"It’s me, relax," Xiran spoke in her ear and removed his hand.

"What the hell was that? Can’t you do things normally?" Aselia felt angry at him for trying to scare her like that.

"Sorry, I thought you won’t wake up when I turned off the lights. I didn’t mean to rattle you." His tone became apologetic.

"Hmmm," it was dark and she couldn’t see him but felt him close.

"You didn’t come back and what you said before leaving was on my mind. I tried to sleep but I couldn’t. Besides, I didn’t even thank you for taking care of me." He moved closer to her and sat beside her on the bed. Hauling her closer to him from her waist.

"You were feeling better when I left, so I thought I will sleep here for the night and visit you in the morning. I like to sleep with the lights on. And you don’t have to thank me, I didn’t do anything." She placed her head on his shoulder and linked her arm with his.

"You did a lot and you don’t even know it." He kissed the top of her head and continued: "You should sleep I have kept you awake for the whole day." He picked her up as if she was a doll and tucked her in.

"Thanks, and you should sleep too. Get as much rest as you can, so you can become better and I can finally see you." Aselia told him softly.

"I slept for the whole day, I am not sleepy anymore. But I would love to cuddle with you if you let me." He pleaded. She wanted to say she is not a cat, that he needs cuddles with but she restrained herself and instead said:

"Come," and moved back on the bed to give him space. He occupied the space and engulfed her in his sturdy arms and asked:

"Tell me, why are you mad at me?" Aselia didn’t speak for some time as he peered into her eyes which held sadness. He felt disappointed, he had saddened her so much.

Then she finally spoke: "You said something before leaving, why would you say something so agonizing before parting? That hurt me and I am mad at you for that." She snuggled deep into his chest, hiding away her face and eyes, which held swirling emotions and tumultuous feelings. Warmth seeped into her body, his warmth.

"Sorry, but I wasn’t sure if I would come back and wanted you to feel safe even if I was gone. Though I realize that was insensitive of me." He gently caressed her hair. She felt calm so very calm, she couldn’t even tell him how much she had missed his embrace.

"I hate your family, they hurt you." She replied, her voice was low and there was sadness mingled in every word.

"I hate them too, that makes the two of us." He spoke with such tenderness.

"And I missed you too, you worried me." She wanted to tell him how she had dreamt about him, being in pain. But she couldn’t, she didn’t want to talk about the sufferings he must have endured.

"You did?" He replied in an amused voice. "How much?"

"Fraction of the amount you can mount on a pin’s head." She replied sarcastically and he chuckled.

"Well, it’s better than nothing. I will take it. You wanna know how much I missed you?"

"How much? And please don’t say with my every breath because that sounds so cheesy and is not even possible." She warned him in her authoritative voice.

"Hehehe, that’s exactly what I was about to say." He was so amused, he had been dying to have this type of conversation with her.

"I know, you are the king of cheesy land."

"Oyee, how did you know? I thought I had kept this special land hidden. With all the girls I picked up using my cheesy charms." He was enjoying this too much.

"Ahem, and how many victims fell prey to your cheesiness?" She asked with a meh tone.

"Let me see, I need a few minutes to count all of them."

"So many? Sometimes I wonder how successful you must have been if you were in another profession...you know one which is labelled with women." And she laughed at her own words, unable to stifle the impending giggle anymore. Her whole frame shook.

Xiran’s mouth flew open at what she was implying and he shook his head before saying: "Well, with my track record I deserved this. I feel a bit ashamed now."

"You should be, Mr. Cheesy." She lifted her face from his chest and brought it closer to his. She then placed her hand on his cheek. He instantly closed his eyes and placed his hand on hers, pressing it down. The pain subsided where she touched him.

"Mr. Needy is what I am right now." His voice was so soft, barely a whisper.

"And what does Mr. Needy need right now?" She asked with a chuckle.

"You," there was no hesitation in his voice.

"Well, I am here, not going anywhere for now." He pulled her close to him again, he didn’t want even a fraction of a distance between them. And she didn’t mind it at all.

"You kept me alive, Leia. I was in pain and your thoughts kept me sane." She stiffened at his words, she was right when she dreamt about him being in pain. She took his face in her hands and kissed his forehead, showering him with her affection.

"I wish I could lessen your pain." She said quietly to him, not knowing what else to say.

"You already have, I am forever indebted to you now." He didn’t tell her that her blood healed him and reduced his pain so much, or she would offer him more. He didn’t want to drink any more from her, nor wanted to hurt her by losing control. And definitely didn’t want her to live in fear, knowing her blood had healing properties. Now more than anything, he had to keep her safe

"You are not indebted to me, Xiran. It’s nothing compared to everything you have done for me." She knew she would never be able to repay him let alone forget him. How was she gonna part with him? The mere thought jolted her to her core.

"I will do anything and everything for you. Whenever you would need me I will be there for you my dear, irrespective of the fact you chose to stay or go."

"I know," she had noticed he had kept his promise and he didn’t ask her if she loved him, anymore. Understanding that hurt her.

"Sleep now, I have kept you awake for quite some time." He buried her face in his chest again.

"Good night," she whispered, feeling so relaxed in his embrace she was soon asleep and he listened to her small snores and steady heartbeat, before falling asleep too.

---------------

Xiran fully recovered within the next two days, and it was mostly because of Aselia’s blood. Otherwise, it would have taken him four to five days. But before he could go see her, he got a call from Chief Warise that he needed his help with a case. So, he left with instructions to Frila to take care of Aselia.

Frila later visited Aselia and told her: "Aselia, you know tomorrow is Señor’s birthday?"

"Really? So the old man is getting older but staying younger still." Frila couldn’t help but laugh before saying:

"Technically, yes."

"What does he do on his birthdays?" Aselia inquired.

"Sometimes he throws lavish parties or he goes out with Señor Rivan. Other times he just stays in his room and does not talk to anyone. It simply depends on his mood."

"Hmmm, I see. And does he have any plans for tomorrow?" Aselia was hoping he didn’t so they could throw him a surprise birthday party.

"I don’t think so or he would have informed me so I could make arrangements. And with everything happening, Señor has changed a lot." Frila replied with honesty.

"Changed? In what sense?" Aselia’s curiosity had piqued ten folds.

"In the sense that he has altered his whole lifestyle after what happened. He cares about you deeply, I have never seen him care about anyone like this. If he had been his old self, he would just party his day away with his girls. He doesn’t do that anymore." Frila took a deep breath after this and gave Aselia a meaningful look.

"I understand, he has been under a lot of stress too. Why don’t we throw him a surprise party?" Aselia winked at her.

"That’s a great plan, I will make use of a free room and we will arrange everything there. Let’s make a list of what we need." Frila took out her cell phone and started making a list while Aselia wondered what gift she could give him. Another problem was she wasn’t allowed to go out, so how was she going to buy him a gift?