“Oh hey, do me a favor?” He waited for me to turn and look at him. “Send Erith out with another smoke.”
Vivian
My cabin didnothave room for two Quadmos, three Arielnas, a Pyran, and little old me—but fuck if we didn’t make it work that night. Blankets were scattered across the entirety of my bedroom floor. The table was rolled onto its side and held up by the log stools in the kitchen. When I’d woken up in the middle of the night to pee, it’d been like a damn obstacle course to get to the bathroom. By the time I’d returned to my bed,somebodyhad started snoring like a chainsaw, making my attempts to fall back asleep nearly futile. I woke up exhausted, but I’d never felt safer. Less alone. The irony wasn’t lost on me that I’d run away from daddy dearest's murder den only to end up surrounded by hitmen, but at least these guys weren’t evil.
Ida and I were the last ones remaining in the cabin the next morning. She was smitten with Nurghle and saying a proper goodbye to him before leaving. Nurghle’s no-thoughts little head was cradled in her palms while she told him to behave himself.
“Hey Ida, before you go, can I ask you something?”
She broke eye contact with my cat to look at me. “Sure you can.”
“Are you happy in Drifael? Like… is being there everything you dreamed of?”
It was a big change from where she’d lived her entire life, and I couldn’t help but worry it might be a “more romantic in theory than practice” thing. That she may get homesick for her old cabin. It had all happened so fast, there wasn’t much time to second guess the decision.
She smiled, her eyes creasing warmly at their corners. “I would’ve been fine staying in the cabin until my dying days, Vivian. But I’m better in Drifael. Business is so good I’ll have enough money to buy Theo’s ‘spare home’off him by the end of summer.” She winked at me, a reminder that Theo’s well-intended attempt at being subtle hadn’t fooled anybody. “I can see people whenever I want. I’ve reconnected with old friends. If I get bored, I can just get up and walk to the market. I’m in my prime.”
I returned her smile and leaned forward on the mattress we were seated on for a hug. A jealous Nurghle meowed to our sides.
“Is having a home everything you hoped it would be, Vivian?”
“Everything and more.”
Our hearts full from our moment alone, we stepped outside to join the group about to head on their way. I passed out satchels of blackberries as parting gifts.
“Is there anything you guys need before we go back to Virylan?” Mykie asked. “Ragen and I can afford one more supplies run before Arne tracks us down and asks what the fuck is taking so long.”
“How’d you get so much time off anyways?” Theo laughed.
“Visiting the only known field occupied by a goddess when there’s a potential crisis?” Mykie raised a scaled brow. “We’re on the clock.”
“Actually, if you don’t mind—” I cut in self-consciously. “Could you bring us some meat?”
“I thought you couldn’t eat meat?” Mykie reflected, her head tilting curiously. “Is Theo afraid to dirty his hands these days and hunt for you?”
I was surprised to hear a growl come from Theo in response. It must have struck a nerve—being accused of failing to provide.
“No, no!” I objected, patting his chest with my hand to soothe him. “But nothing on this mountain reallybleeds, and the forest creatures begging for food make me sad.” I realized how ridiculous I sounded as I said the words, but they were out there.
An amused, toothy grin spanned Mykie’s face. “I see why you guys work so well together, Theo. This goddess is fucking insane.” It was said affectionately. “Sure, babe, we’ll bring you some meat for your backyard monsters. Anythingyouwant?”
“Paint brushes,” Theo cut in. “And maybe some paint if you have the room.”
“Oh! Yes!” I beamed. “That would be incredible!”
“Raw meat and painting supplies, coming right up."
I was having trouble settling after another eventful day. Mykie and Ragen had returned with supplies, opting not tospend the night this time in the name of getting back to Virylan sooner.
Painting had commenced immediately. Supplies were limited, so I focused on what made the biggest impact. I’d picked a smokey gray color for the front door to complement the blackberry-stained walls. Once it’d gotten too dark to see my handiwork, I moved inside to paint our cabinets the same color. They were filled to the brim with salted meats in jars.
Ragen, much like Theo, was a living moving truck. Mykie had strapped that man to the limit with supplies, including things we didn’t ask for, like a whole ass washing tub. Theo was already trying to find a way to expand the cabin to accommodate the addition, since I’d been so excited about the notion ofbaths. Afterall, we had nothing but time on our hands to dick around and make this field our own. I might eventually have a hand-built castle here if I truly lived forever.
I was skeptical immortality was on the table, but still mentally preparing for it. And if I could stop Ida’s hands from aging… who’s to say I couldn’t keep Nurghle and Theo healthy forever too? We needed hobbies and passion projects. Luxuries I never thought I’d have.
Next to me in bed, out cold, Theo stirred against my back. His arms loosened slightly from their hold around my waist and one of his cocks shifted inside of me, not having been removed after the evening’s fucking.
Usually, I could sleep like this just fine. It was comforting. We liked to feel each other’s heart beats while we slept, sharing a body. Tonight, however, my mind was racing. I fluctuated between being horny and restless. I could only roll my hips with him inside of me until I cameso many timesbefore my pussy got tired.
