With Nyx moving closer to him, Fritz could feel his temperature rise. He could also hear his heartbeat--it was practically exploding.

Then, she moved her hand closer to him. The second that hand touched his fringe, he felt his heart stop. His mouth became dry and he seriously questioned his sexuality. He had never acted like this before. Why was he all flustered now. Women nor men phased him. He saw all genders as boring. There was nothing attractive or worth desiring about anyone.

Aleu was perhaps the only exception, but she was a rare species. And very charismatic. She could make even the darkest of men find the light. She got Rroy to laugh on so many occasions that it became a natural, relaxing sound.

Was this... was this how Rroy felt? Unlike he found Aleu, Rroy rejected all forms of love. Being the more handsome of the two, everyone threw themselves at the raven's feet. The raven would caustically reject each and every one of them. He claimed love was for the weak and he didn't have time to be weak.

Then he fell right into Aleu's arms. He put up a good facade but she broke the wall with just the faintest of pokes. He melted right into her and the two became an inseparable pair. Even their distance couldn't stop them from finding love in each other's gaze.

How long had he been holding his breath? He didn't even realize it until she wandered away.

The long exhale felt relieving. His chest no longer burned with a dull pain. His body relaxed and he actually felt a lot better. At least she wasn't going to try anything. He wasn't sure he could stop himself if she did demand his undivided attention.

Her hesitant comments drew a smile on his face. "Don't worry," he breathed. "I won't leave."

Pushing himself off the floor, he moved to the door Melik made and collapsed it. There was no point in having it up. If others wanted to sleep in cots, it was there right. Granted, he didn't think any would actually venture into the room--he was there after all.

Slowly, he turned all the tipped cots right side up. He also found a broom and cleaned away the mess he and Melik started.

Racking the back of his arm across his sweaty forehead, he looked over at the sleeping woman. She was exhausted and deserved her rest. He was ready to move to the wall to rest when he saw her body shudder.

Shamefully, he looked around the room. There were so many blankets and sheets. He should steal one for her but... if the others did come in, it wouldn't be fair to steal their warm.

A heavy sigh came with his defeated expression. It's not like this was anything new. He had done this time and time again. Only... it was usually with Melik.

The cot was short--too short. Didn't help that Nixie already took up a good chunk of it. Still, he didn't want to leave the woman to shudder alone.

Pulling her head into his chest, Fritz twisted his legs around hers. "Better," he questioned flatly, though expected no response. His body already started to chill--the sign that her body was absorbing his warmth.

Unable to sleep just yet, he held the woman close to his chest. It was strange. Despite being fearful of her moments ago, his heart showed no sign of lust now. Was it because this ritual had been done time and time again?

He was thankful nonetheless. At least he wouldn't have to worry about suffering a heart-attack tonight. Perhaps he was just too tired to actually let his mind fall back into that flustered state.