A Human’s Guide to Surviving Magical Mishaps by Kit Bryan
Rule 116- If someone you care about offers you a cuddle, always accept. It's like a free recharge for your soul.

Ashton's cousins are a lot of work. Mostly because they have a habit of magically jumping directly in front of whoever it is they want to talk to. Aside from the fact that it's sort of terrifying having someone appear directly in front of you, It makes it hard to ignore them, not that I particularly want to ignore them, it's just... Well they have bad timing that's for sure. Then again, I probably shouldn't be making out with Ashton on the dining room table until we actually figure out if our relationship is actually a thing. I think it is... Probably? Since he brought me here Ashton has certainly been acting like we're together. Everyone else here seems to assume that we're together. Still, I spend the morning with Ashton's little cousins who eagerly introduce me to every single horse in the stable. Ashton proudly shows me his personal horse and I even sit on its back briefly. We don't go riding, partially because I have no idea how, partially because Ashton and I are both not quite one hundred percent yet and we don't want to wear ourselves out. We DO decide that I'm going home today. Fin and Ashton will both be coming with me again. But due to the whole light sensitivity thing we're waiting for night time. I guess I get to experience how that feels. Not looking forward to that particularly, but at least I kind of know what to expect.

Just before lunch time, Fin takes Raylee and Robin away, probably to find their parents or something. I'm not totally sure what the two kids were doing running around unattended to begin with. Ashton sends someone to request lunch be delivered to us in my room, mostly just so we can sit and relax for a bit. It's been a busy morning and we're both a little worn out. As we walk back, I check in with him.

"Are you sure you want to have lunch there? We could still go and eat with your mum. I do not mind." I make sure to tell him. He shakes his head firmly.

"Nope, I don't want you to get too tired. Since we aren't leaving until late tonight I thought we might go out." he tells me excitedly. I perk up.

"Out? Out Where?" I ask, his excitement is kind of contagious. He grins at me.

"Well, you took me to a club and showed me where humans go to drink and dance. I thought I might show you where fae like to go when they want to have some fun." He says eagerly and I'm immediately sold on the idea. No wonder he wants me to get some rest. If we're going somewhere to dance I'll want to conserve as much energy as possible!

"Should we take a nap after lunch?” I wonder aloud and Ashton laughs.

"If you like. We will have a few hours before we need to go anywhere. We won't head out until a little before sundown. Then we can go straight back to the human realm afterwards." He decides. "Great. I am looking forward to it." I beam at him.

Lunch is basically bread and a collection of strange dips, none of which are familiar. Most of them taste alright. It's a fun meal at least. Ashton and I eat with all the food laid out on the bed while we sit across from each other.

"I would worry about getting crumbs all through the bed, but I suppose if we are leaving tonight, it does not really matter." I point out with a smile. Ashton shrugs.

“It wouldn't matter anyway. There's a cleaning charm on the bed." He tells me. I roll my eyes.

"Is everything in your home charmed to be self-cleaning? It seems a little excessive." I poke him in the side.

"At this rate it is a surprise you are not a completely spoiled brat. Have you ever had to clean up after yourself before?" I smile so that he knows I'm just messing with him. Ashton plasters a smug look on his face.

"Well I AM a prince. But even for royalty, so many cleaning charms are not common. We only have them because it's my mum's preferred magic. She likes making charms, so whenever she is stressed she will pick a room and start charming everything she can find. There are limits of course. She can only make things do more of what they're supposed to, and they don't last forever. Still, it IS useful." He concludes. I tilt my head in confusion as Ashton clears the dishes away, stacking them on the little bedside table.

"What do you mean by making things do 'more of what they are supposed to'?" I question, confused. Ashton considers.

"An example is that she can't make a bed fly. Beds aren't meant to fly, they aren't designed to fly, so it will never happen. She can make fabrics repel dirt, she can charm a pillow to always stay soft and to help you sleep well, even to prevent bad dreams. But it's still a pillow. It needs to be charmed to be used in a way a pillow should be used." He explains. I think I get it.

"So the charmed comb your mother used to dry my hair. It can do that because it is still being used as a comb, but it would not work to dry water that was spilled on the floor because that is not what it is intended for?" I try and Ashton nods with a proud smile.

"That's exactly right." We both fall silent for a moment. It's a comfortable silence, but that nap I mentioned earlier is sounding really good about now.

"So... I suppose it is time to rest now?" I ask, a little uncertainly. Ashton nods.

"If you like." His face falls a little.

"I guess you want me to leave you be then huh?" He is still smiling, but not as brightly as he was a moment ago. I shrug.

"You do not HAVE to leave... If you are planning to rest too then we could both sleep... I mean... We could share the bed and nap together." I say awkwardly. I don't know why I'm so awkward. We've snuggled on the couch together, I've fallen asleep on his lap. This would not be my first nap in his presence, but something about intentionally sharing a bed with someone just feels different somehow. Without hesitation, Ashton collapses back into the pillows beside me. He falls so heavily that even though I'm still sitting up, it makes the mattress dip and I slide into him, tipping over a little.

"Ashton!" I half heartedly object while laughing. I try to move back to my half of the bed but he wraps his arms around my waist and buries his face in my stomach.

"Stay. I had to share your attention all morning. I'm just glad I can enjoy your company, JUST your company for a while." He mumbles and I blush. Okay, that was kind of sweet. I didn't realise that he was so desperate to be alone with me. I mean, this morning when we were kissing obviously he wanted to be alone, but this isn't even sexual or anything, this is just the two of us relaxing together. I adjust the pillows behind me so I can settle back properly, then I gently stroke my fingers through Ashton's hair, tracing the shape of his pointed ears and feeling the smooth texture of his horns. I keep an eye on his face to make sure I'm not making him uncomfortable or anything, but the only word I can use to describe his expression is blissful. Ashton's eyes fall shut and his breathing evens out. He really IS tired. I have to repress a laugh when Bast suddenly hops up on the bed. He vanished around the time we went to the stables, I guess he doesn't like horses? He curls up on my feet, a comforting weight, and begins to purr. I sort of wish I could reach my phone. The combination of Ashton and Bast both sleeping curled up with me is the cutest thing. I stay awake a while longer, studying his face and stroking his hair, but I DO want to rest and I'm so comfortable that it doesn't take long at all for me to fall asleep.