"Would you like to," Norman chewed on his bottom lip, "Stay over tonight?"

Mary finished washing the last of their dishes from dinner before moving to grab a kitchen towel.

"I assumed I would," she chuckled as she began drying the dishes and putting them away in the cabinets, "I have been for a while now."

Norman stepped closer, finally moving from the doorway.

"No, uh," he moved to take a dried plate from her hands and put it away for her, "I meant... Would you like to, uh, stay in my room tonight?" He turned back to Mary and raised his hands to his chest, "Respectfully, of course."

She paused before wiping her hands on the towel and returning it to it's hanger on the oven.

"Oh, Norman," Mary turned to meet his eyes.

She was smiling- Norman hoped that was a good sign.

"That would be nice."

Of course Norman was nervous to have a girl sleep in the same room as him; it had never been allowed before.

But as Dr. Raymond had told him many times before, life was about what he wanted now.

And now, he wanted nothing more than to share a warm bed with Mary.

His heart thudded as he changed into his nightclothes- a white t-shirt and some pajama pants.

His mother would never approve.

She'd always told him she was the only woman he'd ever need.

Norman shook his head, clearing his thoughts.

She wasn't here anymore.

He didn't need to worry about what she thought.

When Norman stepped back into his bedroom, he was taken aback by the sight of Mary already sitting in his bed, partially under the blankets.

His breath caught in his throat as he noticed her soft nightdress.

Finally noticing Norman in the entryway, Mary smiled.

"I hope you don't mind, I sort of just made myself at home."

"Uh, no," Norman fiddled with his hands as he walked closer to the bed, "No, of course not."

He stared anxiously at his side of the mattress for a moment.

Perhaps longer than a moment because Mary spoke up before he could.

"It's alright, you know, to lie down."

"Oh," Norman nodded, looking up to meet her eyes, "Yes, of course."

Her soft brown eyes.

They were lovely.

Norman finally lifted his quilt and settled down next to Mary.

He found himself awkwardly sitting in bed, unable to lay down comfortably yet.

Norman could feel Mary shift closer to him, "I can go back to my room tonight."

She must have picked up on his nerves.

"No, no," he said a bit too quickly as he turned to face her, "It's uh," he swallowed roughly, "It's quite alright."

Mary offered a soft smile before laying down, "Goodnight then, Norman."

He switched off the lamp at his bedside before rolling over to cover himself, "Goodnight, Mary."

Not a second later, Mary scooted closer to Norman, nuzzling into his side.

But he just lay there, his heart rushing beneath his ribs.

Sleep came easily to Mary, but Norman continued to stare up at his darkened ceiling.

Mary's warmth against him was comforting but terrifying all at once.

He wasn't sure how to feel.

How to act.

So he just lay there.

Mother couldn't stop him anymore.

"Norman," Mary said sweetly, rolling over in bed to brush Norman's bangs away from his forehead, "What would you like for breakfast this morning?"

Norman's eyes fluttered open, his first view of the day being the younger girl smiling down at him.

He'd not even realized he ever fell asleep.

"Well," he stirred sleepily, "I'm just fine with-"

She placed a gentle hand over his mouth to silence him.

"And don't say toasted cheese sandwiches," she playfully teased.

He raised his eyebrows, genuinely thinking on what else there was to eat.

Noticing his concern, Mary's smile faded as she removed her hand.

"What's the matter?" She went back to carefully playing with his hair.

"Well, it's just- I've always had toasted cheese sandwiches and milk..."

Mary recalled the story Norman had once disclosed to her regarding his mother and her sandwiches; the only good thing she'd ever done for him.

"It's alright, Norman," she leaned down to press a gentle kiss to his forehead, unfurrowing it, "She doesn't control you anymore. We can try something new, okay?"

Upon hearing her gentle tone, Norman smiled.

"What do you normally have?"

Mary matched his smile.

"Bacon and eggs is preferable, but if I'm running late to the diner, I'll grab a piece of toast."

They shared a short laugh.

"Then perhaps we'll have that," Norman offered up quietly.

"I think this place will look very nice after you're done fixing it up," Mary smiled, offering a glass of lemonade out to Norman.

He set his paint roller into its tray before taking the drink with his own smile.

"Thanks," he took a sip, "You know, I've been thinking...How would you feel about working at the motel? Helping me out with things? I-I'd pay you, of course."

"Norman," Mary chuckled, "I think you letting me live with you is more than enough payment."

He nervously licked his sugar-dampened lips, "So you're interested then?"

Mary beamed and Norman instinctively matched her bright smile, "Of course!"

It had been a while since Mary had started rooming with Norman and the two had grown more and more comfortable with each other.

Mary had truthfully begun to think of herself as somewhat of a housewife, though she'd never tell anyone that.

Not even Norman.

"Good morning, Mary," Norman called as he slipped on his coat, "I'll be in the office this morning if you need anything."

With that, he was about to slip out the door, but Mary rushed to him, placing a hand on his forearm to stop him before he could leave.

Norman hummed as he turned back in the entryway to face her.

Before anything else could be said, Mary stood on her tiptoes to place a quick peck to his lips.

She pulled away, a soft blush flooding her cheeks despite her smile, "I'll come down to see you in a bit. Have a good day."

Mary went back to whatever task she had been doing previously, leaving Norman standing alone in silence.

He pressed his fingertips to his mouth, still feeling the phantom of Mary's kiss.

Why hadn't his mother wanted this for him, he thought, if it was so wonderful?

"Norman. Norman," Mary spoke up from her spot beside Norman in bed, "What if we...made love?"

The man immediately felt his heart begin to race.

He turned his head to meet her gaze- it was soft as usual.

"What do you mean?"

Mary's face flushed.

"Well...I love you, Norman."

"Oh," he began to fiddle with his hands, "Mary, I..."

She scooted closer, their faces near.

"It's okay if you can't say it back. I just want to be with you."

Mother had always said she was the only one who'd ever love him.

But she was wrong.

About that, and so many other things.

"No, Mary...Mary, I love you, too."

"Oh, Norman."

Mary wrapped her arms around Norman, pulling him in for a kiss unlike any they had ever shared.