Arlo growled in his sleep and clenched his arm around me. His nails grew out a little and his body twitched. I ran my hand through his hair and shushed him. His tense muscles relaxed again, and he took a deep breath. He'd sometimes do this. Not wake up but have bad dreams, I think. He'd protect me against whatever he was dreaming about. I had asked him if he remembered anything, but he never did. I didn't think he was lying either. He just didn't remember his dreams.

But I couldn't deny it was cute how he'd clench his arms around me, curl his body around me. Protect me.

He growled again and I patted his shoulder softly, not to wake him. He was exhausted after all. I did wear him out a lot these days, but honestly who could blame me? My boyfriend was hot. He was large and beastly and sweet and gentle. And the way he sounded when I fucked him drove me absolutely nuts in the best possible way.

He made me forget about the shit. About everything happening. He'd put a film on, one he'd try so hard to contain himself through, but he never could. He got overly excited and invested in the plot. It was like it became his whole world and he'd clench me so close to keep himself in this world too. I liked it. Actually I loved it. Big dork.

I liked watching him sleep too. It was probably creepy in so many ways, but he was so cute when he slept. I'd get to observe him without him getting all awkward about it. He always got awkward when someone watched him for too long. He'd check his shirt for stains and run his hands through his dark curly hair, just to make sure he looked put together. He always did though. He didn't get people looked at him because he was interesting to look at. He wasn't beautiful, but there was still something about him. Especially when he smiled. My heart melted when he did.

"What are you doing?" he murmured sleepily.

"I'm arranging your hair," I said and ran my hand through the soft curls again.

"Is that amusing?"

"Oh very. When I quit Euphoria, I'll become a hairdresser."

He chuckled and pulled my t-shirt up, kissing my stomach. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yeah." I always did with Arlo. Ever since moving in with him and actually sleeping in his bed, I slept like a kid. "How about you?"

"Hmm," was the only sound that came from him. His eyes were closed again, and he smiled as I ran my fingers through his hair again. Boy sure liked getting his scalp massaged. He turned almost liquid every time I did it, so obviously I took every chance I got to do it. He also deserved it after how I had been pulling on it the day before.

I wore out the poor guy too much, though he didn't seem to have the biggest issue with it. He seemed to have the opposite of an issue. I hoped. I just wanted to be a good boyfriend, but I wasn't sure I did it right half the time. I hadn't exactly been in a whole lot of relationships.

"Hey Arlo?"

"Hmm?"

"How many boyfriends have you had?"

He snorted and opened one eye. "Four before you. Serious ones. More less serious ones. Why?"

"Uhm, just wondering..."

"Why?"

"Because uhm... You're my first serious boyfriend."

"Really?"

I nodded and he smiled. He pulled himself up and kissed me. "It doesn't show."

"You thought I had been in a relationship before this?"

"Honestly, yes. I mean, you're amazing. So, I was sure someone else would see that too."

I frowned a little and Arlo's smile slid off.

"I didn't mean to offend," he hurried to say but I leaned forward and kissed him.

"You didn't. Don't worry. I just..." I sighed a little and shrugged. "I don't think I've shown these sides of myself to anyone but you."

That made my hot boyfriend smile widely and pull me down with him so we could cuddle.

"I'm very honoured you've chosen to show these sides to me then."

"Don't be so official, love," I laughed and snuggled closer, my head under his. He kissed the stems of my horns and settled back, his fingers going up and down my spine.

"Who were the others?"

"Just... People."

"Just people?" I snorted and tipped my head up. But he wasn't in on the joke. He looked a little distant. I kissed his chin to bring him back to this realm again.

He smiled again and looked down. "They all seem bleak compared to you. None of them could deal with... You know... Me." He shrugged a little.

"They left because you have anxiety?" I asked and frowned very deeply. I could feel my whole body frown.

He nodded a little. "They didn't outright say it, but it was obvious what they were talking about. I was a burden to them."

I softly kissed him and ran a hand up in his hair. He clenched his arm around me, pressing me to him.

"You're not a burden, Arlo," I murmured against his lips.

He truly wasn't. Objectively, I could be seen as the burden to him. Like he was my provider. He took me in and now he had to fill out all kinds of paperwork in order for me to live a mostly normal life. But he loved me, and I wasn't doubting that for a second. I mean, he'd make sure I was on the same page as him several times a day. He'd always ask for consent and it was... Hot. He made it hot.

Like he'd look up, meet my gaze and ask if he could do whatever he had in mind at the particular time and he'd have to wait until I said yes.

Arlo was hot and lovely and sweet, and I couldn't imagine not spending the rest of my life with him.