After a long, much needed shower, I stood awkwardly, leaning against my sink, wondering how the past two days were even real. I finally met IT - I mean him - and he wasn't just some scary shadow in the corner of my peripherals anymore. To my great surprise, he was kind, caring, funny even, and he was breathtaking. Not to mention he saved my life and comforted me when I thought I had lost him. 

That part made me wonder. I did cry out for him, but he could have just come back as a shadow in the corner of the room and I would have been elated. Why did he choose now to reveal himself to me? And more pressingly...why was he still here? Would he go back to being a shadow once he recovered? If not...where was he going to go? He hadn't left my side since I was born, I think, so he likely didn't have a home on this plane of existence. 

So many questions pulsed through my mind while I tried to come up with excuses to not leave the bathroom yet. I brushed my teeth, even though I knew I was going to make breakfast directly after leaving the bathroom. My hair was already done, and I even did makeup, which I never took the time to do anymore. Cleaning the bathroom definitely would have seemed like avoidance, and I knew that he knew I had already been in the bathroom way longer than I normally was. I had to remember that he probably knew everything about me - probably more than I knew about myself at that point. 

Steeling my nerves, I cautiously opened the bathroom door and peeked out, only to see him fast asleep on top of my still-made bed. He had kicked off his boots and removed his jacket, and was curled up on his side facing towards the bathroom, likely waiting for me to come out. I crept over to my laundry basket to throw in the work clothes I had slept in, and glanced back before making my way out of the bedroom and into the kitchen. 

It was almost infuriating how good he still looked, worn out and sleeping soundly - no one should be allowed to look that good. The late morning light had made his skin shimmer even more brightly, refracting bent rays of light around my room, making it look like an aquarium. 

My mind was still back in the bedroom, watching the way the light danced around my room, when I realized that the potatoes would burn if I didn't turn them immediately. Hurrying over to the stove, I turned down the heat and turned the potatoes in the pan, sighing in relief when I saw they were still golden brown instead of charring. It would have been highly embarrassing to burn the first meal I ever made for him. I blushed at the thought and refocused my efforts on making a good breakfast that would hopefully help him recover his strength more quickly. Home fried potatoes with crispy bacon, toast with jelly, a fruit salad, and scrambled eggs were on the menu, and I tried my best not to burn anything. 

As the bacon was finishing up, I heard the bedroom door creak open behind me and glimpsed back to see him making his way out to take a seat at the counter. He inhaled deeply and smiled broadly.

"That smells amazing. What's for breakfast?" he asked, leaning forward in his seat to try to see the food.

"Home fries, bacon, eggs, toast, and fruit salad. I wasn't sure what you like so I kind of made a lot. Is there anything else you'd like?" I peered back at him and gave a little half smile, then continued to lay the done bacon on the paper towel covered plate. 

He chuckled softly and it sent shivers up my spine, causing the hair on the back of my neck to stand at attention. "No, that all sounds delicious, Aisling. Thank you for breakfast, and for lending me your bed to rest."

I smiled to myself happily before turning around and laying out the food on the counter in front of him. I set out plates and forks and grabbed a few napkins as well. "Guests first. Take as much as you'd like."

"This looks amazing," he remarked and began filling his plate eagerly. I waited until he was finished before making up my own plate. "Mmmm," he exclaimed. "This is the best thing I have ever had," in reference to the potatoes and bacon. He ate eagerly and I giggled softly, watching him devour everything on his plate.

"Well I'm glad you liked it. Are you feeling any better?" I studied him closely and found that his skin was shimmering more fervently and his hair seemed more curly and defined now. I wonder if that's part of recovering? I thought to myself.

He nodded as he gulped down the orange juice I had placed in front of him. "I think I'm back to 100% now. The sleep and the food did their job well. I owe it all to you," he finished and grinned over at me. I smiled back and uttered a soft, "You're welcome."

We were silent for a while, me cleaning up the leftovers and starting on the dishes while he picked at the rest of the bacon he had claimed. After a few minutes I quietly asked, "So, what happens now?" I flinched slightly when he came up next to me and began to dry the dishes and put them away. I noted how he knew where I wanted all of the dishes to go.

"What do you mean?" he asked after a minute.

"You saved me, and you're here right now. Are you going to go back to being a shadow now that you're better?" My question seemed appropriate to me but he froze and stopped working on putting the dishes away. I stood in the uneasy silence, leaning back against the counter as I became very interested in my socks.

"I can't go back to being a shadow," he said slowly, looking at anything but my face when I looked to him confusedly. He sighed and looked down, picking at his cuticles. "Beings like me can only enter the shadow state once. If we ever enter this plane, we are stuck in it. I can't go back."

I stared up at him now, horror slowly beginning to show on my face as I take in the information he has given me. The panic in my stomach that had finally left when he showed up in my room last night came back full force and I felt sick. The only words I could get out were a whisper.

"You're stuck here now...because of me?" Tears were brimming in my eyes and I felt like the world was going to crash around me. 

His head jerked up to look at me when he heard the trembling in my voice, and his face fell into sadness. In an instant he wrapped his arms around my shoulders and held me close to him. "No, no, no. Don't cry. This isn't your fault. I made this choice. I didn't have to exit the shadow plane but I chose to, so I could be here for you. Please, don't be sad for me." He pushed me back softly by the shoulders and bent down to be eye level with me. "I knew exactly what I was doing and what would happen. I don't regret it." He looked down and chuckled nervously before adding, "Honestly, I thought you'd be mad that I made the choice to stay without trying to consult you."

I sniffled and shook my head lightly. "But now you can never go home. What about your friends, family, loved ones?"

He stood up and seemed taken aback. He blinked at me for a few seconds and then his face softened and a small smile emerged - then he took my hand, startling me and making me blush, and lead me over to sit on the sectional couch. I continued looking down at my hands until he touched my chin gently and looked me in the eyes. "Aisling...you are the only person I've known for 27 years. In the shadow state, I basically became suspended in time - I didn't need to sleep, or eat, or even breathe really. My energy was reserved and all I did was watch over you, day and night." He sighed and leaned back against the couch, closing his eyes. "I guess I should explain to you what I am and why I'm even here." I paused for a moment before nodding and settling back into the couch, pulling my legs up to sit cross-legged and facing him. 

"I'm ready. Tell me everything."