Caelum draws a warm bath for Aerglo.

The alien is sitting silently on the toilet lid while they wait for the tub to fill. Xe watches the boy hum as the water runs over his hand, droplets creating ripples on the settling water.

"You can step in if you want," he announces, standing up from where he was crouched to fix the temperature knobs.

Aerglo undresses without a qualm, stripping Caelum's borrowed clothes off nonchalantly.

Caelum turns to face the alien not expecting xem to strip so casually and right in front of him. The sight makes his cheeks burn bright, his eyes widening and mouth gaping in surprise.

Aerglo looks at him with a raised brow, "are you alright, eno elttil?"

Caelum snaps his mouth shut, knowing how rude he must seem, "ye-yeah... sorry."

He averts his eyes, closing them briefly as Aerglo steps into the water. A small moan escapes the alien when xyr settles, the warm water enveloping xem.

Caelum bites his lip and he shifts in his spot to relieve the pressure suddenly in his pants.

When there's no more splashing, he gathers his courage and takes a peak. He finds Aerglo with xyr eyes closed, tensed muscles relaxed. He can't help but take a seat beside the bath, thankful that the bubbles cover most of xyr dignity.

"Your wound is healing," he notes, voice soft yet echo-y in the bathroom.

"It appears so," Aerglo agrees, running xyr finger near the scarring tissue, "Typically when we heal, there's not even a trace of any wounds. No scars or discoloration, but this will leave a mark."

The sad frown on Aerglo's lips tugs at Caelum's heartstrings and it sobers him up, "I think it looks pretty."

The alien looks at the small human in surprise and Caelum's forced (by his own embarrassment) to quickly add on, "I mean, it's something to be proud of right? It means you survived."

"Like the marks on your arms?" Xe asks.

Caelum's eyes widen, heart stuttering in his chest.

He didn't think Aerglo would see them and his cheeks flush in shame as he tugs on the sleeves of his shirt to hide them, "No, these are not scars to be proud of."

"Why not?"

"Because I made them," he whispers ashamed, "I intentionally hurt myself."

Aerglo sits up, water sloshing about as xe reaches for Caelum's wrists, "Why?"

"Because I was hurting and I didn't have anyone to turn to. It's really pathetic but I took it out on myself, on my body. It was only a few times, I stopped when I cut too deep and the bleeding wouldn't stop. It took a while but eventually the bleeding stopped and nobody ever found out. I didn't want to die... I just wanted relief."

"Then you are a survivor," Aerglo states firmly, thumb rubbing soothing circles over a raised line, "you survived the hurt and the loneliness. You are a survivor and you should be proud. These marks do not define you, they are a part of you and you are truly amazing, beautiful, and breathtaking."

Caelum's cheeks turn a rosy hue at the alien's words, but he still shakes his head and he pulls his arm away, "a person like me can never compare to someone like you."

"No, because you are so much more and it is I who can never compare to you."

Caelum can't help but smile, a small huff of a laugh escaping him as soon as the alien splashes him to bring light into those eyes again.

He splashes right back just to get the satisfaction of seeing the alien splutter about in shock. Immediately the somber tension diffuses and he relaxes again, finding himself completely at ease with Aerglo.

It's then that he takes the opportunity to grab the shampoo and cover the alien's hair. A shout of indignation comes from Aerglo's lips, but Caelum doesn't stop. He lathers the soft greasy hair until bubbles and suds coat xem and his hands.

His breath hitches as he leans even closer, noticing his face mere inches away from the alien's. His heart starts racing and he can't explain why-- no, he knows why. He knows he is so dangerously close to falling in love.

In just a few days, in just a few weeks, he's become so attached. His heart clenches and aches and he can't stop the feeling.

But reality sinks in and he realizes he can't love Aerglo, can't love an alien. He'll only get his heart broken when xe leaves.

"Close your eyes," he whispers.

Aerglo does as told and Caelum uses his hands to cup water and wash away the soapy mess, wash away the feelings inside his heart.

Aerglo blinks up at him, wiping away the water dribbling down xyr face, and xe notices the slight hurt and resignation in Caelum's eyes.

"Eno elttil," xe coos.

"I'm okay," Caelum smiles a bit strained, not sure if he's reassuring xem or himself when he says, "I'll be fine."