“Do you think I’m cute?” Stephanie asked, looking up at him with puppy dog eyes.

Logan’s breathing hitched. They had been calmly discussing what cocktail to try when she suddenly grew quiet. He had a bad feeling, but he dismissed her question the moment it came out. Steph’s high school crush had brutally rejected her just a few hours ago. She likely felt insecure and needed someone to make her feel special, regardless of who it was.

“You’re a beautiful woman, Steph. Any man would be lucky to have you,” Logan said, picking his words with care. “Unfortunately, we all have our own preferences, and no one can change that.”

Steph obviously expected a different response, coming up short.

A moment later, she smiled. “You’re right. I never had a shot in the first place, did I? And after seeing how Tom treated me, I wouldn’t be happy even if we did get together. It would’ve been a miserable few years of me putting up with his cruelty before I broke.”

Logan didn’t respond.

They sat in silence for a moment until Steph shook her head and laughed at herself. “It’s funny. Tom can be so cruel to me, yet he’s in the exact same position with Amelia.”

“Even more so than you think. I told her about Tom’s crush, but she thinks I’m exaggerating.”

“Really?” Stephanie said, looking at him with surprise. “I always thought she knew and didn’t want to hurt my feelings?”

“No, she is in complete denial. She insists that Tom thinks of her as a friend. Also, she’s been trying to get you two together the whole time, saying that you deserve to be happy.”

Stephanie mulled over his words, the tent going silent before she suddenly looked up at him. Logan glanced at her. Steph was half lying down and leaning on her elbow, but now she sat up.

Her eyes locked onto his own with a smouldering intensity.

“And what about you?”

“Pardon?”

“I’m asking who you like in this fucked up love triangle?”

“Well, I’m not even in the triangle at all. It starts with you and ends at Amelia.”

“But what if you and Tom both liked Amelia? You would be involved then, wouldn’t you?”

“I have to like Amelia for that to be the case. Right now, it’s just you three involved in this mess.”

“Hmm, that might not be the case. Who’s to say that Amelia doesn’t grow to like him? What would you do if that happened?”

Logan became more uncomfortable with each question. “She’s in complete denial. There’s no reason to stop thinking of him as a friend.”

“But what if something happens and he saves her life? Women like strong a strong who can protect them, especially when they’re trapped in a monster-infested jungle.”

Logan scoffed. “That definitely won’t happen since Amelia’s stronger than him.”

“It might,” Steph said, leaning on her hand. “Saving her life could be the deciding factor. She trains with him every day, you know? They’re definitely growing closer to each other. Who’s to say that true love won’t blossom?”

“I’m just friends with Amelia. Unless her partner is abusive, who she dates is none of my concern.”

Stephanie leaned in closer, her shoulder brushing against Logan’s. “So you would really do nothing if she liked another man?”

“Correct.”

Logan felt her warm breath on his neck. “Then what if I liked you?”

“Excuse me?” He said, leaning away before something bad happened. “How is that even possible? You’ve been in love with Tom for years.”

“I know I’m not over him yet, but I do like you. Besides, all the best couples start as friends because they get along. We have a lot of fun together, don’t we? We’re also both single and not interested in anyone else, so there’s no reason not to explore our options.”

“That...” Logan’s voice died out before he latched onto the first thing that came to mind. “There’s definitely reasons not to. We’re lost in the wilderness and might die at any moment. Distractions can cost lives.”

Logan struggled to think of a good reason not to date her. They had a lot of fun together, and he would be a liar if he said she wasn’t attractive. The fact that she had just been rejected did muddy the waters. He didn’t want to be someone’s rebound, but if she really liked him, there was a solid chance they might end up together for life.

Besides, Amelia had made it pretty clear that they were just friends.

“That’s exactly why we shouldn’t hesitate,” Stephanie said, her fingers brushing against his hand. “The world isn’t going to wait for us to be ready, Logan. Do you really think the city is safe? We’ll be surrounded by monsters, waiting to die at any moment. Maybe even tomorrow.”

Logan swallowed, realising that she was right. Life was short. There was no time to waste, especially not for them.

Stephanie’s fingers moved again, touching more of his hand. Without thinking, Logan gently held it. She smiled and leaned closer, her body starting to move.

“I’ve seen you checking me out before.” Logan almost blushed. “You were always respectful about it. I never felt uncomfortable, but I could tell you liked what you saw.”

“To tell you the truth,” Stephanie continued, her chest brushing his arm. “I also like what I see.”

Suddenly, she leaned in and kissed him, her body pressing against his own. Stephanie had always been cute. With sunbleached hair, piercing blue eyes, and a light dusting of freckles on her nose, she was the perfect example of a surfer girl.

Cultivation had changed that. Her slender body had filled out, turning her from a cute young woman into a ravishing beauty. She was soft in all the right places and toned everywhere else. With full lips and perfect skin, all she had left was a light dusting of freckles on her nose, which only made her look more attractive.

And yet, Logan didn’t kiss her back at first, his mind flicking to Amelia. He felt guilty despite just being her friend. He truly didn’t love or even have a crush on her, and it seemed that neither did she. There was no reason for him to feel that way, but he did. That was until his fears squashed those thoughts.

Logan didn’t want to die alone. Death was everpresent in the abyss and was a reality that was difficult to come to terms with. The egg, the monsters, and even what was happening to his family somewhere out there were constantly swirling around his mind, making his life even more stressful when he wasn’t at risk of suddenly being killed by a horrible monster.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

The idea of facing it all alone was hard enough. Even though Logan had grown closer with the group, their relationships were only temporary. After returning to the city, they would likely all part ways. Perhaps never seeing each other again. With Stephanie, things could become more than just a casual fling.

He couldn’t close the door in front of him on the off chance that there may be a better one in the future.

That was why Logan kissed her back.

***

The following day, Logan woke up to find a naked body pressed against his own. He pulled Steph closer and smelled her hair, enjoying the warmth of her skin on this chilly morning. She smelled of lilacs and roses.

Logan didn’t want the blissful moment to end. He also knew they couldn’t lay in bed all day, but that didn’t mean he had to get up any time soon. That was why his hands brushed over her skin, tickling her most sensitive areas while he gently kissed her on the back of the neck.

She trembled, but Logan assumed that she was waking up.

He was still half-asleep himself.

Those seconds of peace felt like a dream. Logan indulged in her body until his hand made its way down her stomach. Steph gasped quietly, but not out of pleasure. She suddenly jumped away from him at the very next second, scrambling to the other side of the bed.

Logan opened his eyes and found Steph sitting up and covering her chest with an arm. Her eyes were wide with shock, looking at him with fear.

“Are you okay?” Logan said, propping himself up on his elbow. “Did you have a bad dream?”

Stephanie didn’t respond. She grabbed one of the loose blankets and wrapped it around her naked body, running out of the tent at the very next moment. Logan could’ve sworn that he heard crying. They had talked for hours last night and enthusiastically did some illicit activities together, so he couldn’t understand her reaction.

Then the realisation struck him.

She was regretting her decision. Even though Logan had no reason to think it was his fault, he couldn’t stop himself from feeling terrible. Stephanie had come to him in a moment of vulnerability. It could be argued that he had taken advantage of her, but she’d been too persistent in pursuing a relationship with him. Of course, that was all in private. If anyone saw her running away from his tent while naked and bawling her eyes out, they would likely come to the wrong conclusion.

He had to go and talk to her before more issues arose.

Quickly pulling his robes on, Logan’s stomach began to twist itself into knots. Their budding relationship had given him hope, making him believe in something more than just his own survival. Maybe even a future he could confidently strive towards.

Now, his steps were weak as he walked out of the tent.

Logan froze. Everyone was gathered around Stephanie as she wept in Tom’s arms. She had collapsed on the ground and was sobbing uncontrollably. It didn’t even cross his mind that she could be playing it up for sympathy. No one was that good of an actor, the poor girl almost choking on her tears.

She was genuinely distraught about what happened.

Stephanie clutched onto Tom more tightly than before, making Logan pause. Didn’t she hate him? Didn’t she think he was an asshole and a bastard and a thousand other horrible words? Didn’t she want to pursue a relationship with Logan? None of this made sense, the world spinning as he approached them.

Logan wanted to say something when everyone suddenly glared at him. The words died on his tongue, and what happened next made him feel like he was having a nightmare. Thanks to the Long Night, that was all but impossible. Logan didn’t dream any more, but when Stephanie spoke, he desperately wished that this was all a figment of his imagination.

“I- I didn’t want to do it,” She whimpered, her voice breaking as she hid her face in Tom’s shoulder.

Logan felt his stomach sink.

Everyone reacted differently. James and Ron glared with an eerily similar look of scorn. Deon, bless his heart, looked down at Stephanie with a look of sympathy. Tom scowled at him with unconcealed rage, but Logan only glanced at them all before focusing on Amelia.

She looked like she had seen a ghost.

Her face was pale, and she refused to look at him in the eyes. Logan wanted to apologise. He didn’t know what for, exactly, but the shame and guilt were eating him away. Why was this happening to him?

He couldn’t move or take a breath even if he wanted to. Logan had suffered through mind-shattering agony and almost died several times, and yet this made him feel lower than at any other time in his life. After some of his worst moments, he usually experienced a surge of joy and hope.

Now, all he felt was pain.

“You bastard!” Tom shouted, pushing Stephanie from his arms so that he could stand up. “I knew you were a terrible person when we met, but a rapist? Have you any shame?”

Tom swung at him. Logan didn’t do anything to defend himself, not even bracing his legs. It didn’t really matter. It felt like nothing did anymore. He allowed the punch to land on his cheek. It forced him back a step to avoid falling over, but that was about it. Logan didn’t even bother turning away, still looking at Amelia with shame burning in his heart.

Tom only became angrier at being casually dismissed, his hand reaching for the hilt of his sword.

Logan felt a hint of anger, giving him the strength to talk. “You all have the wrong idea!”

“Then why is she crying, you bastard?”

“I don’t know! Maybe I’m not as good in bed as I thought I was, but I certainly didn’t force myself on her.”

“Bullshit!” Tom pulled out his sword, the blade ringing as he stepped forward.

Logan didn’t have to do anything before James and Ron grabbed his arms.

“Let me go! Are you really protecting a rapist? For fuck’s sake, I won’t let him get away with this!”

That only made Stephanie cry harder. Amelia went over to her best friend and hugged her, which made Logan feel ill. What the hell was going on? Stephanie wasn’t faking her tears. The idea that this was some elaborate plan to awaken Tom’s love for her through his protective instincts did flash through his mind, but that didn’t make any sense.

Logan had been around Stephanie for nearly three months, and he’d never seen her behave like this. She was a kind and silly girl who had a deep sense of empathy for others. If she cried for any reason, it was usually for another person. She wasn’t difficult, demanding, or manipulative in any way that he could see, not even when she tried to convince Tom to date her.

This was no attempt at manipulation or crocodile tears.

Stephanie’s feelings were real, but how could that be possible?

Amelia held Stephanie’s head as she wept into her bosom. She whispered comforting words to the girl before noticing Logan’s gaze. She looked up at him as if he were dead to her. Tears began to build up in the corners of Logan’s eyes, but he furiously blinked them away.

“Explain yourself,” Amelia hissed.

“There’s nothing to explain,” Logan muttered. “Really. Stephanie ran into my tent the second you left. When I followed her, she cried about what Tom had told her minutes before. One thing led to another, and she kissed me.”

“He’s lying,” Stephanie mumbled, sniffling. “I don’t remember anything that happened last night.”

Tom pulled himself free of Ron and James, but didn’t sheathe his sword.

Instead, he pointed the tip at Logan. “Absolute liar! I didn’t speak to Stephanie all day yesterday!”

“What?” Logan said, wondering if Stephanie had made an excuse to get into his tent. “I can’t believe this. That’s genuinely what she told me last night, I swear!”

“Did you drug her?” James growled.

“No! We had a few drinks, but neither of us were even drunk! You all know how strong a cultivator’s metabolism is.”

“Oh, how convenient,” Tom snarled. “Why didn’t you mention the alcohol earlier, huh?”

“I didn’t think it was important. I also wasn’t the one to initiate anything, either! She pressured me into drinking and then pounced on me!”

“This is going to be hard to prove,” James said, mainly to Amelia and Tom. “Our access to the Shop is limited due to our lower privilege level. He may have more drugs than we access, so we can’t know what he used to drug her.”

“I didn’t drug her! And if I did, wouldn’t someone have noticed something?”

“What do you mean?” Amelia asked.

“Look where Stephanie came out of. She was in my tent, but how did she get there? Did no one see her enter? Did she have a reason to visit me when she’s never felt the need to in the last three months? Did no one check her tent to see if she was alright after dinner?”

“Well, maybe you told her to come and see you for something important,” James said. “Or maybe you laced her drink at dinner and then dragged her over to your tent when no one was looking.”

“Why the hell would I bring her to my own room? She has her own private tent! We also spoke for hours last night before she made a move on me.”

“Is that true?” Amelia asked Stephanie, her voice gentle.

Stephanie shook her head. “I barely remember anything that happened yesterday.”

“Hold on,” Logan said, realising that something was strange. “Tell us the last thing you can recall and go back from there.”

Stephanie began to tremble at the mere sight of him, only speaking when Amelia held on to her.

“I practised my techniques all morning before we packed up and moved to the next campsite we could find. It took us a few hours. A spider landed on Tom’s back and made him freak out, which we all laughed about. After that, we set up camp under this big tree. There was something about a field of massive holes and a forest full of ants nearby. Then we had dinner and drinks. After that, my memory goes hazy.”

When no one spoke, Stephanie looked around in confusion. “What’s wrong?”

“Sweetie,” Amelia said, gently rubbing her back. “All of those things happened last week.”