A Human’s Guide to Surviving Magical Mishaps by Kit Bryan
Rule 109- If you drop your phone on your face in bed, it's your cue to sleep.

Ashton shows me around what I have concluded is an actual CASTLE. Fin and Pan trail along behind us, Pan is practically skipping along, she's so excited. We pass a few people as we go, most of them appear to be working, at least I think they are. It's hard to tell because every time we approach they stop and stare at us. Then they remember their manners and bow at Ashton before quickly scurrying away while whispering amongst themselves. I am definitely getting more than my fair share of odd looks. It might be because I'm human OR it might be because Ashton has been keeping an arm loosely wrapped around my waist with his hand resting on my hip this ENTIRE time. Even Pan stared for a minute or two but she got over it pretty quickly. The only person to accept it as normal is Fin. He's as calm and serious as ever. Actually, the person who seems the most different here is Ashton. Although it's not that he's actually behaving differently, more that he is just... More. More confident, more affectionate, more determined. I don't dislike it exactly, but there's a definite adjustment. At first I wondered why he is suddenly so obviously keeping constant contact with me. He's not done that before. But the more I see people react to us the more I understand that it being obvious is exactly why he's doing it. He's bragging, preening even. Touch shows trust and he's showing everyone who is watching that he trusts me, and more importantly, that I trust him.

The more he shows me around the more I begin to miss Lucy. She would ADORE this place. It's like I've climbed into some fantasy movie, although the clothing isn't quite what I expected and walking around barefoot everywhere is a new experience.

"What are you thinking sweetheart?" Ashton asks, apparently I've been zoned out for a while.

"I was thinking that I wish Lucy were here. She would love to see all of this." I answer. It's impossible not to notice Fin perking up. He speeds up his steps until he's only half a step behind me.

"How is Lucy?" He asks earnestly. I stop walking, tugging Ashton to a stop so that I can look at Fin's expression properly. He's hard to read, but he looks a little... Sad? Maybe...

"Do you want the honest answer?" I ask bluntly. Fin hesitates but eventually gives a slow nod.

"Well, last I saw her she was unhappy and very angry with you. Actually she said that she regrets ever wasting her time or feelings on you. What DID you say to her before you left? You were getting along so well!" I complain. Fin stares straight forward, avoiding my eyes and looking somewhere over my shoulder.

"I told her the truth, or part of it at least. I thought that it would be better than leaving her to wait around for me indefinitely." He responds, his expression is determined but his tone betrays his guilt. Whatever it was he said, he regrets it. "Yes well... It is going to take some grovelling on your part if you want her to forgive you." I answer. I won't tell him what to do. She's my best friend, it's not my job to coach him through it all.

It's late afternoon when I start to get tired. We finished our tour in the kitchens where we managed to get a pretty good snack. I don't think I'll even need dinner at this point. I'm feeling full and sleepy. I can't repress a deep yawn which must be catching because Pan also yawns a few seconds later. Ashton laughs.

"I think you might be done for the day beautiful." He comments. Pan immediately excuses herself, saying goodbye and promising to come catch up with me some other time. Fin sticks around until Ashton officially dismisses him. I guess he is technically working, even if he is Ashton's best friend. Ashton is walking me back to my room when I stumble, just because I'm tired. The grin on Ashton's face is enough to tell me what he's about to do.

"Wait, you do not have to-" I squeal with laughter as Ashton sweeps me up into his arms to carry me yet again.

"I know I don't have to. But I want to. I enjoy touching you." He answers easily. I flush bright red and immediately look around for anyone who might be listening. Thankfully we appear to be alone. Ashton suddenly frowns. "You don't mind it, do you? You haven't changed your mind?" He confirms. I shake my head and wrap my arms around his neck, leaning against his chest in a hug.

"Good." He says, satisfaction practically dripping from his voice. We reach my room and Ashton carries me all the way to my bed and drops me straight into it. I can't help but giggle as I pull him down with me since I still have my arms linked behind his neck. He collapses on top of me, causing me to lose my breath under his weight. He quickly pulls back, propping himself up on his elbows so that I can breathe. We're finally actually alone and if I were smart, I would take the chance to actually talk to him about our relationship. The problem is, with him this close and smiling like that... I'm not smart. In fact I'm fairly sure I'm more than a little stupid. He leans in close and kisses me and my last remaining brain cell falls out of my ear.

I have no idea how much time has passed when Ashton reluctantly pulls back. I HAVE discovered that there are some definite bright sides to Ashton walking around without a shirt and HE seems to be taking full advantage of the easy access my dress allows him. With a groan he sits up and slides his hands out of the back of my dress causing me to shiver.

"You're tired. I should let you sleep." Ashton forces the words out with the kind of expression I imagine most people save for when they're having a tooth pulled. He looks so pained that I can't help but laugh.

"I am not sure I am all that tired anymore." I admit, unable to tear my eyes off of him. Ashton smirks.

"I'm sure. But I'm supposed to be taking care of you and the healer said that you need rest. You were tired earlier, even if you're feeling a little more invigorated now." He winks at me and I collapse back into the pillows. "Fine. I will sleep. Go before I change my mind." I sigh. Ashton makes no move to leave. I sit up a little and raise an eyebrow. He shakes his head stubbornly.

"I don't want to leave you alone." He admits.

"But I should be fine alone by now, surely." I point out. Ashton shrugs.

"Ashton, I am just going to be sleeping. You do not need to babysit me." I insist. We go back and forth for a minute, but Ashton knows he doesn't have any real argument. Eventually he agrees to leave but he insists that I lock the door behind him and don't open it again until he comes to get me for breakfast. No wandering around. Apparently there are plenty of charms that could be dangerous if used wrong and while he thinks most fae know about the human in the castle by now, he would hate for me to get myself in trouble. I agree and five minutes later he's gone, the door is locked and I'm falling asleep.