73- Presents and potions


    I run a hand through his hair in a way I hope is soothing and he sits up, dropping his own


    hands from his hair.


    “It’s really okay Bemy. They weren’t a real threat to you and you kept me safe. They’re doing this


    because they’re scared. They know they screwed up. I’m not saying what they did is okay, far from it.


    But if I remember correctly, they were hired by someone. It wasn’t personal, it was just a job to them.


    So treat this like a job too. ept the IOU but give the condition that they need to provide any


    information they have about who hired them. That’s who we should really be angry at. In the long run,


    they’re nothing.” Bemy looks up into my eyes. and I hold his stare. I can see the conflicting emotions


    in his eyes as he wages an internal battle. Finally I can see a resolution as he straightens his spine and


    it looks like a burden has been dropped from his shoulders.


    “You’re right. I’ll do that. I’ll send the message in the morning. Thank you.” Decision made, Bemy


    looks far less anxious. I guess the indecision was difficult for him. He is a pretty decisive person. He


    doesn’t like to waste time going back and forth. I’m sure he already considered the idea that I ended up


    suggesting, but I think hearing from someone else gave him the confidence he needed to decide. I


    can’t believe he was actually worried I would be unhappy with him for not hunting down those


    Vampires. I have a fairly good idea on how to reassure him though. I hope he likes it.


    “Wait here a second, I’ll be right back. Don’t move.” I point at him and give him a mock re. He makes


    a show of bing a statue in ce. I dash to the kitchen, almost stacking it as I turn through the


    doorway. I grab the little blue box and run back to Bemy. He’s waiting with a curious expression. I


    stand in front of him, but I feel ufortable, like a schoolgirl standing in front of a teacher about to


    give a presentation. Seeing my hesitation, Bemy opens his arms to me, a clear offer. I step forward


    and awkwardly let him pull me into hisp. He positions me sideways with my legs over the armrest on


    one side so that I can see his face properly. My anxiety must be showing because Bemy begins


    rubbing soothing circles on my back. I take a steadying breath and force myself to speak.


    “I know I haven’t always been the most… receptive… to your advances and my awkwardness. has


    probably caused at least a little bit of insecurity on your end. I wanted to get you this gift, partly


    because it’s a tradition that’s important to you, and partly because I want you have the same


    reassurance that I have every day.” I can’t help but nce at the string


    to


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    connecting the two of us. Solid and unbreakable. It’s only a few inches long when we sit this close. I


    hold out the box to Bemy and his eyes light up. He takes the box eagerly, like a kid at Christmas he


    looks up at me, clearly asking permission to open it. I nod nervously. He opens the box and pulls out


    the braided string bracelet. It glints slightly, the spells on it just


    barely showing hints of magic. I g


    barely showing hints of magic. I go straight into my exnation before he gets a chance to be


    confused.


    “It’s the exact same red as the threads I see. I had it spelled so it should repel dirt and water. It should


    be pretty much unbreakable to any reasonable amount of force, and it should grow or shrink to adapt to


    whatever form you happen to be in. There’s also a safekeeping spell. It shouldn’t fall off ore off


    unless you intentionally remove it…” Bemy is staring at me wide eyed and not saying anything. I


    keep babbling awkwardly, filling the silence.


    “I made the bracelet, I figured it could represent our thread so you can see it too. That way if you ever


    do feel unsure when I inevitably do something stupid or pull away, you have the same reminder that I


    do. A solid, unbreakable thread. I was a bit worried it might be a little too girly to give you a bracelet,


    but it’s not super decorative and you could always hide it


    under long sleeves if you want. I mean you don’t have to wear it but I-” Bemy cuts me off


    with a kiss.


    “Shh it’s perfect. The best gift I’ve ever gotten. Really.” He slides it onto his right wrist and strokes the


    braid reverently.


    “I don’t know any other Shifter men who’ve received a gift they can wear in both forms. This is honestly


    so thoughtful. I suspect when everyone finds out about us they’re going to be jealous. I bet you’re going


    to start a trend of spelled gifts.” Bemy looks so ted, he is almost gloating. Megan’s voice in the


    hallway behind me makes me jump. Why does she keep doing that!


    “Well, I suppose you are technically in the recliner this time, but I’m not sure that’s exactly how it’s


    intended to be used.” shements teasingly. I move to scramble out of Bemy’sp but this time he


    wraps an arm around my waist, holding me in ce.


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    “Ryann bought me a gift.” He deres proudly and I groan in embarrassment. Megan tilts her


    head to the side.


    “Oh? I know we discussed it, but I didn’t realise you had decided on something Ry.” She


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    73–Presents and polic


    “Huh, that is pretty cool.” Megan steps forward and reaches out as if to touch the bracelet but Bemy


    pulls it back against himself defensively and I swear I hear him growl lightly under


    his breath.


    “Alright, alright, I get it. It’s yours. I won’t touch it.” Megan responds good naturedly, rolling


    her eyes.


    “That was a really creative choice Ryann, good job. But you could have warned me. He’s going to be


    unbearably smug for days now. Maybe even weeks.” She sighs and Iugh.


    “Sorry Megs, but it had to be done, I figured I should go through with it before I wuss out.” I exin.


    She shrugs.


    “I don’t think you’re nearly as cowardly as you think you are Ry. I’m pretty sure stuff like this is terrifying


    for everyone.” I smile at herment. I hope that’s true. Or maybe I don’t, it wouldn’t be fun for


    everyone to have to feel this anxious all the time.


    “Well, since Bemy is definitely going to want to hoard your attention tonight, I demand tomorrow night


    for a girl’s night. That is if you’re not working?” She questions.


    “I have the lunch shift again tomorrow. I’ll be off by three.” I inform her.


    “Excellent. I’ll expect you here by half past then.”


    “Sure, oh I have something for you too by the way, I picked up a potion for you that’s meant to help with


    nightmares.” I shift my weight to move off Bemy’sp so I can go grab it but he just tightens his arm


    around my waist and pulls me closer.