Chapter 96: Velvet

Chapter 96: Velvet

Thump. Thump. Thump.

I opened my eyes at my head’s audible pounding and let out a soft groan.

“What happened last night...?”

My mouth was dry and tasted horrible as I sat up slowly, rubbing my temples.

The thumping came again, and I cocked my head as I realized it wasn’t my brain trying to escape my skull.

“Fischer!” a feminine voice called. “Are you alive in there?”

Despite my hangover, I smiled at the welcome voice.

I stumbled to the door and threw it open.

“Ah, there you are!” Maria beamed a smile and held something out. “Coffee?”

I groaned in delight and accepted the drink.

“I could kiss you, Maria.”

She smirked at me.

“You could, but maybe you should brush your teeth first—I caught a whiff of dad’s breath this morning, and I was notimpressed.”

My hungover brain shut down at her saying I could kiss her, but at her comment about Roger, I couldn’t help but laugh.

“How’s he doing today? I can only remember snippets of last night, but I know for a fact that he was absolutely hammered.”

“He’s doing much worse than you. That storm last night probably didn’t help—I know it woke me up a few times.”

“... there was a storm?”

She covered her mouth and giggled.

“You were probably too drunk to hear the thunder. It was the loudest I’d ever heard—the house even shook a few times.”

“Really? I slept all the way through, far as I can remember...”

“Maybe dad did too, but he still crawled back to bed after he had breakfast.”

“He’s taking the morning off...? Damn—he must be in rough shape.”

“Yeah, no kidding. I can’t remember the last time he did so.”

I sipped my coffee. The golden liquid washed away the bad taste in my mouth, and I luxuriated in its velvety bitterness.

“Ah. I needed that. Thank you.” I gave her a sheepish smile. “Were one of those croissants for me, or...?”

“What makes you think I have pastries?” she asked, her hand still hidden behind her back.

“I could smell that flaky, buttery goodness from a mile away.”

She grinned and removed a hand from behind her back, revealing a tray with two pastries.

“I suppose you can have one of my croissants.”

“What would I do without you?”

I grabbed the smaller one and took a bite. As with the coffee, the flavors were a welcome reprieve, and I let out a content mmm as I chewed, my eyes closed in delight.

After another sip of coffee, I smiled at Maria.

“Did you want to go fishing?”

“I did—I wanted to talk to you about something, too...”

“Oh? What’s that?”

She shook her head.

“It can wait. Are you ready to go now?”

“Let me just freshen up and have a quick shower.”

“Alright—I’ll wait out here. The sun feels lovely this morning.”

***

As we walked down to the shore, I couldn’t help but agree with Maria—the sun felt amazing on my skin. A hot shower had done wonders for my hangover, and I felt vastly improved from when I’d woken. A flitting breeze came from the west, and I closed my eyes, a smile coming to my face unbidden.

We traveled in a comfortable silence, both simply happy to be there.

I wasted no time in putting a slice of eel on my line, then passed it to Maria to cast.

“You do it,” she said, holding her hands up to stop me.

“You’re sure? I’m happy to share.”

“Yeah, I’m sure—but I have a condition.”

“Oh?”

“I want you to cast it as far as you can.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“Like... as far as a cultivator can, you mean?”

“Yep. Without breaking the rod, I mean.”

I shrugged, held the line back, then flicked the rod forward. It was a fraction of my strength, but the bait and sinker soared high over the waves, arcing through the sky for a good ten seconds before hitting the water’s surface with an inaudible splash.

Maria laughed.

“I won’t lie—I’m a little offended that you thought our time away was part of some conspiracy.”

I grimaced.

“I’m sorry. Despite their good intentions, my friends were sneaking around behind my back. I was feeling a little betrayed and wasn’t thinking straight.”

“It’s fine. You’ll just have to make it up to me...”

She stood and stretched, raising both arms high as she let out a soft noise. After the stretch, she rubbed her chin in exaggerated thought and narrowed her eyes as she stared into the far distance..

A loud “hmmmm” came from her throat, then she turned to me, her mouth ajar in feigned realization.

“What is it?” I asked.

She smirked.

“I just had an idea of how you can make it up to me...”

***

Maria lounged in the sand hugging a rather content Corporal Claws. She ran her small fingers through Claw’s belly fur, making the otter coo.

“You are just too cute,” she said, giggling at the way Claws grinned up at her.

“Stop—you’ll make me blush.”

Corporal Claws’ head darted toward me, a scowl plastered over her face as she chirped indignantly.

“Yes, yes, I know she was talking about you.”

Maria giggled again.

“You like being the center of attention, don’t you, Claws?”

She chirped her unequivocal agreement, nodding her head as Maria resumed giving her scritches.

I spun back around to check on my pan atop the campfire.

The fat was bubbling around the fish’s sides, turning the crumbing a delightfully golden hue.

I’d removed the fish’s filets, cut them into large chunks, then covered them in a herb, spice, and breadcrumb coating.

The smell of seasoning was already wafting up as the chunks of fish fried—my mouth watered, anticipating the meal.

I flipped one piece of fish with some tongs. The bottom side was perfectly cooked, so I rotated the rest of them. Exposing the undersides to the air made the aromas explode out, and I heard a small nose start sniffing the air incessantly.

I spun with a smile.

“You want some too, claws?”

Her fangs were extended, and she nodded fervently.

I looked back toward the pan as nervous butterflies took flight in my stomach. Rather than let my thoughts wander, I fussed over the fish, using the tongs to bob them down below the bubbling tallow.

Before I knew it, every side of crumbing was golden brown, so I removed a chunk to test. I poked it with my trusty tongs, and the flesh was firm; the fish was ready.

I removed the fish and put it on a rack sitting atop a breadboard, letting any excess oil fall away.

Staring down at them, the butterflies in my abdomen multiplied, feeling as though they were attempting to escape.

I took a deep breath, paused a moment, then spun.

Both ladies sat on the ground, their eyes glued to the food in my hands. With small, measured steps, I went to them, placing the breadboard down on the sands.

Claws, ever impatient, picked one up immediately; the fish was still way too hot, so she juggled it from paw to paw, her eyes wide with regret.

The sight made me laugh, and some of the butterflies stopped flapping so vigorously.

Then, I glanced at Maria, and they all took flight once more.

She looked up at me, and I kneeled down beside her.

“Are... are you sure, Maria?”

“What do you mean?” she replied, a smile on her lips.

“This can’t be taken back. If you change your mind, there’s no way to—”

She leaned in and planted a soft peck on my lips.

My brain short-circuited, and the butterflies dissipated like dust in the wind. I blinked at her as she pulled back, my face flushing.

“Er—thank you...”

She giggled and covered her mouth, then leaned forward once more.

Grabbing the back of my neck with one hand, she pulled me forward and pressed her lips against mine.

They were softer than velvet, warmer and more comforting than the sun’s rays. The moment lasted an eternity, yet was over too soon.

She pulled away, letting out a shaky breath as she stared into my eyes. Her cheeks were flushed as she smiled at me.

“I’m sure, Fischer. I won’t regret it.”

She turned to Claws, who’d stopped juggling the fish and stared at us with a slack jaw and wide eyes.

“Do you mind, Claws?” Maria asked, pointing at the cooled food in her paws.

Corporal Claws, my troublesome otter, blinked in response then slowly nodded, holding the golden chunk of fish out.

Maria grabbed it and beamed a grin at me.

Her eyes sparkled as she fixed her attention on the fish, and time slowed for me as she lifted it to her mouth.

She bit down and the fried breadcrumbs made a satisfying crunch.