Page 75 of Thirst

With an amused smile, I place a hand on the back of her head, forcing her to lie back down. “Baby girl, I've been around a long time. I got all of this covered.”

I reach over and grab the remote from my nightstand and press the button to blackout the room. Aaliyah watches as the windows shift from translucent to completely black, and the curtains pull themselves into place as if possessed. Her head snaps over when the door slats fill the cracks in the frame and block out all light.

“Okay, now that’s dope,” she says. “You were in here the morning after we had sex the first time, weren’t you? You had Shawn meet me because you couldn't be in the sun.”

I laugh, giving away the answer before I speak it. “Of course I was. Now close your eyes. You went through it tonight. Your body needs rest.”

“Mm-hmm,” then she closes her eyes and sleep takes her in nearly an instant.

I give it thirty minutes before I decide to move again, making sure the most important person in my life is comfortable and fully asleep before I get up and move a chair next to the bed. I grab my robe and cinch it tight, then I sit down and just watch her sleep. It was agony having to think about my Companion turning me down and choosing to live her life without me. I would've accepted it, but the misery would've been unbearable. This is the alternative. I know how lucky I am to have her here with me, and I don't want the moment to end. Soon, the sun will rise and she’ll have to be on her way. Until then, I want to enjoy every second I can just admiring her.

I am the creature with unlimited strength, speed, and life, but when I look at her, I know she is the one of us that is perfect.

When she wakes up, the room is still completely devoid of sunlight. The only evidence that it is morning is the time on the red digital clock sitting on my nightstand. It tells me it’s nearly nine A.M. which means the sun must be shining outside.

Aaliyah’s arm sifts over the cover as if she's looking for me, and when she realizes I'm not there, she sits up and finds me in the chair next to the bed.

“Good morning,” I greet her as I stand and walk over to sit on the edge of the bed. “You slept well?”

She stretches her arms. “As good as I could've. To be honest, I could go right back to sleep. How about you?”

“I haven't slept yet, but I'm about to.”

“You haven't slept? Oh, wait. Wow, it never even dawned on me that you don't sleep at night. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to keep you up. Are you usually asleep before the sun comes up?”

“Yeah, usually, but it’s all good. Sometimes I stay up later for business and don't get to sleep until around this time anyway. If I can stay up for business, I can stay up for you. You're worth it. Trust me, you don't gotta worry about me. As long as you're good, I'm straight. Okay?”

She nods, but I see the lingering concern in her eyes.

“Do you want anything?” I ask. “I can have Shawn bring you breakfast.”

“No, that's okay,” she answers as she starts to get out of bed. “I need to get home and it’s clear that you need your rest. I've upended your routine enough.”

I watch her leave the bed and grab her pants and shirt from last night.

“It’s really okay,” I tell her. “You can stay as long as you like.”

“Nah, I really need to get going. I need a shower, and honestly, a bit of sunlight. No offense.”

“None taken.” I reply as she finishes up and moves to the door. I follow her there and quickly wrap my arms around her, pulling her into a hug. “I'm glad you came back. Truly. I had a great time last night. So, it’s official? We’re doing this?”

“We’re doing this,” she says with her face buried in the soft fur of my robe.

“Okay then. I’ll have Shawn get with Stanley today and start making calls to buyers about your exhibit. We’ll give it a couple days just to make sure we fit into as many people’s schedules as possible, then we’ll host them at the same spot as before. In the meantime, if you add a piece or two, we’ll add those to the collection. Hopefully, by time you get everything sold, you will make enough to be able to start painting full-time. You could quit Fantasies.”

“I hope so,” she replies as we separate. “Thanks, Amari. I don't really know how this works with us having different sleep schedules, but I guess … call me when you wake up?”

“I will. I know you brought your car, but Shawn will take you down to the basement. We'll talk soon.”

“Okay.”

I press the button to remove the slats from inside the door and frame, and as soon as they're gone, sunlight begins to peek through the edges. A stray sunray reaches under the door and taps me on the foot like a stinger from a scorpion, forcing me to move back as it sizzles and a tiny whirl of smoke rises from my toe.

Aaliyah’s eyes double in size. “Oh god. I didn't know the reaction would be that severe.”

I chuckle as the sting dissipates. “You have no idea. I'm gonna go into the bathroom while you open the door and head out. Have a good day, okay. Talk to you soon.”

Aaliyah nods at me, the corners of her lips lifting up. “Okay. We’ll talk soon. Thanks for everything, Amari.”