When I got back to the shop, the first thing I noticed was the fsk turned upside down on the counter near the door.

  It was Rave’s sign, according to the memories. She’d picked it up from some old smuggler habit, probably. Upside-down fsk meant she’d let herself in. Shattered fsk meant something had gone sideways, and I should be ready to burn the pce down and run. Rave was good at whatever she did because of these sorts of systems.

  I shut the door behind me and started locking up. Every home in this part of the yers had doors made of heavy metal, fitted with yers of old locks and newer ones spped on top with rusted bolts and personal paranoia. You didn’t want anything getting in once the right people were already tucked inside, after all.

  Since Rave was here, I would have to dey working on the spawn organs I had. I accessed the compartment beneath the floorboards, stuffed my new spoils in there, and repced the board.

  “Another day, perhaps,” I said with a smile.

  The inner door that led to the backroom and the stairs up to my living space were locked, too. Considering that I was here to guarantee her continued life, I was gd that Rave was careful about locking everything.

  I heard water running when I opened the door.

  “Rave’s showering,” I muttered, a little happy that she felt comfortable enough to do that.

  Closing the door behind me, I stepped up to the top of the stairs, then went and knocked gently against the wooden bathroom door.

  "Rave?"

  A pause. Just long enough to make me wonder if she’d heard me.

  Then her voice, echoing slightly over the sound of water: "Yes?"

  "Just letting you know I’m back," I said. "Didn’t want to surprise you and get stabbed."

  Another pause. Then, dry as dust, with just the hint of some malicious joy underneath it:"If might stab you anyway if you let a Gloomspawn mess up your face. Out of spite."

  "Appreciate your honesty."

  I went over to my bedroom, took off my shoes and extra yers, and sat on my bed, happy to rest.

  The shower finally stopped. The bathroom door creaked open.

  “Tim, are you in your room?” Rave hollered.

  “Yes,” I said, lying on the comfy bed. “This really is an amazing bed,” I muttered.

  “Tim, I left my clothes in the room. Can you please cover your eyes?”

  I took the pillow and pressed it against my eyes. “Eyes are covered,” I yelled.

  I heard wet steps enter the room.

  “Don’t slip,” I said.

  “Give me more credit than that,” she dryly replied.

  I heard the rustle of clothing. I wondered if she was watching me like a hawk.

  “Did you have a good day?” she asked over the rustling. “I saw you took the sword.”

  “I did,” I replied.

  “Going to tell Meredi you went out to the swamps?”

  “I’d rather not right now.”

  “Tsk, tsk, tsk, keeping secrets from family?” she teased.

  “I keep tons of secrets; it’s nothing new.”

  Rave dropped onto my stomach, knocking the air out of me, then yanked the pillow from my face.

  “You keep secrets from me?” she asked.

  “I do if you do.”

  She scowled. “Smartass. It’s not like you ever took an interest.”

  I looked at the ceiling. “Yeah, you’re right…. But would you tell me if I asked you?”

  “I’d make the effort.”

  “Yeah,” I said, searching my memories.

  It was a little saddening, noticing how little Timaues had asked her about her activities.

  “Have you had good days recently?”

  She scratched her head and looked toward the door. “Yeah. I mean, money’s flowing.”

  I looked at where she was sitting on me and noticed she wasn’t wearing shorts. In fact, she only had underwear beneath the shirt.

  Acknowledging that I was a goddess’s cushion right now, I focused on the matter at hand.

  “I’d like to accompany you to the depths in the coming weeks,” I said.

  Rave blinked at me, like she hadn’t expected I’d actually ask to come.

  Her voice was ft. "You want to tag along?"

  I nodded. Her weight on my stomach made it hard to do anything else.

  She scoffed and looked off to the side, but I caught the flicker of a smile tugging at her lips. "Fine. Just don’t slow me down, and don’t cause trouble. I’m not carrying you if you get a gut wound or your leg pops off."

  “Fair enough. I’ll limp quietly.”

  She shook her head, muttering something under her breath, then looked down at me again. Her expression shifted—flickering with something softer, fond even. Before I could think, she leaned forward and pressed a slow kiss to my forehead.

  I froze.

  She pulled back just slightly, her face still close. My heart was hammering like I’d sprinted up the Snts.

  “Wait,” I managed to say. “You said you’d only be sweet in the mornings.”

  Rave smirked. “I haven’t seen you in days. I can change the rules if I want.”

  I gulped. “Yeah. Of course. Change whatever you like.”

  She leaned in again, slower this time. Her lips hovered near my ear.

  “Keep your hands on the bed,” she said, voice sultry and low. “Not a finger moves.”

  Her hands braced near my shoulders as she lowered herself further, her chest pressing into mine now. Her head nestled near the crook of my neck, wet hair falling across my cheek. I could feel the heat of her breath before the first kiss—soft, deliberate—nded on the side of my neck.

  I stayed frozen. Absolutely still. Any tighter and my muscles would start to cramp. I had to force myself to keep breathing just to stop my Invisibility from accidentally triggering.

  She kept going. Another kiss. Then another, higher and closer to my jaw. Slow, unhurried. Like she had nowhere else to be. I was so lucky to be at the right pce, at the right time.

  She pulled back a little, her lips resting close to my neck. There was silence. Just me, her, and the weight of her body on mine.

  Then came the bite.

  It wasn’t harsh, but it made my heart jump. I flinched—but not away. My hand moved instinctively, fingers rising to press gently against her back. Just a soft, greedy stroke—an admission of the fact that I wanted to hold her more.

  She froze.

  “I said,” she growled against my skin, “hands at your sides.”

  I didn’t flinch this time. My hand stayed where it was on her back. “Tell me again, and I’ll do it.”

  She didn’t.

  She stayed where she was, quiet for a beat. Then her body rexed again under my hand.

  “Don’t get bold with where that hand goes,” she warned, voice a little hoarse now.

  “I won’t,” I said softly. “I just wanted to comfort you, too.”

  She didn’t reply. Her lips brushed my neck again, slower this time. She was still Rave—dangerous, sharp-tongued, aloof—but right now, I could feel how much she was trying to find a groove for us.

  I would’ve taken any version of her, honestly. This one just happened to steal my breath and make me hope for the best ending.

  Rave lifted her head from my shoulder, her auburn, wet hair sticking to her cheek and colr. Her eyes found mine, and the intensity in them made my breath hitch. Without a word, she leaned down again—this time aiming for my lips.

  It wasn’t rushed, or teasing, or meant to rattle me.

  It was just a soft, unmistakable kiss.

  I pressed my hand a little firmer into her back, needing to hold her, to take as much of this blessed warmth as I could get.

  When she finally pulled back, her expression flickered. First came the stern look she always defaulted to, then came a scowl dripping with irritation. But it cracked, and I saw it: embarrassment. Honest, wide-eyed vulnerability, paired with a fledgling smile.

  “I didn’t think kissing you would feel so nice,” she muttered. “It’s... stupid.”

  I smiled. “I didn’t think kissing you could make me feel so sure I was doing the right thing.”

  Her eyes softened at that. She let out a little breath and reached up to touch my cheek. Her fingers were warm against my skin, calloused but gentle. She made me feel I was something valuable—like maybe I’d surprised her in the best way.

  Then I remembered the day’s events.

  “I meant to tell you something,” I said.

  She blinked and tilted her head. “What?”

  “Valray’s back. She’s going to Meredi’s for dinner.”

  Everything about her froze. Her mouth dropped open.

  “You—” she barked, smacking her palm against my chest. “You’ve been lying there all cozy while my daughter is back in the Reach and going to dinner?!”

  Then she was off me, leaping off the bed and scrambling to the corner for her pants. “How long have you known?! Why didn’t you say anything earlier?!”

  “She was in the marshes. Her squad was lost, so I helped guide them back,” I said, sitting up and watching her hop into one leg of her really tight pants. “I told her to go to dinner. Said she should visit more.”

  “Gods, Tim!”

  Despite her yelling, she was smiling—beaming, really. Trying not to, but failing.

  “This is really important information!”

  Her hands fumbled with her belt as she kept casting gnces at me, as if to double-check this wasn’t some joke.

  “I got lost in the moment,” I said with a chuckle, getting up and pulling on my jacket.

  “You absolute bastard,” she said, affection pouring out through her grin.

  We moved toward the stairs together, but before we reached the door, she paused. She turned, her face softer again, almost pained.

  “Sorry,” she said quietly. “I know the mood was... good. I just—Valray…”

  “You don’t have to apologize,” I said. “She’s your daughter. Cherish the time you get with her.”

  I meant every word of it, but Rave might never know how heavy those words were on my tongue. I had a nagging sense that some things from the game would have to be maintained.

  Valray still had to leave the city eventually. She had to go out there with Cynthia and the original protagonist. That group would end up saving the vilge that took them in, and in doing so, probably helped ensure the continued existence of the world.

  With that in mind, Rave really only had one year left with her daughter, most likely.

  Rave, still smiling like she couldn’t help it, stepped closer. She reached for me, then kissed me again on the lips. But this one was different. Slower. Tender. Full of everything she couldn’t put into words.

  When she pulled back, I looked her in the eyes. “Let me hold you.”

  She nodded.

  I wrapped my arms around her and kissed her again, pulling her close. Her hands clung to my jacket, and I felt her sigh into the moment before we finally let go.

  Then, just like that, the Rave I knew snapped back into action.

  “Alright, get moving, alchemist,” she said, grabbing my wrist and practically dragging me toward the stairs.

  “Oh, going out there with sleepwear,” I joked, eyeing her still-damp hair and loose sleeping shirt.

  “She and Meredi will both be grateful I’m not in full gear,” Rave replied. “And Meredi won’t be able to yell at me to go put on a shirt.”

  “That’s true.”

  “We can have dinner with Valray,” Rave said as we reached the bottom of the stairs. She pushed open the backroom door, continuing with a smirk, “And then we can come back here and finish what we started—”

  Rave stopped.

  So did I.

  Walking toward the backroom, but paused mid-step, was Meredi.

  A small woven basket hung from one arm—one of those homespun ones made of cquered strips and copper wire. It looked heavier than it should’ve, likely packed with food she’d brought for me. I was willing to bet she wanted to make sure I wasn’t going hungry after all these days I had been spending at her pce.

  Her hair was down today, that straight, golden hair falling over her shoulders freely. She’d scrubbed off the usual smears of oil from her godly arms and neck—no soot, no metal grit under her nails. She wore a bck and sleeveless turtle-necked shirt and pants noticeably cking her assortment of tools. And her expression?

  Utterly neutral.

  But not bnk. There was a hint of curiosity in them.

  I felt Rave's fingers slowly uncurl, her arm falling to her side in the smooth, practiced motion of someone who had lied with her body more times than she’d ever lied with words.

  “What are you two finishing up?” Meredi asked, her voice warm, even.

  Rave answered before I could open my mouth. “Alchemy,” she said, with a flick of her hand that was half-dismissive, half-deadpan. “Tim’s got a little list of exotic ingredients he needs. I was… gently telling him what was viable and what wasn’t.”

  I nodded along. “Apparently, I’m being a little unreasonable in my requests,” I added, trying to sound vaguely indignant, vaguely distracted. “She says we need to be realistic, which, I dunno. I think we should be bold.”

  Meredi tilted her head slightly. “Right. You have been telling her you’d get back to her.” She gave a small, amused exhale through her nose. “Don’t bully her too much, Timaeus.”

  “I can say no to him,” Rave snapped back, getting a small chuckle from me.

  Meredi stepped further into the shop, the soft tread of her boots audible even on the worn pnks.

  “It’s been weeks since I’ve been in here… I’m gd it looks more organized,” she said.

  She looked around as if inspecting the yout, but I had the sense she was letting the silence linger—I couldn’t help but wonder if she was picking up on the earlier vibe.

  “You brought something?” I asked.

  That got a genuine smile out of her.

  “Yeah. Stuff for stew, some bread, and some of the reject vegetables Cynthia brought home yesterday.” She held the basket toward me, and I stepped forward to take it.

  “Thanks, Meredi. This means a lot…”

  Her smile lingered. “You’re welcome. I thought that maybe it would be nice if I used the kitchen in the back and made something for you—”

  Meredi suddenly recoiled. Then she leaned in, while Rave stood at the side.

  “Is something the matter?” I asked, my heart not prepared to be so close to Meredi.

  “You have a red mark on your neck,” Meredi replied, squinting with her good eye.

  “Red mark?”

  A gnce at Rave reminded me of it—Rave had bitten me there.

  I took a second. If I came clean about it, maybe I could make progress with Meredi somehow. Rave’s desperate shaking of her head dissuaded me, however. If Rave wasn’t ready for that, then I wouldn’t push it.

  “Meredi, is it a bulls-eye mark?” I asked with some urgency.

  Meredi stammered. “Bullseye? I’m not sure—”

  “Meredi! Is it a bullseye?”

  “No!”

  “I was pying with bugs today, Meredi!”

  Behind Meredi’s back, Rave mouthed, “I’m not a bug.”

  “Meredi, is it swollen? Can you see a barb?”

  “No, no, I can’t—and it’s not swollen,” she said, rubbing her fingers against my neck.

  I shuddered immediately.

  “Tim! Are you okay?” Meredi asked. “Are you going to be okay!?”

  “Just nerves,” I lied. She didn’t need to know that her touch made me weak at the knees. “Is it just red?”

  “I think… I don’t know, it looks like there’s blood beneath the skin.”

  “Blood, blood,” I muttered. “It’s probably going to be a bruise then,” I said, looking at the guilty Rave. “Is it two distinct points of blood? Like a spider’s bite?”

  “No. Multiple points,” Meredi said, calming down with me.

  I let out a sigh of relief. “Okay, it’s probably just a reaction to something that got on my neck.”

  “Okay…”

  “Whew, you had me worried there, Meredi,” I said with a grin.

  “Sorry… Erm… Were you two going out?”

  My heart jumped. “Going out?” I asked.

  “Yeah, Rav looks like she’s about to step out, and it looked like you were following her.”

  I ughed. “Right! Meredi, get this! I ran into Valray today, right when she was coming in from the Snts!”

  Meredi lit up, looked at her sister, and then me again.

  “She’s going to your pce for dinner!” I said.

  A heartbeat ter, all joy drained from her face. “What?”

  Meredi grabbed me by the colr and pulled me toward the door.

  “Why didn’t you say something sooner?!” Meredi barked.

  Rave let out a ugh as she followed behind us. “That’s what I said!”

  “I locked up! What if Val’s waiting in the cold right now!?” Meredi continued. “Hurry, hurry, hurry; we can’t miss Val!”

  “Isn’t Cynthia there?” I asked.

  “You can’t trust that girl!” Meredi barked back.