And acceptance of self

As James and Sally went through their odd bedtime ritual, Aurora sank herself into the tub. Her breathing hole on the back of her neck let some of the water in, causing her to cough and heave it out through her mouth.

James put his toothbrush down and came over. She enjoyed the warmth of his hand on her back. "You alright?", he asked.

She nodded, spitting out the last of the intruding water. "Yes I...my back won't seal. I...may have had too much.", she choked out. James pursed his lips before grabbing a large towel and soaking it.

"M'kay. C'mon, we'll keep you wet but yer sleeping in my bed. Can't letcha drown in your sleep." He smiled slightly, holding out the dripping towel for her to wrap herself in. He helped, careful to cover the gills on her torso but not her neck hole.

"Are you sure? We could just drain some water...", she said with a sheepish look.

He shook his head. "Mm-mm. If a human can drown in two inchis, yoou could drown in one wrong move." He lead her to the usually empty half of his bed, finding pillows to stack around her.

Laying down reminded her of the position she had been in in that basement. Nearly dead and hoping to reach it before they came down again. Nightmares hit before she'd even slept. She woke up in the dark to find anger, bright and hateful, illuminating the entire room from her whole body. Clenching her fists, she took several deep breaths and looked to her left.

James looked dead...but that's just how they sleep. His breathing reassured her of that. She turned on her side and put a hand on his bare chest. Why is it bare? Hadn't he had a shirt on when she'd lain down? His skin was so warm. So comforting. The brilliant rage shifted into a bright peace, a happiness she didn't know she could feel again.

What if...just one more time. She inched forward, careful not to wake him. Her forehead touched his, and she thought of all the things she wanted to say. How to say thank you for all that he's done? Barely six days, and he'd changed everything. A brilliant feeling, the same unknown feeling, lit up her forehead again. It didn't illuminate the room...but she couldn't deny what it was anymore. She had imprinted...as she now knew humans would say it, she whispered it in the dead of night. A secret he would never know he heard.

"I love you, James."