We complete the contract.

You and Delilah have to fight the urge to sleep. After expending so much energy in your last “interaction” with each other, it was easy to lay on your back, buck naked in your tent, and cuddle with each other. Delilah almost drifted off twice, but you shook yourself awake and got cleaned up after about 10 minutes of recovering.

Delilah got up next, though with notable ****. Then, when you were both ready to go back outside, Delilah pulled you back into the tent and kissed you. It was a different kiss than the sloppy ones you laid on her earlier.

She stared at you and smiled. It was small, but it was endearing and serious. You blinked and asked her if anything was wrong.

“I love you, Warren,” Delilah says. Her eyes are fixed on yours. “I couldn’t live without you now that you’ve shown, like…real love to me.”

A lump the size of an acorn form at the base of your throat. Suddenly, you find breathing hard, so you swallow and let out an awkward chuckle. You had feelings for Delilah, but for some reason, the idea of just spending your life with her seemed… distant to you. You had a line of women in your past. You liked being in the presence of other girls. But, if you were ever seduced or acted wrongfully, that could destroy Delilah.

You rub the back of your neck and then clear your throat. “Jeez, Delilah. You don’t need to tell me that. I love you too.”

When you try to leave the tent, she grabs you again. She’s shaking her head. “Warren, I’m serious. I love you.” She’s on the verge of crying. Delilah is giving you a serious vibe check, and so far, you’re failing every level.

“I don’t know what to say,” you feel embarrassed. Delilah has invested a lot of emotions in you. Yet, in some ways, you were avoiding these same developed feelings for her. You didn’t give it enough time to consider what you thought about the person you were flaunting as your girlfriend.

Delilah looks down like she was hoping you’d say something else. “I- Warren- I’m in love with you. But maybe we should talk a little bit more about what we should do with each other. I know you’re leaving when the weather gets better, and I don’t want to be known as a fling to you.”

“You’re much more than a fling, Delilah. I can promise you that.” You gesture around and then look at her. “I even took you to one of my contracts because I trust you.”

“No, there’s more to it than just all of this,” Delilah counters. “I’m scared to bring this up to you because I don’t want you to think I’m clingy or weird or-or anything else. I just… I just want to be with you.”

“I don’t think you’re either weird, clingy or anything else,” Delilah blinks suddenly and pulls away. “Where is all of this coming from right now? Maybe we should talk about this some other time when we’re not hunting for a wild animal.”

You clear your throat. “Delilah, we can’t talk about this right now. We’re on a contract. We can discuss all of this when we’re in a better position, ok?”

Delilah looks down and nods. “Sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry,” you manage. “We’ll talk about us when we’re in a better place to talk.”

Something is mumbled under her breath, probably the irony of not being able to talk after doing everything you just did.

…

…

The following two days are spent outside at your campsite. The results of your contract are precisely what you’re hoping for. A dead animal that was far more mutated than you expected. It was a black bear with three eyes and claws the size of full-grown grizzlies.

To be honest, it might have been your **** of you if you were alone. Delilah’s help was vital to your success. She even spotted the monster while you were plucking the mud off the sides of your boots.

When you cash in the contract, your client attempt to underpay you, saying that if it was just for a legged animal, he might have been able to do it himself. You perked your chin up and started to say something, but Delilah butted in before you could tell what was on your mind.

To your amazement, Delilah actually got reasonably vocal about her opinion. She managed not to insult your client directly, but once she was done, he did seem a little embarrassed by trying to undermine your payment.

You spend one more night at the Sage Lodge to clear your head. After that, you would have your plate full back at Tiny’s Tavern with the fox girls, making you feel dizzy. You needed a clear head to think about Delilah…

…There was a lot of **** material that could be used against you if someone with unrighteous intent wanted to place a wedge between you and Delilah.

You especially have to consider Mikko, Gwendolion, and Arabella. They wouldn’t be welcomed in Delilah’s eyes in a long time, if ever… You didn’t suspect them of causing a purposeful rift between you and Delilah, but them simply being there seemed like a sore spot already… However, Delilah would have to see beyond that if she loved you.

You take these thoughts to bed and spend hours tossing and turning. Finally, you’re sober with a mind full of heavy ideas that weigh down on you. Delilah doesn’t know you as well as she thinks. If she knew about some of the stuff, you did before you met her. How would she react to some of your worse contracts? What would you do if she knew about the women you used for your own pleasure? The first lover you left when you were younger?

You look out the window of your room where you lay; the sky is bright, indicating new snow is falling. Delilah is behind you, gently snoring, keeping your mind grounded on the main subject. “What now?”