A Human’s Guide to Surviving Magical Mishaps

The morning is busy and loud. We all stand around the table in the kitchen and eat what I can only describe as the feast that Lucy put together this morning. According to Marcus, Fin helped her with it, although neither of them are willing to admit it. Are they actually getting along? If so, they're doing an awfully good job of denying it. While we eat, Ashton explains that they found the two brother assassins together, hiding in an old abandoned building. They caught the younger one Erren easily enough and after that, it was easy enough to get the older brother to comply. He was only exhausted because he basically drained them to unconsciousness, just to be safe. He didn't want to risk anyone else getting poisoned. It was all actually very anticlimactic. This morning everyone is cheerful, the guards are getting ready to go back home and I'm still just feeling lost. Everyone else is moving on, they have lives to get back to. I have an empty house and a retail job that doesn't really need me anyway. I'm totally replaceable there and I know it. The guards leave, Ashton and Fin are standing around by the door, clearly unsure of their welcome.

"I'm not planning to kick you out if that's why you're being so weird. What are you planning to do now?" I ask them. Ashton's shoulders droop in relief and Fin's wings do something similar.

"I would like to stay with you and recover for a while, to mourn properly with you for both of our fathers. Then perhaps we could begin to consider the future?" He suggests softly. I sigh.

"Yeah sure. That's fine. Fin? What are you planning to do? You're not stuck with me like he is." I point out.

"Your father's funeral is the day after tomorrow. I would like to stay and attend it if you do not object. He was good to me, I would like to show my respect." Fin says with sincere determination. I nod.

"I... Yes." I agree, not quite sure what to say. Am I supposed to thank him for caring? It's all too confusing. Fin gives me a sad smile and just heads back inside to his spot in the living room. I should have known he wasn't planning to leave. He didn't tidy up any of his stuff, Fin would never leave a mess behind like that. He's too neat.

I spend most of the day signing off on funeral details that Lucy and Marcus already arranged. They've basically taken care of everything, I really owe them a lot. I should remember to do something nice for them when I get the chance. It's mid afternoon and we're sitting at the coffee table in the living room. Bast is curled up on my feet, content because I just fed him. Having him around is really comforting, partly because he's a cat so he's soft and his purring is relaxing, and partly because I know that he can and will defend me from an attacker. He might only be able to knock out one person at a time, but that's more than I can manage on my own. The three of us are figuring out how to get the utilities and stuff for the house changed into my name when Lucy and Marcus fall silent. Marcus was mid-sentence and he trails off as Ashton clears his throat from behind me. I twist around so that I can see him without dislodging Bast.

"Did you need something Ashton?" I ask politely. He nods and shrugs at the same time. He takes a deep breath clearly trying to calm himself down before he speaks.

"I told you before that our future path is something that you should decide. I have been wondering... Is there something you would like me to do? Or information you wish to have that would help you make a decision?" He offers. I frown, not quite sure what he's offering, but Lucy nods understandingly and Marcus lights up.

"Ooh, it's time to make a pros and cons list!" He says eagerly.

"Huh?" I say dumbly. Ashton looks as baffled as me.

"I think you should both make a list. Write down what it is you definitely DO want and definitely do NOT want. Then we can discuss your options and make a pros and cons list for them." Marcus suggests. I raise an eyebrow. "But... Do we even know what the options ARE?" I argue. He shrugs.

"From what I gather it's fairly simple. You two need to stay near each other. You can do that here OR you can do that in the fae realm." Marcus starts, then Lucy takes over.

"You also have to figure out the options for your relationship. Okay Ashton, here's an idea. You should each come up with your ideal future. Obviously only include stuff that is actually possible. Because I'm starting to think that you are both being overly careful with each other. You're both so worried about screwing things up for one another that you've both refused to admit what it is you actually WANT to happen." Lucy points out. I resist the urge to glare at her. This sounds like she's trying to force an uncomfortable conversation. Marcus is nodding along and Ashton seems on board with it too. Fin is standing in the doorway and I shoot him a pleading look.

"I would suggest that you both say what you want, but do not discuss it yet. Just think about the other person's wishes and compare them to your own. Perhaps you could schedule a specific time to discuss it?" He suggests. I frown. I mean, he kind of helped but he clearly wants us to have a proper discussion too. Damn it. And it looks like this discussion is going to somehow involve all our best friends which is weird but I guess they would hear all about it anyway so it makes sense to just include them now.

"Kat, you go first. I can get you started. You've always said that you want a husband and children one day so I know that, do you have any kind of career goals or anything? Do you have a preferred place you want to live? Any deal breakers?" Lucy prompts. Somehow the questions seem easier when she's the one asking them. As long as I focus on her and not Ashton it seems simple. This is a discussion I've had tons of times. People ask about your future goals and you list off a few things. So I give a slow nod and keep my focus on Lucy.novelbin

"Yeah, I want to get married and have kids one day. I want to work with people, but I don't really know what I want to do exactly. I... I suppose if you asked me a week ago I would have said I want to live close to my dad, but now... I suppose I just want to make sure I stay close to you two. As for 'deal breakers' I guess I don't want to be useless or sit around doing nothing. I don't want to have kids unless I'm sure of the guy." I resist the desire to glance at Ashton. I'm pretty sure I'll lose my nerve if I do. Lucy nods and she turns to face Ashton for me. I think I might be taking the coward's way out here. I should probably be asking him these questions myself.

"I want the same things as Kat. I... I would prefer to stay close to my mother and my cousins. But I would be content to stay here if that is what Kat wants to do. If I am honest I would prefer to live in the fae realm, I have a purpose there which I would not be able to fulfil here. But mostly I just want to stay with Kat, however she will allow." He finishes, sounding kind of uncomfortable. Lucy looks like she wants to swoon a little at the last statement and Marcus winks at me. I repress a sigh. He keeps saying that. He wants me to stay with him, he wants to stay with me. Would it kill him to just spell out exactly how he feels about me? Not just about our situation, just me. It would make figuring things out less complicated. I open my mouth to ask him but Marcus cuts me off.

"Nope, remember we're going to set a time for you two to talk it out. I was thinking in three days. We should have pretty much everything wrapped up at that point so you won't need to worry about any small details." He concludes. "But I-" I start, intending to point out that I want to ask about his actual feelings, but I cut myself off this time. I don't think it would be fair to ask about that in front of everyone. So I drop it. It's fine, I have three days, I'll find a better time to ask him about it, because the more I think about it the more I think that's the most important issue here. I don't care where I live, not anymore. I can visit my friends if I move away and I really don't care about my job. But I don't want to leave my life behind to chase after a guy unless I know for sure how he feels about me. I don't want to get my hopes up and have my heart broken later. Yep, I'm definitely going to ask him. Soon. Probably. How hard can it be?