With each step closer to the old doctors hut, the guilt Karee had seemed to fade. The familiar wooden walls, the earthy smell of the dirt floor, the warmth of their shared space, it all provided a sense of comfort and security. As they entered, Kaden gently placed Karee on the stone bed. He went to fetch water from the well while Rontu began unpacking the baskets, the scent of fresh fish filling the air. The sight of it, the evidence of their hard work, brought a smile to Karee’s lips. "We made it back in one piece, Karee," Rontu said softly, his words carrying a hint of playfulness, "And we have fish for dinner. What could be better?" Karee smiled at him before getting off the bed and going to help him with the fish. "Nothing, everything is perfect now." She said to him. As they sorted through the fish they caught Kaden came back in with the water for the 3 of them to drink seeing Karee smile put him at ease as he went to join them. Rontu, his strong hands moving with practiced ease, finished gutting the last fish, his brow furrowed in concentration. He handed the clean fish to Karee, a silent communication passing between them. She smiled, her eyes crinkling at the corners, and nodded, silently thanking him.Kaden, eyes bright with mischievous curiosity, watched them both, his love for Karee evident in the way his gaze lingered on her. Kaden, ever curious squatted beside her, his face alight with fascination. He watched as she sprinkled the fish with a mixture of herbs, her fingers moving with a grace that he found enthralling. "What are you doing, Karee?" he asked, his voice tinged with awe. Karee chuckled, her eyes sparkling. "I'm seasoning the fish, Kaden. This way, they'll be tastier when we cook them." She picked up a sprig of thyme, its aromatic leaves releasing a burst of fragrance. "This is thyme. It gives a little kick to the fish, makes it more flavourful." Kaden reached out, his fingers brushing against hers as he examined the thyme. He sniffed the herb deeply, his expression a mixture of wonder and delight. "It smells good." he said, his voice filled with genuine admiration. Rontu, who had been cleaning the fish, joined them, his gaze lingering on Karee's face. He knew the thrill she got from teaching, from sharing her knowledge with those she loved. He was happy to see the same sparkle in Kaden's eyes that he had seen when he himself had first learned about the intricacies of fish preparation from Karee. Rontu, catching the look in Kaden's eyes, gave him a friendly nudge. "She's a bit of a sorceress in the kitchen, our Karee. Everything she makes is infused with love and magic." "You know how to use magic Karee." Kaden said, voice full of shock as he looked at the girl. Karee blushed, her cheeks turning the color of the firelight. "No i dont know magic," she turned to look at Rontu, "Don't be silly." she said, though a smile played on her lips. "And this," Karee continued seasoning the fish, her voice soft yet clear, "is mint. It adds a cooling touch to the fish. It balances out the strong flavours of the thyme and other spices." She pointed to another herb, its leaves a vibrant green. "This is rosemary. It imbues the fish with a slightly woody aroma. It's my favourite." Kaden nodded, his eyes wide with interest. "It all sounds so fascinating." He picked up a untouched fish, examining it closely. "Do you think I can try?" he asked, his voice a little hesitant. Karee smiled warmly. "Of course you can, Kaden. It's not as difficult as it looks." She picked up a fish, demonstrating how to hold it and how to make the initial cut. Rontu watched, his heart swelling with affection. He loved Karee's patience and kindness, her ability to make even the simplest things seem exciting and wondrous. He loved how she treated everyone with equal care and respect, making them feel valued and cherished. Kaden, his enthusiasm rekindled, learned quickly, his nimble fingers mimicking Karee's movements. He even managed to gut a fish without any assistance, his face beaming with pride. Kaden, wide-eyed, absorbed her every word of instructions given to him. He couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe at her knowledge, be it flavors, and crafting or her ability to find healing and nourishment from the earth itself. Rontu, meanwhile, had built a small fire in the fire pit. He carefully arranged a bed of burning coals, ensuring that the heat was evenly distributed. “It’s getting late,” he said, his voice gentle as he looked at Karee. “I’ll start the fish.” Karee smiled at him, her eyes filled with appreciation. She knew that Rontu was always there to help. He understood her unspoken needs, her unspoken desires, and he always, always came through. As the fish cooked, the three of them sat in comfortable silence, the crackling of the fire a soothing backdrop to their soon to be shared meal. As the fire crackled and the fish began to cook on the smoth stone slab Rontu placed them on, the air filled with the tantalizing aroma of grilling meat and herbs. Rontu took a deep breath, the scent stirring memories of countless evenings spent by the fire with Karee, sharing stories and laughter, their love unspoken yet deeply felt. As the fish fininshe cooking they sat down to eat, Kaden couldn't help but feel a twinge of nervousness. He had never tasted anything cooked before, and the thought of the unfamiliar flavor filled him with both anticipation and trepidation. With a gentle smile, Karee handed Kaden a portion of the fish. "Don't worry," she said, reading his unspoken fears. "It's delicious." Hesitantly, Kaden took a bite. To his surprise, the flavor was not at all what he had expected. It was delicate and savory, with a hint of saltiness that made his taste buds tingle. As he savored each mouthful, Kaden's anxiety melted away, replaced by a growing sense of enjoyment. He had never imagined that something so simple could bring him such pleasure. "Oh, beastgod," he exclaimed, "this is heavenly! I've never tasted anything so delicious." Karee blushed and smiled back at him. "It was nothing, really. I'm just glad you're enjoying it." Rontu, ever attentive to Karee's needs, noticed the subtle smile on her lips. He reached out and gently caressed her hair, his eyes meeting hers. Karee's heart melted as she gazed into his deep, protective gaze. She knew that she was truly loved and cherished by these two remarkable men. As they continued to eat, Kaden began to pepper Karee with questions about the fish. Karee answered each one patiently and thoroughly, sharing her vast knowledge of the creatures that lived in the nearby river. Kaden listened intently, his admiration for Karee growing with each word. "You are so smart," he said, his eyes filled with awe. "I love learning from you." Karee blushed lightly, but her heart swelled with joy. She had always been passionate about sharing her knowledge, and it filled her with happiness to see that Kaden was so eager to learn. As the fire crackled and the stars twinkled outside, the three of them continued to talk and laugh. They shared stories, dreams, and hopes. It was a moment of perfect contentment and connection, where all the worries of the outside world melted away. Finally, with their bellies full and their hearts content, they put out the fire and walked back to their home. Once arriving they all lay down to sleep. Karee snuggled close to Rontu, her head resting against his chest in the bedroom while Kaden curled up on the pelts in the main room guarding the only entrance into the humble home. As the darkness enveloped them, Karee knew that she was truly blessed. She had found love, companionship, and a sense of belonging with these two remarkable men. And in that moment, as the sounds of the village faded away, she whispered a silent prayer of gratitude to whatever brought her here.