Can You Stay?

DENZYL'S POV

I enter the house and walk up the set of stairs, lights flickering on as I walk beneath them. I set Devyn on the bed in my room and find him the softest pair of clothes I have.

"Devyn," I gently nudge his arm. "You should get cleaned up."

"Mmm...too tired...Can you do it?" The human mumbles.

"What?" His words startle me, but I quickly regain my composure. I look at Devyn. His eyes are still closed.

"I want to wash him off, but I can't move. Can you bathe me?"

"You trust me?"

"Mmm hmm. Just get him off of me."

"Okay. I'm gonna get the water going."

Devyn nods, and I walk off to the bathroom. I turn on the water and make sure it is a comfortable temperature before returning to the bedroom.

"I'm going to undress you, okay?"

He nods. "Just get him off," Devyn begins to whimper and struggle to undress.

"Okay, I will. It's okay."

I calm Devyn down before gently slipping the shirt over his head. Devyn lies back down as I remove his pants. I lift him in my arms and carry him to the bathroom. The human relaxes as I set him in the hot water.

Devyn lets out a soft moan as I begin scrubbing his head after lathering it with shampoo. I cradle his head with my hand and gently lie him back so that the water covers his neck halfway. Supporting his head with one hand, I gently rinse his hair with the other.

Devyn leans against the back of the tub as I begin scrubbing his body. He winces slightly as I clean the fresh burn but does not resist. After the dabbing the mark dry, I gently work my way down Devyn's body until he is clean.

Devyn wraps his arms around my neck as I lift him from the tub and carry him to the bed. He is still holding my neck as I set him on the bed, bringing me a breath away as I lie him down. I place my hands on the bed and hover above him. My heart skips as Devyn's green eyes slowly open and gaze at me deeply. My desire surges, and I fight to keep it restrained. My eyes move down to his soft, red lips, and my heart feels as if it is going to explode out of my chest. I look up to stop my eyes from traveling down any farther.

"Uh...Devyn. I need-I need to get you dressed," I clear my throat and look back into his eyes.

Devyn nods before whispering, "Thank you...Denzyl." He slowly unwraps his arms from around my neck.

I quickly stand and grab the pair of clothes.

"It's so soft," Devyn smiles as I help him dress.

This is the first time I have seen him smile. My heart flutters as I look at his sweet smile. I retrieve a bandage and ointment from a cabinet in the bathroom and get onto the bed. Devyn looks up at me as I kneel over him. I gently turn him over and pull down his shirt. He grabs the sheets as I dab the ointment on the mark.

"Does it burn?" I ask as I notice him clenching onto the bed.

"Mmm hmm."

I bend down and gently blow on the wound. Devyn's grasp loosens, and his body relaxes. I put the bandage on and turn Devyn back over. I pull up the shirt to cover his exposed shoulder and help him under the covers. Once Devyn is comfortable, I go to the bathroom and shower.

I wipe the fog from the steam off the mirror to reveal my tired eyes. I look into the mirror and notice my wounds are gone. I run my hand over the area where Devyn stabbed me. Not even scars remain. How long has it been? How long were they watching us, waiting for the crypt to shatter? Will the elders let Devyn live?

I let out a breath and continue drying my hair. I will think about this later. I am too tired right now. After dressing into some comfortable clothes, I walk down to the lower level of the house to check the house's surrounding sensors and set the security to the highest level. The clicking of locks bolting in all of the windows and doors sounds throughout the house as the residence enters 'Red Level' security.

After getting the couch ready with a pillow and blanket, I walk back upstairs to check on Devyn. I sit on the edge of the bed and rest the back of my hand on his forehead. His temperature is normal, so I stand to leave. A hand reaches out and grabs my fingers as I turn.

"Can you stay?"

I turn back around and look down. Devyn's green eyes flutter open. "I don't want to be alone."

I nod and get into the bed. I slip under the blankets and lie down on the other side of the bed. I sigh and close my eyes, ready to finally get a good night's sleep when I hear Devyn roll over. A soft head touches my arm.

"Can you hold me?" He asks quietly. Slightly surprised, I raise my arm, and Devyn scoots closer. He nestles into me as I turn on my side and wrap my arms around him. "I feel safe...with you," Devyn says into my chest.

"Mmm. You're safe with me. I'll protect you." I hold him tighter and subconsciously rub my hand up and down his back in a soothing motion. Devyn sighs happily before snuggling in and falling asleep. I listen to his steady breathing and let it lull me to sleep.