Good news! I did not, in fact, have incredibly suspicious entries in my status. Even better news: my status had improved.

Adrian Flinn

Strength: 5 → 9

Reflexes: 20

Acuity: 20

Physique: 5 → 10

Recovery: 3

Stamina: 5 → 8

Soul: 15 → 16

Adaptability: 15 → 16

Tolerance: 15 → 16

Cognition: 15 → 16

Essence: 28

Mind Synchronicity: Reluctant Symphony

Body Synchronicity: Sharpening Harmony

Shadow Runner Package:

Clairvoyance 2 (99/100)

Programming 1 (99/100)

Movement 2 (0/100)

Quickhacks 1 (69/100)

Assault 2 (24/100)

Tongue of The Ravening Observer

Unseen Stalker Package:

Stealth 1 (84/100)

Tracking 2 (62/100)

Focus 1 (58/100)

Grace 2 (12/100)

Faultline 0 (42/100)

My physical stats had shot up considerably. The minuses were gone, which hopefully meant my sorry ass was fully healed and not in danger of potentially making things worse.

And I'd unlocked the full spectrum of my Reflex stat! Horribly maiming myself every time I tapped into my cybernetic arms' abilities was inconvenient, to say the least. Now, according to my status screen, the danger of that was gone.

I looked down at my arms, marveling at them, tempted to —

"Ow! What the fuck, Amelia?" I demanded, hopping on my un-assaulted leg while pain pulsed from my shin.

"I know that look in your eyes, dumbass. I know you were about to do something stupid. Like, say, maybe pushing your still-healing body just to see if you can use your arms better now?"

She posed it as a question, but the lack of doubt in her eyes and the sneer on her face suggested it wasn't.

"Well…"

"Why the fuck did I have to fall in love with an idiot?! Why couldn't I have gotten rescued by a normal, stable person who doesn't go looking for trouble every two seconds?!" she demanded, poking me harshly in the chest with her finger.

I was a bit past her rage, however. My mind was crumbling in all directions because of that particular phrase she had used.

"In love?"

Amelia froze, her eyes suddenly wide with an emotion entirely different from anger. "Um…"

The hesitation and fear radiating from her made me back off, literally and metaphorically. "Sorry, sorry, you don't have to explain, I —"

I didn't get to venture too far away from her. Suddenly, her hands were clutching my shirt. That startled look in her eyes was gone, replaced by something laser-focused and maybe a little angry.

"Sure, I'm in love with you. Whatcha gonna do about that, mister?"

She didn't give me a chance to reply. Instead, she yanked me down with a strength I didn't know she possessed and smashed her lips into mine. The kiss wasn't gentle or romantic or anything of the sort. It was demanding, and forceful, and quite beyond my ability to resist.

When we finally came up for air, I had no more chance to speak than before.

"You think I enjoy watching you take all the risks on your own? Or that I like letting you mope without being able to help you?" she hissed, shaking me a little. "No!"

"I —"

"I'm not finished! You're a mess. Kind of out of it sometimes. You clam up so hard every time I mention certain things, it's not even funny. And then you go and share things that make me want to smother you in affection just to make you feel better."

"Sorry?"

"You will be! You're also reckless. You're entirely too okay with eldritch creatures hanging out in our electronics. You're capable of making more eldritch creatures. And you're far too concerned with the wellbeing of others compared to your own. I mean, you were stressing over Deacon for so long! And I've noticed the way you look at me sometimes. Like you're afraid I'll break if you bring up the wrong topic!"

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I cringed, my feelings caught in the oddest whirlpool mesh of… everything. "Is the shaking necessary?"

"Yes." She shook me again for emphasis. "You're all those things… but you're also kind. Compassionate. You've tucked me into bed when I passed out watching stuff far too many times. You never go for the sweets and snacks I like 'cause you want me to have them. You're also way too ready to help complete strangers and then let them boss you around, you know? So, add 'trusting' to the list, I guess."

Now I was confused. Was she set on picking me apart or complimenting me?

"You never took advantage of me, either." She was whispering now, losing steam. "You could have, you know? I was desperate. Would have done anything you wanted just to get away from my father. You've been so very careful not to push me beyond what I'm comfortable with, too, and… and so, so many other things. Little things. But I appreciate them. So, yes, you idiot, I'm in love with you. Kiss me?"

She looked up at me, all teary-eyed and with wobbling lips, and what else was I supposed to do? I kissed her.

This time, things did start off slow and sweet. She seemed desperate to reassure herself I was there, and that I was reciprocating her affections.

Then I opened my big mouth.

"I'm in love with you too, you know?" I whispered, almost too quietly for her to hear.

But she did hear. Her eyes fixed on mine, and I was willing to swear they were shining like gems.

Then I didn't have time to say or even really think about anything, because I was being positively assaulted. I didn't care to object to her rough treatment of my lips.

Somehow, we managed to stumble our way into her bedroom.

—

I was utterly exhausted. My body and mind were both in a languid, sleepy state that I didn't want to drag myself out of. Everything felt a little achy, too, but in a decidedly pleasant manner. The way Amelia's fingers traced across my chest, sending small shudders through me, was quite nice too.

"You know… the way this whole thing started was you getting angry at me for pushing myself," I mused, admiring the way her cheeks and most of her chest flushed.

"Shut up."

"Hmmm… okay."

"Ugh, you're lucky I feel way too relaxed to get upset and do something about it right now."

"So, you're saying this is the perfect time to tease you?"

"You dare, and I'm never letting you get into a position to take advantage of my weakness again."

It was her turn to smirk when I shut my mouth and pointedly looked away from her.

Not that I could keep my eyes off her for very long.

Amelia was beautiful. I'd thought so from the first time I'd ever seen her. There was just something extra special about her right then, though. She was so… unguarded, I guess. All languid contentment and bushy hair and a small smile that made me feel warm from head to toe.

"What? I have something on my face?"

"Nope, you actually don't have something on your face. I admit, I'm used to seeing you with glasses." I gently brushed my fingers over her flushed cheeks, which only grew warmer under my touch.

"You don't like it?"

"I think you're beautiful. With or without glasses. This is just different, is all. New. I do like the look, by the way."

"Hmmm… Might still get myself a pair of glasses. Without a prescription, I mean. You're right, I'm used to wearing them," she admitted with a little hum. "You wouldn't mind?"

"Amelia, I just told you I think you're stunning," I chuckled, manhandling her a tiny bit so I could give her a proper kiss. "Whether you prefer to wear glasses or not won't affect that."

She rolled her eyes at me, but the pleased smile she wore assured me I hadn't made a mistake.

"Fine, fine, I'll think about it. Now… I'm hungry. You?"

"I could definitely eat."

"Well, I'll order something in then. Any preferences?"

"That tortilla place you like?"

"Sounds perfect." She giggled, then hesitated for a second. With the blush making a reappearance, she sat up, letting the covers slide away.

I couldn't stop my eyes from following her for a few seconds, which she definitely noticed and offered me a smirk for. Then I sighed and forced myself to move.

Still, as I watched her bustle about the bedroom, cleaning up the mess we'd made in our hurry, I couldn't help the tiny bit of doubt that snuck into me.

"You, um…" My words failed me for a second as she looked at me. "Not gonna regret… well, you know." I vaguely gestured between us and the bed.

To my surprise, she just rolled her eyes at me again with another massive smile. "I might regret a lot of things I've done, but you aren't one of them. Ha! Made you blush too!" She absolutely did. "Seriously, though, no regrets. You're mine now, Mister Shadow Whisperer. Just don't go adopting more of those, okay?"

"I promise." My lips twitched into a smile, but it quickly fell. "Just… I mean… are you sure you want… me?"

"And what's that supposed to mean?"

"Come on. I'm — I'm a mess? There's the whole eldritch thing, of course, but even then… I'm a slum rat. Not exactly prime dating material. I might have a few useful skills, but I don't even have the right citizenship to be here. Plus —"

A finger landed not-so-gently on my lips, shutting me up. When I risked a glance up at Amelia's face, she looked downright pissed.

"Listen, I'm going to say this once, and I'm expecting you to take me seriously."

Her voice was deadly serious, as a matter of fact. I could do little but nod.

"My father was 'perfect dating material.' He had the education, the background, the whole package. He's also a fucking backstabbing snake who only cares about himself. Are you perfect? No. But we'll deal with it together. Besides… once we manage to, eh, sort out my father, do you really think I won't be able to earn enough credits to support us both? Please, I practically ran his business. You can be my cute house husband with murderous tendencies."

I blinked, flushed, and felt incredibly conflicted. Though… she did look kind of hot, all smug and self-assured like that.

"I mean —"

"A pa pa! No more from you, mister. Just a yes or no. Do you want to be with me? Or do you want me to smack you upside the head until I beat a little sense into you?"

The chuckle just slipped out of me. "No domestic violence needed. I'll be good. And yes, yes I do want that."

"Good, you're already learning that you shouldn't upset me. Now, come on, let's get some juice and snacks or something before our food gets here. I'm starving, so there's no way I'll spoil the meal!"

She happily headed into the kitchen, and I happily followed.

There was a bit of awkwardness as we settled in the living room and cuddled up together. Neither of us knew exactly how to deal with the changed dynamic of our relationship. I kept catching tiny moments of hesitation, like she was afraid she'd do or say something wrong and upset me. Then again, I caught myself feeling the same way more than a few times.

What we had between us was precious. But the feeling that it was so, so very fragile too just wouldn't leave me alone.

Of course, we'd proven already that even if we didn't have, well, any relationship experience, what we did have was a lot of passion. And enthusiasm.

I was pretty sure we'd make things work.

—

It didn't take us long to slip into a routine again. It wasn't like a ton had changed, really. We'd already been sharing a room since my injury, so the added closeness wasn't a particular imposition.

In fact, I was kind of amused by how little had changed. If we'd been a more normal couple who lived apart and suddenly decided to shack up or something, then things might not have gone great for us.

As it was, we'd lived together well before we ever shared a kiss. I wasn't suddenly discovering all the horrible habits my girlfriend had which might turn me away from the relationship.

I already knew how much of a slob she could be when she dragged crumbs into bed, and how spill-prone she was with her drinks when she got excited. I knew how she'd sometimes get very clingy and strangle-y during her sleep. There was a whole bunch of other things I could have complained about, but honestly, none of it bothered me.

So, if anything, with the tension between us gone, things were only more relaxed.

Well, for the most part.

I seriously didn't need the flash of panic we shared when a condom commercial decided to play in the middle of a show we were watching, or the scramble to place an order with the closest local drug store, just in case.

Past that, though? Better than business as usual. In fact, as we got down to really planning the downfall of the mercenaries working for the sketchiest ripper/scientist of the city, and then his eventual death… I realized I was enjoying myself immensely.

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