A Human’s Guide to Surviving Magical Mishaps by Kit Bryan
Rule 103- In disagreements, listen to understand, not to reload your next argument.

This time I wake up a lot less confused. My head doesn't feel as horrible and while I'm still achy I don't feel nearly so weak. I look around and find Ashton sitting in a comfortable looking chair to the right of the bed. I guess it's his turn to sit around waiting for me to wake up, I did it for him so it's only fair. He has a book open in his hand, but I don't think he's actually reading. His eyes are open but he's staring into the distance as if he's zoned out.

"I take it your book isn't very interesting?" I ask causing Ashton to jump. I can't help but giggle. I so rarely manage to sneak up on him. His hearing is too good. He sits up straighter and drops the book onto the bed beside me. "It is not bad. But as you noted earlier, I am... A little worn out. I am having trouble focusing." He admits. I pick up his book and casually flick through a few pages. Yeah I can't read this. The writing is not anything I recognise. I guess fae writing really is different.

"Oh, right." A glance at the window shows that it's dark outside.

"I'm almost scared to ask how long I was asleep for this time." I sigh. Ashton shrugs.

"A while. It is nearly morning." He answers. Wait, how long has he been sitting here? When did he sleep? He's unwell and worn out, surely he didn't just sit here all night... Right?

Ashton did in fact sit with me all night. I try to insist that he should go get some sleep but he adamantly refuses.

"I will not leave you alone here. You do not even speak fae. I will sleep later. One sleepless night will not kill me." He insists.

"It's not even morning yet, at least nap for a couple hours." I poke his arm and he catches my hand and twines his fingers through mine.

"I would not leave you unattended. At least not while you are awake. What would you do while I slept? There is no television here, and you cannot read fae. It is not safe for you to wander around alone when you do not speak the language and are not familiar with this place." He argues. I roll my eyes.

"Fine, is Fin around? I could go annoy him for a bit." I suggest. Ashton frowns.

"You would rather be accompanied by Finvara than by me?" He sounds hurt.

"What? That's not what I said! I just want you to get some rest. Sorry, but you look kind of awful." I admit.

"You are concerned about me then. I was... Unsure. You did not seem all that pleased to see me when I arrived at your home." He drops his gaze to our joined hands.

"Of course I was happy to see you. I just wasn't feeling well. Apparently I was poisoned and overly emotional. Also I was kind of worried about Pan." I perk up.

"Actually, is she here? She could keep me company while you rest." I try again. Ashton shakes his head.

"Perhaps later. Have you forgotten how early it is? Everyone is asleep. Do you truly want me to wake them? Pan does not even live here, it would take her some time to get here, and I would have to wake someone else to go fetch her. Do you really want me to do that?" he asks.

"No way. I totally didn't think about the time, my bad." I sigh.

"At least lie down and relax. We can chat for a while. Do we have plans for the day other than just trying to recover? Are you taking me home?" I question. As I speak, I tug on our joined hands and slide over on the large bed to make space for Ashton. He hesitates for a moment but when I tug on his arm again he gives in and lies down next to me. Much better.

"I would like to wait a while longer before taking you home. I wish to make sure that you are fully recovered, and I would like to finish recovering myself. Is that acceptable? It should only take a few days." He answers sleepily, his eyes half closed.

"As long as my dad knows where I am I guess it's okay. I'm meant to be back at work in... like three days? I need to be home by then." I decide. Ashton nods.

"Very well. I will make sure to return you home within three days. As for our plans, I have not made any in particular. I thought that when you are well enough I might show you around a little. Also... My mother wants to meet you." He says, opening his eyes properly to check my reaction.

"Sure. Is she still mad at you for sneaking off to the human realm to hunt for your dad's assassins?" I ask bluntly. He smirks at me.

"No. She might have been had I not found them. I have you to thank for that." He squeezes my hand which he still hasn't let go of.

"Although apparently we missed one. Are you going to come back and search for him?" I ask, almost hopefully. Is it wrong that I'm happy Ashton has a reason to come back? Even if it is that there's another fae criminal on the loose. "I will come back. Would you allow me to stay with you again?" He requests.

"Of course. I can take some more time off work too." I answer cheerfully.

"That will not be necessary. I will search for him by myself. I allowed you to be hurt and I will not let it happen again." He says firmly. I frown at him.

"That's just silly. It wasn't your fault. Besides, how will leaving me behind help? Clearly that guy knows where I live. Wouldn't I be safer with you?" I reason. Ashton shakes his head.

"No. I will arrange guards for you if need be, but I will not take you into danger again." He insists.

"Shouldn't that be my decision?" I try again.

"I want you to be safe. You have shown me enough and I will take Fin with me. Do not make me break my promise to keep you safe again. Please." He adds. I sigh.

"Fine, I'll stay behind. But if you need help you had better ask. You'll carry your phone, right?" I confirm.

"Yes." He agrees.

We both fall silent and I search around for something else to say.

"So... Is there anything I should know while I'm here? All I really know about fae is that you're super polite and not into physical contact." I frown.

"Wait... Is this okay? Am I being super inappropriate right now?" I wonder aloud. Ashton laughs.

"No. As long as both individuals consent to the contact it is acceptable." He answers easily.

"Oh... Then why were you so weird about it before?" I ask.

"Because fae have magic and many choose to hide it. As you will also have noticed, most forms of magic require some kind of contact. I must touch someone to take their energy, the fae woman had to touch to take someone's will. Even the fae who poisoned you had to get close to do so directly. Touching someone means you trust them. Glamours also make it more difficult to trust others. So unless you are able to see through a person's glamour to know who they are AND you trust that they will not harm you with their magic... It is usually best to keep your hands to yourself. As such it has become the norm to only have physical contact with those you know and trust very well. It is almost a threat to offer touch to someone you do not know. It is part of why I take your hand when I offer you thanks. It is displaying that I trust you, and that you can trust me." He says sincerely and I grin at him.

"That's kind of sweet, but also kind of sad that everyone is so suspicious of each other." I decide.

"It is what it is." He agrees.

"Okay then, so don't touch people without permission. Is there anything else I should know? Especially if I'm going to meet your mum I'd like to be prepared." Ashton thinks carefully and I wait for his answer.