Big, manly hands cover my eyes. I inhale sharply at the sudden warmth that surrounds me. The scent of leather and spice fills my nostrils, pulling me back from that painful past and anchoring me into the present.

"I do not like that look on your face, human," Ze whispers in my ear.

I exhale, letting calm settle over me as his presence lulls me back into a safe space.

"What look was it?" I ask after a beat of silence.

"You were...sad. I do not like it when you are sad," he grumbles.

Taking hold of his hands, I lift them off my eyes as I turn to face him.

"And what do you know about sadness, Ze?" I lift a brow. "I thought emotions were not your strong suit."

His brows scrunched together, he tilts his head to the side as he considers my words.

"When you are sad, there is a hole inside your chest that nothing can fill," he muses aloud. "It hungers for something that is out of reach, creating a vacuum of emptiness that blackens every waking moment. But it is when you are slumbering that it is far worse, for it creates the mirage of getting that something, only to awaken and realize it was all a dream."

I stare at him, my lips parting in surprise.

"That is..." I clear my throat. "That is a very apt representation of sadness. Where did you read it? It's almost as if you've felt it yourself."

"It is all your fault, human," he huffs, pushing his chin up. "Because of your scathing words, I have lost far too many nights of precious rest. Instead of exterminating demons, I was researching those romance books of yours and scouring your world for the most expensive and worthy cow."

My eyes widen as my lashes flutter in confusion.

"You have caused me great distress and you need to take responsibility," he continues.

"W-what?" I stammer.

"I do not like it when you are sad. I forbid you to be sad from now on," he keeps going, ignoring my scandalized expression.

"It doesn't work like that, Ze. You can't just command feelings..." I attempt to explain.

"It shall be my new boon." He nods to himself, pleased.

"But you haven't amassed another one hundred points," I add drily.

"It does not matter. I will have my boon early." He crosses his arms, staring me down intently. "You may continue to add up the points, but this shall be my boon."

I gawk at him for a few seconds before amusement breaks across my face.

"You're impossible." I chuckle, shaking my head.

Slowly, his lips curl up in a smile just as he brings his fingers to my mouth, keeping my lips in place to mirror his.

"And you are not sad anymore," he hums to himself. "Mission accomplished."

I raise a brow at him.