"Hey Kalen," I asked him one night. "What are we?"
"What do you mean? Do elaborate." He brushed a lock of hair from my face as his deep dark eyes bore into mine.
I shifted, my hands clenching into fists gripping the bedsheets as if my life depended on them as I summon up the courage to ask the question that had been hovering on the edge of my thoughts, that I'd been too afraid to ask, or maybe, too afraid to know the answer. "What are we?" I repeated. "We're definitely more than friends, but this isn't officially a relationship. Sometimes this makes me not know how to feel about you."
He tilted his head slightly. "Does the title matter that much to you humans?"
I bit my lip, feeling my stomach churn at the awkwardness I felt of having to bring this up. My back tingled and I resisted the urge to squirm. This was all too new territory for me. "I mean.. I just need to know. I think we should be clear on what we are. At least for me, I feel like I have to know. Sometimes I want to miss you but I'm not sure if I have the right to miss you, I don't know if you're really mine to miss." I felt my face flush at that last admission.
"Oh, Avery," he sighed, giving me a quick kiss. "Do two people have to have the title of a relationship to be together? Do you need to be someone's to love them? Love knows no bounds, not even lines you humans draw or titles and names you come up for it."
I supposed it made sense, but my heart still felt unsettled. He seemed to see through me. "Listen Avery, I may be forced to lie to you about many things to keep you safe, but I won't lie to you about this - I truly care for you. You're the first human I've ever felt this strongly for."
His eyes darkened. "I just wish to ensure your safety at all times. Being in too close contact with me, even now, this is exposing you to risk, to danger."
"But you- you won't leave, will you?" I blinked up at him, trying my best to blink away the tears that suddenly welled up in my eyes. "Sometimes I feel like besides Isabelle, you're all I have."
I felt his chest fall as he let out a big rush of breath. His grip around me tightened, forcing a gasp out of me as he knocked the air out of my lungs. He'd pulled me so close that our bodies seemed to be moulded to each other, separated only by the thin fabric of our clothes.
His arms felt like home, but like a home that didn't feel sound. I shifted in discomfort, and he released me, just a little bit. "I will do whatever it takes to keep you from harm's way," he vowed.
Did that mean he'd disappear if he thought it would keep me safe?
"It's late." His words interrupted my thoughts. "Get some sleep," he reminded me gently. "You're waking up early for camp tomorrow."
"You won't come, right? You promised you'd let me have my fun. I don't want anyone seeing you and asking question too. I won't get into trouble at school, I promise." I didn't know how to make it not sound like I didn't want him there. I bit my lip as I studied his expression, hoping he wouldn't misunderstand.
He wore a neutral expression as he nodded. "Take care. Don't go anywhere alone."
I quickly bobbed my head. "Okay."
"Oh, and wear your necklace at all times." He added as an afterthought. His eyes seem to darken the slightest bit. I didn't think much of it at the time.
I should have.
"Okay." I buried my head in his chest, breathing in his musky scent, eyelids drooping as drowsiness slowly set in.
"Dormi," I heard him whisper as he stroked my head. "Iter vestrum sit tutum." (1)
"What does that mean?" I mumbled sleepily.
"Stay safe, Avery."