Triple A Adventuring Agency (Epilogue)

[[Authors note: I don't really think the "Adult" tag is necessary for this chapter but included it just in case. Adult situations described but nothing graphic.]]

[[Enjoy the Real ending to our intrepid duo's first little adventure. If you like the story, or even if you think it is just ok (Heck, even if you thought it was trite and hackneyed) leave me a comment down below.]] 

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Later that day, at Triple A's headquarters, Cricket and Malbec return from their adventure, weary and worn-out, but happy.

"... Oh, so that's why the Wizard's Guild bakery was such strange colours. And they found how many fish in the magistrate's pants?" Malbec nodded along to Cricket's story. His pack had a few more shrubs and herbs hanging off it. He looked at the large clay jar held tightly in Cricket's arms. In it was the prize of the many twists and turns they'd experienced by the Dagger River. 
I guess I shouldn't be surprised she won the bet.

"Seven, but one was actually a starfish so it doesn't really count." Cricket sets the jar down carefully on her desk, sneaking glances at him. 
Gods, I can't believe this is real. The flower, the kiss, everything.
"So... about that massage I won..." She fidgets with her sleeve. "Unless you're still feverish? We could postpone it. Or cancel it. Or pretend I never suggested it and go hunt more carnivorous mushrooms instead?"
Why am I so nervous? We've already kissed!
She steps closer, her fingers brushing his arm. "Though I have to admit, watching you fight off that vine creature was pretty impressive. Even if you did end up hanging upside down for a while."
His muscles must be so sore from that...
"Maybe we could... um... take care of that now? If you want?"

"The fever is much better now, thanks,” he replies as he carefully unloads his pack onto an empty space on the floor. "I think your last potion really did the trick; although, the spot the tail grew is still a little itchy. Thank the gods that was only temporary, or I would've had to put a hole in all my pants." He gives his hips a tail wagging little wiggle as he turns a small circle.

"And you were pretty incredible yourself, and more than deserve a little pampering." Malbec's imagination goes a little too far and his face turns scarlet. "I mean, as long as you don't mind of course. My hands are a little rough and calloused, so I'd understand if you'd rather I not, you know, t-touch you."

Cricket's breath catches at his words.
Those rough hands that held me so tenderly by the stream...
"Touch me? I mean, yes! Please. I'd like that." She fumbles with her armor straps. "Just... be gentle? I'm still a bit sore from that vine incident."
What am I doing? This is crazy!
She sheds her outer layers, leaving her in a thin undershirt. "Maybe we could use that lavender oil we found? For... um... medicinal purposes?" 
Gods, his eyes...

"You know," she whispers, stepping closer, "I've never had anyone take care of me before. It's usually just me, stumbling from one disaster to another." Her fingers brush his chest. "But with you... maybe disasters aren't so bad?"
Please kiss me again.

"Before meeting you, I never would have known just how fun a little disaster could be." says Malbec, he feels his heart flutter as he watches Cricket doff her protective gear. His knees weaken at her touch. He lets his gloves slip from his hands. "I can admit I've made a lot of mistakes in the short amount of time I can recall," he says in a warm yet hushed tone. He reaches up to brush some hair from her face, his hand lingering on her cheek. "But knocking on your door was one of the best decisions I ever made." He pulls her in close and presses his lips to hers.

Cricket melts into his kiss, her fingers tangling in his hair. "Malbec..." she breathes against his mouth. "I want..." Her hands slide down his chest, trembling slightly.
What am I doing? But it feels so right...
She presses closer, her body molding against his. "Maybe we should... take this somewhere more comfortable?" Her voice drops to a whisper. "Unless you'd rather stay here and risk another client walking in?" 
Please say yes. Please want this as much as I do.

He didn't have the heart to say that was a pretty low risk. Instead, Malbec just nods, "Comfortable sounds good." At a loss for words, he let his eyes, and hands, speak for him; a look of longing, a lingering touch, a smile that said, 'You lead, and I'll follow.'

Cricket leads him up the narrow staircase to her tiny apartment above the agency. Her fingers intertwine with his, pulling him along. "I know it's not much..." She gestures at the sparse room - a bed, a desk covered in papers, shelves stuffed with oddities. "But it's home."
At least until the debt collectors find me.

Hopefully the herbs and medicines we found will be able to ease her burden a little bit.
Malbec looks around the cozy living quarters, "It's perfect." He leaves out 'just like you', thinking it might sound like a cheap line. 
But it's true. All her little quirks and habits, the way she told her stories, and even her adorable stumbles; it all felt perfect. Like...
"Home. It's been a while since I've had somewhere I could call that. I—"

She turns to face him, her grey eyes dark with desire. Her hands slide beneath his shirt, exploring the muscles of his chest. "I want you," she whispers against his neck. "Even if this is crazy. Even if I'm probably going to mess everything up somehow..."
Like I always do.
She presses herself against him, her lips finding his in the darkness.
"Stay with me tonight?"

His words catch in his throat when he feels her hands against his skin. His doubts and worries become muted and small as her lips press against his in the darkness.
"I will stay with you, forever."

Cricket's heart pounds against her ribs as his words sink in.
Forever? He wants...
"Forever is a long time," she whispers, trembling fingers as they slip around the hem of his shirt. "Long enough for me to cause at least a thousand disasters."

Her lips brush his collarbone.
His skin tastes like heaven.
"But if you're sure..." She guides him toward her bed, her grey eyes dark with need. "Then I want to show you exactly what you're signing up for."

"Stay with me," she breathes against his mouth. "Let me be your home.”

As his shirt drops to the floor, Malbec’s heart catches in his throat. 

Wordlessly he gives her his answer.