She surprised me with a cafe.

  Who does that. Who plans out an entire building, buys up an entire district, just to be able to give someone the cafe they've wanted.

  She does. I know she didn't think about the implication.

  She wanted me to be happy, she knew the current location bothered me. She wanted me to be able to excel, to push myself, to have every opportunity.

  She wasn't trying to make some grand gesture.

  But she did.

  ~ * ~

  They tried to heed Fay's warning. They didn't push themselves to their limit, they didn't try to find the most dangerous of caverns. They still stumbled back into their tent half asleep as often as not, but never to the point where the bond was all that kept them going.

  Anya didn't quite understand why Fay was so worried. Sure they'd shared dreams, sure they'd woken up still connected by their band, sure they'd spent the next several hours all but living in each other's skin. What was wrong with that? They had come out of it fine, they hadn't had it repeat itself. It was years earlier than predicted, that's all.

  Seb had insisted on them being more careful. She'd agreed, if a little reluctantly, and had to admit their progress had probably been faster because of it. They ended up less hurt, less exhausted, less messy. They could push through to another set of caverns or call it quits at any time.

  Her ability to encourage the goblins to focus on her had grown, she'd been able to intentionally recreate what she had done that one time, they'd figured out how to leverage her Energy to do it without shrieking. She couldn't manipulate individual enemies yet, only entire caverns, but she was sure she'd figure it out eventually.

  It took another 3 months to reach level 11. Anya insisted they celebrate, spend time testing the changes a level had brought against one another. Seb hadn't objected. Sometimes she suspected he enjoyed their chaotic and pointless challenges a little too much. Whoever heard of fighting holding a mirror to look over their shoulder rather than fighting face to face?

  The changes to their Holding were progressing nearly as fast as they were. Alex had permanent housing and offices for his work. A new hall was set up for formal receptions and gatherings, she didn't intend to start holding court but it would be there once she did. Proper staging point and portal access was built, leveraging the new space to ensure few changes would be needed to handle future growth and restructuring.

  Alex was joining them for breakfast every other visit. He still seemed hesitant and uncertain about their dynamic but if nothing else seemed more at ease with the fact that this was not the tradition bound feudal Holding that Earth was known for.

  Her sister had joined them for dinner a couple times. Her enthusiasm for becoming an Engineer had waned ever so slightly as she was confronted by Yshe's expectations. She claimed not to mind the studying and practical exercises, but their mother insisted she spend just as much time focusing on being Heir to the Holding, leaving her with no time with her friends.

  Anya still worried about the deadline. They were still advancing quickly, still pushing their way towards the goal. The days spent recovering from wounds, or testing ideas in the safety of their campsite were not wasted. Time spent in their Holding was not wasted either, it helped them find balance. Fay had been right about breaks, they were needed, even if not to the degree she'd made it sound at one time.

  ~ * ~

  Anya dropped Seb's blade as he collapsed to the ground next to her. They'd won, they'd cleared the cavern, and without serious injury. It had taken more than twice as long as usual, left both of them wiped, but flush with success.

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  How do you do it? he sent.

  I don't let them hit me so much.

  No, that I get, he answered as his aches flooded the band. How do you keep fighting without ever disengaging?

  How do you keep bouncing everywhere? she countered. I think I spent more time running and jumping than fighting.

  And as a reward you don't have to hose off.

  Not blood no, she sent. Still going to want to shower.

  She pulled him to his feet and guided him a few steps to the side, away from any remnants of their fight.

  Husk, she said as she transitioned.

  The moment he followed suit she sank back to the ground, bringing him with her so they could rest against one another.

  We might manage this against a further cavern, but I think we're near the limit, she sent.

  At least for now. We're good at what we do, but if we get stuck having to fight differently? Trouble for both of us, he agreed.

  The idea had been simple. Take on a moderately challenging cavern fighting in each other's style. Seb had still handled the Bladesong despite her swinging the sword. She wasn't able to recall it the way he did, but he couldn't use her robe and dodge and parry. They'd swapped styles more than once one on one, but never against Depthsborn.

  They both knew they could swap back to their usual styles in an instant if things had gone badly, the cavern would have been a good warm-up for them most mornings. They hadn't needed to, which meant Seb would probably start suggesting they test some of their other sparring styles.

  The cafe opens day after tomorrow, she sent.

  I know. Fay only reminded us-

  -a dozen times.

  They didn't laugh, she didn't have the energy for it. The band was filled with amusement though.

  We should collect and head back, he sent after several minutes of comfortable silence.

  It's still early. We could handle another cavern.

  You're almost falling asleep against me love, he answered. We could do it, but then we'd be risking what Fay-

  I know, I know. We have to be careful about pushing too far into exhaustion.

  She didn't want to take out her frustration on Seb. He was right with his reminder. She just didn't agree with Fay. They were fine, they were safe, they were together. Why shouldn't they advance at the pace they could handle.

  Spar when we get back? she suggested.

  I choose the variant.

  Something fun, she sent, her emotions not quite demanding it but clearly expecting it.

  ~ * ~

  I said fun, Anya sent as she stood across from her Partner. Not…

  It'll be fun, Seb answered. Trust me.

  Fine. You know I do.

  She wasn't sure why he thought this would be fun. Her trying to catch him, trying to stop him from getting away, while he tried to make her give up? She wasn't going to give up, she was going to pin him down over and over again. She would make him give up and admit his idea was horrible.

  Go, he sent.

  She dashed towards him, adjusting as best she could as he slipped around and past her. His whole style revolved around avoidance, he might not be faster than her but he was still in his element. They only had limited space to work with though, she'd be able to trap him and they both knew it.

  They'd set up a circle that was barely 6 feet across, he'd have to pass within her reach every time he tried to reset, she just had to narrow down his choices and she'd-

  He slipped free again, this time leaving her fingers stinging as he flicked them with a technique right as she went to take hold of his clothes. She narrowed her eyes, lunging at him almost blindly in a moment of frustration. Two more flicks, this time meant to distract and tease her rather than interfere with her actions, were all she found.

  She took a deep breath and reset, the technique flicks coming faster and faster if barely strong enough for her to feel. When she got within arm's reach the intensity grew to the point she would have thought he was touching her despite his hands being visible.

  That's, she sent. Cheating.

  He didn't answer, not with words. His emotions slipped through the band, his satisfaction at his efforts, his amusement at her building frustration, his thoughts of where this was going to lead. She grit her teeth as she tried again, managing to lay a hand on him before he managed to distract her and slip away.

  She realized he was right about it being fun. She tried again and again, getting closer each time despite his insistence on distracting her. She managed to leverage his aura to return the favour, her efforts low intensity but combining with her movements to finally get a proper hold of him.

  Still he spun away, her eyes widening as he brought them both out of the circle. She didn't let go, he didn't try to make her. He didn't stop moving, neither did she. It wasn't a spar anymore, it wasn't a contest.

  By the time they both paused, taking a deep breath in sync with one another, they knew they'd somehow pushed further than intended. They weren't exhausted, they weren't worn out, they weren't overwhelmed. They were together, aware of every aspect of one another yet still distinct.

  They'd head home tomorrow, they both knew that Fay didn't need to know about tonight.

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