The day had been one to remember, with Aizawa declaring himself and offering to become even more than her boyfriend. He suggested gently that it might be a good idea to unwind before bed by watching one of her favorite nature documentaries, and she agreed. They sat on the couch in the living room, only half paying attention to what was on the television since they had seen it before. The soothing music and voice of the narrator had lulled her into a sleepy state, and he was very warm beside her.
He grunted and reached into a drawer in the table beside him, bringing out a bottle of eye drops.
"I have to pee. Be right back," she yawned.
He shrugged and let the drop fall into his left eye. "All right. I'll pause it so you don't miss the part with the jellyfish."
"Thanks." She stretched a little and walked down to the bathroom. When she was washing her hands she noticed a shadow in the mirror and groaned. "What is it?"
Her public relations manager was distraught yet again. It seemed to be his natural state these days.
"He spoke your <i>name</i>," Neuro grated. "I heard it! You know we can <i>all</i> hear the echo when that happens, especially when it's used by a promise-bound human."
"He told me that he loves me." She spoke calmly but there was a flicker of panic in her eyes.
He actually squawked again in his rage, the sound even more horrifying when it came out his human mouth. "And how many times has a human told you that? Starting with the <i>bitch</i> that stood by and let you be killed while she was already picking out a replacement for you?!"
Elly flinched. "Sumi sama."
"Ah yes, the black-haired cunt. Isn't it odd that the trash claiming to love you now has the same long, black hair?"
She cringed and just as suddenly snapped at the air inches in front of his face, her head a furry, bristling mouth full of fangs and wild, rolling cat-slit pupils. "<i>Stop it!</i> Stop trying to ruin him for me! And <i>leave me alone</i> before I crunch that nasty smile <i>right off your face!</i>"
He fled in a wisp of smoke and she realized she was gripping the counter so hard her knuckles were white. Elly shook herself back to human form and washed her face, trying to calm herself down before walking back out.
She thought of her boyfriend sitting on the couch, his gray eyes bloodshot and always tired looking. Of that terrifying yet somehow handsome grin and his dry, coughing laugh. She was even fond of the habit he had of rubbing at the back of his neck with one hand.
Aizawa did have long, black hair like Sumi, though his was shorter by far. He was the same nationality. What if he saw her in her true form and changed his mind? If his love turned to fear and loathing, he would want her dead like so many other humans. It had happened many times before.
Could she handle that if she opened her heart all the way one more time?
Elly jumped, her hand flying to her mouth to stifle a cry when she heard a light tap on the door. "You okay in there, Ches? I heard talking, but it sounded muted and strange."
"Yes!" She dried her hands and opened the door to find him standing there looking slightly concerned. "It was Neuro again. He, uh... oh, hell. I don't know."
"I think I might have a discussion with him later," he said quietly. "He's been upsetting you a lot lately."
She sighed and nodded. "He's been pushing me quite a bit."
Aizawa curled a protective arm about her shoulders. "You want to finish the show or go right to bed?"
"You know, I think I want to sleep more than anything."
"All right." He bent and picked her up without asking, and she purred with contentment, forcing the jumbled mess of insecurities away in her mind. He was warm, smelled good, and she loved him. Tomorrow she could focus on what had happened, but she was too weary right now to care.
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