"That's how it should be." I squeeze her fingers gently. "A bond should strengthen you, not cage you."
Killian stirs behind her, his voice a sleep-rough rumble. "She's awake?"
"Yeah," I confirm, grinning.
He props himself up on one elbow, leaning over to press a kiss to Regina's shoulder where his mark sits. "How do you feel?"
Regina laughs softly. "Micah already asked me that."
He snorts. "And?"
"Good. Apparently my tank is full."
Rowan shifts on her other side, roused by our conversation. "Any residual effects from the ritual? Dizziness? Unusual sensations?"
"I feel like I ran a marathon and then got the best massage of my life," Regina says with a soft, groggy laugh. "Everything's kind of pleasantly sore."
"That's my fault," Sean says, stretching out languidly until Killian shoves his leg away. "Monster dick. Sorry."
"Dumbass," Rowan mutters under his breath, turning back to Regina. "Your body went through a ton of magical stress. The soreness should fade by tomorrow."
"In the meantime, we need to make sure you rest and stay nourished," Killian says, climbing out of bed. "Speaking of which, someone needs to make breakfast."
"I vote not me," I say immediately.
"Seconded," Sean adds.
Killian narrows his eyes at us. "We could settle this like adults."
Regina looks between us with growing curiosity. "What does that mean?"
"Lasers, nukes, and chainsaws," I explain, already forming my hand into position. "It's how we decide things."
"Wait, what?" Regina asks, cocking an eyebrow.
"Because rock paper scissors isn't cool enough," Sean says, like it should be obvious. He's already got his fist locked and loaded.
Regina stares at us like we've collectively lost our minds. "I'm sorry, lasers, nukes, and what now?"
"Chainsaws," Killian says, as if this is perfectly reasonable. "Lasers cut through chainsaws, chainsaws slice through nukes, nukes vaporize lasers. Standard hierarchy."
"That makes absolutely no sense."
"It makes perfect sense," Sean says with a wide grin. "Chainsaws can't be irradiated because they're too badass. Everyone knows this."
"Everyone where?" Regina asks, her lips quivering like she's trying not to laugh. "In what universe is that common knowledge?"
"This one. The universe we live in." Sean sits up, running a hand through his disheveled hair. "You'll learn to love it, Storm."
"Highly doubtful."
Despite her protests, Regina watches with evident fascination as we all form our chosen shapes. On three, we throw—and I curse under my breath when my chainsaw gets vaporized by Killian's nuke. Rowan's laser cuts through Sean's chainsaw.
"Draw," Killian declares.
Second round commences. Killian and Sean both throw laser, Rowan and I throw nuke.
"Ha!" I crow triumphantly. "Kitchen duty for you losers!"
