The next few days Aiden became more distant. Her lessons on potion making stalled and he wouldn’t talk with Mabel for very long. The only time he would be with her for a long time was during deliveries to the Fae. But even then he kept things short and cold.
Junni had been watching their interactions the last few times they came over. She didn’t like it. Aiden was a good friend to her and she was glad he found someone like Mabel. She cornered him in the barn while he was putting away some animal medication and asked him what had happened, “I thought you really liked this girl. What happened?” He shrugged and she hit him on the head.
“OW!” He rubbed his head, “What the hell?” Junni just crossed her arms and tapped her foot. He looked around the barn for a distraction but Junni’s looming figure was the only thing he could look at, “I don’t want to talk about it…”
Junni just shrugged and walked away. If the man didn’t want to talk, he wouldn’t talk. Hopefully, her sister had a better time with Mabel. She found both of them in her kitchen drinking Starberry wine. Mabel was still on her first glass and her sister...on the 3rd bottle. She was already neck-deep in her passionate yet tragic romance with a centaur and a mermaid. Mabel’s face had turned pale as the old woman who used to run the shop in Selén continued to embellish and terrify Mabel with details she didn’t want to hear about.
“Willow!” Junni yelled and everyone stopped to look at her. She cleared her throat and smiled, “How are you two? Share any gossip?” She grabbed a seat and yanked the last wine bottle away from Willow. Who was pouting...a lot.
“W-Willow was just talking about umm...Fernando?”
Willow nodded sloppily and pointed an empty bottle at her, “An’ this one won’t tell me shit about that darned Creature!”
“Aiden,” Junni and Mabel corrected, “We’re fine.” Mabel lied. Junni didn’t buy her bullshit.
“Don’t make me slap you like I did Aiden.” she threatened, “Now, I’m going to put Willow to bed. You better change your mind about talking to me by then.” When she came back Mabel’s glass of wine was finished and her cheeks had turned a rosy pink, “You ok?” Mabel nodded and stared inside the glass.
“Does Aiden hate me?”
“Honey,” Junni cooed and wrapped an arm around her, “Why would you say that?” Mabel leaned against her and sniveled.
“I made him mad the other day and now he won’t talk to me.” Her sobs became more apparent and it was getting harder for her to talk, “I didn’t mean to make him mad. I just wanted to help him.”
“Do you want to tell me?” before Mabel could answer her doorbell rang. Most likely Aiden letting her know he was finished, “Mabel, how about staying with me for the night?”
She shook her head, “No, it’s not like he’s hurt me or anything. We just aren’t talking.”
“But that hurts too.” Mabel thought for a moment and then nodded. She would stay the night, “Alright, I'll let him know.” When she let him know he seemed a little surprised.
“Why does she want to stay over?” He was clearly worried. Fidgeting on the ends of his cloak like Mabel would do, “How long is she staying?”
Junni placed a hand on his shoulder, “It’s just for tonight. Willow gave her a bit too much to drink so it’s best if she stays here for tonight.”
“Oh...ok. Um. Did she say anything about me?” Junni looked him up and down, waiting for a better question, “Is she...scared of me?”
Junni, feigning innocence, gasped, “Now why would she be afraid of you?”
Aiden bit his lip and his ears bent down, “I yelled at her the other day. I shouldn’t have. And I’m really scared of losing her.”
Junni nodded thoughtfully, “Well, I guess you have a lot to talk about on the way home tomorrow.” He nodded remorsefully and wished her goodnight, “Aiden, take this as a woman’s intuition, but I don’t think she wants to lose you too.” He blushed a light blue and turned to go home. He wished her another goodnight and took off.
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