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You read and talk until you're finally hungry enough for dinner. Claire announces that she has a bit of a surprise for the meal, so you and Emily kick back in the living room. It might now be a good time to talk about the elephant in the room.

"So, hey, Emily, about... you know..." you start off, not knowing how to broach the topic.

"You... don't have to do anything about it..." Emily sighs with you: "At least not right now. I... let myself go, and put some cards on the table, I meant to keep in my hand for a little while longer."

"I just didn't expect it to come so soon, I guess." you nod. This is tense. Killer scorpions, kobold goons, gargoyles, all of that is fine, no sweat. This... this is difficult.

"I understand. I'm not asking you to feel what I feel, but b-but but-" she stammers, and you cut her off.

"That's the thing. I don't know how I feel. I don't know how to describe it. I've never really loved only lusted. I've never really wanted only urged. And when I look at you, hold you, I feel things I don't recognize. I don't know if it is love or something else." you let out.

"Then?" Emily asks looking slightly dejected.

"If this is love." you say taking a deep breath: "Then I never want to feel anything else."

You wanted to see Emily's face. A reassuring smile. A hopeful gleam. A want that tells you that what you're feeling is normal and okay. You don't look at her face. You don't manage to do so in time, as Emily lunges herself into your chest.

"I love you." she says: "I love you, I love you, Ilove you, Iloveyou, Iluvyou, aluvyu, aluvu, luvu, luvu, luvu, luvu, luvu, luvu, luvu, luvu, luvu, luvu."

Her frantic declaration of love gets faster and more slurred as she begins to sniffle and whimper. You do what you always do and rest your hand on her head.

"I love you too." you say, a tear falling from your eye.

The next thirty minutes is spend with hugging, cuddling and only a bit of making out, until Claire yells: "Dinner's ready!" from the kitchen.

"I can't believe you've finally cooked the bastard." you say as you stuff your face full of meat.

"Remember to chew, honey" Emily says. Thirty minutes into your new relationship dynamic, and she has already begun the pet names.

"But, yeah" she continues: "It is a bit weird to think that the thing that put a hole in your abdomen is now a fully prepared dish in front of us."

"I'm glad you survived." Claire chimes in: "Although it feels a bit weird cooking it."

"Hey, if the desert killer had won, it would haven eaten me and Jess instead." Emily argues: "I'm honestly glad it's dead."

"Eh, I bear it no ill will." you shrug: "The thing was just trying to survive out here just like us. It's understandable."

"Don't tell me you feel remorse." Emily teases.

"Does this look like remorse to you?" you ask as you wag your fork with a piece of meat on it: "We're not exactly holding it a fucking funeral, are we?"

"Point taken." Emily chuckles: "Still though, you were right about the taste, Jess. I can't believe how good this is. Well done, Claire."

"Thanks." Claire beams: "Sorry it took so long, but desert killer tastes best when it's been dried in salt for some days."

"It was worth the wait." you conclude: "Not sure about the stomach pain though."

"Come on now, honey, you're an orc, isn't the victory itself supposed to be sweet? Conquering your foe and all that?" Emily continues to tease.

"If you don't can it, I'm going to conquer you next, sister." you say before reflecting over the words that comes out of your mouth.

"Oh... oh my!" Claire exclaims as her hands cover her reddened cheeks.

"Jess, not at the dinner table!" Emily speaks in outrage.

"I didn't mean it like that!" you defend yourself.

"How can you say such things in front of this young innocent girl!" she continues.

"I DIDN'T MEAN IT LIKE THAT!"

You and Emily look furious at each other for a couple of seconds, before both bursting out laughing. You do try to reign it in, when you see that Claire is still looking flustered.

The rest of the dinner is eaten in good spirits, and you sit and chat, seemingly not wanting it to end. By the time you are done washing the dishes the sun has already set.

Claire speaks up, looking nervous, getting your attention: "H-hey. I-I think I'm going to go early to b-bed. I'll s-sleep in my own room tonight, so you c-can... anyway goodnight!"

She then rushes out of the door, before either you or Emily can wish her a good night back.

It's quiet for a moment; the only sound coming from the gas lamp on the dining table and a small wind outside kicking up sand. You take a couple of steps to your lover and embrace her before giving her a deep meaningful kiss.

You kiss each other until she says: "Let's not let Claire sleep in her own room for nothing. Let's take this upstairs."