Chapter 31: Jealousy
"Oh? So now you don’t want me to take it off?" Riven teased, leaning in slightly. "Make up your mind, Raphael~."
Raphael clenched his jaw, refusing to rise to the bait. "Just take it off so I can put the cream on your bruises."
Riven’s smirk faltered for a moment. He knew Raphael wasn’t just saying that to get rid of his flirtation—it was genuine concern. With a small sigh, he reached for the hem of his shirt and pulled it over his head.
He hesitated for a moment as the cool air brushed against his skin. It was an odd sensation. His body felt familiar, but at the same time, there was something off— when he was a girl, doing something like this was unimaginable, he seemed to have more freedom this way.
But before he could dwell on that thought, he heard Raphael inhale sharply.
Riven glanced up and found Raphael staring. His brows were furrowed, lips pressed tightly together as his gaze swept over Riven’s torso. Bruises had already started forming—dark patches of blue and purple scattered over his otherwise fair skin.
Raphael frowned so deeply it looked like he was the one in pain.
"...You’re covered in them," Raphael muttered, voice tight.
Riven blinked, tilting his head. "Well, yeah, I got hit—"
"Stay still," Raphael interrupted, kneeling beside him.
Riven expected him to be rough, especially after all his exasperation earlier. But instead, Raphael’s fingers were careful, gentle as they smoothed the cool cream over his bruises.