Page 55 of Mortis

The bedroom door slammed shut and silence settled over the flat once more.

Part of me felt relieved, but the rest of me was terrified. Terrified that Teddy would ask about the missing man, or that he’d finally realise helping me had been a mistake. That his kindness would become disgust. That those bright blue eyes would turn cold as he asked me to leave.

He would have every right.

So far, I had brought nothing but danger to his doorstep. Surely it was only a matter of time before he decided I simply wasn’t worth it.

But Teddy did none of those things.

He didn’t question me.

He didn’t ask me to explain.

Instead, he picked up the remote from the arm of the sofa and resumed the anime as though nothing had happened. His quiet commentary continued throughout the episodes, occasionally explaining a character or spoiling what would happen next.

It was as though he had already decided my past didn’t matter.

Not to him.

My future was more important.

Several episodes later, Teddy reached over and switched off the lamp beside the sofa so only the flickering light from the television remained. Eventually, his commentary faded away. He slowly slid sideways until his full weight rested comfortably against me. His breathing deepened, and every so often it was interrupted by a quiet snore or a tiny snuffle.

I looked down. His eyes were closed, long lashes casting shadows across his cheeks. His lips had fallen slightly open. A damp patch had begun forming on the sleeve of my shirt where he’d drooled in his sleep.

Despite everything I’d learned that evening, I found myself smiling.

Curled against my side in his oversized T-shirt and faded pyjama bottoms, Teddy looked impossibly comfortable.

Peaceful.

When the episode ended, I pushed the small red button Teddy had taught me would turn off the television. Darkness swallowed the living room, though it made no difference to me. I could see as clearly as if it were midday. Carefully, so as not to wake him, I slipped one arm beneath Teddy’s shoulders and the other beneath his knees. He barely stirred as I rose from the sofa, taking him with me.

He nestled a little closer against my chest, as I carried him down the hallway and into his bedroom before gently placing him on his bed. It took a surprising amount of manoeuvring to coax him beneath the quilt. Still, he slept on, and only once he was comfortable did I shed my mortal skin, my clothes disappearing beneath the smoke.

Towering over the bed, horns curling proudly above my head and fur-covered legs finally free, I gently combed my clawed fingers through Teddy’s hair, taking care not to let the tips graze his scalp. His eyes cracked open. Sleep still clung stubbornly to them, as he looked up at me, smiling softly.

“Goodnight, Teddy,” I whispered.

His eyelids drifted shut before he could respond, so I settled into my usual place on the floor beside his bed.

Just as I was about to surrender to sleep, Teddy spoke.

“Kael.”

His voice was little more than a tired whisper.

“Yes, Teddy?” I replied immediately.

“I—” He shifted beneath the quilt. “Come and lie next to me.”

For a moment, I couldn’t answer.

Did he truly mean it?

Or was this simply the rambling of an exhausted mind already halfway into dreams?

“Are you sure?” I asked anyway.