Ruth's answer.

William saw Nanami out of his apartment, though not before they exchanged contact info. Even if he had agreed to do something about the whole mess, he was in no condition to do anything at the moment. His body didn’t hurt as much, but it felt heavy and numb. And more importantly, the source of all his powers, Ishtar, was completely out of gas.

‘Yes, I am. So can we go to sleep, please?’

‘You can’t sleep on your own?’

‘I can, but we share sensations, so I’d still kind of feel you moving around.’

Mmm. There was still so much Will didn’t know about Ishtar. In fact, recent revelations made him want to ask more questions. Where did Ishtar even come from? What was she? A ghost of someone who was once alive or a whole different being of her own? Why did she have sex related powers that could so easily influence people?

‘Short answer to everything: I have no idea. My memories start with the first person I possessed.’

‘Don’t you think that’s weird?’

‘Do you have memories of being a baby?’

‘…Yeah, okay.’

‘Now, BED!’

William went to his bed, where Ruth was still sleeping. Or… was she? She had her back to him and had moved from the middle of the bed to make space. Had she woken up in the middle of his conversation with Nanami? No matter. He’d ask her later. He got off his pants, got in bed, and the tiredness started to make his body and eyelids heavy. It took him but a minute to fall asleep.

When he woke up, the first thing he felt was the warmth and softness of Ruth’s body cuddling against him. He turned to look at her, and she already had her eyes wide open.

“How long have you been awake?” he asked, sluggishly stretching his body.

“A while. I’ve been thinking,” she answered.

“About?”

“Everything you said last night, and what you talked about with that woman that came here.”

“…So you did hear.”

“You made a bit of a ruckus when she entered.”

“…Right,” he chuckled. “So? What do you think?”

“Honestly? That I should just get away from you,” she said, sending a freezing sensation through Will’s chest. “You’re either crazy or telling the truth. And if it’s true, then it doesn’t sound like a good idea to stay with you.”

“…”

“I’m still going to, though.”

“…Hah?”

“If this is all true, then there’s no way I’m walking out on you.” Her eyes looked into his, resolute and serious. “I’ve never been one to leave people alone when the going gets tough. I’ve known for a while there was something weird going on with you, but I made the decision to stay despite that. Why? Because I like you, Will. Because being with you feels great and it’s interesting. So yeah, I’m staying and I want to be your girlfriend, too.”

“…” Will was left with his mouth agape. She said too many important things in too little time. He was just waking up, his mind couldn't process it all at the same time! “Ruth… Are you serious?”

“I am. I heard you talking to the girl last night. Seems like you could’ve done something more to me than just make me horny, but you haven’t, right? Sometimes you can tell more about a person by the things they DON’T do when they have the power to. Besides, I’ve spoken to Reina about this. I bet anything she’ll say the same.”

Right. There was Reina, too. “I’ll have to tell her about all this…”

“Yeah,” Ruth nodded against his shoulder. “But she’ll listen, I’m sure.”

Will swallowed. “So… are you sure you want to be my girlfriend, then? I haven’t made it a secret that I, well, I don’t want to be exclusive.”

“I know, and yes, I want to. Just promise you’ll treat me properly,” Ruth said, smiling and snuggling closer.

“I can do that,” he nodded, and the chill in his chest was replaced by a comforting warmth. “Is this what you wanted to talk to me about yesterday?”

“Yup. Didn’t want the label of ‘sex friend’ anymore. Not when I like you as much as I do.”

Will kissed Ruth’s forehead and gently rubbed her naked arm. “I’ll try to get everything resolved as soon as I can. Then we can have another date. A proper one this time.”

“Yes,” Ruth said, hugging his arm and looking at him with worried eyes. “Be careful, okay? I have no idea what you’re getting into, and I don’t think you do, either.”

“I’ll be careful,” he nodded firmly. “But don’t worry too much. I have Ishtar with me. I can count on her.”

“Do you really trust… her?”

“We’ve come to an understanding. We know what the other wants now, and I think we can work together. We’re not gonna let some asshole get in the way of that.”

Will felt Ruth’s hand on his ribs, on the place he’d been injured. She put some light pressure on it and confirmed there was no painful reaction. “You really did heal overnight…” she swallowed. “So… She can hear me, right?”

“She can,” he nodded.

“Then…” Ruth looked up from his eyes to his forehead, or perhaps past it to whatever was inside his head. “Ishtar, was it? Take care of my boyfriend, you hear? Bring him back healthy so he can fuck me good next time.”

‘Mmm. I think I like this girl a lot, too.’

“She likes you,” Will told Ruth with a chuckle.

‘Don’t tell her that! It’s embarrassing!’

Ruth accepted that he was possessed by Ishtar, which was good. He had a feeling Reina wouldn’t take it badly, either. Problem was… what would Cynthia think when he had the opportunity to tell her. The thought frightened him, but it could be left for another time. Taking care of her husband came first.

Author's Note: Chapters 74 to 77 available at my Patreon.