Carisa laid back, in two days she'd go and meet up with Amite as they had agreed. She stared at her reflection in the mirror, how her features slowly got paler with each day. Marnik hadn't slept at all since he got the news. And the living room was filled with tools and devices Carisa didn't understand.

"Marnik?" She called him, but his mind was so focused on work he didn't hear. Carisa walked up behind him, wrapping her hands around him, "Marnik."

"Yeah?" He said, grabbing her hands while continuing to work.

She pressed her head against his back, "Aren't you tired?"

"No... I'm not." He assured her, turning around and wrapping his arms around her, "How are you feeling?"

"Same as yesterday. Just headaches... can I help you with anything?" Her gaze stared up at his eyes, seeing them intently on her, trying to find anything she might hide.

Marnik pressed his hand on her cheek, "Not anything in particular, but we need to take you to the lab in a few minutes, they need to run some test."

Carisa nodded, staying put as neither of them moved. He seemed to be in a trance, just staring at her blankly, no emotion going through his eyes. When she finally looked away Marnik pulled her closer, "Something wrong?"

"No." He answered, "Just want you close."

She squeezed hi in the hug, "I've never asked, but why did you stick around with me after you first saw me? We didn't really understand what each other said."

He sucked in a breath nervously, "C... curiosity..."

"You don't sound too certain." She pointed out, "Why did you really stick around, Marnik?"

"So I might have had plans to... eat... you." He was so quiet afterward just waiting for how she might answer.

Carisa pushes him away, the most horrified look on her face, "Eat me!?"

"Y-yes..."

"Why!?" She crossed her hands over her chest a scowl across her face.

"I change my mind, it doesn't matter. I grew genuinely curious and worried about you." His expression changing to worry when seeing her reaction, "I swear, after going to the city I never planned again on eating you. Do you really think you would have woken up that next day alive if I did?"

"You tried to eat me just a little more than a month ago!" She turned around huffing, "I thought you were a genuinely good guy."

"I am..." he stepped closer and saw the glare on her eyes, "oh come on. Did I ever really hurt you? No, I've looked out for you. Carisa I'm sorry my interest only started because of that, but you were so gentle and curious... you changed my mind without even knowing."

Carisa looked up at him, "Bit you tried to eat me Marnik, no matter how you put it. You tried to eat me. What else should I know you're hiding?"

He stepped back, "Nothing that might make you feel better at the moment." Letting out a nervous chuckle he stared into her eyes, "Well... I always hated what you ate but couldn't find myself to deny you much because you pouted. You made me eat canned food Carisa! And then you laughed at the faces I made."

She felt a laugh bubbling up but held it in staying serious, "Well... you're... you're afraid of water bottles."

"Can you blame me? One fell out of your backpack and nearly got you killed! I'm paranoid with reason." He was the one crossing his hands now, "... this is getting us nowhere... can we just forget about it?..."

"Yeah." She gave up, "Still a bit shocking... but we're here now. And you won't do that again, right Marnik?"

"Never again." He smiled and slowly pressed his hand on her shoulder, "We should probably go to the lab now." His smile didn't falter leaning down to her level, "Do you trust me Carisa?"

Carisa smiled and pressed her hand on his, "Although you did try to eat me..." she grinned wider at his reaction, "I do trust you."

Marnik let out a breath of relief, and pushing her gently towards the door, "Let's get these tests done with then. If anything hurts while their poking needles at you, let me know. We can leave it for a later date."

"Before then... how did you figure out you had feelings for me?" Her question made him stop in his tracks behind her.

His expression grew serious thinking about the subject, how did it all start? Marnik leaned against the door frame, "After the city. From there on I suppose it all slowly developed to what it is now..." he looked at the floor, his top hands crossing while the bottom ones laid on his hips, "But those times I saw you cry, it hurt so much. When you got angry thinking I destroyed your town, I felt so guilty even if I hadn't caused it. I was trying so hard to make you feel better and it took so long to understand why I did it."

Carisa's smile started quivering and she fumbled with her hand hearing him continue, "After I got you here, everything just felt right..."