up hamburger steak.
Would be nice if he added a bit more sauce…
Ever since the grape incident, Ries’s meals had undergone a major shift. Less salt, barely any sauce. Still, considering he was now eating actual human food, he wasn’t going to complain.
He eagerly opened his mouth to take a bite—only to pause and lift his head sharply.
He met Justyn’s gaze mid-bite.
The man had frozen in place, halfway through lifting a utensil to his mouth.
Ries stared up at him, unblinking. Justyn, caught in the act, slowly lowered his hand. He sighed, voice laced with soft reprimand as he spoke.
“Ries…”
“Prrrr.”
Ries let out an innocent little purr, pretending he didn’t know what he’d done.
Truth be told, he’d almost never looked at Justyn during meals.
Actually—never.
Because of the type of mask Justyn wore, eating naturally exposed his lower face. If Ries had wanted to sneak a peek at his features, that would’ve been the perfect time. But he hadn’t.
After all, wearing a mask meant there was something you wanted to hide. Ries wasn’t some disrespectful cat who pried into people’s private lives.
But now?
Well, no reason to go out of his way to avoid looking anymore. Might as well get a glimpse of what he could, right?
“Ries. Your food’s getting cold.”
“Mya?!”
Crap!
He quickly shoved his face into the bowl. Hamburger steak was best when it was piping hot and bursting with juicy flavor in every bite.
A few minutes later, his bowl was licked clean. Patting his now-round belly with a paw, Ries gave a satisfied little hum. That hit the spot.
He glanced up—Justyn had finished eating too. Perfect timing.
Ries hopped down and padded over to the nightstand.
He used his teeth to pull open the lower drawer and peered inside at his stash of treasures.
Let’s go with this one today.
No particular reason, but the sky-blue one caught his eye. He picked it up and bounded onto the sofa. Justyn’s low chuckle echoed nearby, and Ries’s ears perked up in response.
“Myaak!”
“I’ll be right there.”
Justyn came over and took the object from his mouth—a clam-shaped, blue brush.
Ries barely had time to get settled before the brush began gliding down his back in long, even strokes.
“Nyang… Nyeoooww…”
It felt nice, but too light. He let out a whiny mewl in protest, and Justyn adjusted his pressure.
Ooh, that’s it. Right there. Perfect.
He used to avoid being brushed, thinking it would tug or hurt—but ever since that forced grooming session with Ketir, he’d gotten hooked on the feeling.
Sure, Ketir had better technique, but when it came to the experience, nothing beats being brushed by your own master.
Melted by the loving care in every stroke, Ries practically liquefied.
Just then, Ketir walked in to collect the dishes—and froze mid-step.
He’s… putting the Duke to work.
Watching the scene unfold, the steward looked seconds away from keeling over in shock.
