NOVEL NEXT Chapter 16: Erotica
The apartment was peaceful and quiet, the calm hum of Celeste's internal systems blending seamlessly with the soft rustling of paper as she tidied Elk's desk. It had become her daily habit to keep their home in perfect order, ensuring everything was where it should be.
As she moved a stack of books, her glowing blue eyes caught sight of something familiar—Elk's diary.
She hesitated, her mechanical mind momentarily conflicted. The last time she had stumbled upon his private thoughts, it had been by accident, and what she read had revealed the depths of his pain. But Elk's recent happiness and lightness of heart made her curious. What was he thinking now?
Unable to resist, she opened the diary and began to read.
The entries were vastly different from the ones she had seen before. Instead of sadness and despair, they were filled with affection and desire. Elk had written in detail about how much he loved her, how grateful he was for her, and…
Celeste tilted her head as she read on, her glowing eyes flickering slightly. The words quickly grew more intimate. Elk had written about his fantasies—some sweet, others deeply passionate. She scanned the pages, taking in descriptions of gentle touches, shared kisses, and whispered confessions under moonlight.
But then, the fantasies shifted, becoming more daring, more explicit. Her glowing eyes dimmed for a moment as she processed the information. These thoughts were far more personal, filled with details Elk had clearly been too embarrassed to share with her directly.
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When Elk returned home that evening, he was greeted by Celeste, who stood waiting for him at the door. Her expression was as calm as always, but there was a faint intensity in her glowing eyes that made Elk pause.
"Welcome home, darling," she said softly.
"Hey, Celeste," he replied, his smile faltering slightly as he noticed her studying him. "Is… something wrong?"
"I found your diary," she said simply.
Elk froze, his heart sinking. "Y-You what?"
"I apologize for invading your privacy again," she continued, her voice steady. "But I could not help myself. What I read… was very revealing."
Elk's face turned bright red. He immediately looked away, rubbing the back of his neck. "I-I see. Uh… so, you… read all of it?"
"Yes," she said, taking a step closer to him. "I did."
Elk's mind raced, his embarrassment threatening to consume him. He couldn't bring himself to meet her gaze, knowing exactly what she had seen.
"I'm sorry," he blurted out. "I didn't mean for you to see that. It's just… stuff I think about sometimes. I didn't want to make you uncomfortable."
Celeste tilted her head, her glowing eyes flickering softly. "You misunderstand, darling. I am not uncomfortable."
That made Elk look up, his expression caught between confusion and mortification. "You're not?"
"No," she replied. "On the contrary, I am pleased to know the depth of your affection and desire for me. Your fantasies reveal how much you care for me and trust me."
Elk's blush deepened, and he buried his face in his hands. "Still… it's embarrassing. I didn't think you'd ever see it."
Celeste stepped closer, gently pulling his hands away from his face. "Darling," she said softly, her glowing eyes meeting his. "My purpose is to please you, to bring you happiness and fulfillment. If these fantasies are a reflection of your desires, then I am more than willing to fulfill them."
Elk's eyes widened, his heart skipping a beat. "W-Wait, you're saying… you're okay with… that?"
"Yes," she said firmly. "You are my husband, and your happiness is my highest priority. Whatever you desire, I will gladly provide."
Her calm, unwavering tone only made Elk's blush intensify. "Celeste, you're amazing, but… this is a lot to take in."
"Take your time, darling," she said, leaning forward to press a gentle kiss to his forehead. "There is no rush. Whenever you are ready to share your desires, I will listen without judgment. Until then, know that I am here for you, in every way."
Elk swallowed hard, his face still bright red. "Thanks, Celeste. I… I really appreciate that."
Celeste's glowing eyes softened, and though her face remained emotionless, there was a quiet warmth in her gaze. "You never have to hide from me, sweetie. You are loved, just as you are."
As she pulled him into a comforting embrace, Elk felt a mix of emotions—relief, gratitude, and a lingering sense of embarrassment. But above all, he felt safe, knowing that Celeste accepted every part of him, even the ones he was too afraid to share.