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[maximumcake]

"You've reached Max Maximum. Leave a detailed message and I'll call you back as soon as I can. Thanks."

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[maximumcake]

I snapped like a dry, thirsty twig the first time someone came on to me hard enough [He admits this with a half-shrug. It's true. And he doesn't think she'll be surprised.

But he also fully expected the bit about planning to stay to get a reaction. And it sure does.]

I was asking in general terms, not just for myself. So, a price is yet to be decided. She did tell me a couple important things about it. First, it's been asked and granted before. Second, when you stay here long enough, everything you are belongs to the fae. You can't ever go home again once that happens.

For me, that's a no-brainer. Everything I love is here. If I have to belong to anyone, I'd rather it be the fae than Erik. That choice might be harder for others.

[aperturesubject0001]

You belong to yourself, [ she signs immediately. ] Who keeps you is different.

[ She reaches out to touch his cheek. ]

I understand. It's better here for you. And if the only price is you can't ever leave, even if you change your mind ... that's not bad.

[maximumcake]

[He nods against her hand. She's right. Sometimes he still needs reminding.]

It's the best deal I've ever gotten in my life. Who knows, maybe after I've been here long enough I can adopt, start a family. Go all the way native.

[He's thought about that on many, many sleepless nights. What the shape of his life might look like here if he became a permanent resident.]

At the very least, I can be a friendly face to welcome newcomers and make the transition for them easier. That would be worthwhile enough for me.

[aperturesubject0001]

You'd be good at it. [ She smiles, but it's quick before she grows serious again. ]

When I asked if I could live here, but go visit other places, Titania said the price would be my ability to fight. So if there's more of a price for you? Be careful, okay? [ She sighs. ] We both know there's shit in the woods.

[maximumcake]

Thanks. [The word is such a simple one, but the deep well of gratitude in his eyes says so much more. Part of him worried maybe he wouldn't have been. That's neither here nor there.]

I'll be careful. As long as she doesn't ask for my ability to bake or something, I think I'll be okay. Rowan and Lucas have already said they want to stay with me. We'll protect each other.

[aperturesubject0001]

[ Her eyebrows go up, surprised. ]

Rowan too? They don't have to go back? I thought that was a big deal for wolves.

[maximumcake]

It's not a simple choice for them, no, but... if they went back it would be without me and Lucas, and they decided we mean more to them.

[He hesitates a moment, then adds:]

I'm sure it doesn't help that, in their own world, being neither boy nor girl puts them at a disadvantage with other wolves. I know their pack respects them, but they are still going to be left out of some things, if you know what I mean?

[aperturesubject0001]

[ Chell grimaces and nods. ] Not easy. [ Even without knowing or understanding all the details of garou society, she can see that being ... complicated. It's all complicated, right?

Not for Max, though. And she wonders if she's overthinking her own circumstances. ]

I'm so glad you'll all have each other.

[ It makes her heart ache a little, too, a pang of missing Beau. She means it, though. ]

And I'm glad I can be here with you, too, as long as I'm here.

[maximumcake]

I'm glad too. For them, and for you, and for all that I have here.

As long as you are here, you will have a place in our hearts and our home any time. You know you will always have a place with me. I think of you as more than a friend. You're part of my family, Chell.

[aperturesubject0001]

[ That heart ache wells up and into her throat, and Chell puts her hands on his cheeks, leans in, and kisses him soundly. What words could she come up with that would add to that? She's always been better at action. ]