Aiden comes home before dark as he promised. After being found by the river Mabel had made him promise to begin coming home before dark. Otherwise, she would ‘send down hellfire’ for worrying her again. While she didn’t mean anything by it he didn’t want to upset her again. She had made his home feel worth coming back to. He was almost glad he gave her that flower. No, that’s not right… It occurred to him that he never asked if the potion worked.

The scent of Lavender and herbs hits him when he walks through the door. Something he had gotten used to. It feels so warm already… He follows the scent to the outside of the bathroom and hears Mabel singing an old Fae song:

Oh, how the mountain moans

The dark mountain moans

For in its base

A missing warmth

A young Dove stole…

He stands by the door, a memory slowly forming of dancing and laughter surrounded by bright red trees. He begins humming along to the song and begins to drift off.

The door suddenly opens and he falls to the ground scared. Mabel, in a cotton robe, sees him covering his eyes and apologizing profusely. She can’t help but let out a smirk He’s adorable… She helps him up and asks him what he was doing, “I-I heard you singing and I stopped to listen.” He saw the pink in her cheeks come in, “You’re a lovely singer.”

She snickered and shook her head, “No, I’m not.”

“Yes, you are.” Her pink cheek slowly warmed to a red, “Where did you learn the song?”

“A woman I knew was singing it at the town center today. S-She has a really lovely voice.” She began to pick at the robe’s tie, “Do you know it?”

“It rings a few memories.” They made their way to the living room to sit by the waning fire.

“Like what?” Mabel asked, waiting impatiently like a child.

“Um,” He tried to remember but it seemed to have flown away, “I don’t really remember…” He mumbled, “I mean- I don’t have many memories past a couple of years.” Mabel tilted her head and thought about questioning him. He read her mind and answered for her, “I just woke up in the woods one day and, after being run out of the town, I started living here.”

“So, you’ve been alone all this time?”

“I guess. Sometimes the fae come by and ask for potions.”

“Is that why you contracted me?” He stayed quiet. He wasn’t sure why he contracted her. He just wanted to help her.

“Not...completely.” He reached for her hand and then pulled back, “You looked like you needed help.”

“R-right…” she looked away from him and played with the robe tassel again, “Thank you, by the way.”

“The potion worked?” She shook her head and gripped her fists. Like she was holding back from telling him the truth, “I’m sorry.”

She put on a smile, “It’s alright.” She stood quickly and wished him a quick good night. Rushing off to her room. He didn’t run after her right away. Instead, waiting until she should be in bed. When he went back to her room he found her still in her robe crying, “Aiden, I-”

He sat next to her and held his arms out. She took the gesture and huddled into his arms, “You’ll be ok.”