Strings of Fate

73- Presents and potions 1 run a hand through his hair in a way | hope is soothing and he sits up, dropping his own hands from his hair.

“It’s really okay Bellamy. They weren't a real threat to you and you keptsafe. They're doing this because they're scared. They know they screwed up. I'm not saying what they did is okay, far from it. But if | remember correctly, they were hired by someone. It wasn’t personal, it was just a job to them. So treat this like a job too.

Accept the I0U but give the condition that they need to provide any information they have about who hired them. That's who we should really be angry at. In the long run, they're nothing.” Bellamy looks up into my eyes.

and | hold his stare. | can see the conflicting emotions in his eyes as he wages an internal battle. Finally | can see a resolution as he straightens his spine and it looks like a burden has been dropped from his shoulders.

“You're right. I'll do that. I'll send the message in the morning. Thank you.” Decision made, Bellamy looks far less anxious. | guess the indecision was difficult for him. He is a pretty decisive person. He doesn’t like to waste tgoing back and forth. I'm sure he already considered the idea that | ended up suggesting, but I think hearing from someone else gave him the confidence he needed to decide. | can’t believe he was actually worried | would be unhappy with him for not hunting down those Vampires. | have a fairly good idea on how to reassure him though. I hope he likes it.

“Wait here a second, I'll be right back. Don’t move.” | point at him and give him a mock glare. He makes a show of becoming a statue in place. | dash to the kitchen, almost stacking it as | turn through the doorway. | grab the little blue box and run back to Bellamy. He’s waiting with a curious expression. | stand in front of him, but | feel uncomfortable, like a schoolgirl standing in front of a teacher about to give a presentation. Seeing my hesitation, Bellamy opens his arms to me, a clear offer. | step forward and awkwardly let him pullinto his lap. He positionssideways with my legs over the armrest on one side so that | can see his face properly. My anxiety must be showing because Bellamy begins rubbing soothing circles on my back. | take a steadying breath and force myself to speak.

“I know | haven't always been the most... receptive... to your advances and my awkwardness. has probably caused at least a little bit of insecurity on your end. | wanted to get you this gift, partly because it’s a tradition that’s important to you, and partly because | want you have the sreassurance that | have every day.” | can’t help but glance at the string to 1/4 connecting the two of us. Solid and unbreakable. It's only a few inches long when we sit this close. | hold out the box to Bellamy and his eyes light up. He takes the box eagerly, like a kid at Christmas he looks up at me, clearly asking permission to open it. | nod nervously. He opens the box and pulls out the braided string bracelet. It glints slightly, the spells on it just barely showing hints of magic. | g barely showing hints of magic. | go straight into my explanation before he gets a chance to be confused.

“It’s the exact sred as the threads | see. | had it spelled so it should repel dirt and water. It should be pretty much unbreakable to any reasonable amount of force, and it should grow or shrink to adapt to whatever form you happen to be in. There's also a safekeeping spell. It shouldn't fall off or coff unless you intentionally remove it...” Bellamy is staring atwide eyed and not saying anything. | keep babbling awkwardly, filling the silence.

“I made the bracelet, | figured it could represent our thread so you can see it too. That way if you ever do feel unsure when | inevitably do something stupid or pull away, you have the sreminder that | do. A solid, unbreakable thread. | was a bit worried it might be a little too girly to give you a bracelet, but it’s not super decorative and you could always hide it under long sleeves if you want. | mean you don’t have to wear it but I-” Bellamy cutsoff with a kiss.

“Shh it’s perfect. The best gift I've ever gotten. Really.” He slides it onto his right wrist and strokes the braid reverently.

“I don’t know any other Shifter men who've received a gift they can wear in both forms. This is honestly so thoughtful. | suspect when everyone finds out about us they're going to be jealous. | bet you're going to start a trend of spelled gifts.” Bellamy looks so elated, he is almost gloating. Megan's voice in the hallway behindmakesjump. Why does she keep doing that! “Well, | suppose you are technically in the recliner this time, but I'm not sure that’s exactly how it’s intended to be used.” she comments teasingly. | move to scramble out of Bellamy’s lap but this the wraps an arm around my waist, holdingin place.

“Ryann boughta gift.” He declares proudly and I groan in embarrassment. Megan tilts her head to the side.

“Oh? | know we discussed it, but | didn’t realise you had decided on something Ry.” She 2/4 73-Presents and polic comments. Bellamy holds up his wrist showing off the bracelet and begins explaining the various spells attached to it. He explains each one in far more detail and the usefulness of each spell as well as the meaning behind the bracelet. He tells her about it in such excruciating detail that | start to get embarrassed again. | stop him when | realise he’s beginning to repeat himself.

“Huh, that is pretty cool.” Megan steps forward and reaches out as if to touch the bracelet but Bellamy pulls it back against himself defensively and | swear | hear him growl lightly under his breath.

“Alright, alright, | get it. It’s yours. | won't touch it.” Megan responds good naturedly, rolling her eyes.

“That was a really creative choice Ryann, good job. But you could have warned me. He's going to be unbearably smug for days now. Maybe even weeks.” She sighs and I laugh.

“Sorry Megs, but it had to be done, | figured | should go through with it before I wuss out.” | explain. She shrugs.

“I don’t think you're nearly as cowardly as you think you are Ry. I'm pretty sure stuff like this is terrifying for everyone.” | smile at her comment. | hope that’s true. Or maybe | don't, it wouldn't be fun for everyone to have to feel this anxious all the time.

“Well, since Bellamy is definitely going to want to hoard your attention tonight, | demand tomorrow night for a girl's night. That is if you're not working?” She questions.

“I have the lunch shift again tomorrow. I'll be off by three.” | inform her.

“Excellent. I'll expect you here by half past then.” “Sure, oh I have something for you too by the way, | picked up a potion for you that’s meant to help with nightmares.” | shift my weight to move off Bellamy’s lap so | can go grab it but he just tightens his arm around my waist and pullscloser.