[Y/N].
The person's chest moved as they said your name. Their voice sounded far away, but you could feel him close to you. He sang your name again.
"Five more minutes," you mumbled.
"Do you want me to drive you home?" He poked you. "Or do you want to stay?"
"I wanna stay," you forced your eyes to open. You and Jackson sat on the couch. You were snuggled against his chest.
"It's raining," he said, moving his fingers through your hair.
The movie provided background noise to the rain. Jackson leaned down and kissed your cheek softly.
"I'm cold," you said.
"Want me to get a blanket?"
"No, I'm just gonna make some hot chocolate. You want some?"
"I'm okay," he said.
You walked into his kitchen and popped the hot chocolate into the Keurig. Jackson remained silent in the other room.
You walked back into the living room with your full mug of cocoa.
He had turned out the lights.
"Jackson?" You asked.
He didn't answer. You could see his silhouette, still on the couch. He sat on the edge of the cushion, his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands. "Jackson?" You said again.
"You have to go," he said. His voice seemed deeper than usual.
"What?"
"Now," he urged. "Hurry."
"Is this about the Bite?" You asked. Maybe something had happened. Maybe he was rejecting the Bite, maybe dying. You couldn't leave him.
You put the mug down and walked slowly to Jackson.
"Hey," you put your hand in his shoulder, and immediately pulled it back. Anxiety was actually radiating off of him. Just touching him made your heart skip a couple beats.
"Jackson?" You asked. He didn't move. "Jackson!"
Jackson spun his head around to face you.
"Oh my god," you scooted back on instinct. Half of Jackson's face was coated in green scales.
"Go!" He shouted before his head shook briefly and uncontrollably.
"Jackson," you said softly.
Jackson looked at you. His eyes showed no less than human. The sound of your voice reached into him and pulled up his humanity.
"It's okay," you told him. "It's okay. I love you."
Jackson's face slowly reverted back to normal, though his eyes were always the same. They remained fixed on you.
"I love you," you repeated. "I love you."
"I love you too," Jackson said, now fully human.
You wrapped your arms around him and he put his head in your lap, letting him fall asleep in your arms.
