A Human’s Guide to Surviving Magical Mishaps

The obvious answer is to ask Ashton for help, but I really don't want to overstep. Particularly since I don't know what kinds of things might make him uncomfortable. I COULD cut the ties, but I love this dress and I don't want to risk damaging it beyond repair. Okay I give up. I'll just have to cave and ask for help. I unlock the door and step out of the bathroom.

"Ashton?" I call out softly. I figure I don't need to speak loudly and risk waking dad since Ashton can hear me through the bathroom door when I'm basically muttering to myself. A few moments later he appears in the hallway. "You called?" He answers politely.

"Yes, sorry to bother you but I'm stuck. Do you think you can get the knot undone on this dress?” I ask, half turning my back to him so that he can see what I'm talking about. He takes so long to respond that I assume I've done something wrong and prepare to retreat to the bathroom. Maybe I can replace the tie and stitch in a replacement. I'm fairly sure there is a pair of scissors in the bathroom vanity... I move to return to the bathroom.

"It's alright, I'll just-" I start but he cuts me off by grabbing my hand gently to stop me from leaving.

“I will help.” He states firmly, although there's an edge to his voice that makes me think he had to think through his decision a lot more than I would have. His warm hands brush against my lower back as he tugs and pulls at the ties and the sensation makes me shiver. I ramble to fill the silence.

"I feel like I should tell you that helping with this doesn't really mean much to humans, well... except maybe that we're friends since I wouldn't necessarily feel comfortable asking a total stranger for help. I just-" The knot comes loose and Ashton takes a step back. I hold onto the loosened strings to stop them from moving any further so that my dress doesn't slip.

"It is okay, I understand Katerina." He speaks gently but the look he's giving makes me blush, like he is confused and can't quite figure me out.

"Uh right, thanks." I say awkwardly before heading back to the bathroom and closing the door behind me. It isn't until I'm already undressed and in the shower that I realise that's the first time I can recall that he's used my name without adding a title to it.

I shower and brush my teeth quickly, not wanting to make Ashton wait too long. Since I'm not logical enough to have remembered to bring my pyjamas into the bathroom with me I crack the door open, glance down the hall to confirm that h is nowhere in sight, then dash to my room wrapped in a soft grey towel. Again since I know he can hear me, I am quiet and speak to Ashton as I get dressed.novelbin

"I am finished with the bathroom. You can shower now if you would like." I tell him. If he responds I don't hear it. But by the time I'm pulling on a dark blue tank top over my fuzzy grey shorts, I can hear the water starting in the shower. It actually is pretty convenient being able to speak to him from here, even if the conversations are a little one sided. Then again, I'm not sure I would enjoy being able to hear so much. Some conversations are private for a reason. Since my hair is still wet and dripping down my back, I squeeze it out in my towel before throwing the damp towel into the hamper and heading out to the living room. There's no way I'm sleeping until my hair dries at least a little, so I flick on the TV and turn on another random cop drama. They're basically my guilty pleasure. I started watching them because dad hates them. He always complains about how many rules and procedures are clearly being broken. It was funny to hear his comments, but now I like them because they remind me of him and they just make me smile. Ashton joins me a few minutes later. His hair is also wet and he's wearing the pants we got him to sleep in. No shirt, I didn't think it was worth buying one since he clearly dislikes wearing the extra items if he doesn't have to. Plus who am I to stop the hot guy from walking around my house shirtless? Ashton is watching the TV with a dedication and focus that I don't share. He probably has to pay a little extra attention to be sure what's actually happening. Meanwhile my mind is wandering. Partly because I am tired and partly because I've seen this one before. I take the chance to send a quick text off to Lucy. Kat- Hey Luce, just reminding you that you can come collect your clothes and makeup sometime tomorrow. Also that I am totally expecting you to help clean up the mess we made in my room. We've been friends too long for me to be cleaning up after you <3

To my surprise, Lucy answers right away and aside from a couple missed spaces, her message makes sense. She must have sobered up a bit after all.

Lucy- You gotit.

Lucy- So how didyou go untying that dress?

Huh? What does she mean by that? Unless...

Kat-!!! Did you make it hard to untie on purpose!?!?

Lucy- I'll never tell. But you wanted it to be secure didn't you? I can't imagine you were able toget it off yourself...

Kat- I can't decide if your insane or a genius...

Lucy- I'm an evil genius. Keep up. So did your fae help you get undressed?

Kat- Good night Luce. Sleep well.

Lucy- Spoil sport. Night.

When the tv show ends Ashton turns his attention back to me.

"I had a fun night, mostly." He adds to the end.

"I'm glad. I am sorry that we didn't get much done for your search though. I'll work extra hard tomorrow and hopefully something useful will turn up." I promise him.

"It is okay. I needed a break. I have had a trying few days and it was nice to be able to relax a little bit, even if keeping my glamour on all the time is somewhat annoying." He sighs and I'm momentarily confused before I remember that just because I was seeing through his glamour, it doesn't mean he wasn't wearing it and that it wasn't bothering him.

"Oh right, I totally forgot you were wearing one." I comment and his brow furrows.

"You forgot that I do not actually look human?" He seems shocked that I would forget how he really looks, which I suppose makes sense.

"Actually, you have it backwards. I looked through your glamour this morning after we finished clothes shopping and you've looked like yourself ever since. I forgot you were wearing a glamour at all." I admit. I feel a little bad. Maybe we shouldn't have stayed out so long since it's uncomfortable for him. I'm about to apologise when I realise that Ashton is beaming at me. He looks happier than I've ever seen him and I have no idea why. There is still a hint of pain and sadness in his face, but he looks way more comfortable. I, however, feel kind of uncomfortable, mostly because he's staring at me like he expects something and I have no idea what. I decide I'm too tired for this and take the coward's way out. "Okay... Well, I'm going to bed. I'll see you in the morning." My words are practically a squeak and I get to my feet to leave. Ashton catches my hand, then stands up next to me.

"Thankyou for today, and good night." He does that weird bowing thing over my hand but he holds it a second longer than he has in the past and unlike the previous times, he presses a light kiss into the back of my hand before releasing it. I stare at him wordlessly for a moment before turning on the spot and dashing back to my room. What in the world was that?