Edric couldn't resist a laugh as she explained what had actually happened, trying to imagine his dumb-as-fuck owl dealing with an indecisive February Lynch. "He'll be fine," he reassured. In all reality he'd already made plans to purchase a new owl pending the old one's early retirement or untimely demise (though he expected the former).

Edric was a pessimist, and the more she learned about him, the more she'd understand why. Now wasn't really the time to swap backstories, even if that might give him a few extra minutes with her. Today had been enough of an emotional roller-coaster, and there was little reason to bring up memories—bad memories, in his case—right now.

"As long as you promise not to put yourself in reckless situations—" He gave her a look. "—I'll be happy." The matter of his safety was much less clear, but he wouldn't have ended up in his position if he'd been too cautious. "If I was that reckless, I would have been dead years ago."

He kissed her back against his better judgment, deepening the kiss in an almost desperate manner. A few nights ago he'd figured that a few months away would have him forgetting the kiss they'd shared, but now he didn't think he'd ever forget the feeling of her lips against his. (Right now forgetting the sensation was the least of his worries; he still had yet to muster the willpower to pull himself away from her.)

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