Chapter 38:

Swaying trees shifted in the wind, the fresh scent drifting to my nostrils. I couldn’t help but smile. Gale, standing next to me, seemed to have his mood lightened by the smell. I hooked a pinky around his and leaned my shoulder into him. 

“Pretty.”

He smiled. “Yeah.”

The cabin stood with the majesty of a mansion. Cabin? Yeah right, Mira had been downplaying her family’s fortune quite it a bit. It looked more like a fortress…

I turned my eyes to Gale. “Think it has a bar?”

“How could it not?”

“We should investigate. It might be suspicious.”

I stepped forward, pulling my chuckling boyfriend along. If he was feeling down from everything…well, I’d just make him cheer up. How could he refuse me? I was too cute to say no to.

I saluted to Draven and Mira. They were still unpacking, and shot us somewhat dangerous looks as we left. I didn’t see Ronaldo. Whatever. Draven could handle it. Maybe he had some magic spell to drag luggage in. I snorted.

The interior of the cabin was no less luxurious than its shell. Masterfully carved wooden furniture and decorations hung across the place, leaving my mouth agape. 

“Damn.”

Gale silently walked to a nearby counter. Stepping behind it, he grabbed a few bottles, a couple of cups, and some ingredients. He poured differing mixtures into a metal cup and clasped it together.

“Wait—you were a bartender?” My voice was incredulous as I lifted myself onto the seat in front of me. 

“Part-time. When my aunt could cover.”

“Since when?”

He smiled at me, his golden locks swaying with a devilish charm. “Maybe it was for you.”

I laughed. “What? Were you getting ready to ‘wow’ me in the other world when we finally met up?”

Gale shook a metal cup full of alcohol and poured some into the cup in front of me. He dabbed his finger in the salt, before lining the cup with it. I watched his finger slowly trace the edge, my face somewhat heating.

He looked up, his lips curved. 

“Did it work?”

Yes.

I reached out, grabbed his finger, and lifted it to my mouth. I looked him in the eyes as I cleaned it off for him. I released it with a final teasing lick.

I smiled slyly. “Did mine?”

The muscles in his jaw twitched. Ha, serves you right. What right did he have being this good at everything?

“Aria…”

His voice was gruff. Damn, had that worked better than I thought it would? It was a good thing other people were here…I might’ve ended up bearing this guy’s children in a few months. 

Hmm.

Maybe…?

Nah, Demon Lord to kill. I grabbed the drink Gale made me and sipped at it. Damn! What the hell?! Was this his subclass?

I couldn’t stop. I slammed the glass back down, having drained it. “Another.”

He stared at me. Suddenly, he smiled. “What’re you gonna do for me?”

I raised my eyebrow. Bartering? How shrewd. “What do you want me to do?”

He leaned over the counter, whispering in my ear. “Finish what you started. Now.”

…What? Now?! My face burned, and I looked at him like he was an idiot. “Can’t you wait until tonight?!”

A brilliant light flashed in his eye. “Deal.”

He looked down and started making me another drink.

Hmm. Yeah. Damn, he really got me, huh?

Somehow, I didn’t mind. Though if he wanted to do that… 

I don’t think I was quite ready yet. 

***

Mira and Draven collapsed on the wicker couch, aggrieved expressions on their faces. 

Draven rolled his squinted eyes at me. “Thanks for the help.”

Still a bit tipsy, I turned my head towards him. With a pout, I lifted my arm, flexing it. The similarity to a matchstick was uncanny. “What’d you want me to bring in? The lantern?”

Gale snorted. “Don’t you have a magic strength buff?”

“Shut up.”

Mira leaned forward, her posture recovering a bit. “You all are guests here. If anything, I apologize you were needed, Draven.” 

He waved his hand in the air, dismissing the issue. “Whatever.”

I looked over. “Are you starting the code-cracking tomorrow?”

He grimaced. “Luggage, code-cracking, what next, am I the maid?”

I shrugged. “If you wanna be, I guess. I won’t stop you.”

His head shook. “No, you should stop me. Absolutely stop me if I say anything like that. It’s not me.”

What, was he going to get snatched up by a skin-walker? Actually, would that be possible in this world? Hmm. Yeah, Gale wasn’t leaving my side tonight. I shot him a watery sob. He reached over and pat my head.

Hehe. Girlfriend privileges were too strong. 

“Hey, Mira.”

She looked at me. “Yes?”

“Can we go fishing?”

Mira nodded. “There is a sizable lake nearby. Are you going now?”

“Yup. Let’s go, Gale.”

He blinked. “Now?”

“Daylight’s burning.” I slammed the rest of my drink, my head a bit dizzy from the still-lingering buzz. “Grab a bottle, too.”

“Thought you were going fishing,” Draven mumbled.

“Are you kidding?” I smiled at him. “Drinking’s the best part.”

***

Whoosh!

Gale’s line shot forth, spearing into the water nearly forty feet offshore. I whistled. 

“Not bad. Step aside.”

I elbowed him over and stepped to the end of the bank. I tensed my muscles and summoned all my strength. “Hyah!”

Plop.

Ah. 

“Did you do it yet?”

I blushed, looking over at Gale. His lips were curled in a victorious grin. “Shut up.”

I reeled it back in. Thank god for these poles. I was half convinced we’d be using sticks and vines. I’d long since given up understanding this world’s technology. Floating cities—why not fishing poles?

I cast again, this time a respectable twenty or so feet. I puffed up, grinning at Gale.

He rubbed the small of my back with his offhand. “Not bad.”

We settled onto the soft grass. I moved around, adjusting my skirt. “If bugs crawl on me I’m gonna freak…”

He pushed himself over, pressing against me. His arm wrapped around, drawing me close. “I’ve got you.”

This guy…still flirting? I lifted my head and smooched the bottom of his chin. “I’m lucky.”

“Yup.”

“At least deny it.”

His head leaned sideways, resting against mine. The intimate gesture left me surprised, but grinning.  I wrapped my hand in his, clasping our fingers. The pole fell to his side, forgotten. The warmth was addicting, leaving me squeezing it in different ways just to see how it felt. 

“I forgot what it was like to not be in a rush constantly.”

He hummed. “We needed a rest.”

I nudged his shoulder with mine. “Don’t get too comfortable. I might get stabbed again.”

He lifted his head slightly, looking me in the eyes. “That won’t happen again.”

I turned my head, hoping he wouldn’t see my smile. “You’re such a cheeseball.”

Before he could say anything, I popped open the bottle beside me and shoved the end into his mouth. “Let’s get drunk.”

His answer was to tilt his head back. It was obvious he was still feeling off. I really needed to get this Hero back on track…now was no time for an edgy all-is-lost arc. 

The day passed with the warmth of both the sun and the man beside me. The moon was peaking over the trees before we’d even thought about moving. The quiet…it was just too peaceful. Something caught my eye, and I sat up quickly.

I gasped, pointing at the edge of the forest. “Gale! Fireflies!”

I hadn’t seen those since I was a kid! Gale, who had been laying flat on the grass with me, sat up and stared with wide eyes. 

Countless points of light flickered into being across the way, before slowly spilling out over the water. I watched, awed, as myriad sparks reflected in the lake, the water now holding the echo of stars overhead. It was a few minutes until I could make myself move.

His hand gripped tighter, drawing my gaze. He wasn’t looking at the lake. Gale was looking at me, his eyes gentle. That nostalgic sight, those irises reflecting the light of the world snatched my breath away.

I leaned in, smiling at him. “Always looking at me? Don’t you get tired of the view?”

His hand lifted, brushing my hair behind my ear, fingers trailing down my cheek. “How could I?”

My heart skipped a beat. 

Hahhh this guy! This damn guy! So cheesy!

The grin I tried to hold back slipped onto my face, along with a flush of heat. “I don’t even get why you like someone like me.”

His lips lifted, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes. “I feel the same.”

I froze. “What? The hell are you talking about?”

“Don’t you…” He averted his gaze. “Don’t you find what I did disgusting?”

That. I was hoping to distract him from that. Just for tonight. For today. I was hoping he could forget. 

Well, maybe I’d make him.

I glared at Gale. “Why would I find you disgusting?”

“…Aria. I killed someone.”

“Yeah. To protect someone else.”

His hands clenched. “We didn’t even have to be there. He didn’t have to die.”

I leaned over, cupping his cheek with my hand. “You were protecting me. They would have killed me. And you didn’t see everything they were doing in there…it was awful.”

I watched his throat bob. My eyes misted. Hahh…what was I going to do with him?

“Hey, Gale.”

He looked up, his eyes shaking.

I met his gaze, my eyes stern.

“Do I find you disgusting?”

He held his breath.

I leaned in, meeting his lips. I took the initiative, pressing my tongue inward, surprising him. Heat burned between us, and we fell into the grass. I was straddled over him, rubbing his cheek with my thumb, and finally pulled away just far enough to talk.

We were breathless, heaving. “Disgusting? How could I?”

I kissed his nose. “I couldn’t hate you, Gale.”

Gale looked at me, his eyes piercing. What a cute, dumb face. So serious. 

I smiled. My voice came soft, gentle, sweeter than honey.

“Hey, Gale.”

His eyes wavered.

“I fucking love you.”

I leaned back in.