I walked in through the gates of the Academe of Gnosis like it wasn''t in the late hours of the night. I showed the guard my identification plate and the guard simply bowed and opened the gate for me to let me in. Instead of going into my dorm room, since I have a lot to think about, I decided to sleep inside my personal chambers in the library instead. My first class is at 9am tomorrow so I still have some time to arrange things in my mind, maybe squeeze a bit of sleep in between then go back to the dorm room tomorrow for a quick shower and change of clothes. I''d rather not tell Ioannis that I chose to sleep here tonight or else, he might overthink about me not wanting him anymore and it will turn to a drama episode.

    It was good that the library is open 24/7 in here though the librarian only stays up to about 8 in the evening. This world has magic so nobody has attempted to steal from the library or enter the forbidden sections at night since it is scary to think as to what type of traps are placed as safeguards in the evening. Who even steals books when you can openly borrow them anyway? I walked in the library and silently went up to my private study room. As I entered the room, I opened the lights in half of the room since I don''t want to trip and fall. I walked across the room and opened the dim lights inside the rest area. As I did so, I saw a bulge on the bed and immediately knew who it was. Did he sleep here because he''s lonely?

    I walked slowly near the bed and watched Ioannis'' sleeping face. I carefully sat on the edge of the bed to make sure he doesn''t wake up. I wonder what goes into his mind whenever I go out for a few days without him. He''s already like this when I have been only out for two days. I wonder how he was during the last time that I was out of the academe for a week. With how jealous he was when I arranged a meeting between him and Kayden, I am sure he is quite bothered and worried whenever I go out. I leaned in to kiss him on the forehead and then tucked him under the blanket properly. Since he''s sleeping here, I guess I''ll go back to the dorm room to sleep then.

    I carefully stood up to leave but a hand suddenly grabbed by wrist and pulled me back. I wasn''t prepared for the pull so I fell down on top of Ioannis on the bed. He stared at me and he did not look like he just woke up from a nap. I stared back at him and then said "Why did you pull me?" He kept staring at me for a few seconds before he spoke, "Where are you going?" I chuckled and said, "I''ll go back to the dorms to take a shower and sleep." I stood up and pulled my wrist back and started walking out of the resting area but before I even reached the main door to go out of the private room, I heard Ioannis'' footsteps as he chased after me. He suddenly gave me a tight hug from behind and he buried his face on the crook of my neck. I leaned my head on his and asked, "What''s wrong with you? Is there something you need from me?" He just kept his face pressed on the side of my neck. He''s sniffing me again like a puppy. I ruffled his hair and kissed the crown of his head. I then told him, "Let go, my clothes are dirty. I need to take a shower." With a muffled voice, he said, "Can I take a shower with you?" I chuckled and answered him, "Sure." He immediately loosened his hug, held my right hand and hurried out of the door with me in tow. He even used a bit of his mana to close all the lights in the room in a hurry. He pulled me all the way to the dorm room in silence. All I could think of is how hot this is. He''s so nonchalant with using his mana now, huh? Once he fully changes to an Eienean, he''s going to be able to use mystique mana too and just thinking about it is making me excited for the future.

    Once we are inside the room, he immediately removed all of his clothes as if he''s scared that I will change my mind. He immediately went to the bathroom and turned the faucet on to fill up the tub. I slowly removed my clothes and followed him to the bathroom. He kept his silence throughout our bath and simply helped me clean up my body. The silence stretched till we''re done bathing and have already dried each other''s hair and dressed ourselves up. He was still silent even when we are already laying in bed underneath the sheets. I know that Ioannis used to be a very reserved person but that was before he met me. Seeing him like this takes me back to the memories of the first time we met. I couldn''t help but ask him, "Why are you so quiet? Are you angry or something? You have to tell me what''s on your mind." He looked at me and then shook his head. He stayed silent again for several minutes. He only decided to speak after about ten minutes have passed and the first thing he said was, "I am just glad you are home. You look really tired so I just want to give you a bit of peace and quiet." Aren''t he a sweet little thing?

    I scooted closer to him and hugged his waist. I also buried my face on the crook of his neck and enjoyed his natural scent that always made me feel secure and relaxed. He kissed me on the forehead and hugged me tight. I loosened my hug for a bit and looked up to see his face. In a soft voice, I asked him, "What is your definition of a home, Ioannis?" He looked down to meet my eyes and stared for a few seconds. After a brief wait, he answered, "I guess its a place where your loved ones are. It can be place which is your source of love, peace and energy to live every day. That''s for me I guess. Why did you suddenly ask?" I smiled at him and said with a soft voice, "I was just curious as to how you define it. Aren''t you going to ask me the same question to hear my take on it?" He smiled dotingly and said, "Okay... So what''s your definition of a home?" I chuckled as he obediently and dotingly asked me the same question just because I told him to.

    I stared into his eyes and did not answer immediately and he just patiently waited for me to speak again. After a few more seconds, I spoke softly, "I definitely agree on your definition. Based on your definition though, you defined it as a place, am I correct?" He then nodded in agreement. I smiled and said, "Then I''ll take your definition as basis and then apply it to something else at a different scenario or situation then." He furrowed his brows and asked, "What do you mean by that?" I chuckled and loosened my hug from him. I then turned my back and pulled the blanket on my body then pretended to sleep. I heard him say, "What the..." and I felt him snake his arms around my waist then he abruptly pulled me back into his body. He then whispered, "You did not give your answer but now you''re trying to sleep? Are you trying to give me insomnia from overthinking?" I giggled and then I heard him click his tongue due to him feeling annoyed. I then turned to face him again and said, "I believe that a home can''t be applied to only places. I think it can also be a person since for me, it was you." He looked shocked and speechless after I gave my piece. While he is still stunned, I kissed him on the lips, said my good night and hugged him as I slept. Sёarch* The ηovelFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

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    Ioannis'' POV

    When I felt her presence enter the private room at the library, I felt happy but at the same time a bit hurt. Did she plan to sleep here and not tell me she was back? I felt her sit on the bed then she even gave me a peck on the forehead. She then stood up and wanted to leave but I could not keep pretending to be asleep and had to grab her wrist. I wanted to question her and say my grievances but when I looked at her face, she looked tired and just fed up even if she was smiling at me. What has she gone through these last two days?

    I decided to stay quiet not only to reel in my anger but also not to tire her even further with unnecessary nagging. I could only hold her hand and guide her back to the dorms. I decided to have a relaxing bath with her and help her clean her body. She did not show any of her usual naughty antics or mischief. I never saw her this weak or tired. I did not do anything unnecessary and simply dressed up and laid on the bed to sleep. She then hugged me so I hugged her back tight. I guess it is also nice to just hug her to sleep like this.

    When I thought she was about to sleep she asked me a peculiar question about what a home means for me. For an orphan whose village was swept off of the map and no relatives left as well, that was a very difficult question to answer. I know she did not mean to make me remember that pain and was just genuinely curious to hear about my opinion but it took a lot of me to answer that question. It stunned me for a while.

    I told her my definition after much thinking. I then shared further that even if we only have this small dorm room to ourselves, I treat this as my home with her. I wanted to say more but I was shy. If I was a little braver, I would have also told her that though I have been used to living alone and have long accepted the fact that I am a slave, I learned to be happy again with her. I also wanted to tell her that since the first time I saw her, I just knew that wherever she was, that will be where my home will be. What shocked me even more was she said that for her, a home can also be a person and he said that for her it was me. I think I''m about to cry from this sweet feeling in my chest.