The Goddess's Gift

Lear arched an eyebrow, “They’ve been interesting things at least though, right?”

“Yes, all very interesting.” I nodded, then motioned at the clothes he'd been looking at, “Have you found anything you like?”

“Yes.”

“Good.”

“If you want to pick out some things and see how they fit, there are rooms in the back that you can use to try them on, and I can make adjustments as needed pretty quickly, depending on the issue.” Ama told him, then said thoughtfully, “You’re quite tall though, I expect I might need to let most things out.”

“Oh, thank you. Yes, that’s likely the case. Winna had to let out most of the clothes I'm borrowing right now. I’ll try some of these on.” Lear selected several articles of clothing from the racks, and went to the fitting room that Ama had indicated.

Ama drifted closer, “He’s not what I would have expected. Very polite.”

“Well, he’s on his best behavior so I’ll heal him, but I we're also pretty good friends now." I smiled, shrugging a little.

“I’m glad. He sounds very willing to help you with your salves. It’d be nice to have a more experienced magic user around again.” the seamstress murmured, then added hastily, “Not that we don’t appreciate what you do, dear!”

I laughed, “No, I agree! I’m pretty much limited to healing, which is helpful, but a fey person who can do more than just heal is definitely helpful!” I sighed. “I’ll take his help for as long as he stays, but he’ll go back to his home in the feylands once he’s healed.”

“What’s wrong with him? He seems alright.”

“It’s a very long story.” I waved my hand at her, shaking my head. I didn’t want it to get out that he couldn't use much magic at this point, it didn’t seem wise. Though his magic hadn’t been particularly helpful up until that point, his knowledge certainly had. I also knew that, were he to stay once he did have his full strength, his magic would be incredibly useful.

Not that I wanted him to stay because he’d be useful. Using people wasn’t my thing. I did want him to stay, though. I hadn’t known him very long, but I had to admit it to myself that I did, in fact, wish he’d stay. After getting emotional over the fact that he would eventually leave earlier that day, I couldn't deny it to myself any longer.

I was attached to him, and I wanted him to stay. It was hardly fair of me, and very selfish, but that’s what I wanted. But he couldn't. He had a home to get back to, and a job that probably was wondering what had happened to him. Hell, he might even have a significant other that he hadn’t mentioned! Lear had said he wasn’t married, but that didn’t mean he didn’t have some other kind of committed relationship. Or…maybe a not so committed one, given how outrageously he flirted.

What if he did have someone back home? The thought made me more than a little upset, for some reason.

If he did have someone back home, and he was still so teasing and flirts-y with me, then…I liked him a lot less. Yes, I knew he’d spoken of the overall promiscuity of the fey, though I think that really only applied to the high courts, or maybe he was even just projecting, but that didn’t make it better. I didn’t want to…to be…be very fond of someone who would cheat so easily. That's just not who I was.

Well damn it! I hated the thought, but it was looking like I'd just just have to ask him about it. Lear had been relatively open about most things, so I’d have to gather what little courage I had and just do.

A pretty, pale green dress caught my eye and I pulled it out. It was dotted with little yellow flowers. “This one is cute.” I murmured.

“It does make me think of you!” Ama gave a girlish giggle. “You do look cute in green! Well, you look cute in most colors.”

I grinned at her, “Thanks, Ama! I do like green a lot though.” I always thought it just looked nice with my honey blonde curls, especially sage green, like this was.

Lear stepped out, “Here’s the fit.” he said, turning a little so we could see his back as well, “This size shirt is long enough, and fits my shoulders, but I’d like it taken in a little just so it's not quite so loose. And the trousers do need letting out.”

“Of course!” Ama smiled, going to the sewing table and picking up her measuring tape and pins and chalk. She had him raise his arms, and put some pins here and there. “Would that be better?”

“Yes.”

“Alright, go change, but mind the pins, and I’ll do the same for the rest of what you pick out. It should go pretty quickly, and letting the pants out will take no time at all!”

“Alright.” he went and changed, and they repeated the process with several outfits. “That should be enough.” he said, coming back out in the clothes he’d worn into the store.

“I'll get started on it! It shouldn’t take me too long.” the seamstress assured him.

Lear drifted over to me, “You were saying you liked a dress?” He probably been able to hear our conversation pretty easily, even from the dressing room, given his good hearing.

“Yeah, this one.” I showed it to him.

“It’s cute.” he agreed. “Do you like green?”

“Yeah, it’s my favorite color. Especially this sage color.” I smiled, reaching out and touching the fabric again. It was very soft, and the little yellow flowers did make for a cute little pattern.

“It’s a nice color.” Lear nodded.

We were quiet for a few moments.

I couldn't get the thought that he might be cheating on a girlfriend or boyfriend or someone out of my head, and it made me a bit uneasy as I stood there beside him.

“Are you going to get it?” he asked.

“Yeah, I think so.” I nodded.

We were quiet again.

Lear frowned, “Everything alri-” The bell jingled as other customers entered, and he cut off, looking to the door, and swearing in annoyance under his breath as he saw who'd entered.

It was a couple of girls who I didn’t really know, but was pretty sure had been several years below me in school.

“Welcome in! I’m working on an order right now, dears, but have a look around and I’ll be happy to help when I can!” Ama called cheerfully from her sewing machine.

“We’re just looking today, Ama! Wanted to see if you had anything new!” One of the girls chirped. She had straight, flaxen blonde hair, sparkling blue eyes, and a willowy figure.

“I probably do, I’ve been a busy little bee lately!” Ama laughed as she worked.

“Excellent!” the other girl giggled, she was shorter and on the curvier side, with dark curly hair, and large, doe-like brown eyes.

Judging by the direction of their gazes, it hadn’t been the clothes they’d come to look at. Or maybe they had, but now that they were there and had caught sight of Lear, they’d stay there to gawk to their hearts’ content.

Great.

Despite my sudden misgivings about Lear’s relationship status, I felt a pang of jealousy rise nonetheless. I had felt the same way when Bekka had ogled him, though it hadn't been quite as sharp of a feeling, given that I at least knew that Bekka was ultimately a good person.

“I don't think I’ve seen you around town before, are you new?” the blonde haired young woman asked.

“We’d definitely remember if you’d gone to school with us!” the dark haired one giggled.

Lear cast a glance at me, but I turned back to look at the dresses before he could catch my eye.

I couldn't let what I was feeling show, of course. The last thing I wanted was for him to know I felt jealous over him, because not only would he tease me, but it was also hardly fair. I had no claim on him whatsoever. Sure, I didn’t want to be trapped in a crowd if he was bombarded by people, nor did I want the scrutiny that would fall on me if something like that did happen, and that was fair enough, but I had no right to get upset if other women flung themselves at him, really.

“I’m just passing through. I’m Winna’s patient.” Lear replied mildly.

“Wait, you’re the one staying with Winna?!” the dark haired girl gasped.

Here we go. I rolled my eyes, glad they couldn't see my expression.

“You were supposed to be some kind of fey person, I thought!” the blonde one sounded like she was pouting.

I felt a surge of magic, and turned in time to see Lear reveal his scales, claws, and second set of eyes, which he had wide open, “Who said I wasn’t?”

They gave a squeak of surprised dismay, and fell back a few steps.

There was another surge of magic, and the fey features disappeared again.

I snorted, smiling a little and telling them, “Don't worry, he won’t hurt you.”

“Oh, I won’t, will I?” he grumbled.

“Lear.” I murmured, unable to keep from being amused with him. “It’s fine.”

He turned his green eyes to me. “No, it’s not. You don’t want the attention or the gossip. And that’s okay. You shouldn't have to deal with it if you don't want to.”

I managed to hold his gaze for a few moments before looking away, my face heating. “I-I know.”

“I don’t particularly want the attention either, believe it or not.”

“No?” I tilted my head to the side. “And I guess you can’t lie.”

“No, I can’t.”

“So…are you two dating?” the blonde asked, brow slightly wrinkled as she tried to figure out our interactions.

“Not for my lack of trying.” Lear shrugged, “But it seems like she won’t have me.”

“Stop being ridiculous.” I rolled my eyes, and turned to the girls, “Like he said, Lear is my patient.” Saying that was really starting to get old. “He’s just passing through.”

“Oh, would he take me with him when he goes?” The brunette giggled, apparently over the moment of fear that seeing Lear’s true appearance had induced.

“No.” Lear said flatly. “Now if you’ll excuse us, I was busy telling Winna how much I’d like to see her try on these dresses.” He reached out and grabbed the green dress I'd been admiring, as well as several others from various surrounding racks, seemingly at random. Then he gripped me firmly on the elbow with the hand not holding the clothes, and steered me towards the dressing room.

“Lear!” I protested.

“Go put them on. I want a fashion show.” the fey man told me sternly, handing me the dresses, taking my purse, and pushing me into the changing room all at once, then shutting the door behind me.

“Lear!” I objected again, blinking.

“You’re lucky I didn’t come in there with you. Now change.” he told me through the door.

“Lear!” I squeaked.

“As much as I like hearing you say my name,” he said, trapping his fingers lightly on the door as he did, “go ahead and try them on.” Oh gods…that man.

“They won’t suit me! Other than the green one, you picked them at random.” I muttered, knowing his fey ears would pick up my words.

“I didn’t, actually. We were standing there for a bit after you showed me the green one. I saw them all then.” Lear paused, lowering his voice. “Is…everything okay? You’ve kind of suddenly seemed off.”

“It’s nothing.” I muttered, starting to change. I did want to see what the green dress looked like on me.

“Winna.”

“Lear, please.” I whispered.

“Alright.” he murmured. There was a pause, then he asked, “Are you done changing?”

“Give me a minute.”

“One minute and then I’m coming in regardless.”

“Lear!” I squeaked again, really not sure if he was joking or not.

His low chuckle carried through the door, and I realized he had been joking. I…I think.

I smoothed out the skirt, then opened the door so he could see. “There. Less than a minute.”

Lear grinned, but cast an analytic gaze, “It fits well. Ama won’t have to alter it at all.”

“Are those girls still here?” I asked quietly.

“No they left when I mentioned I liked hearing you say my name.” he replied mildly, reaching out to put his hands on my shoulders and making me turn so he could see the back of the dress.

“Lear.” I mumbled, now able to see us both in the mirror on the back of the fitting room wall.

Suddenly, he’d leaned down and his lips brushed my ear as he murmured, “By all means, please keep saying my name."

“Le- mmm!!” I caught myself before I said his name again, and stamped my foot, flustered and upset all at once. “Please, I’m really not in the mood!”

It was quiet for a few moments.

“Winna, please tell me what’s wrong.” his voice was now serious and quiet.

I sighed, resigning myself to my fate. He read me too well, despite the fact that we really hadn’t known one another very long. “If…if I do, will you promise you won’t make fun of me?”

“Cross my heart and hope to die.”

“Say it, Lear.”

“I promise I won’t make fun of you because of what you tell me regarding what’s bothering you right now.” he told me.

“Well, you’re leaving yourself ample wiggle room for later, I see.” I rolled my eyes at him.

Lear smiled wickedly, but he put his arms around my shoulders, and pulled me back into him. “Of course. Now, what’s wrong?”

I stared at him through the mirror, able to meet his gaze a little easier that way. “I…I realized I really don't know all that much about you.”

“That’s fair. What would you know of me? I’ll tell you whatever you want to know.”

“You flirt and tease and make me flustered all on purpose, but I don’t…” I paused, then closed my eyes and made myself finish, “Well, you could have some dedicated significant other back home, and the idea that you flirt and tease so easily and freely while having one is upsetting to me. I wouldn't want anyone I was dating in any serious way to act the way you do, promiscuity of the fey be damned! And I don’t really want to be friends with anyone who would treat a significant other in such a way, even when they’re far away.” Tears came to my eyes.

Lear set his chin down on top of my head. “So you imagined a significant other for me, and got upset on their behalf?”

“Do you have one?” I pressed him, remembering what he’d said about pressing for the truth.

“No, I don’t. I told you I’m not married.” his tone was even.

“You could still be in some kind of relationship, Lear, that’s what I’m thinking of.”

“I don’t have any kind of committed relationship beyond friendships.” He told me slowly and seriously. “I am not cheating on or disrespecting anyone by flirting with you. I told you that I get around, and that’s true, but I’m not in any serious relationships.” The disguised fey man flashed a bright, mischievous grin at me, “So you can just let me get on with my flirting, and rest assured that it’s totally innocent!”

I huffed, rolling my eyes and wiping at them. “There’s nothing innocent about it!”

“Hmmm.” Lear leaned down and I felt his lips trail down my neck, which made me freeze. But when he spoke again, his tone was gentle and relatively serious, “I like that you don’t want to associate with someone who disrespects their significant other or spouse by even just flirting.” He squeezed me gently. “High fey folk get very desensitized to stuff like that, and it’s a nice change of pace.”

“Well, I’m hardly the only human that feels that way.” I mumbled.

“I know. But thank you for reminding me of it.” he replied. He kissed my neck gently, but very briefly, then let go and pushed me back into the dressing room, and pulled the door shut behind me.

I shivered. The idiot had kissed me. I stood there for a few moments, turning over what had just happened in my mind.

“Are you changing into the next dress?” he asked mildly through the door. “You have three minutes before I’m coming in.”

“Hold up!” I protested, frantically struggling out of the dress, doing my best to get out of it quickly without busting any seams.

There was a very slight pause before he told me, “We didn’t discuss the dress much, but it did look very nice, and I think you should get it."

“Y-yeah?”

“Yes. Which one are you trying on next?”

“Uh, it’s red.”

“Oh good.” he sounded pleased, and something about that worried me.

I slipped into the dress, then realized why he’d been happy about it. It was a relatively fancy dress, covered with sparkles, and was pretty tight and low-cut. I chewed my lip as I stared in the mirror, not sure I wanted to leave the fitting room in it.

“Ten, nine, eight-” he started to count down.

“Wait, wait, no, just let me try on another one!” I protested.

But he continued, “Seven, six, five-”

“Oh fine.” I threw my hands up.

“Three, two, one.” he opened the door, grinning wickedly, and I looked away, covering my cleavage with my hands, my face as red as the dress. His expression shifted, and his tone was very earnest when he said, “I think it looks nice.”

“I-it’s so tight. A-and too low-cut.”

“Winna, it’s a formal dress, of course it is.” he took my hands and gently pulled them away, but kept his gaze on my face. “I misjudged the size though, so it’s probably a bit more tight than it would be otherwise. I thought you were skinnier.”

“Hey!” I protested. I wasn’t a stick, but I wasn't exactly fat, either.

He blinked, then laughed, “No, not like that! Sorry, my phrasing was rude. I meant that you’re curvier than I thought. That’s all. I’ll go get a larger size.”

“I’d really rather not.” I muttered, staring hard at the floor. “I just want to put on my own clothes again.”

Lear studied me for a few moments, then took some of the dresses that were in the fitting room, saying, “Wait here.” He disappeared, then returned with different ones. “Try these instead.”

“Why?”

“You’ll like these ones better than the others. I'd grabbed those because I knew I'd like them on you. These ones are ones you'll like on you.”

“Promise?”

“I promise.” he told me.