Raphael had often gazed at this man's face.
Ever since he was little, whenever Ezra dozed off in his room, Raphael would fixate on his slumbering face.
Initially, Raphael hadn't comprehended why his chest felt warm and his heart raced faster whenever he saw this guy. Naturally, he was still a child at that time, and it marked his first experience with such emotions.
Perhaps, that was also his first recognition of something akin to nervousness.
Though it was his first time experiencing these mixed feelings, young Raphael wasn't naive. He knew what it was— he liked Ezra.
As this realization slowly sank in, he denied it. He never thought he'd like someone. Based on what he'd read, observed in others, and seen in movies, falling in love often made people act like a complete idiot.
This could also be seen as a weakness. And Raphael didn't want to submit to this feeling.
'I can't eat anymore ....'
