Xander's POV:

My head throbbed for just a moment as my consciousness slipped back to me.

I couldn't remember if I had intended to fall asleep when I first crawled into bed, but sleep took me anyway.

Before I even opened my eyes, I forced myself to focus on the status of the instincts that decided to butcher me the whole day.

Though I realized rather fast that my breaths were slow and steady.

As they should be.

That agonizing tearing sensation in my chest was gone, but I could still feel something there.

Lingering... Waiting...

Waiting for me to piss it off again? Probably.

It was just a small pressure humming right in the center of my abdomen.

Not really uncomfortable enough to affect me outwardly, but annoying enough to where I don't think I'll be able to just ignore it.

My back arched into the pillow I was holding as a stretch overcame me, arms straightening out and claws extending as they always did.

Both returned to normal once I let out a very harsh exhale, holding the pillow tighter against me before peeking my eyes open.

The close-curtained window was a blur for a moment until my eyes decided to focus.

While they did, I found myself recalling what happened before my... collapse.

After what Nico said... after I left his room I just lost it.

Or I guess the part of me that was supposed to be dormant right now lost it.

There were too many emotions running through my mind, and that internal part of me took that chance to pounce.

It was like getting taken over during a bloodmoon, but not actually shifting the control.

Just the agonizing in-between part where the two clash with each other.

I just remember snapping out of it long enough to get back to my room, and then finally getting it to calm down again after...

Where's Doe?

My eyes shifted from the window scanning over that side of the room.

When I didn't see her, I groggily moved my arm and pushed up against my elbow, turning my head to check the other side.

But I still didn't see her.

Not at my desk, the closet, the bathroom.

A panic nearly settled itself in me, forcing the advanced senses to kick in before I finally spotted her on the other side of my bed.

The sight of which nearly startled me off of this thing.

Just for the reason that it wasn't a common occurrence for her to be here when I was also here.

Despite the invitation given to her a while ago.

She just sat there, leaning against the headboard with a pillow supporting her lower back, knees bent and covered with the blanket.

Staring right at me with an odd look.

Probably due to my strange reaction to seeing her there.

"Morning," She chimed regardless.

Morning?

I didn't think I had slept for that long.

Maybe I was really out of it.

"What time is it?" My tired voice croaked as I pushed myself into a hunched-over sit.

"Around seven-thirty."

My back shot up straight.

Shit... The blood collection.

I'm late!

I was supposed to get there early with Nico.

Oh my god, he's going to kill me, especially after the conversation we had last night!

I tossed the blanket off of myself and nearly shot out of my bed before her voice spoke out again.

"Woah Woah PM, Xander. Seven-thirty PM. The 'good morning' was just... habitual."

I froze, glancing at the clock above my desk, and then to the darkness I could spot behind the windows.

I blew out a sigh, falling back against the bed.

That made a lot more sense.

"I think I just saw my life flash before my eyes," I muttered, my heart still thundering from that sudden scare.

I didn't even want to imagine the choice words Nico would have had for me if I was this late.

"Oh come on now, we both know that if anything, I would have woken you up in time."

That's true.

I was out for nearly five hours then.

"Have you eaten yet?" I asked.

"Obviously i-" her harsh words suddenly cut off, clearing her throat and softening her features before starting over, "Yeah, I did. And I saved you some as well. Even had them bring one of those keeps-it-warm candle burny thingies. So don't go and try that little 'I'm not hungry' crap again." She huffed, crossing her arms.

I caught myself grinning at a variety of words that she spoke, looking over at the coffee table as she gestured to it.

It was a metal bowl suspended over the burny thingy, a ladle and smaller glass bowl sitting a little bit away

I must have missed it during my search of the room while looking for her.

"What is it?"

I could have just tuned into my sense of smell, but I wanted to hear it from her.

I wanted to hear her voice.

It had become calming as of late.

Calming to the entirety of me in a way I didn't understand, but definitely wasn't going to try and fight.

"it's that uhm... Tomato basil soup with that weird cheese you like it with," She answered

I suppressed the snicker that threatened to escape.

"Parmesan?"

"Sure. I got it since... y'know..." Her words died off, and she turned her head away in embarrassment.

Since it was the same thing I'd get her whenever she was sick and wanted something warm.

I got it from Nico after hearing him mention that humans tend to inhibit themselves down to soups whenever they start feeling ill.

Something about them trying to take it easy on their insides.

Originally, I thought the idea was strange, but I couldn't argue with the results.

She said that it worked like a miracle in making her feel better.

And now she had it brought to me.

A realization that caused that internal effect of mine to diminish substantially, and replace it with a warmth that spread through my chest.

Aswell as curse the fact that the same rules didn't apply to vampires when we felt off.

Still, the thought alone was enough for it to work in making me feel better, and I was sure as hell about to devour every last bit of it.

"Thank you," I hope she heard the sincerity of my words as I turned back to her.

She was still facing away from me, almost hiding behind her hair.

"Don't thank me, just go eat it," she retorted in what sounded like irritated concern.

A new combination from her, but I'll take it.

She began again after I lifted myself from the bed, keeping the same tone as before.

"I can't have you dying on me before a blood collection, and especially not before that day in town you owe me."

Right. The one that got postponed due to everything being closed.

I'll add that to the list of things I need to do. Right after...

Shit. I still needed to call Layla.

But a quick glance at the phone and that feeling in my chest instantly tightening told me that it may be best if I save that for another day.

I still had over a week until the ball. I had time to focus on other things for now.

"So when do you wanna do that then?" I asked, scooping up the bowl and ladle to serve myself.

She finally looked at me and shrugged.

"I dunno, is there any... deadline of sorts for me that I need to take into consideration."

My movements paused for half a second at her... strange phrasing.

"Huh?"

She just blinked at me, biting her bottom lip.

"y'know," she began, this sentence sounding purposefully more casual, "Like any future... plans involving me that would possibly uh- " She searched again for the proper words, "Make it so that I was no longer here, and therefore couldn't participate in those plans. Just so I can set the date accordingly, of course." She finished with an odd smile.

I just stared at her, completely and utterly confused.

I think I only processed half of those words, and I doubt getting all of them would have even helped.

Plans that would make it so she was no longer here? What?

With Layla out of the picture, I couldn't fathom what she was trying to ask me.

"Are you going somewhere?" I eventually questioned.

"Am I?" She shot back, an odd hint of distress in her tone.

Was she?

I wracked my brain for any kind of thing that fit her... interesting description.

"I think that annual check-up thing for you is coming up within the month, but that's the only thing I can think of."

The sound of her relieved sigh and shift of posture told me that I must have said the right thing.

Go me I guess?

I carefully made my way back to my bed with my soup now acquired.

"Okay. Then how about a little later this week? After the blood collection, but before the ball."

Plopping myself back down, and copying her position from when I woke up, I answered.

"Sounds like a plan."