“Wake up love.”

The gentle murmur roused me from my sleep. I felt strong arms wrapped around me and smooth scales.

“Mmm,” I groaned as I turned over.

“You need to get up,” he chuckled.

“Nooo.”

“The sooner you wake up, the sooner we can kiss.”
“You make a tempting offer,” I yawned as I rubbed the sleep from my eyes.

“Of course I do, I’m very charismatic,” he said as I felt him run a hand along my hip.

I sat up and looked over at him. He was laying, one hand resting on my hip as a soft smile danced on his mouth. His eyes looked like Jade’s in the soft morning light.

“Why don’t I fix us some breakfast, then I need to go drop off those books,” he said as he propped himself up on an elbow.

“That sounds lovely,” I said as I stretched. “I’m going to go wash up real quick.”
I leaned down and kissed him, before making my way to the bathroom.

I coyly dropped my shirt off behind me as I entered the bathroom, and spared a glance back to see a blush painting Drolter’s cheeks.

“Oh come on, you were inside me last night and my ass elicits a blush still?” I called laughing.

“I can’t help it that you’re so beautiful I have a physical reaction!” He shouted indignantly as I closed the bathroom door.

I felt a blush paint my cheeks.

“Damnit,” I groaned as I entered the bathroom. “He’s not even trying to be smooth, so why is he good at it?”

I twisted the handle on the tub and pulled the knob for the shower to start.

---

“I think this is the first time I’ve had your cooking,” I said looking at the bowl of porridge in front of me. A small pile of peaches lay on top, and a mug of coffee sat beside the bowl.

“I think porridge isn’t a great example of my ability,” he chuckled looking for a clean shirt.

“It’s pretty decent either way,” I said around a mouthful.

“Thank you,” he chuckled buttoning up a silvery-grey shirt. I saw him dig for a pair of pants before doing a ridiculous jumping motion to get them on.

“Is that how you normally put on pants,” I snorted.

“Well my legs are not really designed for pants,” he huffed finally getting them on. “Why do you think I usually wear a tunic and skirt?”

“Fair enough.”

“Besides,” he said coming over for a sip of coffee. “A skirt is way more comfortable.”

“That is indeed,” he pulled on a dark blue jacked before swinging the heavy leather bag over his shoulder.

“I should be back in an hour or so,” he said coming over and kissing my temple.

“Okay,” I paused. “Hey Drolter?”

“Yes Ephie?” He looked at me.

“I love you,” I said looking him the eye.

A grin formed on his face.

“I love you too,” his hand stroked my face for a second before he headed for the door.

I glanced down at my half eaten porridge and contemplated what to do with my free hour. I remembered suddenly that on the way to the docks yesterday I stopped by my apartment to pick up some mail. I reached over and grabbed my bag before digging in. I grasped a hand around the envelopes and thumbed through them. Bill, advertisement, letter from an old friend, letter from my parents, letter from—

Letter from my parents?

I looked at the envelope, my mothers handwriting distinct. At least she had the courtesy to write the address in Common. I ran a finger along the seal and ripped it open. A sprig of lavender slid out, I took a whiff as I slid the letter our and began to read. Of course, she wrote it in Halfling.

Dearest Euphemia,

How are you my dearest daughter? It had been far to long since we last saw eachother! Your cousin Marigold has just had her baby, a gorgeous boy she named Falton, after your great-grandfather of course! The Tavern is doing wonderfully, especially with the new trade route that passes just next to the town. Had a run in with a couple of vagabond Dwarfs, you know how rough they can be! But we took care of that quickly. Your father is dealing with that old hip of his, he’s been taking a draft the cleric prescribed.

I miss you dearly, so much so that on our yearly trip to the summer home we be stopping in Kama for a number of days. We will be there in about a month, I look forward to seeing you. Could you send a reply soon so we can find a suitable inn? I know you live in a one bedroom apartment.

Best Wishes,

Your dearest Mother

“Oh gods no,” I groaned.

They have the worst timing don’t they? I don’t want them scaring off Drolter, let alone their…less than friendly attitudes about other races. Not to mention, they think my only partners have been that Halfling guy and an Elf. The Elf they begrudgingly accepted because he was “close enough” in their words.

I ran my finger along the words and sighed. I love them, I really do, but gods they could be insufferable. I let the letter slip out of my hand as I grabbed my bowl and mug, I hoped up on to a step stool I had brought over and scrubbed the dishes. I wondered how I was going to tell Drolter, and how to prepare him.

“I wonder how his parents will feel about him dating a Halfling?” I wondered aloud.

---

By the time Drolter had come back I was curled up on the couch with a book and a cup of tea.

“Hey love,” I said as he clicked open the door and dropped the now empty bag on the chair of his desk.

“Hey,” he smiled and kissed the top of my head.

I heard him go behind me and into the kitchen.

“Oh whose the letter from? The Lavender is a nice touch,” he called.

“My parents, and how did you know about the Lavender? It’s in my pocket dimension right now.”

“I can smell it wafting off the letter,” he said as he rounded the corner. “I’m guessing it’s written in Halfling?”

“Yep, they’re letting me know I have a month to prepare for the apocalypse.”

He paused with an eyebrow raised.

“…Them visiting,” I chuckled nervously.

“Ah, I see, don’t you get along with them?”

“I do, from a distance. Plus I’m worried about them meeting you,” he looked confused actually hurt at that. “No no, wait—Drolter you’re incredible, they’re the issue.”

“Oh,” he looked a tad relived, and sat down next to me.

“They’re…not the best fan of other races?”

“Your parents are racist?” He looked surprised.

“But in a weird way? Like they’re fine in general, but they’re not fan of me specifically dating non-halflings. They barely tolerated me dating an Elf,” I sighed as I snuggled into him.

“I think it’ll be fine,” he said glancing over at me and running and hand through my hair.

“Are your parents nice?”

“Oh absolutely, they just want me to be happy and told me I could end up with a Sphinx and as long as they were good to me they wouldn’t care.”

“That’s nice,” I sighed.

“It’ll be fine,” he reassured.

“I hope so, but I’ll give you a signal.”

“Okay,” he chuckled and ruffled my hair.