Jashen scooped it up. "It's a receipt."
"That's not a receipt, that's the GDP of a micro nation! I'm not paying for that."
Anna took the receipt from Jashen. "Lafayette, it's a receipt. It's been paid for already."
I felt my soul give out.
It was going to a new world, a fresh start, hopefully where I'll be an inanimate object.
"On the bright side, we get same-day delivery!" Jashen chimed as she walked over and took my hands. Anna smiled softly.
Lance stood up and stretched. "So what's next?"
Anna folded the receipt. "They're moving the furniture into carts now. I'll go make sure everything is alright." She turned to leave.
Lance followed after her.
I stayed seated. Jashen looked over at my plate of unfinished meatballs and took one. "These are good." She says between bites.
"Not as good as 15 gold," I grumbled.
Jashen's smile softened. "Maybe, but having a full house is definitely better than 15 gold."
I sighed.
"Jashen, we're broke. Why are you letting people spend our money like it's theirs?"
Jashen finished her meatball and licked her lips.
"Well, it was originally 20 gold. Anna negotiated it down to fifteen and then paid five of her own coins. So we only paid ten. You know?"
A hard lump rolled down my throat. "She did?"
Jashen nodded as she ate another meatball. "She did. I was a little confused too, but she said friends have each other's backs. Unlike a certain someone." She glared at me playfully.
I sat there.
Damn, Anna is moving like that? I leaned on the counter with a frown. Now I can't even be mad about it.
If anything I had a smile on my face.
Lance found a good woman, seriously. And now she's Jashen's friend.
Jashen stepped between my legs and turned her back to me. "Also, I want to work at the café." She took my hands and placed them around herself. "At least until you get out of school, is that okay?"
I pressed my face against her hair as I squeezed her waist. "Jashen, you don't need my permission to work," I said with a soft tiredness.
Jashen held my hand.
"I know, but I want your permission. You're my mate, we must trust each other and talk about everything."
I huffed and pulled back a bit.
"Fine, why do you want to work there? I mean I know it's because you're bored at home, but why work with Anna specifically?"
"Because she treats me like I'm normal." She explained. "Just like you do. She makes jokes, she teases me, but she's also really nice and explains things without making me feel dumb."
"Ehhh, you're kinda dumb." I teased.
She elbowed me. "Meanie." She turned around in my grasp and pressed her nose against mine. "But mostly, I like talking to people."
I smirked.
"That's a terrible reason."
She raised her hand and pinched my cheek. "It's the best reason. That's how I found you, isn't it?" I brushed her hand aside.
"I found you, saved you, and then had to deal with your annoying ass the entire time I was in Kotal."
Jashen laughed softly as she laced her fingers with mine. "You could've left, but you didn't." Her voice dropped to a whisper.
A shiver ran down my spine.
She was right, I could've left at any moment. I just let her stick around. I didn't know why then, and I don't know now.
Jashen noticed my softened expression and her tail stilled. She took a deep breath and pulled her hand away.
The loss of warmth was sobering.
"I know you're very reserved." She began, her tone low and slow. A stark contrast to her fast and erratic way of speaking. "So, I don't take it personally when you're mean."
She continued. "And, I know you struggle with being intimate. Because of everything that has happened in your past. So you don't have to label what we are. As long as you accept that I want you."
I felt a pit in my stomach open up and my heart raced.
"I-I-I…" My stutter was very breathy. "It's not that, it's… uhm, it's not that I don't want you. I do, but I'm not… uh…"
Jashen smiled softly and placed a finger over my lips. "Shhhh. I know, you don't have to rush, okay?"
I met her gaze.
Then I slowly took her hand away. I didn't release it though. I held her hand in mine and squeezed it. "Okay," I finally replied.
Jashen's smile deepened. It was a quiet smile, the kind you'd give to someone you genuinely cared for.
She then stepped forward and rested her head against my chest. I raised a hand and scratched behind her ear.
Neither of us said anything after that.
I watched as customers walked by with curious looks. Though no one really said anything about the fox lady.
If I had to guess this was a bit like seeing a different race for the first time. They look normal enough that their unique features really stand out.
Jashen really has a lot of restraint in retrospect.
I can't imagine being stared at everywhere I go. I'd lose my mind.
"Hey!" Lance jogged over. "We're ready to go."
Jashen shot up. "Really? Where's Anna?"
Lance gestured behind himself with a thumb. "She's with the guys and the wagons. Making sure they don't steal anything or whatever."
He chuckled.
I frowned. "Shouldn't you be doing that? You know, considering you're the fire user?"
Lance raised a finger. "Yes, but I wouldn't pay attention. It's easier for her to just tell me who to burn."
"Sounds like the excuse of a loser."
Lance smirked. "Hey, I'll be the loser who doesn't have to watch sweaty men all day."
I paused.
"Fair point."
Jashen and I followed Lance outside. She took my hand without looking and I didn't stop her.
— — —
Outside, broad-shouldered deliverymen rested against carts with bored expressions.
Inside the carts were stacks of flat parcels and wrapped bundles tied down with rope. Anna looked over her shoulder as we approached.
"Perfect timing, are you ready to go?" Jashen nodded eagerly. "Absolutely."
Anna smiled before she turned to me. "Jashen and I will ride in the lead wagon. You and Lance will ride in the rear.
I nodded.
Lance gestured for me to follow him.
Once we were all settled in our positions, the convoy rolled off the lot. The ride through the city was slow. I reclined in my seat on the driver's bench and watched the city pass me by.
A musician playing piano on the corner for a small crowd. A black and white cat that raced along the rooftops. And city criers waving newspapers.
"This just in, this just in, her majesty the empress has just put in the order for three additional battleships. Read all about it!"
I sighed and closed my eyes.
— — —
By the time we reached our home, the sun was beginning to set. The delivery men quickly got to work unloading our furniture.
Lance offered to help, but the men rejected him. They moved quickly and in about an hour our living room was packed with all sorts of unassembled furniture.
Along with an icebox, a few mattresses, and some other miscellaneous things.
The delivery men then left without much ceremony.
Lance placed his hands on his hips and whistled. "I'm sure glad I don't have to put any of this together." He gave me a cheeky side eye.
I glared at him. "Not a chance. You're helping."
Jashen chuckled softly. "No, no it's fine. We'll piece everything together on our own."
Anna raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure? Lance was only joking." She elbowed him.
He coughed and nursed his side.
Jashen nodded with a smile. "I'm sure, it's our home and I want to finalize it with Lafayette. Thank you, though."
Anna sighed. "Well alright, will I see you tomorrow at the café?"
"Absolutely, I'll be there when Lafayette leaves for school."
Anna nodded and walked over to kiss Jashen on the cheek. She then grabbed her arm. "If you need anything don't hesitate to contact us, alright?"
"Of course," Jashen said as she returned the kiss.
Lance looked at me and gestured to his lips. I quickly shook my head with a deep frown. He nodded with a thumbs up and mouthed, "You're right."
After Lance and Anna left, Jashen turned to me. "So."
I shrugged. "Do you want to just drag a mattress upstairs and call it a night?
"I'd love that."