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Maklr’s weight pushed the chair against the floor, making a sharp scraping noise, his footsteps heavy. “You don’t have to stomp,” Nell called.

“I don’t want to startle you again.”

“Mm hm.” Nell turned, a half smile on her face. She said nothing, but flipped the flaky pastry in the pan.

Throughout dinner, she remained quiet. Maklr looked like he wanted to ask her more questions, but refrained.

“Thank you for fixing me,” she murmured before finishing the last bite of her dinner. “You cooked, I clean?” Maklr stood to take their plates. “Please, let me. I need to.”

Maklr stepped back, recognizing her need for control. “Do you accept my apology?”

“Nothing to apologize for. I didn’t hear you come into the kitchen.” Nell busied herself around the kitchen, washing and drying the plates and wiping down the countertop with meticulous attention to detail.

Maklr relaxed on the couch watching a video on the screen that covered the entire wall.

Nell headed to her room and took a long, hot shower. She scrubbed her hair with her fingernails until her scalp almost bled. Her skin turned red from the pressure she used with the washcloth. She dried and dressed in her comfortable baggy black pajamas and wrapped a towel around her hair. “No turning back now, Nell,” she gave herself a pep talk. “It’s Maklr. He’s safe. You can go back out there and relax like a normal person.” She snorted. “Normal.”

Nell took a tentative step into the room. Maklr’s head swiveled. “Hello.”

“Hi,” Nell said shyly.

“Want to watch the show with me?” Maklr asked.

“I don’t know what it is,” Nell said.

“It’s a show about a woman who finds old things and fixes them so they’re usable again. You’ll be able to pick it up quickly, and I can explain who everyone is if you’d like.” Maklr grinned. “Charlie got me into the show. She said it’s something called reality television.”

“Can I watch with you?”

“Of course. It might be a tight fit with both of us, but we’ll make it work.”

Nell cautiously sat on the couch. Maklr’s forehead scrunched into a half-dozen lines as he regarded Nell and the redness on her arms from the shower. Finally, he said, “I’m a good listener.”

“I don’t want to talk about it. It’s from the shower. I scrubbed a bit too hard.” Nell tried to swallow past the lump in her throat. “You really are a good guy, aren’t you?” she asked. She watched as he flinched at the word good.

“I am no more and no less than whatever you need me to be. On my honor, I will promise that I will never harm you.”

“I know.”

Sitting next to him, she realized how large Maklr was. His shoulders scrunched together, arms folded on his lap. “I’m sorry,” she murmured.

“For what?”

“That can’t possibly be a comfortable position for you. You can move your arms.”

Maklr shook his head. “I can’t. Not without touching you.”

“It’s okay.”

Maklr narrowed his eyes, searching her face. “Are you sure?”

“Yes,” Nell whispered.

Her body tensed as Maklr unfolded his arms. “I’m going to move my arm behind you.”

“Okay.”

Maklr shifted his position on the couch, resting his forehead against hers. Careful to keep his claws retracted, his hand reached to caress her cheek. “You’re beautiful.” Nell flushed. She opened her mouth to protest, but Maklr rested his thumb over her lips. “No. Don’t deny it. You are beautiful.”