I shivered as I stepped in from the cold. “Brr!!”

“Breakfast will be ready soon.” Lear said, shooting a smile over his shoulder at me as as he stood over the stove.

It wasn't the first time, nor would it be the last, that he'd made a meal for us, but at that moment, I felt a swell of pride that he'd come so far with his cooking skills.

Nowadays we traded off who did what, as far as the chores and making the meals were concerned. Or rather, I tried to make sure that was the case, but often he beat me to it. It was a little frustrating, but I knew he only did it because he thought I worked too hard.

“What did you decide to make?” I asked him, nodding at the cook-top.

“I wanted to do crepes, like you did that one time, but…that seemed a little out of my abilities, at least by myself, anyways. So I decided to play it safe again, just sticking to things I know well.” He flipped a fried egg onto the plate. “There are also biscuits in the oven."

“I think you could have done just fine with the crepes, have a little confidence! You were better at making them than I was by the time we finished!” I patted him on the back, feeling really rather proud of him.

Lear shot me an easy smile, “Thanks, Winna.”

"I'm...really proud of you for how quickly you've learned. I know you were really intimidated by it, but you've done really well, and I think you're a pretty good cook, now."

His smile widened into a beaming grin, "Thanks! I'm...glad you're proud of me. It's...it's nice to hear."

"Of course I'm proud of you." I giggled, adding, “Now whenever we do have that tea party, you’ll be able to help me make the food!”

“At least the sandwiches. I can do that much. And I can chop the fruits and veggies.”

“Nope, I’m going to make you do more than that! Besides, if I think you're up to crepes, you can do just about anything!” I told him, "You did a pretty decent job on some of the recipes you made when I was sick, and you've had even more practice since then."

"Well, I'm happy to try whatever you want me to." he shrugged.

“I'll make a baker of you yet!" I told him, then giggled, "I can just picture you in an apron!”

He paused, then shot me a slow, wicked smile, “I can make that happen, if you wish.”

My face burned. “How is it that you can make anything and everything suggestive?! Even when it’s not meant to be!”

The fey man’s smile only broadened, “Lots of…practice.”

“Lear!” I covered my face with my hands.

He cackled, “I’m just teasing you, Winna!"

“I knoooooow, but it’s not faaaaair!”

Lear turned the burner on the stove down, and pulled my hands gently away from my face. “My love, would you like to know a secret?”

“Not if it’s a dirty one.” I pouted.

“While that is a perilously tempting thought, I meant it innocently.” His iridescent green eyes were warm and gentle.

“Alright then. What’s the secret?”

“The reason I’m so outrageous when I flirt with you is because I’m trying very, very hard. Harder than I’ve ever tried to get anyone’s attention before.”

“What do you mean? You already have my attention.” I frowned.

“Fair. But I want to keep it. And I want you to know that I do want you, and for you to not forget it. That’s why I won’t stop, even now that I do know what I feel is reciprocated. I’ve never had to actively pursue someone so hard and so carefully before you. Normally it hasn’t taken that much.”

-

Winna rolled her eyes, “Yes, yes, I know, you get around. Easily, apparently, I get it. Bragging about how easy your past conquests were isn’t necessarily what a girl wants to hear from the man she loves.”

“I don't mean it like that.” he shook his head. “I mean…I want you more than anyone I’ve ever been with before, but I’m unused to having to flirt quite so hard at someone. You’re far too sensible a person to just melt for me with just a half smile or a meaningful glance on my part. You know your worth.”

“W-well, how could I just let myself fall for the first man who offered me a stupidly nice smile? That’d be silly.” she muttered, red in the face.

“I’m sure I’m not the first to try it on with you. Paz definitely did, from what I gather.”

“I mean, yeah, but he doesn't have a smile like yours. Nor is he as pretty.”

“That’s what I’m saying. You didn’t just immediately cave. I still had to work for it."

“Lear, I caved pretty damn fast. How quickly are you used to having your way with people, if I’ve been the one that’s taken the longest?!” She arched an eyebrow at him.

“Pretty quickly, to be fair. But again, the high fey courts are kind of like that, promiscuity and all.”

“I see.” the woman he loved frowned again, now squinting at him a little suspiciously. "You keep saying that fey folk are promiscuous, but I've yet to really see any evidence of that beyond you flirting with me."

Lear snorted, "Well, maybe I'm just projecting. But there are a good number of pretty loose fey folk in the high courts, especially back in the feylands. They have less reservations overall regarding flirtations, relationships, and affairs. But you have a good deal more sense than most of them, it seems like. Definitely more than me.” he bent and kissed her temple. “I like that about you. You’re grounded and know yourself. It’s a very attractive quality. Not that I don't find you physically attractive too.”

“So you say.” she murmured.

“Do you want me to go into detail? I’m happy to.” he flashed another smile at her.

“No, that’s quite alright.” Winna narrowed her eyes again, knowing he’d only fluster her again, which was absolutely correct. He meant to describe, in great detail, how he dreamed of her wearing the red formal dress she’d tried on in Ama’s shop, the one that had been too small, almost nightly since he’d seen her wearing it in the dressing room. Though to be fair, she'd been beautiful in all of the dresses she'd worn that day.

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“You know me too well.” He snickered.

“Yes, and yet somehow I still let you kiss me!” she rolled her pretty dark eyes at him.

“Which I’m very grateful for.” Lear bent and did just that.

As they kissed, he heard the noise of someone approaching on the road that led to the cottage, and pulled away, muttering, “Another visitor? Really, why do they always have to come in the morning?”

“I guess they want to be able to get whatever it is dealt with before getting to the rest of their day.” Winna extracted herself from his arms, much to his displeasure. “Are they human?”

He flicked his second set of eyes open for a brief moment. “Yes, yes. It’s safe.” he sighed. “I really wish they wouldn't interrupt, I wasn’t done making you blush.”

“There will be other times, I’m sure.” Winna laughed as she drifted towards the door.

Lear darted over to her, putting his hands on her waist, and leaning down until his lips brushed against her neck to whisper, “Later, then.”

Her felt her shiver, “Lear!”

Lear chuckled, then stepped back as the visitor knocked on the door.

Winna stepped forward and shot him an annoyed look before opening the door. “Good morning! How can I help you?”

“Good morning, Winna.” A woman stood on the doorstep. She was older than Winna, and seemed to be around the same age as Ama, which meant she was probably in her late fifties or early sixties. “I’ve come to consult you on a matter that I hope you can help me with.”

“I’m happy to help, please come in out of the cold.” the young mage stepped aside, admitting the visitor. She motioned at Lear, “This is Lear, he’s staying here until he’s healed.”

“Pleased to meet you.” Lear bowed slightly.

“You’re the fey boy, then?” her tone was a little insolent.

“Well, I’m clearly not human, am I?” he arched an eyebrow at her.

“No, I suppose not.” she muttered. “It’s because of one of your lot that I’m having to come here at all!”

“Please don’t be rude to Lear because you feel another fey person is causing you problems, Mrs. Tinna.” Winna said coolly, “I will help, if I can, but I won’t tolerate rudeness, especially when you’re the one asking me for help. If it is indeed related to a fey person, I’ll probably need Lear’s help anyways.”

“Fine.” the woman huffed.

Lear smirked at her over Winna’s head, then turned and went back to the kitchen.

“Now, how can I help you?” Winna asked, tone businesslike.

“Some tree spirit has enchanted my son.”

“Dryad or hamadryad?” Lear asked, pulling the biscuits from the over.

“How should I know? You’re all the same to me!” Mrs. Tinna scoffed.

“I assure you, fey folk are all very different.” Lear straightened, giving her his most chilling smile. “And neither are nearly as dangerous as I am.”

Mrs. Tinna blanched, but riled, “Don’t you go threatening me!”

“Unless you can be civil, get out of my cottage!” Winna snapped, going back to the door and throwing it open.

“I didn’t threaten you. I just said I was dangerous. It’s a statement of fact. Don’t kick her out too quickly, Winna, I can handle racist assholes.” Lear shook his head, keeping his tone mild.

“Such language!” Mrs. Tinna was suddenly full of righteous indignation.

“You brought it on yourself, lady.” Winna replied coldly, but let the door swing shut. “You have one more chance. You better make it count.”

Mrs. Tinna stewed for a moment, then finally spoke again. “Like I said, my son has been enchanted by a tree spirit. All he does is sit under the tree anymore and talk to her. He won’t eat, won’t come in, won’t sleep. It’ll be the death of him!”

“Sounds like a dryad.” Lear sighed. “Normally they’re peaceful, but every so often, something like this will happen. They’re very attractive."

“Well, I don’t appreciate it!” Mrs. Tinna snapped.

“Frankly, I don’t care how you feel, but I do worry for your son.” Winna told her icily. “Lear and I will discuss the matter and we’ll be along shortly. Please leave.”

“I don’t want any other fey person setting foot on my property!” she stamped her foot, apparently doing her best impersonation of an angry toddler.

The young mage rolled her eyes. “Well, I can’t break any enchantment. As you well know, I’m just a healer. Lear is the one who’ll be the most helpful, so if you don’t let him on your property, you’ll be sentencing your son to death.”

Mrs. Tinna bristled. “Why you little strumpet! How dare you-”

Lear’s anger truly flared, and he abandoned setting the table. Daring over to the woman, he flicked his second set of eyes open, extending his claws, and set free his wings in a fraction of a second. He caught the rude visitor by the collar of her coat, and lifted her bodily from the ground, cutting her words off as he hissed, “Enough!”

The woman gave an awkward squawk as she dangled in the air.

“Lear!” Winna squeaked in surprise, her tone very worried.

“I can take any insult you throw at me, but I will not tolerate you speaking that way to Winna!” He hissed. Carrying Mrs. Tinna to the door, he threw it open. Lear stalked across the porch, down the steps, and then carried her quite a ways down the path before dropping her back on her feet. “Now go away! We’ll be along to help your son but not because you deserve our help! And don’t you ever speak of Winna in such a way ever again. I’ll tell every fey person in the entire region, of which there are many, that if you do treat her like this again, they’re to do what they can to harm you!”

“Lear! That’s quite enough!” Winna cried as she hurried towards them.

“Now leave!” Lear snarled, letting magic crackle menacingly across his shoulders, though it was really harmless.

The woman turned and fled.

The fey man watched in satisfaction.

“You’re not really going to do that, are you?” Winna’s expression and tone was deeply concerned as she came to stand next to him.

“What?” he turned to her, blinking in confusion and shutting his heat-sensitive eyes.

“Tell your kin to harm her!”

“Oh, no. I don’t have that kind of power. We’re very stubborn, and don’t like being told what to do, that’s why our royalty and government always have so much trouble keeping us in line.” Lear snorted. “I just wanted to scare her.”

“Well, I think you managed it.” she muttered.

“What a terrible woman!” he laughed a little, shielding his eyes and watching the woman's hasty retreat.

Winna shook her head, sighing, “I actually know her son, Wulf. He’s a good man. Just a couple years younger than me. We were in school together.”

“Oh?” Lear felt a flicker of jealousy, and reached out to take her hand.

They turned and walked back towards the house. “Yes.”

“Is he handsome?”

“Mm.” she frowned. “I guess he’s handsome enough.”

“I see.” he muttered.

Winna arched an eyebrow at him as they went back inside. “Please don’t tell me you plan to try and seduce him once the enchantment is broken just to get back at his mother?”

“While I’m not above that in theory, no. I would never cheat on you.”

“I was only joking…but that’s good to know.” She smiled at him.

They finally sat down to eat breakfast.

Finally, he couldn't keep from asking, “Do you really think he’s handsome?”

“Lear, you’re not jealous, are you?” Winna smiled in vague amusement at him.

“Yes. I don’t want you to like anyone other than me.” he mumbled, pouting.

“You’re the one that asked if I thought he was handsome! Besides, I didn’t say I liked him like that, anyways. All I said is that he’s handsome in response to your question. That’s it. You’re also far more handsome, you ridiculous idiot!” she threw her hands into the air in exasperation.

“How much more handsome?” Lear smirked, propping his chin up on his hand.

Winna rolled her eyes, “I’m not going to humor you. Just take my word for it.”

“Did he ever try it on with you, like Paz did?”

“No, he’s a good man, like I said.” she shook her head, shrugging.

“Despite his irritating mother, apparently.”

“Apparently.” She echoed.