His lips actually twitched towards a smile, but he managed to stop himself. Simon was a brave one, parroting words back at him like that. Raphael let his eyes open again as he listened to the younger vampire explain what the sun smelled like. Those scents were remnants in his mind. Sure, he had smelled them second hand on the clothing of mundanes, but it was never the same. Sometimes there was that trace of the sun's warmth left lingering on things and it always faded so quickly.
He had learned to love the night. Though, deep down, there would always be that feeling of something missing since he no longer could walk in the sun. He always had to visit his family in the dark, though his siblings had all grown up and had their own children, who were starting to have children. So many birthdays he had missed all because he could not step outside.
The last description actually startled a laugh out of Rafe. He quickly covered his mouth with a hand as if to hide the fact he had been amused. "Construction happened on at night so I know those smells." The happiness seemed to fade from his face slightly as he glanced towards the curtained window.
There was a silence before Raphael nudged Simon's leg with a foot.
"You will only take this gift if I say si as well." A faint sigh escaped him as he rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I do not know what to do, Simon. The mere idea of walking in the sun is...tempting. Yet, I almost feel like it is a trap. Adam and Eve were kicked out of the Garden for being tempted by an apple, how do I know this isn't an apple? I've learned in my life that most things come with strings attached. I'd feel better if I knew where this offer is coming from, but I am not going to make you break a promise."
His gaze finally settled fully on Simon again and he just looked sad. His normal confident look was missing and he looked younger. "I don't want to keep you from something, Simon."
Why did he have to care so much? He was well aware he had annoying feelings for the idiota, but he hadn't realized they were going to develop into stronger feelings. This whole thing was so complicated and it was beyond a pain that he couldn't talk to Magnus.