“See you in a while then?” I ask. He nods, then flies towards the forest. I walk over to Twila and show her the fungus. “We found this.” I say. “It kinda tastes like mangos, would you like some?” She grins at me.

“Sure.” She accepts the fungus and tastes it. After a few seconds of consideration, she nods.

“It does taste like mango. So, how was your time with Trigger?” She asks as we start walking back to the cabin. I’m sure my smile gives me away before I even say anything, and Twila laughs.

“That good, huh?” I nod, glancing at where Trigger went to ensure he can’t hear me.

“We kissed.” I admit when I’m satisfied he’s far enough away. Twila beams.

“You kissed him or he kissed you?” She questions. I flush.

“I kissed him. I mean, he kissed me back too. But I kissed him first.”

Twila nods approvingly. “So, are you going to move your beds together?” She arches her eyebrows teasingly, then winks at me. I playfully bat at her arm.

“No. I mean, not yet. I mean, I, I don’t think so?” I stammer out, feeling my face glowing.

Twila smirks, “Well if you want help, just ask.” I roll my eyes at her, then plop onto my bed.

“Honestly, I’m kinda shy to bring that up. I mean, what do you think he’ll expect?” I ask.

She shrugs, sitting next to me. “I don’t think you need to worry that much about it.” She says, sounding a little more serious. “He seems like he has some sense of honor. I don’t think he’ll push for anything you don’t want.” She pauses for a moment, then smirks again. “But besides, it’s not like you have much to worry about anyways. Have you seen him?? I bet he’s great in bed.” I groan and cover my face with my hands so she can’t see the smile that I can't completely suppress. She’s not wrong. I look up at her, shaking my head slightly.

“Almost sounds like you’re interested, the way you say that.” I tease. She giggles.

“Aside from the fact you were literally made for him and he can’t take his eyes off you, I wouldn't say no if he asked.” She states, then picks up my pillow and wacks me with it. I giggle helplessly, falling backward.

“He is hot though,” I say after a moment. “Do you… I mean, in my past lives, did you have relationships?” She shakes her head.

“No, I slept with some guys, but never really a relationship. It’s just too… complicated, I guess. Being a pact companion and all, it just never felt right.” I look up at her, feeling slightly sad now. She shrugs off my look.

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“I’d rather not get emotionally involved anyways.” She says, dismissing me with a laugh. “Sex is great, but you cause more than enough trouble for me to worry about.” I nod slowly, not entirely convinced, but I don’t get a chance to say anything more because Trigger walks in. He looks just as hot as I remember, and I flush slightly at the thought that flashes through my head at seeing him, then I turn to the replicator and call for my food. I choose chili tonight, with lots of cheese and sour cream in it. Twila asks if she can have the same, and I nod and make some for her too. With a glance at Trigger, I sit cross-legged on my bed, leaning against the wall. He flops onto his bed and relaxes, staring up at the ceiling. I wonder for a second what he would look like without clothes, then flush and look away. Probably not something I should be considering, even if it is an attractive thought. I eat my bowl of chili, watching Trigger. He lifts his head and props it up with his hands, watching me and smiling. I smile back, tilting my head at him.

‘Something wrong?’ I ask him. He looks stressed, or tired or something. He shakes his head.

‘Nothing is wrong, Beautiful.’ My heart skips a beat at him calling me beautiful. I smile and duck my head, taking another bite of the chili. I finish my bowl, then stand and set it on the table. Trigger gets up and walks outside, then returns with a pile of wood that he starts setting into the fireplace. He turns to look at me, and I am again reminded of how handsome he is. I see his lips move, and with a jolt realize he just asked me to do something.

“Ummm… sorry… I missed that. What did you want me to do?”

He smiles, and I flush. “Would you light the fire?” He repeats. I nod and do so, enjoying the ease that I can light stuff now. Trigger sits on the ground next to the fireplace and smiles up at me. I smile back, then sink to the ground next to him. I look up at him, my eyes wide.

“I'm exhausted from flying…” I admit, my wings drooping.

He smiles up at me, “Do you need to go to bed?” I shrug as I scoot closer to him.

“Not yet, please.” I brush against his side. He puts his arm around me

“Well then, what would you like to do for the evening?” I consider that for a moment.

“Would you read a story from my book?” I ask, laying my head on his shoulder.

He smiles, “As long as you pick it out.”

“Is Cinderella ok?” I ask. He shrugs.

“If that’s what you want to listen to, I will be happy to read it.” He says. I feel a warm glow as I hand him the book, open to Cinderella, and he starts reading in that smooth voice of his. I snuggle close and put my wing around him shyly. He squeezes my shoulders and I close my eyes, just listening to him talk. When he finishes, I’m half asleep already, and just nestle closer into his shoulder. I mentally ask the book for another fairy tale, this one being The Princess Bride. The shorter version, not the complete one. Trigger jumps a bit under me, and I realize the book just shifted in his hands to another story. After a moment he laughs and I feel his head rest on mine for a second, then his voice starts again. I blink my eyes closed, it’s too hard to stay awake… His voice goes on, and it sounds really nice. I relax against him, slowly drifting off to the story of Buttercup and Westley. I wake up a bit later, I’m being carried to my bed, my blankets pulled over me, and a kiss left on my lips. I murmur a thank you, or, I think I do, then he’s gone, and I fade back to sleep.