They left just before the club closed. “I’ll walk you home,” offered Aidan. “It would be a shame if I saved you on the way there only to let you get mugged again on the way back.”

“Come home with me. I’m by myself since my last boyfriend moved out, and I promise I won’t molest you in the night. I never hit on straight guys once I know they’re straight.”

“I don’t know…”

“Is it the gay thing, or the goth thing, or do you just prefer your rooftops?”

“Well…” Aidan considered. “I guess it’s partly that I worry about being exposed to the public eye. What if your landlord sees me and calls the paper or something? And… if I’m being honest the gay thing is a bit weird. I’m not all fanatical about it or anything, but I don’t really think it’s right. We were meant to love each other male and female, you know? Not that I’m putting you down,” he added quickly. “You’re the one living your life, I’m not going to tell you how to. Heck, most everybody, me included, thinks stealing isn’t right, but that doesn’t keep me from being a bit of a klepto. I just can’t help myself sometimes. And boy has that gotten me into trouble.”

Owen laughed. “So is that a yes or a no then?”

“Ah heck, sure, I’ll stay at your place.”

Owen lived in a five-story apartment block, and to Aidan’s delight (and Owen’s annoyance as the elevator was out) he lived on the top floor. “Here we are,” he said as he opened the door. “It’s not much but it’s home.”

He ushered Aidan inside and locked and bolted the door behind him. “The couch folds out into a bed,” said Owen. “Is that all right for you?”

“Sure. I’m not anywhere near ready to sleep yet though,” he added. “I keep very nocturnal hours.”

“Me too. Up for a game of something then? I play a mean game of Scrabble and there’s an old Playstation around here somewhere.”

“Scrabble… I ought to import that to Mysteria.”

“You like Scrabble then? I love it, but these days I’m hard-pressed to find a challenge. None of my friends will play against me because I always win. I’m very good.”

“I’m very rusted. I haven’t played in about twenty years, but back in the day I was a pretty mean player. Sure. I’ll play you a game.”

Owen won, but Aidan put up a good fight. They played three games and by that time the sky was beginning to lighten. Aidan yawned. “I think it’s time for bed,” he said.

“I’ll second that. Need anything?”

“Nah. Thanks though.”

“You’re welcome. I’d say see you in the morning, only its morning now. See you later.”

Aidan yawned again. Then he divested himself of weaponry and clothes and practically fell into the bed.

He woke up with Owen shaking his shoulder and calling urgently, “Aidan, Aidan!”

“Huh?” he said groggily, trying to focus. It was late afternoon and the sun was shining in through the windows. It was far too bright for his sensitive eyes and he squinted up at Owen’s worried face. “What’s wrong?”

“You’re alive!”

“Course I’m alive.” He blinked, trying to wake up all the way. His eyes were starting to adjust a bit.

“I got up and I thought I’d leave you alone if you needed more sleep, but after a bit I thought I’d at least check on you and you weren’t breathing!”

“Sorry… I didn’t know you hadn’t figured it out. I’m a vampire. You know, undead? I’m not supposed to be breathing.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah.” He yawned and blinked sleepily. “Sorry I scared you. I’ll be up in an hour or two, once the sun is down.” And with that he closed his eyes and immediately fell asleep.

When he woke up at sundown Owen was sitting in a chair in the corner and staring at him. Aidan sat up and stretched, spreading his wings as well as his arms. “You know,” said Owen, “it’s just downright eerie watching you sleep. You look dead.”

“Well, technically I am dead,” said Aidan.

Owen shrugged, then grinned. “You also, if you’ll forgive me for saying it, look hot. It really is too bad you’re straight and taken.”

“Heh. Well, I guess I can forgive you for admiring the view. Just don’t try and seduce me or anything like that.”

“How about I promise not to seduce you if you promise not to have me for dinner? I think I can deal with you being a vampire if you can deal with me being gay.”

“Fair enough. And speaking of food, I need to go get some. Though not just now. I’m afraid what I need isn’t available at the moment.”

“What do you mean? You do drink blood, don’t you?”

“Yes. But I avoid taking human blood when at all possible. And even here in the city there are other sources. You know the horses that draw those old-fashioned carriages the tourists ride? They’re stabled not too far from here. A person can’t lose very much blood, but a horse can afford to lose quite a bit with no harm done. So I go feed off of them. But they’re still out working at this hour.”

“I see. You know if I told anybody about my new roommate, they wouldn’t believe me. A flying extraterrestrial vampire. Entirely too weird.”

“You going back to the club tonight?”

“Today’s Sunday. It’s not open. They only open three days a week, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. It’s a shame, but considering that it’s totally dead there even on Thursday I don’t blame them.” He shrugged and leaned back in the chair. “Disappointed?”

“The nights get long and lonely. I’d hoped to go back sooner. But I’ll survive.”

“Only four more days my friend. I’m sure you will.”