Together with the Fox Spirit

We walked back toward town, an hour’s journey along quiet country roads. On either side stretched pastures dotted with grazing animals, and fields of crops swaying in the light breeze. The only sounds were the bleating of sheep, the rustle of leaves, and the soft crunch of our sandaled feet on clumps of springy grass.

Her hand was still in mine. It felt natural, like something we’d been doing forever. The Obereg clinked in my pocket, useless, while the bag of damp towels bumped against my back with every step.

She drifted closer until our shoulders brushed. Whether it was to steady her magic or something more personal, I couldn’t tell. I hated myself for not knowing. Was her closeness affection… or just necessity? There was no handbook for handling a humanoid spirit. No records. It was just me, her, and my own shaky intuition.

Before I could stop myself, the words slipped out.
“Do you… like me?”

The heat rushed to my face instantly. I wanted to swallow the question back down, but it was far too late. Becki’s head snapped toward me, her cyan eyes unreadable.
“Excuse me?”

I forced myself to commit. “D-do you… like me?”

For a second she only stared. Then her lips curved into a smile.
“Of course I like you, silly. Why else would I still be here? I couldn’t bear to spend the rest of my physical life with someone I didn’t like.”

My heart fluttered, even as doubts still crowded in. Our pace didn’t falter; our hands stayed linked, though mine was clammy with nerves.

“So… you’re okay with spending the rest of our lives together?”

She nodded without hesitation. “Yeah. I decided that when you first cooked for me.”

I laughed weakly. “When I cooked for you?”

“Mm.” She nodded, her ears twitching with the motion. “I decided you were good. I wouldn’t have slept in the same bed as you if I hadn’t.”

My heart hammered so loud I was sure she could hear it. “So… everything from then on, even when we… bathed together…”

She smiled. “Because I liked you.”

The words stole my breath. My chest tightened until I could hardly speak. But I managed one more question.
“Then why don’t you want to bond?”

Her gaze dropped to the road. “I told you - I don’t want to be controlled.”

“But… how much do you really know about the bond?”

Her ears twitched again. “What do you mean?”

“Control only happens if the spirit loses control. Otherwise, you’re free. Most spirits are animalistic - they need guidance, sometimes even restraint. But you…” I swallowed, meeting her eyes. “I’ve never thought about needing to control you. You’re reckless, sure, but you understand the consequences. You keep yourself in check.”

Her eyes shimmered. “Really?”

“Yeah.” The words tumbled out faster than I could stop them. “Besides… Becki, you already know what I think of you.”

Her smile turned shy. “That I’m cute, right?”

“That, and more.” My voice steadied. “You’re the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen. But you’re also kind, and fun, and… I wouldn’t trade you for anything.”

Her cheeks flushed pink, her eyes darting away for the first time. Her voice dropped to a whisper.
“Really? You really think of me that way?”

I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest. I squeezed her hand tighter-

-and then she stopped dead. She turned, pulling me to face her, eyes blazing with sudden resolve.
“Aym. I want to bond. Now.”

I hesitated a second too long.
“Please.”

That single word shattered the last of my doubt. I nodded frantically, fumbling for the Obereg. I raised it toward her, but she shook her head.

“Do it properly. Put it on your forehead first.”

I obeyed. The gem sank into my skin, glowing faintly as it anchored itself. When I looked up, Becki was already leaning toward me, her eyes burning into mine. Her free hand found mine and squeezed.

Closer.

Closer.

Our foreheads met with a soft bump. The pressure of the gem shifted as it sank into her, locking into place and splitting into two. The bond was sealed - no magic could undo it now.

But Becki didn’t stop. She tugged me forward until our faces aligned, and before I could even think, her lips pressed against mine.

For a heartbeat I froze. Then everything else - wind, fields, animals, time itself - vanished. There was only her. The warmth of her lips. The softness. The way her breath mingled with mine, carrying a thousand unspoken words.

When she finally pulled away, sadness brushed me for an instant - until I looked into her glimmering cyan eyes and saw the bond shining there, unbreakable.

Her voice was soft, trembling.
“I love you, Aym.”

My heart stuttered. Before I could reply, she kissed me again, deeper this time, and I let myself fall completely, knowing this was only the beginning.