I had a headache when I woke up. It was to be expected. My eyelids were swollen as well, so I bet I looked like a goddess. I disappeared into the small washroom in our room to splash cold water on my face. It woke me and made me realized what happened last night was real. Ren had actually tried to kiss me.

Why did I run?

There was a knock on the doorframe and I turned around to see Ren was standing there. He looked tired, like he hadn't gotten much sleep. I looked closer at his eyes and realized I hadn't been the only one who was crying. I stood there awkwardly while he cleared his throat.

"I'm sorry." He said, voice wavering. "I'm sorry I made you feel uncomfortable."

I blanked for a moment. "You're sorry? I was the one being stupid."

He shook his head vigorously. "No it was my fault-"

"Ren, stop." I commanded. "I should have realized what was going on sooner and handled it better I, " I paused, swallowing, "I even appreciated the gesture."

His eyes widened. "You appreciated the gesture?"

I blushed, hating the leverage that statement gave him in the wrong circumstances. "Y-yes. I did, don't look to much into that."

Ren made a lopsided grin. "You want more gestures?"

I didn't think this was a joke. "I'm still thinking about that, okay. Let's take things one step at a time. I want today to be over. Then I'll decide if...if I want more gestures."

I don't know why we were treating kissing like it was some embarrassing word that people didn't say all the time. Ren nodded, then turned around and started packing all our stuff. I turned around and squished our complementary hand rags against my face as I contemplated screaming. My cheeks felt like they were on fire, and my heart? My heart felt like I had just got done running a marathon, I was surprised no one else could hear it rattling around the jail cell that was my rib cage. I feared any moment it might leapt from my body.

Once we were packed we found Lucille outside. She looked well rested and somewhat eager for our journey into the hills. Everything was so lush and beautiful. All of our previous travels were dull compared to Feudra Valley.

    "When do you think we'll reach the unicorn's hideout?" Ren asked, sounding slightly chipper.

    "Around lunch, worst case scenario." Lucille explained. "It's quite an easy walk."

    "Have you been here before?" I asked, confused.

    Lucille's ears flicked back and she didn't answer me. Why was it always when I talked? She never seemed to have a problem with Ren.

    Finally, she replied. "I'm going to be fairly honest, I have no idea what's going to happen today. If all goes well, I'll explain everything."

    "What if things don't go well?" I questioned.

    Lucille paused again before answering. "I imagine there will be some bloodshed then."

    "Uh, what does that mean?" Ren asked, sounding as panicked as I felt. "Lucille?"

    "Let's just hope for the best okay?" She answered sharply.

    We both got the hit that Lucille was done talking, and we didn't want her to fly off like she did last time we made her angry, so we didn't bother her.

    "I'm excited, how about you?" Ren sighed. "I want to see my family again."

    "I want to see your family's again, your mom can really cook." I admitted, regretting missing breakfast.

    He grinned. "Yeah."

    I stared at him out of the corner of my eye. He was happy, the thought of his facility made him burst with joy. I thought about the pain that I had made him feel last night. I wonder how upset he was, I didn't even ask him how he was doing.

    "I'm sorry about last night again, if you don't want to be friends anymore I can see why." The words tumbled out of my mouth before I really thought about them.

    He looked at me those big bug eyes again. "No! W-what? M'lady why would you ever think that?"

    "Because I'm being selfish, I haven't even considered your feelings this entire time." I explained.

    His smile worked it's way back onto his face. "Galia, I meant what I said last night. being your friend is the best thing that's ever happened to me, in fact I wish we could be more than friends."

    Holy moly my heart was beating erratically again. It was times like these I'm thankfully for my poker face even though I bet I was blushing to the moon and back. He didn't even need a verbal cue from me to know I was definitely considering that option. Oh boy I was considering it.

    "I, uh, I mean. I...let's just get through today, okay?" I stuttered. "Ask me ah-again tonight."

    He grinned knowingly and continued walking right beside me. I took the time to desperately look away and fan my burning face, thinking back to the awkward conversation we had this morning. Dear goodness I was cringing so hard. I was so wrapped up in my thoughts Lucille had to extend a wing to stop me from going on, even thought she had stopped.

    To me it looked like we had paused in a sunny green clearing with stone walls protecting the outside except for one spot, the entrance we were now standing in. I was about to ask why when all of a sudden I spotted her.

    "We're here." Lucille announced.