I suddenly realized what Nikolas was offering. A warm, comfortable place to rest in his home. To fall asleep surrounded by the smell of him. To wake up knowing he was right next to me.
It was everything I ever wanted.
And yet, I couldn't accept.
Could I?
I fiddled my fingers, deep in thought, at a loss for what to do. The truth was, I wasn't supposed to be here at all. A long time ago, I'd promised my parents I would never return to the human city. That was one promise broken tonight already. By staying any longer, I'd be digging myself into a deeper hole.
And yet, the allure of staying the night with Nikolas was incredibly powerful. He pulled me in like a magnet, the force of it as strong as a retreating ocean tide. Just the thought of getting up and leaving now, after everything that happened, was difficult to imagine.
I had to make a choice.
And as impossible as it felt to decide, I knew the correct answer deep down in my heart.
I made a compromise. I'd remain here with Nikolas tonight, then quickly return home by morning so if my parents decided to stop by, I would be there. They would be none the wiser that I'd broken my promise.
"I'll stay," I told Nikolas. "But I have to leave by dawn."
My condition didn't seem to deter him. His face lit up, beaming and radiant.
He was so beautiful.
"You will? Really?" he said excitedly. "That's awesome! Let me go get everything ready!"
He ran off to assemble linens, leaving me alone with DJ Muffin. I pet his fur as he purred contentedly.
"What have I gotten myself into, Mr. DJ?" I murmured with a smile.
5
Nikolas
I was giddy with excitement.My heart jumped around my chest like a rabbit set loose in a field of flowers.
Not only was my best friend in the entire world back in my life, but he was staying in my apartment overnight. Just like old times. Could this night get any better?
Jian mentioned needing to be gone before dawn, but I didn't care. Any time I spent with him was perfect. As long as he didn't disappear for another decade, it was all good.
I ran around collecting linens, blankets and pillows, then returned to the couch where Jian was sitting and petting DJ Muffin. My cat's reaction to my friend was heartwarming, too. DJ was never a huge fan of strangers, either hissing at them or apathetically hiding away the entire time they were over. But his attitude did a 180 with Jian. He clung to him like a big orange burr, refusing to be pried away.
Jian gave off good vibes. DJ Muffin must've picked up on them. They always say animals can tell who has a pure heart, right? And that described Jian to a T.
"Need some help?" Jian asked.
I realized I was standing in the middle of the living room smiling at him like a doofus with my arms full of bedding material. "Nah, I'm good, thanks. If you could just stand up for a sec so I can arrange this?"
"I'd love to, but..." Jian grinned at DJ Muffin, who was half asleep in his lap. "I'm afraid I'm bolted down."
I sighed. "DJ, come on."
DJ Muffin peeked one slit eye open at me as if to say 'hell no, bitch', then shut his eyes again.
"Maybe you can arrange it around me?" Jian suggested, clearly amused by his antics.
"Guess I have to, since my cat's fat ass won't move."
I stuffed the sheets into the couch folds, making sure it was nice and tidy. Of course, I had to avoid Jian's butt since he was sitting in the middle of the couch and couldn't move. That made for a few close calls when my hands accidentally brushed a little too close to his ass. My heart fluttered maniacally every time it happened.
