Now, being a vampire, Shadow was naturally in tune with his bloodlust and hunger. He couldn’t afford any risky moves if he was hungry after all. The last risky move was… Well it was moving into this dingy apartment in the middle of the city with… Her… Don’t get him wrong, if someone told Shadow years ago that he would willingly move in with a vampire Hunter, much less have any sort of romantic feelings towards them, he would most likely have laughed and tore out the throat of the fool who suggested it. Yet here he was.

All this set up to say, that when his tentative roommate came home at the brink of dawn smelling faintly of blood and frustration, Shadow was not happy. He waited in the dark living room, sat on a seat that he had brought in, claiming it on day one. Slowly dragging her feet over the floor, an unsteady rhythmic tapping against the carpet, approached the area. She appeared around a corner and Shadow gripped the arms of his chair tighter, leaving even more scratch marks on the wood. The women had her dark brown hair tied tightly into a bun, pins keeping hair out of her pale face, green eyes shifting across each room, bags heavy under her eyes. A product of paranoia, Shadow had surmised, having almost got shot the first time he tried to spook her. It had served her very well on a hunt, but at home…

A whisper of a breath passed through her lips as she looked up to where he sat. “Good morning.” Her voice croaked out, another strike in Shadow’s book. The vampire found himself standing, towering over the young hunter, taking long stride to where she stood, long dark hair flowing around his form like a cloak, wine red eyes gazing down at her. She was not in her hunting garb, confusingly, yet the scent of blood was still strong, disorienting. Regardless however, she pushed him to the side, weak, yet he moved as if he was just a curtain. It was then that he spotted the plastic bags in her hand. Ah, shopping. He should have guessed. Still…

“You’re late Kalia. Much to late in fact.” His voice rumbled through the room, deep and encompassing. The women, Kalia, made no sound as she trudged into the kitchen, unpacking groceries. “Got caught up, something unexpected happened…” She whispered, yet his hearing still picked it up. “Shadow, I know we have a sort of tension going on, but please… Just… Just leave me be…” Ah, a request from the human. Something he could use.

A huff escaped his tall frame as he left the doorway to the kitchen and wandered to the bathroom. He carefully plugged the tub and let it run warm, wandering off into his room, coming back with what could only be described as a care bag. Pouring in bubble bath and Epson salts, he carefully mixed it together, before slinking out and into Kalia‘s room. Normally? The pair had an understanding. No going into each others room, but today, today was different. He made sure to leave with a comfy pair of PJs, setting them safely away from the water. After taking a moment and inspecting his work, he left the bathroom once more and returned to the kitchen when Kalia was carefully putting items away, sluggish and tired. This would not do.

The noise Kalia made when picked up was that akin to a squeak, followed by squirming. “Shadow what the hell? I told you I am not in the mood!” She protested as he carried her to the bathroom. Upon seeing the warm water of the tub, however, she relaxed. “… S… Shadow why?” She could mutter as he set her down, about to close the door on her. He paused in the frame and was silent for a long moment. Why? Well, the same reason why he lived with her. Stayed near her. Made her life easier by being off the streets… He could have killed her much easier in the beginning, he didn’t honestly need a roommate… But… He grinned at her with half lidded eyes, almost a dreamy gaze. “Because you are mine my dear. I take care of what is mine.”