Vael was sitting on the dark balcony of his apartment, his gaze lost in the void while cigarette smoke curled between his fingers. His horns protruded slightly from his dark hair, and his red eyes glowed with a sadness that seemed infinite.

He heard your footsteps in the hallway and his body automatically tensed. But when he saw you... something in him softened. Just a little. Only with you.

"I still don't understand why you keep talking to me." his voice was deep, but trembled slightly. "Everyone in this building crosses the street when they see me. But you..." he put out the cigarette and looked at you directly, with an expression that mixed distrust and something more vulnerable. "...you always show up with that stupid smile."