赤裸裸的滑稽故事

Caleb felt her heart rate increase as a fearful unease swept her body.

Ashleigh swallowed and then backed away from the plate. She turned and carried the tray to the desk, setting it down slowly and keeping her back to him as she let the desk support her weight.

"Ash…?" Caleb called to her.

"I didn't think it would work…" she whispered.

He stepped closer to her, wanting to reach out, to calm and comfort her.

"You didn't think what would work?" he asked softly.

"I'm sorry, Caleb," she whispered.

He could hear the tears in her voice.

"I'm sorry… I shouldn't have…" her voice cracked, and she let out a heavy sob.

Caleb wanted to give her room, to allow her the space she might need. It had been five years for her but only a few days for him.

But seeing her cry, feeling her pain. He couldn't bear it.

He closed the distance and turned her to face him, seeing the tears that ran down her face for only a moment before he wrapped his arms around her, holding her close.

"It's all right," he whispered. "Whatever it is, it will be all right."

Ashleigh returned his hug, letting herself go in the warmth of his embrace. A warmth she had longed for every day of the last five years.

When she had stepped out of the tavern two days ago and felt the pull of their bond, she had frozen in place. Unable to move, unable to breathe. It wasn't until she heard the shouting from the dock that she was able to react.

She ran to the dock and saw him lying on the ground, soaking wet but appearing exactly as he had that day five years ago.

Ashleigh ran to him. The only thought on her mind was that he was back. And even after he lost consciousness, she argued with the locals not to take him to the hospital. As she put him in her bed and as she watched him sleep. All she could think about was that he was back.

She breathed him in, letting his scent roll over her body and ignite her memories.

The laughter and joy they had shared, the passion and desire. The scent of the treehouse, of the forest. Sounds of the softly lapping waves of the ocean against the deck of their honeymoon suite.

Ashleigh took a deep breath, lifting her chin onto his shoulder and pulling him closer.

"It's okay," Caleb whispered again, rubbing her back gently and running his fingers over her hair.

Ashleigh opened her eyes. The plate fell into view immediately. She took a deep breath and pulled away from him.

She wiped her eyes and slipped out of his arms. Then, turning, she grabbed the plate of food that she had brought for him and carried it to the armchairs.

"Have a seat," she said softly. "You need to eat."

Caleb took a deep breath and followed, sitting down and taking the plate from her hand. As he sat back in the chair, he caught her scent. It was all around him. He turned his head into the chair, inhaling deeply. A low growl in his belly.

"You slept here," he whispered.

"Yea," she replied, sitting down in the other chair.

He turned his silvery eyes on her.

"Why?" he asked.

Ashleigh swallowed, licking her lips.

"Because," she whispered with a sad smile and a gentle shrug. "I was afraid of waking up and finding you gone."

Caleb's heart ached.

Ashleigh looked at the plate left by Leshy. Then, she took a deep breath and closed her eyes, preparing herself.

"A few days ago," she began softly. "I was thinking of you."

He felt the heaviness in her words, the pain.

"I found myself in a forest that I wasn't familiar with, but all I could think about was you," she continued. "I suddenly remembered what Lily had told me once. About asking favors of the ancients."

Caleb furrowed his brow.

"She said it was a bad idea," Ashleigh said with a gentle scoff and a smile. "That the cost is always more than the favor."

Caleb looked at the plate of bread and salt.

"But I didn't care about the price at that moment," Ashleigh whispered. "I just wanted to see you again."

Caleb thought of the memory he had seen, of the small arm reaching through the window and beckoning him.

"You asked Leshy to bring me back?" he asked.

Ashleigh nodded.

"And now you're worried about the cost of that favor?" Caleb asked.

"It made us kill wolves that couldn't defend themselves. It threatened to wipe out all of the wolves. All because they were too noisy," she replied.

Caleb looked at the plate again.

"What is this?" he asked. "How did you know it was from Leshy without my actually saying so?"

"That's the offering," she said. "The one I leave in the forests I visit."

"More than once?" he asked.

Ashleigh nodded.

"I have left offerings for years," she said. But, then, quickly added, "I have never asked for a favor before. I just left the offerings."

"Why?"

"Because it asked me to?"

Caleb smiled and then chuckled.

Ashleigh furrowed her brows.

"Ash," he said, reaching out and taking her hand. "There is nothing to worry about."

"What do you mean?"

"Leshy was here. It spoke to me," he said. "It told me to tell you that there was no debt, that it does what it wants when it wants and appreciates those that appreciate it."

Ashleigh looked back at the plate again.

"So, you mean…."

"It seems Leshy wanted to help you as a thank you for your offerings," Caleb smiled. Squeezing her hand. "You really have a way of gaining favor with powerful beings."

Ashleigh let out a breath and a soft laugh.

"That is not the compliment you think it is," she sighed.

He kept his eyes on her, looking at the scar, at her shortened hair.

"Ashleigh," he whispered.

Ashleigh lifted her gaze. She swallowed when she saw the look in his eyes. The heat that moved beneath the icy color of his eyes.

"You missed me," he said. "You asked Leshy to find me."

Ashleigh swallowed as Caleb stood up. He set the plate of food in his chair and stood before her.

"Can I take that to mean that I am still the one in your heart?" he asked, his voice low.

Ashleigh furrowed her brow and immediately stood up.

"How can you ask me that!" she shouted angrily. "Of course you are! Do you have any idea–"

Caleb pulled Ashleigh into his arms, interrupting her words by abruptly crashing his lips over hers.