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Ayda's lips pulled into a thin line before she exhaled heavily, tossing her hands up in surrender. “Fine! But, like…” she stalled, and it was evident she was trying to find a way to put a little distance between them. “No cuddling or anything. All right? I can’t have you getting attached to me.” Her voice had just enough of a playful edge in it that Hùisdean realized it might be easier to win her over than he thought.
“I’m good.” Hùisdean started to wash the dishes, tensely waiting to see what Ayda would do while he maintained a calm demeanor. Ayda waited only a moment before he heard her sigh and headed to the bedroom.
Fuck. Yes.
It didn't take long for Hùisdean to follow, immensely satisfied by the sight of Ayda sitting in bed. She held her fingers in various positions similar to a cat's cradle, changing them and conjuring small magic symbols in the air above her. Hùisdean watched in awe as she flawlessly executed one after another. They weren't complicated charms, but they were helpful.
Hùisdean knew in any stressful scenario, forgetting the basics could mean the difference between life and death.
“That's good work,” Hùisdean noted, kicking off his pants. “Do you practice every night?”
“Every night before bed… Whoa…” Ayda's eyes widened as Hùisdean stripped down naked in front of her. “What are you doing?”
“What?” Hùisdean approached the other side of the bed and pulled down the quilts. “I always sleep naked. Is that a problem for you?” He raised an eyebrow. “I’d hate for you to develop feelings for me.”
Ayda groaned dramatically, flicking a charm in his direction. Hùisdean got hit with an icy burst of air, causing him to drop the covers and shift his weight between his feet.
“Hey! Not cool.” He complained but only half-heartedly. Ayda had started laughing so hard, he thought she might fall off the bed, and it was his new favorite sound. Well, second to when she was coming on his tongue.
“All right, all right, have your fun.” Hùisdean dove under the covers and wrapped an arm around Ayda's waist, tugging her warm body close to his frozen one. Ayda shrieked and giggled, playfully pushing against him.
“Oh, no fair!” she squeaked, shifting around in his arms until she faced him.
“It's fair.” Hùisdean smiled, his voice dropping to a whisper. “If you're going to do that to a man daring to bare himself before you,” Hùisdean carried on dramatically, “then you've got to warm him up.”
Ayda's smile widened until it reached her eyes. She wrapped her arms around him with a yawn, her eyes fluttering closed as she laid her head on his chest. “Is that right?” she murmured, already half asleep.
“It sure is,” Hùisdean affirmed, running his hand through her long hair. He waited for Ayda to respond for a few minutes, only to listen to her breathing even out as she practically passed out on top of him.
“My goodness,” Hùisdean whispered to an empty room. He kissed her forehead, continuing his small ministrations through her hair. “I guess I can say I haven't caught feelings if I already had them, right?” Hùisdean asked a sleeping Ayda, yawning himself. “Semantics, anyway. I'm sure we'll figure it out at some point. You know, before or after sorting out the impending doom of the Shetland Islands' magic.” Hùisdean yawned again, his eyes blinking closed. “It sounds like a tomorrow problem.”
Hùisdean followed Ayda promptly into sleep, refusing to let go of her for the rest of the night.
When Hùisdean woke up the following day, daylight began to creep through the window. He shifted in bed and froze when he realized Ayda wasn't beside him. The shower turned on in the adjacent bathroom, and he relaxed; he felt better knowing Ayda was nearby.
“Get it together, old man,” Hùisdean grunted, pulling himself out of bed and stretching his shoulders with a pop. It was one of the best nights’ sleep that Hùisdean had ever had, and he knew it was because of Ayda. He busied himself around the bedroom and the rest of the lodge, picking up after themselves and making sure everything was ready for the next visitor. There likely wouldn't be one for a very long time, but it did them good to keep it in pristine condition.
Ayda eventually joined him in the living room.
“Good morning.” She smiled, and Hùisdean's heart skipped a beat. “Sorry, I hope you don't mind. I grabbed the first shower.”
“I hope sleeping next to me wasn't that terrible,” Hùisdean joked.
“It's not you.” Ayda shrugged. “It’s just a habit. I always shower twice a day, especially in the morning. It helps me get my head on right, or I won't be able to think straight for the rest of the day. I know.” Ayda held up her hands defensively. “It's a bit bizarre.”
Hùisdean's brow furrowed. “Why are you apologizing to me? I don't care. Whatever you need to do, do your thing.”
Ayda's head cocked to the side. “Yeah, I guess so. It's just not normal, and I realize that.”
“By whose standards?” Hùisdean pressed a little harder. He didn't like that someone or something had made Ayda feel different or strange. So what if she had a specific routine or wanted to do things a certain way? Hell, she was more comfortable with magic than people, and he could relate to that sentiment entirely.
“Well…” Ayda seemed lost for words as she considered it. “I don't know. I think it annoyed my parents.”
Hùisdean shrugged, pretending to look around the small cabin. “I don't see them here.”
Ayda blushed, a small smile replacing some of the unease on her face. “I guess you're right.”
“C’mon.” Hùisdean motioned towards the kitchen. “I can make a bit of stovetop coffee, and then we've got to be on our way.”
