"Chose. Right." Skepticism drips from the word.
"She did. And when you're ready, she and the other human women here will probably want to talk to you. Help you settle in." I pack up my kit. "But that's for later. Right now, you all need food, clean water, and rest. We have cabins prepared."
The dark-haired woman stands, her body language still defensive but less hostile. "What's the catch?"
"No catch. You're free to leave whenever you want. But you all need to heal, and you're safer here than out there alone."
She studies me for a long moment, then nods slowly. "We'll stay. For now."
It's not trust. But it's a start.
By the timeI make it home, the sun has set and exhaustion drags at my bones. The cabin is warm and lit from within, smoke curling from the chimney. Home.
Ressa looks up when I enter, setting aside the book she was reading. She takes one look at my face and crosses to me, her arms sliding around my waist.
"Bad?"
"Bad." I hold her tight, breathing in the familiar scent of her hair. "Eight of them. All traumatized. All hurt in ways that will take time to heal."
"Like me."
"Yes. Like you." I pull back enough to see her face. "One of them especially. Sharp-tongued, protective, ready to fight despite being terrified. Reminded me of you that first day."
Ressa's expression softens. "Will they be okay?"
"Physically, yes. Emotionally..." I shrug. "That depends on them. On whether they can find safety here. People who make them feel like staying is worth the risk."
"People like you did for me."
"People like you'll be for them," I correct. "Once they're settled, once they're ready, you and Saela and Shae can show them this place isn't like where they came from."
She nods slowly, already thinking ahead. "I'd like that. Helping them. Giving back what was given to me."
"You're extraordinary. You know that?"
"I'm practical." But she's smiling as she says it. "And I love that you spent all day helping traumatized humans instead of doing literally anything else. It's very you."
"Is that a compliment?"
"It is." She tugs me toward the bedroom. "Now come to bed before you fall over. You look exhausted."
"I am." But I follow willingly, already feeling the tension drain from my shoulders. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"Being here. Being you. Loving me despite my terrible jokes and complete inability to not bring work home."
She pushes me down onto the bed and climbs into my lap, her hands framing my face. "I love you because of those things, not despite them. You're good, Falla. Good all the way through. It's one of the reasons I chose you."
"One of them?"
"Well, the other reasons are decidedly less wholesome." She kisses me softly. "But we can explore those later. For now, just rest."
I pull her down beside me, tucking her against my chest. She fits perfectly there, her body relaxing into mine like we were designed to complement each other.
"I'm glad you're here," I murmur into her hair.
"Me too." Her fingers trace idle patterns on my chest. "Even on days like this. Especially on days like this."
