I smile. I didn’t expect to beat him, but I’m rather proud of myself for doing so. I doubt he was going all out on me, he could beat me if he really tried, but at least I could hold my own and confuse him a bit. I never touched him though. Not with my powers. There’s nothing to heal. How did I win if I never touched him? I bow after an awkward moment.

“That was excellent fighting though,” I say.

“As was yours, remember you don’t need to hurt your enemy to win, you just need to convince him that the fight isn’t worth the trouble. Confusion is a splendid way of doing so.” Trigger says, and I flush, but nod.

“Thank you.” I say. “I’ll do my best to remember that.” I take a slow steadying breath, then look away. “Umm, I need to go back to the cabin for a few minutes…” I say. “Should I meet you at the lake?”

Trigger nods and walks down to the lake, his swim trunks now dry. I watch him for a minute to ensure he won’t follow me, then lift off and fly quickly to the cabin. Twila is sitting on the rock bench, so I don’t need to worry so much about her. I duck inside, tucking my wings in and grab the white cloths Trigger made for me last night. I tucked them under my pillow after he left, and I need them now. I shut the door to the cabin and make a pad to catch the blood, then shift my clothes around to hide it. I don’t know when it will start for sure, but sometime today based on how I’m feeling. I hide the rest of the cloth again and slip back outside. Trigger is waiting at the edge of the lake, the water lapping at his toes. If he notices the light skirt I am now wearing over my bikini, he doesn’t comment on it. He smiles at me and wades into the lake. I hesitate, then wade in up to my knees.

“What do you want to do now?” I ask.

Trigger shrugs, “Relax mainly, whether that with swimming or lounging on a bench is fine by me.” I glance around, then take a few steps backwards.

“I think I’d like to hang out on the beach?” I say, hoping he’ll join me.

“Sounds good to me.” He says as he strides back out of the water

I smile happily. “Thanks.” I say. I walk up the beach to where the sand is drier and sit down, stretching my legs out in front of me. Twila has disappeared again, and I assume she’s in the cabin. I glance over at Trigger. He sits down next to me, then lays back on the warm sand. I flutter my wings, then do the same. We’re about 4 feet apart, and I let my wing brush him as I lay next to him, then fold it in slightly. He spreads his arms out, but doesn’t touch me. I bite my lip. I hoped for it, but… I don’t want to be needy, even if he did say he liked me last night. He looks at me and smiles gently. I smile back, unsure what to do now. I run my fingers through the sand, then sigh and turn on my side, facing him. It’s rather uncomfortable to lay on my wings. I prefer them tucked behind me. He turns his head as I move, and reaches up to touch my face softly. My lips part as he brushes my cheek, and I nuzzle into his touch without thinking. I pillow my head with one arm as I stare at him, my eyes briefly running down his partly bare body, then back to his face. He gazes into my eyes, turning onto his side to face me. I can feel my cheeks getting warm under his gaze, but I don’t look away. He pulls his hand off my face, but reaches for my hand, never losing eye contact. I allow him to take my hand and slowly wiggle my fingers between his.

‘Hi,’ I say shyly, starting out as we did last night.

‘Hi.’ He smiles. ‘Having fun?’ I nod, brushing my thumb lightly over his hand.

‘Are you?’ I ask after a moment.

He nods and smiles. ‘Are you ok?’ He asks, out of nowhere. I blink.

‘I think so? Why?’ I ask.

‘Just curious.’ Trigger thinks to me. I give him a smile. So, he just wanted to let me know he cares, it seems.

‘Aww…’ I say, trying to tease him, but also truly feeling special.

He rolls onto his back, still holding my hand. Gazing up at the sky, he says, “Don’t forget what I said last night.” I look up at the sky as well and notice the sun is low in the sky again.

“I haven’t,” I say finally. Last night indeed. I told him about my old boyfriend, about what happened, why I left… and he responded by saying he liked me. I don’t think I’ve ever had a guy be so forward with me, but I suppose living together and having all this to work though, immortality and all, there isn’t much point to games. I suppose I could let his example lead me, but I’m not sure I’m ready quite yet to have whatever this is. I watch his face as he watches the sky. It’s relaxed and peaceful and makes me happy. The sun continues to set, and I hear the door open on the cabin. Twila appears momentarily, carrying the replicator. Setting it on the bench, she looks at us.

“When you two lovebirds want, you can get something to eat, but would you mind letting me eat now?” She teases, winking at me.

“What would you like?” I ask, still lying in the sand. I smile happily at Twila, who’s already noticed Trigger and my joined hands. She beams, giving me a discreet thumbs-up. I can tell she’s happy for me. I’m happy for me, too.

Trigger looks over at her and she quickly hides the thumbs-up. “Let me guess, something with strawberries?” He asks.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

She nods, “And chocolate too if I can!”

“How about a pizza party?” I ask. “I have my storytelling book, we could read a book and have pizza on the beach.”

“As long as it has ice cream.” Trigger states firmly. I grin.

“What flavor?” I ask. I send a command to the replicator for a bunch of strawberries, letting go of Trigger’s hand and standing up.

“Hmm… Chocolate.” Trigger says and I nod.

“I’ll be right back.” I say and go to the cabin, collecting our dishes and bringing them out. When I get back I pile the strawberries from the replicator into one of the bowls, then ask for chocolate ice cream in another, handing it to Trigger when it’s done.

“What kind of pizza do you want?” I ask. “I like taco pizza and chicken bacon ranch.”

“Chicken bacon ranch.” Trigger smiles. “Feels like college all over again.” I glance at Twila, and she shrugs, already munching on a strawberry.

“Either is fine.” She says with a mouthful of red mush.

When the pizza is made, I pull it out and put some on each plate, then hand a plate to Trigger and Twila,

“Thank you.” Trigger says. I nod, then grab the third plate for myself. I sit down on the sand and set my plate next to me. I summon my book and think for a minute.

“What should our story be about?” I ask, then take a bite of my pizza.

“No idea.” Trigger says around a spoonful of ice cream.

“Ooh, can I choose?” Twila asks. I nod. “I can think to it, right, if you give me access?” she asks, and I shrug.

“Sure. I want the story to be about what she chooses.” I tell my book, then hand it to Twila. She squints, then hands it back to me a moment later.

“Alright!” She exclaims. I open the book, wondering what Twila’s specifications were. I realize why she wanted to think about them instead of saying them out loud a moment later. It’s a manga story about a man named Trigger, and a girl named Lillith. I flip a few pages forwards and sigh when I see them kissing, naked in a giant bed. I look up at Twila.

“I don’t think I can read this in present company,” I tell her. She smiles and takes the book from me, and starts to read out loud. I bite my lip to keep from laughing, then settle in, my face going red. I glance at Trigger to see his reaction. He flushes at some parts, but smiles at me. At the ending of the story, after a few too many bedroom scenes for me to ignore, I smile sweetly at Twila.

“That was a great story.” I say. “Maybe you won’t be choosing again, after all, nothing else you choose could be better than that and I wouldn’t want to detract from your crown.” She smirks at me and I roll my eyes and flop backwards. I glance over at Trigger, gratified to see he’s a bit red also, then take my plate and go to the food replicator. I make some vanilla ice cream for myself and get some strawberry ice cream for Twila. Trigger appears to be enjoying his pizza. I sit back down with my ice cream and glance between my friends.

Trigger notices my glance. “Yes?” I shrug and smile.

“What do you wanna see on our next planet?” I ask. “Are we gonna jump as soon as we’re able to or do you want to stay here a while?”

“Hmm… I’d like this planet to be a fall-back point, where we can jump to as an escape. So no point staying longer than necessary? And I have no idea what I want on a planet, maybe more people though.” I nod, and I can’t help wondering briefly if he wants more people around so he can taste sapient blood, but I push the thought away. He promised to not hurt me or Twila, and as long as I don’t need to think about it too much, I guess it’ll be fine.

“I agree.” Twila says. “More people would be nice. Not that you guys aren't great, and all, but it’s fun to jump planets!” I think for a moment.

“I have luck, right Twila?” I ask. “Is that what the creepy alien dude said?”

“Correct, which means you can guide your jump, and be 100 times more likely to land on one you consider desirable.” Twila responds. I nod slowly.

“So, if I use my probability magic at the same time, can I increase that?” I say curiously, more musing out loud than asking.

“Yes, you would need to bless yourself first, then prepare the jump.” Twila says after a moment of consideration.

“I think I could do that. So, more people, here we come. In like three days.” I say. The sun is just above the horizon now, and I sigh and glance around. “Bedtime?” I ask. “Or do you guys want to do something else?”

“Bed for me,” Trigger says, “Unless you want to sit next to the fireplace.” He winks at me. I blush.

“As tempting as that sounds, I’m kinda tired…” I say, fighting the pink in my cheeks.

“Okay.” He smiles and stands up, still in his swim trunks, and offers his hand to me before he walks back to the cabin. I stand and collect the dishes, rinsing them off with my elemental magic, before asking Twila to bring the replicator in. Twila and I walk in, and Trigger has a fire going in the fireplace, but he’s in bed already. I smile and set the dishes on the table.

“Good night Twila, Trigger.” I say.

“Good night Lillith.” I hear from Trigger’s bed. I glance over at him and his eyes are on me. Twila slips into her bed and rolls over to face the wall, so I walk quietly over to Trigger. He looks up at me and pats the bed. I sit on the bed where he indicates. He takes my hand in his and squeezes it, smiling up at me. I smile back, and he slowly brings my hand to his mouth and kisses it softly, barely brushing it with his lips, holding eye contact with me as he does. I can’t look away. His green eyes sparkle in the firelight and seem to see into my soul. He lets go of my hand and smiles again at me, before closing his eyes. I gently reach out and brush a strand of his hair off his forehead, then stand and walk back to my own bed. I change into my long t-shirt again and slip under the covers. It’s rather worn, I don't know how my belt can make clothes exactly how I remember them… but this is exactly the same. I blink in the firelight as it dims to embers. I run through a few of my memories from the day, choosing to focus the most on this last one, Trigger kissing my hand. I replay it at least ten times before finally falling asleep.

I wake up a couple hours later, the fire is out, and Trigger seems to be moving towards me again. I open my eyes and look up at him, then stretch my arms up to him and pull him down into a hug. He hugs me back, then sits on the bed next to me.

‘Good morning.’ I hear in my head.

‘Good morning…’ I say back sleepily.

‘I’m off for some more practice, talk when you get up?’

‘Will you hug me again first?’ I ask before I can think about why it might be a bad idea. He leans over and hugs me in a firm embrace, and I almost melt in his arms.

‘I’ve missed hugs…’ I admit.

‘So have I…’ He stands up and slips out the door, and I replay the hug as I drift back to sleep.