For my pumpkin, Faisal. 

Petrichor. The smell of rain. The smell of his lover.

It was summer and Taipas had done nothing much than lay on his worn bed and read the same stack of old manga's.

Dust sat on his shelves in his small dim room.

He was comfortable here.

This was all he needed. Macchan, his small black cat with white paws slinked into the room quietly, hoping onto his bed and curling up around his feet. He reached over and stroked her back, bringing in a roll of purrs in the room.

It was getting late and Taipas knew there wasn't much to eat in the fridge, so he decided it was time to leave and go grocery shopping. 

He never liked going for various reasons.

He'd have to get up and dress properly. No sweats. No graphic tees. A burden of being so self conscious about everything.

Lots of people too. He was reserved, quiet, and happy that way. The only person he accepted to bring company and noise to his life was his lover Faela. She was his everything.

Different from the others.

But, it needed to be done, so he rolled out of bed and slid on a black polo and khaki shorts.

His pale skin was accented by these colors, and he didn't mind. There was no helping it. He couldn't tan. He had no interest in tanning, or even going outside for that matter. 

There was a worn brown satchel on the door handle he slung over his shoulder for his outside belongings.

Money, a small notepad, mechanical pencil, a black and red sparkle gel pen, and a rolled up bag of cherry sours. His favorite most needed candy.

His phone vibrated in his back pocket as he stepped out the door to his car. Taipas didn't have many contacts in his phone so he knew who it was before picking it up.

"Hello?" His voice was deep and raspy but quiet and low.

"Hey, what are you doing today?" It was his beautiful Faela, just as he thought. A small smile spread across his lips.

"I'm heading to the grocery store right now pumpkin. I can meet you there if you'd like, was there anything you were interested in doing today?" He pushed the phone to his ear with his shoulder as he jumped in his car and started it, pulling out of the driveway and heading out into the busy road.

"Yeah okay, sounds good. How'd you know I was feeling up for something today huh? Am I that predictable? You always know whats up huh.." She sounded happy but still felt a little sullen. Hoping she could surprise him.

He laughed wholeheartedly and shook his head.

"No, I just know how special you are pumpkin. It's good to know each other, so we know how we're feeling as well. You want to go to the coffee shop later that would be cool. I'm pulling up at the grocery store now so I'll talk to you later babe. I love you, bye." He hung up and parked close to the doors, getting out and quickly walking inside the chilled store.

There wasn't much he needed so he picked up a small basket and reached for his phone, scrolling through and popping in his ear buds as he came across his carefully selected playlist.

A small sigh escaped from his lips as he shuffled down the aisle.

Ice cream, no. Meat, nah. Cereal..hell no..

He skipped all the essential foods straight to the candy aisle, stuffing his small basket with twelve bags of cherry sours.

Yes, he came to the store for "dinner", although, this was his lifestyle. Living like a child really.

Faela took care of his diet most of the time but he usually got away with eating what he likes although it does render him sick a lot.

He closed his eyes and thought back to when they first became close and felt a painful pang of hurt in his chest, thinking how he could ever come to love someone so amazing and perfect and beautiful but not love himself.

Despise every part of himself.

He loved her accent and how her name reminded him of a story book princess. He loved that she was sensitive and was open to him and no one else. That she had a hint of a rebellious side and responded to him almost instantly after every text. That she hesitantly says she loves him out of embarrassment, even after being hurt and deceived by others so many times that the scars on the inside showed up on the outside. He loved that she accepted his protective and obsessive side that he was ashamed of. 

She was so different and unique. From anyone he had ever met in his entire life. He loved that she didn't look at others the way he looked at her. He dreamed of her so frequently he looked forward to napping and if he were to ever fall into an eternal slumber, he wouldn't mind. He day dreamed about her so much it was ridiculous and every part of him needed her.

He didn't like to admit it, but was a hopeless romantic.

Taipas was someone who was envious of those who found love early on but was happy he came across her when he did.

He was in a really dark place when she found him and honestly, he had no idea where he would be without her.

There was no one else he could ever ask for. She was so loyal and trustworthy it was unreal.

Warm hands spread across his chest and pulled him back to reality. 

"You are not eating all that. Come on, lets go get some real food. I'll stay over tonight and cook." Faela turned him around and was wearing a snug blue tee that showed off her prominent breast and long black hair.

She grabbed the basket and started putting back the candy. 

His childish instinct kicked in as he placed his hand over hers quietly and looked into her eyes pleadingly.

"Please." Was all he needed to say to get her to put the candy back in the basket regretably and grumble while doing so.

She patted down his wild soft white-blonde hair covered in pale blue streaks.

"You didn't even brush your hair today did you?"

"..."

She sighed heavily and tapped her foot. 

A thing he secretly loved, her motherly side. 

"Come on, we need to get you home before.." She trails off and glances around to see if there are other people near by within ear shot.

"Before I need to be locked up, I know. It's okay. No ones going to suspect anything Fae." He chuckles, holding her close and making her blush.

"Yeah well..if it was me, even if we weren't close, I'd still suspect you were undead."

And that was all that was needed to be said to make them both hurry.