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“Hey, Lexi.”
Michael’s voice has deepened over the years, same with yours. It’s weird to see a vampire age at the same rate as you. But according to Mr. Kaiser, vampire aging slows down drastically once adulthood is reached. When you asked Mrs. Kaiser how old she was, she smiled and said it was rude to ask a lady her age.
“What is it, Micha?”
Michael turns his head to the side to look at you properly. You both are seated on polished wooden floors instead of his soft bed. You’re not sure why. You just came in and saw him sitting on the floor, so you joined him.
“What does sunlight feel like?”
The question catches you off guard. A confused “what?” makes its way out of you before you can help it.
“Sunlight doesn’t burn you. I want to know what it feels like.” Michael explains. He’s so patient. Six years ago, he would have called you an idiot.
“Ah.” You think about it for a long moment. How can you describe it to him? You’ve felt the sun on your skin your whole life. Describing the feeling of sunlight on skin to Kaiser would be like trying to describe colour to someone born blind.
“Well, it’s like the glow of fire, but stronger. Light and heat energy, you know?” You explain awkwardly, reverting to scientific terms you learned in school.
Michael stares at you, unimpressed.
You sigh. Michael started reading more literature the past few years, and now he describes everything like a poem. He expects you to do the same. You wonder if most vampires are dramatic by nature.
“It’s gold pouring from the sky, illuminating everything in its path. Plants thrive under the light of the sun. The earth is kept warm. The sun is the beginning of every ecosystem, the life bringer.”
One corner of Michael’s lips quirk up. He’s satisfied.
“So why can’t I touch it, if it brings life?”
A test. With questions you don’t have the answers to. “I don’t know. Are you alive?”
Michael tilts his head. “Good point. …But vampires would classify as living organisms, no?”
“The existence of vampires goes against all current unclassified scientific knowledge.”
Michael grins, revealing a toothy fang. “You make it sound flattering.”
You stare at him. His face, his eyes, his hair. His hand, reaching out to pat your head.
“Sorry for springing that you. Must have been weird, huh?”
The sun is Michael Kaiser. Michael Kaiser is the sun. That is your truth. Hair spun flaxen gold, eyes the summer sky. His gaze warms you, his smile lights you up. The sight of him is so bright, you’d be fine if the sun never rose again. Your 17th birthday was two nights ago. You have never felt so old yet so young. You will never know another love like this.
“It’s okay.”
“You probably don’t think much of it, but enjoy the sun, okay? Don’t take it for granted.” Michael smiles at you. Softly.
“Okay. I will.” You smile back.
You saved me. Saved me. Saved me. Saved me. Saved me. Saved me. Saved me. Saved me. Saved me. Saved me. Saved me. Saved me me me me-
I owe you my life.