Xander's POV:

I rubbed a towel through my hair, trying to just get it dry enough to where it wasn't dripping water everywhere.

Doe and I had returned probably about 40 minutes ago, thoroughly exhausted from the day we'd spent together.

We'd ventured more into the city, stopping every now and again at a street musician, or any antique shops she looked interested in.

She dragged me through that city with stamina I never knew she had, and I enjoyed every second of it.

Every second of seeing her eyes light up when she spotted something interesting, of her grabbing the fabric by my wrist and taking me into a shop, or hearing her gasp and point whenever she spotted a stray cat.

The wonder in her eyes as we got on the topic of weird food mixtures and I mentioned pizookies.

We ended up splitting one for dinner.

Definitely not one of the most nutritional meals we've ever had, but the look on her face as she enjoyed every bite quickly made it so that I didn't care.

I smiled to myself, hanging the towel by the sink and adjusting the one that I had around my waist.

Her stamina depleted nearly the second we entered back into the castle, though. I was halfway surprised that she didn't just crash right then and there.

Which was why I let her shower first.

I drew a hand through the hair in front of my eyes, the moisture that still remained in it succeeding in keeping it where I wanted it.

I just stared at myself in the mirror for a second.

There was one specific event, though, that I absolutely couldn't get out of my mind.

It's practically been replaying on loop ever since it happened.

Placing my hands on either side of the sink, I leaned forward, letting my head hang with a sigh as I recalled it again.

The chill on the backside of my body was nothing compared to the warmth that landed on top of it.

Especially after the tantalizing laugh that came from her only a moment later.

My next heartbeat felt harder than the last.

She didn't jump away immediately like I thought she would, instead used the circumstance to subdue me and claim her well-earned victory with an exuberance that I'd never experienced from her.

I didn't stand a chance after that.

At that point, I was completely powerless to the engrossing sight that was above me.

That playful excitement written all over her face.

I felt my shoulder lift as I drew in a deep breath.

I cursed myself for not taking an opportunity while it was there.

For not wrapping my arms around her to keep her there.

To keep that moment there even just a few seconds longer.

To keep that feeling.

God, what I wouldn't do for that...

I doubted she'd even be comfortable with me touching her like that, so maybe it did end up working for the best...

Lifting my head back up, I stood to my full height.

I think that was the first time in a long time that I've felt... happy.

Truly, unmistakably happy, and with someone with an energy that paired so well with mine.

A strange feeling bloomed in my chest, different than the one that was still constantly present.

This one was gentler, almost radiating the same warmth I'd feel whenever she touched me, but it was gone the second it showed up.

I turned with another confused sigh, grabbing the boxers, sweats, and loose-fitting T-shirt that I'd brought in here with me, thoughts still hunting me down as I began putting them on.

I wanted a repeat of today. I wanted to feel everything again and enjoy the fun that came out of it.

The ridiculous conversations, the raillery, the elbow pokes when I'd come up with a dumb joke.

Was this normal?

Maybe I should just head to bed. Maybe my head will be clearer in the morning.

I followed through on my through, being extra careful while opening the door.

Tuning into my advanced hearing, I could tell that Doe was already asleep on the other side.

Though the light was still on in here, and I didn't see her laying where she usually slept.

A single step was as far as I got before I spotted her and froze.

I could just barely see her hair peeking out from under the blanket.

My blanket, and lying atop one of the pillows I kept on the other side of my bed.

I found myself biting my bottom lip as the ends of it curled upwards, my next steps being as silent as possible.

She was a very light sleeper, and I absolutely did not want to wake her from this.

As I drew closer, her position became more clear.

She was wrapped up under the blanket I know she loves so much, curled up and facing me right on the edge of the bed.

The blanket was pulled up all the way to the bottom of her nose, the burnt umber strands of her hair partially covering her face as well.

Another hard beat in my heart.

Nearly two years and she finally sleeps up here with me.

I breathed out a quick laugh at it all, a hint of relief in there with it.

And regretted the small sound so close to her almost immediately.

That consistent beating in her heart faltered and her eyelashes twitched.

Ah shit, did I just mess this up?

I took a few quick steps back before her eyes slowly blinked open, squinting at the light for a few moments before eventually landing on me.

She just looked me over with hooded eyes, stopping once she reached my head.

"You're gonna catch a cold if you fall asleep with wet hair," Her voice radiated the tiredness I'm positive she was feeling.

My brows rose in amusement as I began walking around the bed to get to my side.

"I'm a vampire, we don't get colds," I responded just loud enough for her to hear.

I wanted her to be able to fall back asleep easily, so I kept things quiet.

"Show off," she grumbled, keeping her eyes on me.

She even turned her head against the pillow so I never escaped her sight.

And still, after I pushed the button on the remote that killed the lights, the glow of my eyes let her know where to keep looking.

I crawled into bed, opting to lay on my back for now.

"Promise me you'll stay on that side." Her voice rang out again, trying to sound stern, but her volume and exhaustion worked against her.

She could see my eyes, but not my amused grin.

"When have I ever not?" I simply replied.

Her gaze turned more into a glare as she realized that I was right.

Not once did I ever sleep and wake up anywhere except on the right side of the bed.

She let out a little 'hmph' before returning to her prior position, shifting ever so slightly under the blankets.

"Goodnight Xander," she uttered, and my eyes actually widened at how genuine it sounded.

No teasing or annoyed undertone that she usually displayed whether she truly meant it or not.

It was truly one of the more softhearted words that I've ever heard come out of her.

Whether half of it was to blame on her exhaustion or not.

A third and final hard thrum in my chest as I relaxed fully into the bed, turning away from her to face the window, and pulling in a pillow between my arms.

"Goodnight, Doe."