As soon as he stepped in the shower, I went back downstairs to the kitchen and the storage rooms. I grabbed a few cans of fruit, not knowing exactly what he liked, and then went off to search for some clothes. I also had no clue what size he was, so I took a guess and grabbed whatever seemed fit. I found a few shirts that may have belonged to the employees that used to work here. I picked out a medium and went to the pants. He looked really skinny, so I picked medium in those too. I couldn't find any underwear. I guess he'd have to wear the ones he had on.

I was about to leave and go back up when I thought of something I hadn't before. He needs something to sleep in. I don't think he'd want to sleep in some slacks and a polo. I went back to the storage room and picked out a black bath robe. I hoped that was enough. I always stayed in the same set of clothes, so I didn't really know much about what he might wanna wear.

I hurried back to the elevator with the clothes and food and pressed the 13. When I got back to the room, the shower was still running. I went to the bathroom door and checked to see if it was unlocked, and it was. I opened it and put the robe on the sink, then I closed it back.

It seemed like forever before he came out again. When he did, he was wearing the black robe and he was completely clean of the muck that had been on his skin. His jet black hair was tousled over to the side and his skin was shining with fresh droplets of water. I think he even shaved, because his stubble was no longer there. Now he looked ten years younger and I wanted to laugh at how weird he looked without his stubble. But I only stared. I don't think I've ever seen a living more beautiful than him.

"Uh, thanks for the robe. It fits really well." He smiled a white smile. It did fit really well. Really...really well.

"You...like fruit?" I pulled one of the cans of peaches I found out of the bag I was carrying.

"You got me food? Aw Tom, you didn't need to do that. That was really nice of you." He took the can of peaches and sat down beside me on the bed. I handed him a can opener and a fork, both of which I already had in my room. I really had too much stuff in here.

He got it open and took the first bite, and he let out a sigh. "Oh my god. It's been so long since I've had actual food like this. All we eat at the camp are protein bars and water."

"What...camp?" I asked.

"The camp where me and my friends live. They offer shelter and protection and all of that stuff. I snuck out with my friends so we could get some real clothes and some real food. Look how that turned out." He shook his head. "I mean, I guess it wasn't a complete failure. I met you. And you seem like a pretty awesome person. You have this cool place all to yourself."

I smiled and fiddled with one of the stuffed bears on the bed. "Thanks."

"I wish I could stay here forever." He laid down on the bed and closed his eyes, cuddling the can of peaches to his side.

"Why...d-don't you?" It was a stupid question. He was alive. He had other things to do.

"I don't know. My friends might get worried. I've known them since before the world ended. They'd be devastated if I didn't show up. Especially Sonja, she's like a sister to me. She told me sneaking out was a stupid idea. God, I don't even know how to get home. They were the ones with a car."

"I'll...get...you home." I didn't want him to go. I wanted him to stay here with me forever. I don't want to be alone again. But I want him to be safe and happy.

He laughed quietly. "The ride down here was two hours long and we were speeding. I don't think you could find my home either, Tom."

I frowned. I wish I knew how to hot-wire a car. Maybe then I could get him home. James always knew about these things. I wish he were here.

"But that's okay. I don't mind staying if you don't mind me being here."

"O...kay. Keep you safe. Until...you get...home." I held out my pinky.

"You're a sweetie pie, Tom. Really..." he yawned. I pulled the covers up on him and turned out the lamp. The room went dark and silent.

"Er. Tom?"

"Yes?"

"Can you...can you turn the lamp back on? I don't like to sleep in the dark."

I tried to turn the lamp back on, but it wouldn't switch on. The power must be out again. That's inconvenient.

"Powers...out."

"Oh."

"You scared...of the dark?"

"...a little."

I turned over and wrapped a protective arm around him. "You safe. Prom...ise."

"You're sure they're not gonna come in here?"

"No. Scared...of me. Won't...hurt you."

He stayed silent. He's still worried.

"Want me...to cover...smell?" I can't imagine he'd want me to rub muck on his face again, but I just wanted to make sure.

"Actually, yeah. If you don't mind."

I drug my hand down his cheek and neck. Like usual, he shuddered and cringed away. I didn't understand him. Why did he want me to do it if he hated it?

"Want me...to stop? You...hate it."

"I'm sorry. It's hard to get used to. But you know...it might help me sleep knowing even if they did come in, they wouldn't smell me."

I nodded, even though he probably couldn't see me. I coated the rest of his face and then I went down to his chest. When I started coating the back of his neck, he shivered.

"Y-You...okay?"

"I'm fine. Keep going."

I continued coating the back of his neck, but stopped when he made a really weird noise. It sounded like...a moan. But it was so short and quiet I barely heard it.

"Oh god, that's so embarrassing. I'm sorry."

I wanted to laugh. I smiled and tried to make a noise resembling a laugh. It sounded more like a wheeze.

"Thought...it was c-cute. You...very insec-cure." Whoa. I just said a three syllable word. I'm getting better at this talking stuff.

"Yeah, well. I've had a rough time with relationships. They usually end up with the other person dead. I haven't— I mean, it's been a long time. Since I've," he motioned with his hand, blushing. "Done that. I don't know."

"You...like?" I began coating the back of his neck again and he shivered against my touch.

"Tom, do you have no shame at all?" he asked breathlessly.

"Not...really." I began to massage his neck. He let out another cute little moan.

"What are you?" he asked for the second time that day.

I don't know what I am, but I know I want to be with you.

I didn't say that out loud. He didn't need to know it.

"Go...to sleep...Jordan."

He gave me a rude stare. "I can't sleep if you keep doing this to me."

I didn't let up though. On the inside I was laughing at how much affect I was having on him.

I did stop when I could suddenly feel his breath on my face. He wasn't this close before, was he?

"...Jordan?"

No answer. Just more breathing. And I swear to god, I felt something brush across my lips, but then the bed shifted and the breathing went away. I frowned. Was it because I smelled terrible?

"I...smell bad?"

"Only a little."

"Sorry."

"Don't apologize. You can't help it."

"I can. Just afraid. Scent...might go away. Get...you killed."

"I understand."

"Jordan."

"Hm?"

"You think...I'm dis...dis..." Ugh. Come on, spit it out. It's just three syllables. "Dis...gusting?"

He didn't answer. I heard light snoring a few seconds later, so I assumed he fell asleep while I was trying to pronounce disgusting. Damn.

Maybe I could clean up a little. A shower and some clean clothes.

~

Showering was extremely difficult. Well, it was to me anyway. I couldn't remember what came first: shampoo or conditioner. Then I found that some of the muck on my skin was too dirty to rid of, and that just made me really really sad. I mean, I think I started crying. It was one of those moments where I realized how disgusting I really was and how I would always be the same inside, no matter how hard I scrubbed.

My solution wasn't really good. I sat in the bathtub for an hour, pouting about how gross I was and how Jordan would never accept me. And then I found that by soaking in the bath, it made it easier to scrub away the muck. I finally got rid of all of it, and then I started on my hair. The shampoo was way soapier than the conditioner, so I used that first. I was surprised at how much muck was in my hair. I began to wonder how long I'd been dead. When did this all happen anyway? How many years had I been like this?

When I washed all of the conditioner out, I dried off and slipped into the clothes I picked up from the storage room closet. A black polo and some black slacks. I'd have to wash my suit. I had no clue how to wash clothes, so I guess it would probably be awhile before that was accomplished. I looked in the mirror when I was done dressing. I actually looked much better than I had in the photo Jordan took yesterday. It made me much happier. I sniffed myself, but I wasn't sure how I smelled. Before this I couldn't smell myself or how bad I stunk, but Jordan could. I should ask him about it if he's awake.

With one last look in the mirror, I headed out of the bathroom. I could hear him when I opened the door. Is it weird that I can hear his breathing from another room? Probably. I took a deep breath and went into the bedroom.

He was sitting on the bed, playing with one of the iPods I'd found before. When he heard me come in he looked up for a small second and then went back down to the iPod. I watched his eyes widen and he did a double take on me.

"Tom! You look amazing!" He looked me up and down with his big brown eyes.

"I...smell good?" I sat down beside him on the bed. He inched close to me and sniffed, but he didn't gag this time.

"You smell very good. I love it."

We sat in silence for awhile. His eyes never left me.

"So what's the agenda today? What are we gonna be doing?" We couldn't really do anything. The power was out and there was plenty dead still lurking the streets.

"Stay...in bed?"

"Sounds good to me." He climbed back under the covers and closed his eyes.

I laid beside him too, staring at his chest as it would rise and fall. I didn't even realize he knew I was watching him until he cleared his throat awkwardly. I smiled sheepishly and shrugged a little. He laughed and closed his eyes again.

I wanted to embarrass him too, so I did the only thing I knew he'd get embarrassed about. I began to massage his neck again.

"Oh god. Tom, stop." He squirmed slightly, but stayed glued to his spot. He loves this, I know.

"But you...like it."

"Ugh, you're an ass." He shivered. Soon enough, he made that small little noise he did yesterday and I was smiling like an idiot at how cute it was.

"Tom..." He started, but I kept distracting him.

"Shh." I massaged him harder.

I guess I should have seen it coming, but to be honest I didn't expect it at all. I felt the breathing against my face again. It was dark in the room because the shades were drawn, so I couldn't see what he was doing.

"Jordan?"

Silence. I felt something soft brush against my lips.

Jordan is kissing me.

~~~

It's not very good right now but I promise it gets better ._. Hope you guys liked the first two chapters! Leave a favorite or a comment if you did, thanks!

- Lee