Since Alaric didn't really know much of anything besides the trees in the woods and the function of the trinkets in his backpack, which I found on the couch, I was showing him how to use everything in the bathroom.

"This is the shampoo. You lather it in your hair and make sure you get the dirt on your scalp, then rinse it out. Do the same with the conditioner, but leave it in longer." He stared at me while I talked, not even looking at the items I pointed to. I knew that even though he was isolated alone for a long time, he was intelligent. Looking around, I checked if there was anything I missed. Not seeing anything, I turned to leave.

"W-wait," he said louder then I've hear him speak before. I looked at his hand around my wrist, then back up to amber eyes. "Stay."

The word rung through my head like a bell. For a moment, I let myself remember what I saw the first time I touched him. I had seen the colors of happiness and tasted joy. But I also dance with sorrow and been choked by loneliness. Even with all that though, I was whole. So knowning that he could potentially be the very death of me, I nodded. Words seemed so insignificant.

"I'll be right back. I have to get you some clothes."

"Promise." He demanded without stuttering.

I smiled brightly. "I promise."

After rummaging around in my brother's closet for something Alaric could fit, I made my way back downstairs. Before I even reached the bottom, I heard a crash followed by a loud thud and cry of pain. Stumbling myself, I ran the rest of the way to the bathroom, my hands full.

The scene before me had all the stuff in my hands dropping. I had to put my hand over my mouth to keep from laughing. There he was, in all his clumsy glory, hanging out of the tub on his back with the water beating down on his legs, hands holding up the rod. I suppose he fell and the shower curtain and rod came down with him.

"It a-attacked m-me," he explained.

"What attacked you?" I asked, my voice full of laughter. Alaric pointed to the shower head. I immediately understood what happened and allowed myself to laugh while untangling him from the shower curtain and turning off the water. "What am I going to do with you?" I muttered to myself, laughter finally subsiding.

After I got him upright, careful of the new bruise blossoming on his back, I explained that the diverter was pulled out and the water started before he could adjust the temperature. Taking my instructions, he turned it on right, the small smile of success once again on his face. This time I did scold my thoughts into silence at the sight.

Alaric began taking his clothes off and I knew he didn't think about being naked in front of someone. It was natural to him, but out of respect I kept my eyes on his as he did mine. "Turn and sit so I can wash your hair." He did as I said, ignoring the strain in my voice.

I hummed while I messaged his scalp, but it was mainly to drown out his groans of pleasure and the rush of his blood through his body. My canines began to elongate in reaction and I'm glad he couldn't see my struggle for control. Even still, I hummed a jazzy tune with low, drawn-out, deep notes. It helped, because my fangs slowly retracted.

When I removed my hands from his scalp and stopped humming, he turned around and frowned at me. I however, admired the deep red, brown of his wavey hair. My eyes drifted down to his, and like I suspected, they matched, though his hair was darker wet.

Now that he had turned to me, I lathered up the white washcloth I had grabbed, then handed it to him. "Here, finish up while I make us some lunch. I'm not leaving, I promise." I couldn't, was what I didn't say. Alaric gave it back to me, shaking his head.

"You," was all he said.

"No, Alaric. You have to wash yourself. That's...I can't do it."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes."

Signing heavily, I relented. "Fine, but only your face then I'm going to make lunch. Deal?"

Alaric considered it for a second, scrunching up his nose. "Deal," he finally agreed.

Gripping his chin softly, I began washing all the dirty and grime off of his ivory skin. When I started to hum again, Alairc closed his eyes and almost seemed to purr like a content cat. I was stuck between wanting to laugh, kiss him until we both couldn't breathe, or sink my fangs into his delicate neck and see if he tasted as good as the smell he was giving off. I couldn't bear it, my fangs evident enough. I practically threw the cloth at him and ran, slaming the door behind me.

When I warped far enough away, I screamed my frustration into open air. And only when my voice was raw, and my body weak, did allow myself to fall on my knees, hands covering my face in shame.

This- he was already driving me crazy.