After the moment of prayer in front of Veera’s shrine, Winters changed out of his armor and into his more standard attire. Though he wasn’t nearly so concerned about company as Veera, who had returned to musing and muttering over their various collections of food and resources, he did pause to run a hand through his hair in a futile attempt to establish a part. It wasn’t long enough yet to form knots, but it was certainly growing far outside of military regulation.

‘Need a hand?’ Io offered, holding up a mirror to her own hair. Knowing that she was about to spend the majority of the night on her own, she’d let down her bun and tied it in a loose ponytail, moving her head from side to side in order to appreciate the new look from various angles. Winters laughed at her borderline vanity.

“Compared to you, I think I’m something of a lost cause. Should I even bother trying or just leave it messed up?” He asked, pleasantly surprised to see his own reflection as Io turned the mirror on him.

‘Well, you certainly earn points for self-awareness sir. Why don’t you just rake it back a few times? At this length I can’t see it cooperating much beyond that.’ Winters carried out her suggestion, shrugging as his hair settled enough to establish something that could be reasonably construed as a ‘look’. He and Io both shrugged.

“How is your hair always perfect?”

‘Do you really need an answer to that? Did you hit your head somewhere? Is all that hair squeezing your brain inside your helmet?’ Io’s response had him gaping momentarily.

“I think that was an unnecessarily savage response to a compliment,” Winters informed her, earning him a raised eyebrow of her own before Io turned away from him and cast a most haughty look over her shoulder.

‘My hair is always perfect because I am always perfect sir. But…’ She turned back to him. ‘Thank you for the compliment.’

“Feeling a little left out?” He guessed, squatting so that he was eye level with her projection. Io gave him puppy eyes and nodded. “How about some family time before our guests arrive then?”

‘I…would like that very much,’ Io admitted, her mood turning from standoffish to reserved in an instant. Winters just smiled at her and called out to Veera.

“Veera please! Neither of them is going to care if the salt is next to the tea or vice versa! Come spend a bit of time with us,” he requested, earning a very flustered look from his girlfriend as she nevertheless complied and joined him by the bed.

“Excuse me for taking this seriously. I’ll have you know that hosting is very important-” Veera was silenced with a kiss that Winters wouldn’t cease, struggling briefly before giving into him. She finally turned her head away, gasping for breath. “You can’t…win…every argument…that way!” She insisted.

“These results indicate the contrary.” His smirk earned him a wary but smoldering look from Veera. “Listen feather kitten, I understand what you’re trying to do. Let’s just make sure that they’re comfortable and well fed, alright?” After looking back at their stockpiles for a moment, his cauthan agreed.

“Very well Russell. What shall we do then?”

“I thought we could take a bit of time to work on your letters. If I recall you were interested in some lessons from me? And Io can project now too!” He offered, pleased to see Io standing next to a large grid featuring all of the letters of the English alphabet. Grabbing the pen from his survival kit, he presented it to Veera. “Might as well use a real writing implement if you’re going to learn, right?” Veera, who’d technically not yet been consulted regarding her participation in Winters’ proposed activity, nodded eagerly and took the thin object from him, holding it up to her nose between two fingers.

“How does it work?”

“Well for today I thought we could just use it to draw in the dirt. But inside there’s a black liquid that will stain certain material if you run the pen over it. It’s a very simple mechanic, one that’s been around for many years among my people. Go ahead and press down on the top,” Winters encouraged. Veera nodded and took the entirety of the pen in her fist for good measure, pressing down with the palm of her other hand. As the pen clicked into place, she looked back at him.

“What happened?”

“Check the other end.”

“Oh wow!” Veera exclaimed, noticing a fine metal point had protruded from the downward facing end of the instrument. Curiosity getting the better of her, she brought the tip to rest on the pad of a fingertip before moving it around, recoiling immediately as she saw the thin black line the pen left in its wake. Winters tried to hold in his laugh as she made to lick her pad clean. Io waved her to a halt.

‘Veera I would advise you not to do that. While ink is not toxic to humans we don’t know if that holds true for you. It is not permanent. It will rub off in due time, probably very quickly if you are preparing dinner. If you would prefer you could simply wash it off.’ Veera considered Io’s suggestions before holding out her hand to her boyfriend.

“Please?” She requested. He chuckled.

“Hard to say no to you. Give me a minute.” He stood to rummage through his pack. After a quick application of water and soap, Veera’s finger was returned to its prior state and Winters showed her how to retract the writing tip of the pen. Her curiosity satisfied, Veera began her lesson in earnest. Io pronounced each letter in turn, making sure that Veera heard the dual pronunciations of each vowel. Veera then attempted to speak and recreate each letter on the dirt floor, with Winters kneeling next to her and assisting with establishing a proper grip on the pen. As they went on, he showed her the most logical places to start and stop writing the letters after she’d given each her own attempt. With a steady rhythm established, they managed to get through R before they heard voices outside. Io winked away as Zolta and Asha’s conversation became clearer.

“Do you think this is the one?”

“Well, it does have a pretty beat up door.”

“Zolta! They’re our hosts for this evening! There’s no need to be so rude.” Winters and Veera laughed through their noses as Asha admonished her mate.

“It’s just the way Winters described it! It’s not my fault!”

“Ooh, wrong move Zolta.” Winters whispered sympathetically as they heard the faint thwack of Asha’s reprimand. “Should we intervene before he gets in too deep?”

“Much as that would be entertaining, I wish to hear nothing more about my door this evening. Go ahead love, I’ll stoke the fire,” Veera agreed, planting a small kiss on his cheek before rising to her task. Winters poked his head out into the street.

“Hey you two! Glad you found the place alright. C’mon in!” Winters offered kindly. The two were both wearing chesko cloaks, though Asha’s seemed to fit her better. He suspected she had tailored it herself after the fact. Both were wearing clothing similar to what they sported at the festival underneath. Zolta was carrying a small leather wrap of some sort, likely containing food, while Asha sported a satchel similar to Veera’s. The accessory further attested to her artistic nature, as Winters could see a simple skyscape woven onto the outer flap thanks to the firelight pouring into the street. Zolta is indeed a lucky male, he thought. Dating Veera was slowly giving him a basis on which to compare the beauty of other Cathan females.

“Oh by Seil, we can’t understand a word you’re saying Winters!” An exasperated Zolta was led inside by a tittering Asha. As the two ladies greeted one another with some sort of feathered display, Winters dug around his armor and procured the earpiece that Zolta was familiar with. Accepting it gratefully, he addressed Winters again.

“Thanks for having us over by the way.”

“No problem kid, was long overdue.”

“Seriously? You’re still not over that?”

“I told you Zolta, I like the nickname. No offense intended.”

“Fine, fine,” the young smith grumbled, earning him a sympathetic look from his mate. As the two men approached the fire, they found Asha and Veera seated on the new chairs, testing the fit and talking with one another in hushed tones.

“So,” Winters began. “Sorry to interrupt you two, but how can Zolta and I-”

“Why don’t you two head out for a walk?” Veera suggested. Winters and Zolta looked at each other.

“Uh, Veera don’t you need help with-”

“No, no! You two will only get in the way. It’s not a particularly large fire anyways,” Veera reasoned with a challenging look.

“Are you sure?” Zolta asked timidly, not sure where he fit into the conversation. Asha waved a paw at him.

“Shoo shoo my mate! Come back later and maybe we’ll let you try something tasty,” Asha declared, looking to Veera for confidence.

“Your mate is a terrible influence, you know that Winters?” Zolta asked, turning to find that the human had snatched his cloak and run out the door.

“You really need to learn when to shut your damn mouth Zolta!” He yelled from the street, laughing as the smith joined him a second or two later, nursing a paw.

“Damn those spoons hurt!”

“You brought this upon yourself man.” Winters shrugged.

“Says the guy who also just got kicked out of his own house?”

“You got me there. So…where to?” Winters asked, prompting Zolta to search the dark and clouded sky.

“I’ve got an idea. Should be suitably manly enough. Let’s go.” Zolta began walking toward the north road, pausing as he realized Winters was still looking at the doorway. The warm, orange firelight that spilled out into the darkened street was accentuated by the laughter of Asha and Veera. Winters found himself unable to stop a broad smile as his chest grew warm. With a nod, he turned and lengthened his strides to draw even with Zolta and the two continued down the road. “Seriously Winters, whenever Asha spends time with Veera she rubs off on her,” Zolta informed him, sounding worried.

“Zolta, knowing Veera as I do, I cannot understand how that could possibly be a bad thing.” Winters gave the kid a light punch on the shoulder.

“Maybe you’d understand if your mate’s parents walked in on you as she’s taking your shirt off!” Zolta hissed, eliciting a peal of laughter from the human.

“Like I said Zolta, definitely not a bad thing!”

“How, exactly? It’s not like we kept going!”

“Because the woman who’s only ‘societal obligation’ to you is to bear your child wants to have fun with you while doing it. That’s why,” Winters suddenly grew serious, causing Zolta to fall silent. As they turned onto the main northern avenue, the young smith spoke up again.

“What happened to you…to make you like this?” He asked, eliciting a look of mild surprise from under Winters’ cowl.

“What do you mean ‘like this’?”

“Like…you acted like I just spat on your mother’s shrine. It’s just mating,” Zolta ventured. Winters exhaled deeply and looked up, disappointed that he could see no stars. They reminded him of Jess.

“Only a virgin could say something like that,” he chuckled, more to himself than his companion. As Zolta made to protest he raised a hand. “Give me a second Zolta, let me finish. I hope you aren’t jumping down Asha’s throat like this all the time.”

“No…definitely not.”

“Good on you. Anyway, I know I already told you about what happened when I got dumped on your planet, so I don’t see the need to repeat that story but…let’s just say that becoming one with a woman who cares about you, who’s willing to love you in spite of your faults, and mine are myriad…there’s nothing like it. Now before you get all upset at me about you ‘not loving’ Asha or something, I admit that I might be at fault here. I might be looking at your relationship from the perspective of human sexuality and that just might not be right, you know?” He finished, allowing Zolta a chance to reply. The cauthan gave Winters a thoughtful look.

“Your…former lover. You speak of her like she changed you.” Winters nodded as they turned again towards the west gate.

“She did Zolta. And if you’re lucky, Asha will change you too, for the better.” He clapped Zolta on the shoulder. “So, are we going to the temple?”

“Abrupt change of subject, but yeah, we are.”

“Not a back alleys kind of person?”

“Why would we do that?”

“Shorter.”

“Yeah, if you don’t mind the possibility of stepping in shit.”

“Fair point,” Winters acknowledged, falling silent for a moment as they passed a guard on patrol. “Zolta, is there much crime in your village?”

“Why do you ask?”

“Just curious. I’ve been here a while now and it seems like I haven’t heard about anything. No theft, no murder, no swindling.”

“If you get caught, you face Vash or Antoth depending on your crime. And if you think the guard captain is any more merciful in the face of criminals, you’d be dead wrong,” Zolta detailed with a nod of approval.

“So what happened to the last guy?”

“Some idiot decided he didn’t like the outcome of the festival a couple years back, tried to take a girl against her will. He suffered what Vash was about to do to Veera before you saved her.” Winters winced involuntarily.

“I don’t disapprove, but ouch, that’s gotta hurt.”

“Like I said, not much crime. The guards keep it that way. It works.”

“Clearly. So, guy’s night at the temple of Tyrdus eh? What’s inside?” Winters asked excitedly, following Zolta into the building. For whatever reason, it was bereft of activity, with only a single smith at work in the main hall. Winters could faintly hear the sound of idle conversation coming from the living quarters, but it seemed that the vast majority of the disciples had gone home for the night. Zolta beckoned Winters to the right, where a faint red glow came from the forge room.

“Guess someone else was working metal today. Anyway, c’mon Russell, your first order is ready,” Zolta informed him with some amount of bravado. Winters punched the air.

“Ha! That’ll serve Veera right for kicking me out. Maybe I should bring home a new weapon every time she does that.”

“And you were giving me crap earlier?”

“I wasn’t dumb enough to make my opinions known in front of her,” Winters clarified, bowing his head slightly to step through the doorway. Zolta had already grabbed a spear off the wall.

“Let’s head back to the main room, better light.”

“Sure thing kid, looks like a nasty piece of work.”

“It was made to order.”

“Didn’t say I was displeased; let’s have a look then!” Zolta handed over the weapon to Winters, who took it in both hands, running his fingers along the leather grips that covered the locations where he would most likely hold the weapon when hunting. They were well fixed to the wooden surface, which had itself been finely smoothed and rounded, giving the piece a professional look. Choking up on the grip, he examined the spearhead and its fit in the pole. It was simple and sharp, opting for an elongated diamond shape as opposed to a curved profile at the widest point. At the place where the head and handle met, Winters saw that Zolta had accented each flat side of the blade with a hyrven tooth, fixed snugly into the wood. “Ooh boy, I’ll bet Ratha was none too happy about you taking teeth from her wall decoration.”

“She said you’d promised her an ursae skull and that the hyrven was just a placeholder,” Zolta laughed nervously. “So…do you like it?” Winters found Zolta’s sudden lack of confidence endearing, remembering that this was his first major piece as a smith. Turning around, he gripped the weapon and thrust through the air, getting a feel for the weight and balance of it. Satisfied after a few moments, he turned back.

“This is a damn good weapon kid, even if it’s your first piece. Have you started on the second?”

“No, I was waiting to get your feedback on this one.”

“You’re gonna go far kid. Like I said, this is great. No need to change things up unless you believe it would be an improvement. Thank you.”

“Hey, you paid in full, just business right? If anything I should be thanking you. I know my master told you about how I technically shouldn’t be doing my own jobs yet.”

“And that, my friend, is precisely why this isn’t ‘just business’. I intend to kill all manner of beastie with this, so thanks Zolta. Might go hunting tomorrow just to test it out.”

“Didn’t you just go today? Don’t you think that’s a bit much?”

“Uh…would that be breaking the rules? I definitely wouldn’t want to give Ratha an actual reason to hate me.”

“Well…no. But I don’t know too many who could down prey day after day like that.”

“I admit it’s not really any skill on my part. My armor is totally cheating,” Winters admitted in a low voice.

“I figured as much, you and your fancy magic. But Veera comes first, right?” Zolta ribbed him.

“Right you are kid. C’mon, let’s go sit and talk for a while. I’m sure the ladies aren’t done quite yet.”

“Sure thing. Tea? We don’t have anything good but it’s still something.”

“Nah, I’m fine, thanks though. Veera and I managed to get some good stuff from Thantis a while back. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind sharing tonight,” Winters suggested. Zolta agreed, but let out a worried sigh.

“I’m more worried about Asha. From the sound of it she’s heard about every single one of your freaky human…sex acts.” Zolta dropped his voice to a whisper as Winters doubled over in laughter, wondering in the back of his mind if Cauthan females had actually gotten the long end of the stick in terms of being biologically capable of experiencing sexual pleasure. His sample size was tiny, to be sure, but Asha was clearly far more into the whole idea than Zolta. “You have my sincerest apologies then Zolta,” Winters joked, putting an arm over the cauthan’s shoulders and walking them into the living area of the temple. No offense kid, but for Veera’s sake I hope my hypothesis is right. I wonder how the girls are doing…

-----

“You did what?!” Asha cried with excitement as Veera regaled her with the tale of how she’d first bared it all for her mate. “How did he take it?” She demanded, splitting her attention between a bubbling stew and the slicing of vegetables for skewers. Veera’s feathers fluttered as she remembered that night fondly, how her mate’s eyes had gone wide at the sight of her.

“He was thoroughly enraptured, to say nothing of when I plopped myself down on his lap.”

“Oh that’s just devious. I’ll have to try that with Zolta sometime. It’s been hard enough to…coax him out…so to speak,” Asha admitted, averting her eyes from Veera’s gaze. The elder female was carefully preparing tea for four on the hot stones of the fire pit. Asha had wisely brought the mugs they’d received at the festival from Winters.

“What’s wrong Asha?”

“He’s just a very private male, I think. He can’t let go, you know? I suppose getting found by my parents the other day didn’t help,” Asha trailed off. Veera could barely contain her giggles.

“By the twins that must have been quite the scene!”

“Well, I’d only just gotten his shirt off, but yes…I don’t think that’s helped.” Veera became more serious as the two continued their preparations.

“I’m sorry Asha. That sounds like a difficult situation. I can respect Zolta’s position. I’m not sure I’d like anyone watching me while I’m with Russell,” she said, looking over at where Io’s projection should have been. She tapped her earpiece twice.

‘I take that to mean I’m exempted from that statement. Thank you Veera. Your chest fur is quite attractive,’ Io concluded before going silent again. Veera felt the blood flow to her feathers, running a paw absently over her front.

“Veera?” Asha politely got her attention. “Are you alright?”

“Yes, sorry Asha, just drifted off there for a moment.”

“Thinking of your furless hunk of a male?” Asha waved a knife at her with playful accusation.

“You’re the one who’s always so curious you know!”

“Only because you’re always so eager to talk about him and his…wait…how large is he? Do you know?” Asha’s feathers were a riot of grey and white.

“I don’t know for sure. I mean, I’ve only ever felt it through his clothes. I feel awful sometimes for leaving him aroused and unfulfilled, but the only thing that outweighs the excitement is the fear,” Veera confided as Io silently processed the conversation with interest. “Ever since the festival really, when I first tried to…arouse him there. His otherness is thrilling and a bit terrifying.”

“At the festival? He wasn’t naked or anything…wait. Wait are you serious Veera? Are you saying what I think I’m hearing?” Asha pressed, having frozen in place. Veera removed the spoon from wide-eyed maiden’s hand and stirred the pot, returning it to her with a grin.

“That depends on what you think you heard.”

“Don’t beat around the bush Veera! He’s…he’s…” Her voice retreated to a tiny squeak. “His manhood is on the outside of his body, isn’t it? Like…all the time?”

“Mhm, that’s my alien lover for you!” Veera stated with pride, laughing as Asha seemed torn between leaping to her feet and keeling over. “Before you get the wrong idea though, it does seem to grow larger when he’s in the mood. I think their species would have quite the hard time if all their males walked around like that all the time!” Veera’s mirth returned as she imagined the ridiculous sight.

“So spill it then! How big? C’mon Veera, no one’s around. Tell me!” Asha implored, her curiosity overwhelming.

“I said I don’t know!”

“Well then guess! It sounds like you’ve been rubbing up against it for a cycle!” Veera felt her feathers waving faster as the conversation went on.

“Oh fine! Uh…maybe like this?” Veera placed her cooking utensils on a leather surface and held up her hands about seven inches apart, trying to remember how he felt against her stomach and taking off a small amount for his clothing.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” Asha said in disbelief, pulling herself into one of the chairs around the fire. Veera shook her head.

“Now do you understand why it’s a bit frightening? I don’t even know how…much space I have down there,” Veera lamented. Asha was not forthcoming with any sort of anatomical knowledge that might set her mind at ease.

“I’m sure he would understand if you told him. Has he been gentle with you otherwise?”

“I’ve been trying to figure out how to talk to him about it, but as to your question he’s quite gentle unless I indicate he shouldn’t be. He bites down pretty hard when I dig my claws into him, but he’s always very aware of my body.”

“Well then I guess you two will just have to hope for the best. It sounds like things are going well though! And at least you know how large you lover is.” Asha bemoaned her and Zolta’s utter lack of privacy.

“I will have a little chat with Russell tonight. If you’re given an opportunity, don’t waste it.” Veera stared straight at Asha, whose tail began waving. “Now, I think that’s quite enough about boys. How are things at the temple?” Veera asked, hoping to further her relationship with the young female. Winters seemed to get along splendidly with Zolta, so she figured it was worth the effort.

“Well, at the risk of breaking your new rule, the hyrven pelt that Russell killed has been the main event for some time. We’re preparing in order to make a cloak from it. He left the beast perfectly intact, so we’re going to be able to use the head as a cowl. The fur of the arms, legs, and tails will be used as accents on other pieces; cloaks, dresses, that sort of thing. My teacher has been working on the main project along with a couple other sisters. That gave me some free time to do this!” Asha stood and grabbed her satchel, showing Veera the patterned clouds and sun on it.

“You’re really talented Asha. You and Zolta make quite the couple. Between his work and yours I’m sure the two of you will be living in the temple district before long.” Asha smiled at Veera.

“That’s kind of you Veera. I’m glad to see that you and Russell have been living well.”

“It’s been quite the change…” Veera admitted pensively, remembering how afraid she’d been at the dawn of the prior winter. Asha reached out and grabbed her hand.

“I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“For believing what Vash, Ratha, and some of the others said about you…” Veera froze, staring at her fellow villager. Barring the threat of Winters, no one had ever apologized to her for such a thing.

“You…you never said anything to me Asha. It’s not like it’s your fault.”

“But I still thought that way! Even if I didn’t think you should be run out of town…it’s not like I had any interest in getting to know you. I’m glad things worked out the way they have. I’m glad Zolta befriended the alien, that he had the courage to ask me to be his mate, that this connection brought us together. It’s like having another sister to talk to, one who’s going through the same things that I am right now,” Asha admitted, laying out various slices of vegetable and meat for grilling later, avoiding Veera’s adoring gaze.

‘So…the cycle continues.’ Io couldn’t help but reflect in Veera’s ear.

“Thank you Asha, that means a lot. But let’s not speak of such distasteful matters again, alright?”

“Alright, as you like Veera. Are we just about done here?” Asha asked, thankful that Veera was willing to forgive and forget.

“Looks like it. The tea is done; we’ve got stew and sliced meat. Thank you for bringing a fresh loaf of bread by the way!”

“Of course! We figured we should contribute somehow. So what would you like to do now?” Asha asked, stepping backward as Veera disturbed the fire with another log, spreading out the burning wood to reduce the flame and ensuring that the stew would keep warm but not cook much more. Her gaze eventually found its way to the corner of the room that housed Winters’ armor.

“That’s some pretty incredible armor. Can I look at it? I promise not to break anything!”

“I don’t think you could break it if you tried Asha. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind…too much.” The two women giggled, content to spend a bit of time goofing off while waiting for their mates to return. Using the Aegis’ communication’s array, Io sent out a pulse to Winters’ earpiece.

‘The women are lovingly fondling your armor sir…I think it’s time you returned. It smells great in here by the way.’ Io informed him with ill-concealed mirth, taking great delight in imagining the look on her partner’s face at her exaggeration.

-----

Winters and Zolta returned to find their mates engaged in pleasant conversation while crowded around the pieces of his armor, their tails waving lazily behind them. Veera was looking on as Asha closely examined his left pauldron, looking over the small amount of artistic license that he’d been granted with his own suit.

“You like the pattern?” He asked kindly, eliciting a small jump of surprise from Asha. “Sorry, didn’t mean to interrupt your thoughts. Smells great in here by the way.” His compliment earned him a peck on the lips from Veera as she stood to greet him. When her eyes found the spear in his hand she rested her hands on her hips.

“Honestly Russell?”

“C’mon Veera, you knew this was coming.”

“Oh very well, just put it with your other death sticks and join us for dinner.”

“Death sticks?! I know at least two quartermasters who would have your head for that.”

“They’re welcome to try,” Veera informed him, unconcerned. He held her to him with his free hand.

“That’s my girl. They’re assholes anyway,” he whispered.

“Language Russell, we have guests,” she rebuked him lightly. Zolta’s snickering was soon cut short by his own mate who brandished Winters’ armor at him.

“And you will be polite to our hosts mister, or you’ll not be getting a goodnight kiss.” Though Asha’s threat had the desired effect, the far off look on her mate’s face caused her to fall silent as well. Veera and Winters looked at one another and he arched a questioning brow at her. She nodded. Satisfied, Winters cleared his throat and took his armor back from Asha, replacing it along with his new spear.

“Why don’t we sit down to eat? It looks like the two of you really outdid yourselves. Wouldn’t want anything getting cold now would we?” His suggestion was sufficient to thaw the suddenly cold air in the room and the four settled down to their modest feast. The men were soon complimenting their women on the meal as they rushed to sample everything at hand. The stew contained both fatty meat and some of their remaining fish, as well as roots and herbs that lent the concoction a more nuanced flavor. The skewers were made of the fresh meat that Winters had provided that day, seasoned lightly with herbs, along with vegetables and some of Veera’s store of edible mushrooms. Only after a good fifteen minutes did the pace of eating slow enough to allow discussion. After conversation about plans for the winter and beyond, as well as a tale or two from Winters’ military days, Veera served tea as everyone leaned back to digest.

“You two should come over again sometime, this has been quite fun,” Veera declared, humming happily as she sipped her beverage. Zolta and Asha nodded.

“We’d love to, thank you Veera. Hopefully someday soon we’ll be in a position to host you as well,” Asha offered. “Oh, this is quite good. I guess roasting it yourself really does make a difference.”

“If you ever get a break from your duties at the temple I’d be happy to show you. That or you could always ask Thantis, that man loves his tea.” Winters snorted into his own cup. “Come now darling, it’s not that funny.”

“No, maybe not, but Thantis is still quite the character…” he trailed off, noticing a particularly piercing gaze from his girlfriend that he was certain had nothing to do with the elderly death priest. Hoping they were actually on the same wavelength, he set down his mug. “You know, we haven’t been by in a while. Should we pay him a visit?”

“It might be a bit late to come calling at the temple, but a walk sounds lovely. Will you join me?” Veera replied, moving to grab her new cloak and handing Winters his own once he joined her by the door. Asha and Zolta were left staring at them in confusion.

“Uh Russell, Veera? Do you want us to…” Zolta began, only to be immediately waved off by Winters.

“No no, don’t mind us. Please, take your time and enjoy the fire,” he insisted, holding the leather flap open for Veera, who gave Asha a knowing look before sweeping out into the chilly night air. Winters followed her without another word, grabbing Veera by the shoulders and gently pushing her up against the building on the other side of the street. “You are a devilish woman,” he informed her, turning his head to kiss her hungrily beneath her hood. She responded to him immediately, bringing a hand up to his face and running it through his hair.

“You are just as bad,” she insisted in the brief moments when he allowed her lips freedom.

“You think they’ll do it?” He whispered, rubbing the fur of her neck with his fingers.

“You have absolutely no tact Russell.” She sighed lovingly as he continued to touch and kiss her.

“Then you won’t mind my saying I’d rather it was us in there?” He asked, feeling a sinking sensation in his gut as Veera stiffened. “Sorry, I get it.”

“You know this is tearing me apart, right?” Her tone was urgent. He nodded.

“Yeah, and I’m sorry for putting you through this love, I shouldn’t have said anything.” Winters looked down for a moment, wondering how the two of them always managed to turn on a dime. He felt one of her fingers gently tilt his chin back up.

“If it were just my fear, I’d throw myself to you and hope that you’d catch me. And I did use my fear as an excuse when talking to Asha. But I want us to have something more Russell, something beyond just the incredible pleasure you’ve already proven that we can have. We both know we can’t have children so I was hoping that one day the two of us would find something…more. If you need release before then I don’t think I would mind experimenting though.” Veera’s voice was barely a whisper, but Winters heard her well and clear. While his anatomy wasn’t thrilled at her words, he couldn’t help but feel a light sensation in his chest as he processed what Veera was telling him. She really is in this for the long haul…what did I do to deserve you all the way out here?

“I’d like that Veera, someday when you feel ready and up for it. I’m sorry for only thinking about myself. I know this isn’t easy for you either, but I’m glad that you decided to talk to me about it. We should do more of that,” he reassured her, placing a chaste kiss on her nose. Veera turned her head to lick his cheek.

“You prove time and again you think about us both Russell. Will you walk with me?”

“Lead on, feather kitten.”