Lucy arrived home the day after Alexo left, and Ashton was ecstatic to see the teasing little pixie again. Even with all the drama from the sprites, it had been way too quiet without her.

They went out into the garden together, where Ashton took her to the pond to explain what had happened while she was away. The sprites were already resting deep underwater, but he was still excited to show her.

"Well, I'll be damned," Lucy announced, standing at the water's edge and squinting into its depths. "That's unexpectedly domestic of a bunch of sprites."

Ashton beckoned her away from the pond. "You might want to step further back if you're going to say such insulting things," he warned her. "Svernin is probably hibernating by now, but I wouldn't risk letting him overhear you. He might try to drown you."

Lucy looked unimpressed as she lobbed a pebble into the still water.

"Lucy!" Ashton exclaimed, startled. "Don't go stirring up trouble!"

She shrugged, unbothered. "As if they'd do something to the pond's owner."

Ashton stared nervously as the ripples still spreading across the water's surface, half expecting a disgruntled water sprite to poke their head out. "Yeah, but they don't know you. They only know Niles."

"Ha!" Lucy guffawed. "I smell like Niles. They'll know I'm with him."

"Sprites don't use scent to recognize things," Ashton reminded her, and she paled.

"Oh, shit," she gasped, and then she was off, buzzing through some bushes and scattering leaves in her wake.

***

Back inside, Niles was surprised to see Lucy back in the house so soon after going outside with Ashton.

"Luce?" he asked. "What's wrong? Where's Ashton?"

"I don't know, probably getting eaten by a bunch of angry sprites that I woke up from hibernation?" she answered.

Niles gave her a sharp look. "What? Where is he?"

Lucy shrugged. "Still outside, I guess. He was by the pond when I left."

Niles gasped and jumped up from his desk to look out the window. "You left him alone?" he demanded.

Lucy just yawned. "He's a big boy. He can handle himself."

"Lucy!" Niles couldn't believe how irresponsible she was acting. He had never left Ashton alone in the garden before. The few times he had, it was only because Lucy or Alexo were out there with him.

Lucy joined him at the window and pointed at a tiny form trudging back to the house. "There," she said. "See? He's fine."

Niles breathed a sigh of relief and sat back at the desk, where they quietly watched Ashton's approach.

"Ashton said Alexo was the one who brought the sprites?" she asked suddenly.

"Yep," Niles confirmed. "He just left yesterday."

"Damn," Lucy sighed. "I can't believe I missed him. I love Lex."

"Yeah, I was sad to see him go, too," Niles agreed. "It was nice to have him back for a bit." He continued to watch Ashton before turning back to Lucy.

"How was your visit with Mara, by the way? Did you guys find anything out about Ashton's clan?"

Lucy immediately groaned and flopped across Niles' fingers in despair. He smiled a little at her predictable theatrics and stroked her back between her wings where she liked.

"No," she moaned. "Forget about finding water sprites living with woodlands— we didn't hear anything about water sprites, period. We knew they were a reclusive bunch, but still!"

"What happened?" Niles asked, still rubbing her back.

"Mara didn't know anything, so we went to a local meeting spot for clans in her area to ask around."

Niles nodded. Made sense. "And?"

"And no one knew anything! Which... wasn't too surprising, since Ashton probably lives close to where he was kidnapped. But we do get quite a few out-of-towners at the local hub, so we thought someone would have heard something."

Niles played with her wings. "Don't worry about it," he said. "Lex said he'll check with some deep woods clans in the spring. I told him to start near Sharpstown."

Lucy opened her mouth to answer, but she paused and looked towards the doorway.

"What, is Ashton back inside?" Niles asked, knowing that her hearing was sharp enough to catch the small noise of the garden-facing faerie door open and close.

She nodded, and sure enough, Ashton made his way to the office, poking his small face through the doorway. He looked relieved to have found Lucy again, and she pushed off from Niles' hand to swoop down to Ashton on the floor.

"Just the faerie I wanted to see," she said, patting his arm. "Sorry I ditched you back there. Did the sprites wake up?"

He shook his head and followed her into the room. Niles slipped out of his chair to sit on the floor in front of them, and Ashton eyed him cautiously. He didn't flinch, however, which Niles took as a good sign. Thank goodness Lucy is back for the winter, Niles thought. Ashton will do much better with her here.

Unfortunately, Lucy loved throwing wrenches in Niles' plans. "Now that you're both here," she began, "I have some exciting news!"

She stabbed a finger at Niles aggressively. "Drumroll, please."

Ashton looked confused, and Niles rolled his eyes. "No, Luce, just spit it out," he said.

She hmphed a little that he wasn't playing along with her, but she was too excited to keep her news to herself. "Mara invited me to winter with her clan!" she exclaimed. "Isn't that great?!"

Niles and Ashton both stared at her, aghast.

"What?" Ashton blurted out, and Niles couldn't help but agree with his horrified tone. This wasn't good. Without Lucy to act as a buffer, Ashton would probably spend the whole winter in constant fear.

Lucy pretended not to see their crestfallen faces. "I know right?" she gushed. "I couldn't believe it either! I mean, we've only been together for..." she paused to count on her fingers, her tiny, pointy face scrunched in concentration. "Not even six months." She blinked. "Damn, she moves fast. Already inviting me to winter with the clan. My, oh my," she tittered. "Scandalous."

Niles sighed. "So, why did you even bother coming home if you're just going right back out?" he asked. "It's already cold outside. That was a bit risky, don't you think?"

Lucy waved off his concerned scolding. "Meh," she dismissed. "I wanted to pick up a few things here, first. And to let you know that I'll be gone."

She raised an eyebrow knowingly at Niles. "I knew you'd be worried sick if I didn't come back at all," she pointed out, and Niles had to agree. Despite being a spontaneous free-spirit, Lucy was considerate enough to always find a way to tell Niles when she wasn't coming home. Last time she had stayed with Mara, their friend Will had dropped her off on their way back from the ELCoF conference. He had been the one to let Niles know where Lucy was.

Ashton still looked upset, so Lucy patted his arm again. "Just think, you two will have so much fun without me!" she said, red eyes gleaming. Ashton looked like he wanted to argue, but he seemed to think better of it when he glanced up at Niles and realized he was still in the room with them.

Niles wanted to let him know that he understood, that he wished Lucy would stick around, too, but he didn't say anything. With how excited Lucy was, he couldn't bear to rain on her parade. It had been too long since he had seen her so excited about dating someone.

Oh well, he thought, staring at Lucy as she jabbered on about hers and Mara's plans for the winter. I'm sure Ashton and I will be fine. And who knows? Maybe this will be a good opportunity to help him become more comfortable with me. 

_____________________________________________________________

A/N: In case you couldn't tell, being invited to winter with your partner's clan is a big deal. It's not just Lucy being overdramatic and blowing it out of proportion. Mara really is taking a big step here.

Alexo has a standing invite from several woodlands clans to winter with them. He doesn't have a significant other in any of these clans, though. He's just built a lot of good relationships with different clans over the years. 

Thanks for reading and see you in the next part!