A Human’s Guide to Surviving Magical Mishaps by Kit Bryan

"Oh, nope. That was it. Although I do want to add, I am really sorry for your loss. I'm not dumb enough to ask you if you're okay, but if you need anything please let me know. To talk, to not talk and just be distracted, whatever you need." I tell him gently. Ashton's brow furrows in confusion.

“Wait..... Is that all? You have no more questions?” he says, very confused and I shrug.

"There are always more questions. But I don't need to ask everything right now. I just needed to know a few things for your safety and mine. If you have anything else you WANT to talk about I'm totally happy to listen. But it's your business." answer firmly. Ashton's confused expression slowly changes to a satisfied smile and he nods. Then he holds out a hand to me. I stare at it for a moment before I realise what he wants and place my hand in his. Yet again, he bows over my hand and hovers there a moment.

"Thankyou for your assistance today and I apologise for frightening you and deceiving you. I have no intention of doing so again.” He promises. Ashton waits for my response and only once I have nodded my understanding does he sit up and release my hand.

"Okay, this is getting ridiculous so I have to ask. Does what you just did mean something? It seems like it does but I have no idea what and I feel like I'm missing the point of it." I complain. Ashton looks at me oddly and laughs. "I take it that this is not a gesture that is used here. I thought that maybe you knew it but that it was not used commonly as I have not seen anyone else use it but you did not ask about it." He seems amused by my lack of understanding and I raise an eyebrow.

"Are you laughing at me for not knowing something? Because that's totally unfair. There's no reason why I should know what it means. I never asked before because at first I didn't realise it was a specific gesture. Once I realised that it was, it just never seemed like a good time to ask!" I huff out my dissatisfaction.

"Are you going to explain it or not?" I prompt him. Ashton nods.

"I will explain, I am just trying to figure out the best way to do so." He takes a moment longer to gather his thoughts before continuing.

"It has multiple uses, but they all link back to trust, respect and gratitude. You might use it when asking someone to trust you, and to thank them for giving their trust. You might use it to show someone that you owe them a debt of gratitude. You might use it when making a promise to someone or you might use it to demonstrate to someone that you respect them. Often it is a combination of these things. It is a sort of extreme way of saying please and thank you to a person.” He concludes. I raise my eyebrows.

"That seems... odd. Considering you are so strange about being touched that you would have such a physical way of thanking someone, or that you would use it so often." I point out. I also really want to ask if the fact that he kissed my hand has any other meaning, but I'm not sure I'm brave enough to ask. It seems awkward.

"It is... Not used as often as you might expect. I have used it with you multiple times simply because I owe you a great deal. Friends and family members will almost never use it as it is expected that they will trust and help one another. It is saved for the most important and formal occasions." he explains and I frown.

"But aren't we friends? I understand the first time, but why do you keep doing it?" Is he treating me super formally?

“Because of that first time, I already owe you a great deal. I have given you nothing and yet I seem to continually fall deeper in debt to you. I constantly seem to need to ask you for more of your trust. We are friends, but I have only known you a short time. To owe so much to someone I am not related to....... It is unusual for me. Each new thing you do for me, even small things, add on to the debt of gratitude and respect that I already have for you.” He responds, his tone dead serious I sit back and tilt my head in confusion.

“I think you might be overreacting a little bit. I haven't done all that much for you.” I'm actually kind of embarrassed that he's been thinking about this so much. I don't want him to feel like he owes me. I'm happy to take money for hosting him and to cover my missed days at work. But we're friends now, even if I wasn't being paid I would help him. Ashton shakes his head firmly in denial of my words.

"You have allowed a stranger into your home and defied your father's wishes to do so. You have kept secrets from a man who has the power to affect you and your father's wellbeing. You have taken time away from your duties at work to assist me. You have included me in your life and allowed me to spend time with you and your friends when you easily could have left me behind. You have answered hundreds of questions about things that are probably completely normal to you and you have done so with a patience I could never manage. You have not only been my guide but have helped me with my task. You took care of me when I was incapacitated and ensured that one of the men who killed my father was locked away when I was not able to do so. You have forgiven me for keeping secrets when you have been nothing but honest and kind to me. I do not know what you consider to be worthy of a debt, but I could not have managed here without you." He looks me straight in the eye and I am incredibly flustered at this point.

"But... I mean, it's my job! You are technically meant to be paying me. You can't owe me a debt for something you hired me to do!" I argue. Ashton laughs.

"Your argument does not help your point. Yes I do intend to pay you. But I cannot buy the kindness or care you have shown me. Additionally it is worth noting that while we discussed payment, at no point did we agree to a sum. Therefore I an indebted to you even further for your trust that I will keep to my word and provide fair compensation.” He insists. He goes as if to reach for my hand again but I snatch it back and cross my arms over my chest, hiding my hands under my arms "Absolutely not. You need to stop thinking you owe me. None of this is a big deal. It's certainly not worth bringing out some big dramatic gesture over!" I object. Ashton just smiles.

"I will refrain this time. But Katerina... Please do not refuse the debt, or any debt offered to you by a fae. To refuse is to say that you do not believe that they are capable of repaying it. This can be hurtful." He says gently. I sigh. "Oh fine. But I still think you're being dramatic. Also I don't KNOW any other fae other than the imp and I doubt he's going to be thanking me anytime soon." I point out.

"Perhaps not. But you never know what the future holds. You never know who you might meet. I did not anticipate meeting you and yet here we are. I did not anticipate losing my father. The world is constantly changing. It is always wise to acknowledge debts. You never know when one might save you." His words sound like he's giving me advice, but he sounds heartbroken. Clearly thinking about his father. I ache to comfort him. I know he isn't super touchy feely, but I just can' stand it anymore.

"Ashton... Do you need a hug?"