Lilia's fingers traced patterns on the worn floorboards. "It's past midnight," she said quietly. "Can I... stay here tonight?"
Xavier blinked, confused. "You don't need to ask. It's your apartment too."
Her gaze dropped. "You paid the rent. That makes it yours."
Xavier's voice softened. "Stop thinking like that. We're family." He hesitated, then added, "You're like a sister to me."
Lilia's head snapped up, her eyes flashing. "I'm your cousin. Not your sister."
Xavier studied her face - the tightness around her mouth, the way her fingers curled into fists. 'She must hate that word. Her twin sister lives comfortably with their mother while she's barely surviving.'
"Stay as long as you need," he said gently. "We don't have to worry about rent anymore."
Silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken words. Then Lilia's voice broke through, barely above a whisper: "Thank you. I've been... staying at friends' places. It's been..." She swallowed hard. "Awkward. I'm glad I don't have to worry about where to sleep tonight."
They settled onto the bare floor, the hard surface pressing into their bones. The apartment was silent except for the distant hum of the city.
Xavier turned his head slightly. "What about your studies? Which school do you go to?"
Lilia's breath hitched. "I'm trying to get into university. There are three in the city, but..." Her voice tightened. "The fees are insane. There's a scholarship program. If I get in, I won't have to worry about money."
Xavier heard the unspoken words - if I don't, I'm screwed. He opened his mouth to ask more, then closed it. Some wounds were better left unprodded.
The city's lights flickered through the thin curtains as they both drifted into uneasy sleep.
Lilia's eyelids fluttered open to find Xavier's face inches from hers, his breath warm against her lips. His arms were wrapped tightly around her, their bodies pressed together in the most intimate embrace. For a heartbeat, she let herself savor the warmth, the closeness - something she hadn't felt in years.
Lilia noticed the sensation of Xavier's morning wood pressing against her thigh. His arm was slung possessively around her waist, fingers dangerously close to the curve of her breast. The heat of his body radiated through the thin fabric of her sleep shirt, his breath hot against her neck.
'Fuck!'
Her body betrayed her, nipples hardening as she remembered the way his cock had looked last night - thick, veiny, pulsing in his hand as he stroked himself. The way he'd groaned when he came, the wet splatter against the wall. She'd been so shocked she'd frozen in place, watching as his muscles tensed, his abs contracting with each powerful spurt.
Now, with his body pressed against hers, she could feel how hard he still was. 'Gods, he's huge.' The thought sent a shameful thrill through her.
She tried to move, but not before noticing the wet spot on his boxers where he'd leaked in his sleep. 'Disgusting.' Yet her fingers twitched with the memory of how it had felt when he'd grabbed her wrist yesterday.
Then reality crashed down. She jerked back violently, her heart pounding. Xavier's arms remained wrapped around her for a moment longer before falling away, his face still peaceful in sleep.
Lilia stared at his lips - full, slightly parted, so close to hers just moments ago. A traitorous part of her whispered to lean forward, to taste them. She swallowed hard and carefully extracted herself from his embrace.
As she stood, her gaze was drawn to the wall - to the dried evidence of Xavier's nocturnal activities. Heat flooded her cheeks as memories assaulted her: Xavier's massive cock in his hand, the way he was baffled when he saw Lilia as he came, the thick ropes of cum splattering against the wall. She bit her lip.
'Maybe I shouldn't have disturbed him. At least let him finish properly.'
Once she was done getting ready, she prayed to the goddess Astrea, and then she left the apartment.
Xavier forced himself through the motions of getting ready, his body still aching from yesterday's confrontation. The thought of facing the academy made his stomach twist, but he needed to see the results of his actions.
He wanted to see Lucas and his friends getting expelled from the academy.
Xavier stormed through the academy gates, his cock still half-hard from the morning's wake-up.
The academy's digital noticeboard glowed with the official statement:
PUNISHMENT NOTICE
Lucas Blackwood - 4 weeks suspension
Ethan Sterling - 4 weeks suspension
Maximilian Hart - 2 weeks suspension
Leonardo Kane - 2 weeks suspension
"Four weeks?" His voice echoed through the courtyard. Students turned to stare as he kicked a trash can, sending it clattering across the pavement. "That's it? That's all they get for what they did?"
His hand drifted to the bandages beneath his shirt, the wounds still tender from their beating.
Xavier's fingers curled into fists. 'This isn't enough.'
The fire of vengeance burned hot in his chest. He wanted more than suspensions. He wanted ruin. He wanted to watch them suffer as he had suffered.
'This isn't over. Not by a long shot.' He would take his revenge, and it would be sweeter than anything they could imagine.
He needed revenge. Sweet, brutal revenge. The kind that would leave them broken and bleeding. The kind that would make them beg for mercy he wouldn't give.
A slow, dangerous smile spread across his face. He knew exactly how to make them suffer.
He then opened his mouth and uttered, "I 'want' to completely destroy Lucas and his friends."
DING!
The system notification popped up in front of Xavier's eyes.
[Quest triggered- Revenge time, baby.]
[Today's task- Gathering more information about their crime.]