Part 4: Vagrant Flame's Surprise

Two weeks into her staying with you, Vagrant Flame surprised you when you returned from grocery shopping.

 

You'd opened the front door to no sign of her again. Checking the room proved that, for once, she wasn't napping on your tidied bed.

 

You'd looked high and low for her, wondering where she could've gotten to, before sighing and returning to the kitchen to put your groceries away.

 

Perhaps she'd left for good, before you could gift her that satchel.

 

You put the groceries away slowly.

 

Was she really gone? Would there be no more happy dinners together, or idle conversations as the sun set?

No more holding her hooves to your stomach as she held onto you tightly at night, almost appreciatively?

 

You'd shaken your head, putting the empty bags in the pantry for future use.

 

She was a wanderer. Perhaps you'd been foolish to expect her to stay longer than she had already.

 

Sitting heavily in a chair at the kitchen table, you had let loose an ill tempered sigh as you began mentally kicking yourself for getting so attached.

 

 

Hours later, after convincing yourself she was gone for good, Vagrant returned.

 

She flew in through your bedroom window, much like the first night she had spent in your home, cheerily calling for you.

 

You'd had to resist hugging her on sight, instead just giving her a happy smile as you asked where she'd been.

 

"I was in town!" she said excitedly, "I was buying some things for our picnic, and-"

 

"For our what?"

 

"Our picnic! The one we're having tonight, while the sun sets!" she said, floating around you with barely contained happiness, "I picked out some things I think you'll like, and some sweet things, including honey, and I'm just so excited!"

 

"Where did you even get money?" you asked suspiciously, still reeling from the fact she bought stuff for you on her own initiative. You weren't even aware she had money!

 

"Oh, I have my ways," she said, eyes taking on a seductive, half lidded look, "You'd be surprised what some do for a wandering gal."

 

You couldn't help but smile. Maybe it wasn't quite right, but darn if she wasn't resourceful.

 

 

And so that evening, the two of you had sat behind your house, at the top of a gently rolling hill that fell away to a quiet creek bed. The sun was setting in the distance, sky turning orange in the dying light as Vagrant pulled things from the small basket she'd acquired.

 

"I brought honey, lemonade, a little bit of tea, some jams for you to try, soft bread, and a leafy sandwich for you if nothing else tickles your fancy."

 

You'd laughed a little as she pulled all these things out. She'd gotten more than you'd expected. But more than that, she'd gotten them to share with you.

 

Looking up into your eyes, she'd said happily, "Let's eat!"

 

So the two of you had eaten bread with jam, the first time you'd witnessed her eat a non liquid food, and sipped tea and lemonade while watching the sun go down. Casting it's orange glow over the creek and the fields that lied beyond, you had stretched out before falling onto your back with a dull thud; Content with the meal and company.

 

"So, did you like it?" Vagrant asked, leaning over you with a big grin, "Did I do good for my host?"

 

"Very," you said with a happy pat of your stomach, "I don't think I could eat another bite. Those jams were delicious; Where did you get them?"

 

As she described the small shop that had so graciously given her the jars of their homemade jams, she scooted closer to your side, gently pushing away the basket and remains of what little food was left, until she was right beside you.

 

You closed your eyes, savoring the final light of the day warming you.

 

 

when you came to, you were still lying outside. A pleasant, warm feeling on your chest and stomach. Thinking you had dozed off for a moment you'd started to laugh, trying to get up, before realizing something heavy was on your chest.

 

Opening your eyes, you blinked a few times before realizing Vagrant was lying on you.

 

Hooves gently draped over your chest and waist, she was sleeping. That small, happy smile still on her face as her antennae twitched gently at your movement. Her wings were draped out over you as well, making it look like you had a big, grey and reddish brown blanket on your torso.

 

You'd lied there for a while, not really sure what to do. Just savoring the warmth and happy glow coming from her as she rested, holding you like a prized possession or a loving partner.

 

The thought made your heart positively glow, and you'd reached a hand out to gently pet her head. Minding her antennae, you stroked behind her ears and gently pet the back of her head down to her neck tufts.

 

"Mmm?"

 

The sound had made your heart flutter, and thinking of it now did so again. She'd opened those eyes of hers slowly, wings gently coming up behind her as she woke. She took a deep breath, yawning gently as you pet her.

 

"Is something wrong?" she asked innocently.

 

"No," you had replied honestly, "Nothing. Don't you want to sleep inside?"

 

She had just lowered her head against your chest, nuzzling it affectionately, "Wanderers don't always sleep indoors," she murmured, "Just in places we feel safe."

 

And so the two of you had slept outside, in the moonlight of a cool summer night. Your heart throbbed in your throat, and you tried to say something, anything. But in the end, you had settled for "Goodnight, Vagrant," and falling asleep holding onto her like she held onto you.

 

Protectively. Tenderly.

 

Lovingly.