Keiran's Snoring

As they stepped out of the taxi, they walked through the large glass doors at the entrance of the hotel. It wasn't a luxurious hotel, but it had a warm and clean atmosphere. The soft lighting inside created a calm and inviting ambiance in the lobby. A few people were sitting and chatting in the lobby, but the moment Aren and Keiran entered, all eyes turned toward them.

Aren and Keiran's appearance was striking enough to capture everyone's attention. With their tall stature and well-built frames, they instantly became the focal point in the room. Aren's sharp facial features and cold demeanor, combined with his black clothing, gave him a charismatic aura that drew admiring looks. Keiran, on the other hand, radiated the exact opposite energy; his relaxed and confident manner, along with his smile and the gleam of his colorful jacket, naturally drew attention to himself.

A few people in the lobby stared at them with a look of surprise, as if they were seeing famous models or actors in person. The young woman at the reception desk couldn't take her eyes off them for a moment, as though she was seeing a celebrity couple from TV standing right before her. She reached for the keyboard but hesitated briefly, seemingly forgetting what she was supposed to do. Taking a deep breath, she composed herself and spoke in a polite voice.

"Welcome. How can I help you?"

Keiran approached the receptionist with a friendly smile. "Yes, we'd like a room for two nights, please," he said. Then he turned slightly and winked at Aren. "I hope you booked a nice room."

Aren looked at him with his usual expressionless face. "We're just staying here, what difference does it make?"

Despite Aren's cold demeanor, the receptionist couldn't tear her gaze away from him. After a brief hesitation, she quickly completed the check-in process. "Your room is on the 7th floor. You can use the elevator. Enjoy your stay," she said as she handed them the keys, still wearing a look of mixed admiration and surprise.

As they walked toward the elevator, Keiran glanced at the people in the lobby and gave them a slight smile. "I guess we're drawing a bit too much attention. Maybe we should've become models, what do you think?" he said playfully.

Aren shrugged. "If you don't want to attract attention, you might want to take off that bright jacket."

Keiran laughed and adjusted his jacket on his shoulder. "Don't be afraid to wear some color, my friend. A little splash of color always helps."

As the elevator doors closed, the curious gazes from the lobby were still on them. For Aren, this was just an unnecessary interaction, but Keiran seemed to be enjoying the attention.

When they reached their room, the large window offered a view of the city. Aren dropped his bag to the floor and sat on the bed, feeling exhausted. Keiran, meanwhile, was already looking out the window, planning the next day.

Later that night, the hotel room was quiet except for the distant hum of the city. Aren lay on his back, staring at the ceiling, trying to calm his thoughts. He thought he was tired enough to sleep, but his mind wouldn't quiet down. In the other bed, Keiran had already fallen into a deep sleep.

Aren glanced at him and noticed that Keiran's head had rolled to one side, with the blanket half off his body. A few seconds later, a bothersome sound filled the room: snoring. Keiran was breathing heavily, and each breath echoed through the room. Aren frowned, his sleep slipping further away with each loud snore.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, hoping the noise would stop. But the snoring grew louder and more irregular, as if Keiran was deliberately raising the volume. Aren's patience was wearing thin.

"Keiran, cut it out," he muttered, but Keiran continued to sleep soundly. The snoring became even more erratic and grating.

Aren let out a deep sigh and turned his gaze away from the ceiling. He reached for the pillow beside him, slowly sat up, and threw it directly at Keiran. The pillow hit Keiran square in the face. "Wake up already! I can't sleep because of your snoring!" Aren said sharply.

Keiran jolted awake, blinking his eyes in confusion, still half-asleep. "What... what happened?" he grumbled.

"You're asking what happened? You're snoring like a thunderstorm, Keiran," Aren said, rubbing his forehead. "Can't you be a little quieter?"

Keiran raised his head and tried to smile sleepily. "Oh, sorry, buddy. Sometimes I don't even realize..." he mumbled, still in a drowsy voice. Then he buried his head back into the pillow, as if he hadn't just been woken up. But a few minutes later, the snoring started again.

Aren closed his eyes and began counting silently. Just then, he felt a gentle movement on his shoulder. Tiny black legs touched his skin as Victoria, the spider, gracefully climbed down from his shoulder onto the bed. Aren watched Victoria's movements out of the corner of his eye, seeking some sort of comfort in her presence.

Victoria curled up next to Aren as if to offer him solace. She moved lightly, her tiny legs brushing against his arm, then delicately crawled toward his chest and settled down, curling up quietly right next to him.

As he felt Victoria's calm presence, Aren experienced a wave of relief. The spider's small black legs seemed to gently embrace him, as if to let him know he wasn't alone. Aren took a deep breath and closed his eyes. With Victoria's warmth by his side, the irritation and frustration he had felt moments before melted away.

Keiran's snores still echoed through the room, but Aren no longer cared. With Victoria by his side, he found the peace he needed. Finally, he closed his eyes and drifted into a deep sleep, comforted by the presence of his tiny companion.