There's a soft knock at the door and Naomi turns to face the wall. Raurlin can hear the bed creak with the movement as well as the soft sigh Naomi let's escape.

Raurlin gently pushes the door open and Naomi shuts her eyes tight. She grits her teeth as her eyes flutter. Raurlin sets a cup of coffee down on the bedside table.

The chair from last night is still beside the bed. Raurlin eases into the chair and drops his head into his hands, his elbows digging into his thighs.

He had sat at the kitchen table expecting Naomi to come after him. It was a weird situation. Something he hadn't expected. He walked away, needing to catch his breath and gather his thoughts.

He didn't mean to bang the door shut and after a solid twenty minutes had passed he realised the overreaction of his actions. Before the only person he was accountable to was Jackson. And himself.

Naomi had laid in bed, waiting for the vast emotion from the sudden change of her life to hit her like a ton of bricks. She laid and waited and there was nothing.

After sometime she even forgot about the awkward situation with Raurlin. She simply typed another question into the note on her phone and then put her phone on charge. She waited a little longer, listening for Raurlin, unsure if he was even still home. Soon after she fell into a deep dreamless sleep.

Raurlin crept into the room and quietly pulled a blanket out his cupboard. He didn't feel it appropriate to get into bed with Naomi but he did sit for a few minutes and just listened to her breathing deepen as she fell deeper into sleep.

He now, sitting at the edge of the bed, stifles a yawn. Naomi remains staring at the wall. Raurlin reaches out and his hand gently rests on her hop. Naomi stiffens.

"Naomi, I know you're awake."

Naomi rolls her eyes and glances over her shoulder. Raurlin looks tired and torn. She feels a sudden wave of guilt at remembering that his father has just died. Naomi rolls over and faces him.

"How did you know I was awake?"

"I could tell by your breathing. Can we talk?"

Naomi nods.

"I wanted to apologize about how I behaved last night. This is all a lot for me and I don't exactly know how to react to all this...or how to deal."

Naomi pushes herself and then tucks her knees under her chin.

"I want to apologize too..."

"-You have nothing to apologize for. I'm the one who shut down...and stormed out."

"Even still, Raurlin. This is new for both of us. You've been this vampire warrior man just on your own agenda and suddenly I come alone and throw a huge spanner in the works. The bottom line is you don't know how to be with me and I don't know how to be with you."

"I have no regrets about us, Naomi."

"Neither do I Raurlin. But we've skipped years ahead in a matter of hours. We need to slow down and start from the beginning."

Raurlin nods agreeing with everything Naomi is saying. Naomi pauses unsure of her words.

"You're right, doll. I'm sorry for banging the door."

"I accept your apology. Look, I need to get up and ready. Thank you for making me a cup of coffee."

Naomi picks it up with a smile. The cup is still warm. Naomi takes a sip. Raurlin smiles at her. The air is lighter and he stops himself from hugging her. He stands up and offers instead a small kiss on her forehead. Naomi smiles as he does.

"Let me get you some breakfast. I hope you don't mind, I took the liberty of packing your clothes in the cupboard."

Naomi only smiles as Raurlin walks out the door, shutting it gently beside him. Once the door is closed she beams and her cheeks flush. She didn't want to show it but she loved that he packed her clothes in his cupboard.

Raurlin walks into the kitchen and opens the fridge. He listens as Naomi gets out of bed and walks to the cupboard. He smiles. He busies himself with making an omelette for Naomi. As he works he feels that insatiable hunger starts to course through his veins.

His eyes pool with red until they're gleaming. His nails ache and he shuts his eyes trying to steady his body. Almost instantly the shower is turned on and there's music playing. Naomi is humming along.

Raurlin knows the song and he forces himself to harm along. The throbbing in his nails eases up and the fangs threatening to escape from his gums cease their fight. He inhales deeply and turns back to the pan on the stove.

He hums along to Naomi's music and finds himself enjoying himself. He plates the omelette and turns to put it on the kitchen counter just as Naomi is setting an overnight bag down on the sofa.

He frowns and Naomi matches it. She walks to where he's standing and gently places a hand on his cheek.

"Your eyes...they're red."

Raurlin fights his every instinct to turn away from her and instead allows himself to be examined by Naomi.

"They're beautiful, Raurlin. Does everything look red?"

Naomi takes a step back and Raurlin chuckles.

"No but it's just a bit more primal I suppose. After so long I'm more used to the shift."

Raurlin places the plate in front of Naomi and hands her a fork. She settles into a stool and digs into the omelette. It tastes delicious.

"Raur?"

"Yes, doll?"

"If I become...like you...will my eyes also change colour?"

"Yes they will. And you'll look just as beautiful. If not more."

"Raur?"

"Yes, doll?"

"Thank you for breakfast."

Naomi winks at him and Raurlin can't help but grin. Naomi finishes her breakfast in silence and once she's done Raurlin takes her plate and walks over to the sink.

"I can't help but notice you've packed a bag."

"Yeah my test week is coming up and Sarah helps me study. It's kind of our thing so I think I'm going to crash with her for a few nights."

"Alright then."

Raurlin dries his hands on a dish towel which he leaves lying on the kitchen counter. Naomi examines his face closely and she can tell he is disappointed by her decision.

"Sarah usually has some time off when I write my exams. Would you be able to do some chaperoning?"

Raurlin grins again.

"Of course. Come on, let's get you on your way."

                                                                                               ❄

Sarah stirs and shifts slightly. She turns off and feels herself falling but a hand is out almost immediately wrapping securely across her lower back. The arm pulls her effortlessly back.

Sarah dares to crack an eye open and the sun is peeking through the lounge curtain. Sarah lifts her head and swallows. Another arm wraps around her and she looks up at Jackson.

Sarah does her best not to groan but she feels disappointed with herself for getting lost on the Jackson moment all over again. She puts her head down allowing for a few more moments of weakness.

"I know you're awake. Do you want to get up?"

Jackson's voice rumbles through his chest into Sarah's ear. Sarah sighs against his chest. How can something so bad feel so right?

"Just hold me."

The arms tighten around her and for a few moments of comfortable silence Sarah feels completely relaxed.

"Don't you have class today?"

"No, I'm on vacation. Your talking ruined the moment."

Sarah pushes herself up and awkwardly stumbles off the couch. Jackson turns onto his side and looks at Sarah as she lays on the carpet.

"Your falling ruined the moment. Come here."

Jackson scoops Sarah back into his arms and wraps his arms around hers. Sarah struggles against him then gives in.

"I'm going to go back home today. Will you be okay by yourself?"

Sarah ignores the sadness she feels.

"Of course. I'll call you if I need you. Thank you for everything."

Sarah pushes herself up again and Jackson lets her. She walks to her room and the door bangs shut. Jackson stays laying on the couch for a few more minutes before eventually getting up.

Jackson makes quick work with tidying up the lounge and kitchen. He empties out the remaining wine. They didn't drink all that much and fell asleep after a few too many episodes.

Jackson walks to Naomi's bathroom and washes his face and brushes his teeth. He hates the thought of leaving Sarah but he also knows that it's the best thing he can do.

He knows that Sarah feels overwhelmed and that she needs time to process without him there. But the very fact that she is overwhelmed is reason enough for him to stay.

He walks to Sarah's room and knocks on the door. Sarah pulls a pillow over her ears and she curls into a ball. Jackson gives it a few minutes then knocks again.

After more silence he chooses to leave.

                                                                                                 ❄

Raurlin and Jackson both pull into their parking spaces at the same time. Once out of their cars Jackson pulls Raurlin into a warm embrace.

"You smell like the witch...like Sarah. And like you need a shower."

"I do need a shower."

Raurlin chuckles and they walk into the apartment. Jackson looks around. The space no longer feels like his own. He sits on the couch.

"Naomi in class?"

"Yeah...we got into it a little bit last night."

"What happened?"

Raurlin sits down in front of Jackson.

"It was my fault. I snapped at her. I just feel like we jumped head first into the deep end. I don't know why I thought this would be easier."

"It would be easier if she was a vampire and grew up on the culture of it. Everything about this is different. Don't be so hard on yourself. You just need to start from the beginning."

"Yes, that's what Naomi said."

"And what do you intend to do about it?"

"I'm having flowers delivered to her class with a note that says 'will you be my girlfriend'".

Jackson smiles then laughs.

"Well done old man. Let me get in the shower. You'll officially be a taken man soon, I think we should drink before then."

"A drink and a bite" Raurlin calls after Jackson who laughs.

Raurlin settles into the couch and pulls his phone out his pocket. He starts responding to some messages and then moves onto some emails. The shower turns on.

Raurlin locks the screen of his phone and as he does it vibrates. He unlocks the phone and opens the message it's from Naomi and simply reads: Yes 🌹.