Nothing much, really

You sigh and lean back, staring at your goddess with a dreamy, contented feeling. She pats your head, then gently untangles herself from your arms and looks around with fresh eyes. Her perfectly sculpted face creases into a frown.

"My love, explain to me, why do you live in this place?"

You lift an eyebrow. "Because it was affordable? This place was the nicest we- I could get."

She laughs, like bells. "Veronica, you do understand that I am a goddess. Why limit yourself to this hovel? We could be living in palaces, darling, or entire realms."

"Well, I happen to like this 'hovel', thank you very much!" You burst out, and Alicia blinks at you, unaware she had offended.

"But why?"

"Because it's cozy, and homely, and has... sentimental value." You blush as you realise you still haven't cleaned up from last night. "And it's usually not as dirty as this."

Alicia just sighs, daintily rolls her eyes and clicks her fingers. The mess disappears in an instant, along with any remnants of your hangover. She presses a quick kiss to your lips. "Fine, we can stay in your house, if it makes you happy."

"Thank you," you reply. Without a headache, you feel a lot calmer, more at ease. And it makes you feel cuddly. As if by reading your mind (which she no doubt is) Alicia quickly scoops you up with superhuman strength and flies you to the living room, settling on the couch with your head in her lap. Her nimble fingers card through your hair.

You sigh, feeling your knots of tension unwind. You're pretty sure you can feel more than two arms cradling you and gently caressing you, but when you look up Alicia, it's still just her hands and warm smile, and faint heavenly choir. You give her a content smile back, and she positively beams. You haven't felt this relaxed since...

Since...

Since Maisy left you.

Your smile drops. At once, Alicia can feel your mood change and drags you upright, looking into your eyes as tears prick the edges of them. There's something burning in her emerald eyes, but her voice is just as soft as ever. "Veronica? Honey, what's wrong?"

Your lip trembles. "It's nothing. Just... a painful memory."

"This isn't nothing, darling, if it hurts you so."

You tremble and lay your head down on her pillowy chest. "It's just... I haven't been with anyone since my last girlfriend left. And you feel so nice, and so right, but everything just reminds me of her."

She strokes your head lovingly, but when you face her, her jaw is set and her eyes burn like stars. "Tell me her name. I will make sure she can't hurt you any more."

"What? No!"

Alicia narrows her eyes. "I do not need to abide by any mortal morals. My job is to make you happy. If she does not, then I will rid you of her."

"It won't make me happy!" You completely separate yourself from Alicia. Free, she levitates menacingly higher than you, something dark and dangerous gathering. "I don't want her dead, no matter how painful the memories are."

Alicia is about to retort when a knock at the door interrupts.