Camila was never a heavy drinker, a lightweight at that, usually a glass of wine here or there for special occasions but nothing more.
Well she was sitting here now, in the living room of the owl house, with Eda and a bottle of… apple blood? That’s what the witch had called it, some sort of Boiling Isles wine or cider Camila assumed.
“So there I was, surrounded by six, no, seven coven guards with nowhere to run.”
Camila leaned in close. Eda was talking with her hand, waving it about and flailing it excitedly, demonstrating how she had knocked two of the guards out with her staff, blasted four with a single spell and the last gave up and dropped to their knees in mere seconds, praying to the titan for her to let them go.
Eda watched as the woman listened intently, hanging on to every last word that had slipped from the witch’s mouth. She took a sip from the wine glass and it was finished.
“Refill?” Eda asked.
“Please.”
Camila held out the glass toward Eda and she poured the apple blood in.
“And then what happened?”
“What?” Eda questioned.
“Well I know how strong you are with magic, so did you fly away on your staff?” I would guess more of the scouts were coming for you.”
“I actually ran back here!” Eda barked out a laugh.
“Oh? And none of them followed you?”
“If they did hooty probably took care of em.” Eda leaned back on the couch.
The woman shuttered at the implication, she didn’t know what hooty was but he definitely made her uncomfortable.
“Ooh okay I have a good one! Me, Luz and King had all some sort of problem that day and of course hooty just had to come and help us out.” Eda rolled her eyes. “He helped King first and his powers came out, then he poisoned me with sleeping nettles so I could face the owl beast.”
Camila looked a little concerned.
“It put me into a deep sleep and it helped me face myself or something.” Eda flicked her wrist. “But then when I woke up I wasn’t the beast, I was.. a combination? Basically a harpy. I was taller, a lot more feathery and the wings I had on me! It was my first time being like that.”
Camila could picture it, she’s caught a glimpse of Eda before while in harpy form before. She was surprised to say the least. Her cheeks turned rosy from the memory.
“That’s not even the best part!” Eda was excited. “Hooty couldn’t take it anymore and started messing up the house, so me and King told him how much of a good job he technically did for us but he yelled about how he failed Luz.”
“Where was Luz during all of this?” Camila noticed the lack of her daughter in the story.
“She was in the basement I think? But do you know who else was there? Amity! Luz wanted to ask her out but hooty kind of ruined it. It’s okay he eventually fixed it the whole works and everything, dramatic lighting, the bashfulness of them two, I wish you could’ve seen it, really.”
“Are you saying Luz got dating advice from an owl worm? And that’s how they started dating?” Camila shot a playful look at Eda.
“How dare you Mrs. Noceda! I’ll have you know that she actually got advice from me, thank you very much.”
“No wonder hooty had to help.” Camila smirked and took a sip.
Eda felt her cheeks warm.
Camila started now.
“So, I’m curious and I have been for a while now, you’re called the most powerful witch on the Boiling Isles?” Camila said with the same smirk, while gesturing to the giant pinned paper above them. “And you have a wanted poster? What exactly were you wanted for Ms. Owl lady?” A slight teasing in her tone.
“What wasn’t I wanted for!” Eda slapped her knee and cackled.
Camila had taken a drink, she hadn’t gotten used to the taste of the apple blood just yet, it was slightly too sweet but otherwise she enjoyed the flavor.
“Okay real talk Cami, Emperor Bonehead created the covens. Which personally I’m not a fan of”. Eda’s fang glistened as she spoke. “So without having a coven and a sigil I was free to do as much mixed magic as I wanted, but with my curse and the enormous bounty on my head I laid low, also I think some of those charges are for stealing and aggravated assault.” Eda pretended to look like she was thinking. “Only for those who deserved it I swear!” She raised her hand in a fake pledge.
Camila held a blank expression until she started giggling then it turned into a full out laughing fit.
Eda looked at Camila now, she always thought the woman was attractive, who wouldn’t, the soft features of her face, her smile, her brown eyes, everything about her was captivating. but right now she looked gorgeous. The light tinge of red on her and the way her nose scrunched up as she laughed, she’d be lying to herself if she said she didn’t have it bad for Camila.
“Oooh! What I wouldn’t give to put in a few hits on Belos!” Camila made a fist and shook it in mock anger.
It was Eda’s turn to howl in laughter. “What I wouldn’t give to see that! Cami I’ve seen you with that bat.” The witch pointed a finger at her. “I bet you’d look hot doing it too!” The uproar of cackling continued.
Camila was mid drink when she was caught off guard by the remark, she sputtered a little of the beverage, the witch not noticing. First the nickname which made her flush but calling her hot? Camila turned red, her growing crush on the owl lady was quite noticeable. There was no denying it. But it was just in Eda’s nature to be overly charming and flirty.
If the witch was being purely honest, she would have absolutely loved to watch the mother obliterate the tyrant into the ground.
Eda’s laughing had died down. She noticed the woman next to her was a bit quiet.
“You alright there, Camila?” Eda settled her hand on Camila’s thigh.
“Oh, yes I’m fine just thinking.” She turned away and smiled trying to hide the blush creeping on her face from the contact.
“Well, a snail for your thoughts?” The witch gave her most sincere smile.
Camila put a brave face on, drank the last splash in her glass, looked at Eda and quirked an eyebrow. “You think I’m hot?”
Oh she heard…she definitely heard, she thought the slip of the tongue would’ve been easily unnoticeable but she was wrong, so very wrong. Camila was too smart, too quick for that to fly by. Eda choked and spit on her own drink while Camila chuckled and pat her on the back.
“Eda I was just teasing.”
She noticed it earlier but she was sure that Camila was flirting with her. Eda had tried to gain her composure to the best of her ability. She relaxed after her coughing fit and settled in on the couch more comfortably. Confidence stricken, she cleared her throat and was about to go on a drunken ramble.
“Are you kidding? Cam, you’re a fox! I mean” Eda whistled a catcall. “Not only that but you practically ran into the Boiling Isles head first ready for a fight, with an Emperor! No questions asked. I mean who does that? I’ll tell you who, a woman who doesn’t fear anything. And to top it all off I know for a fact that you would kill for those kids! Not to mention how insanely cute, funny and caring you are! Oh my titan, you’re amazing.”
Eda punctuated the end of her tangent with a gulp to her drink, she placed the glass back on the coffee table next to the one, now almost two empty bottles.
Camila was stunned from the words that came from the witch. Her mouth agape in a small gasp.
“What?”
Eda’s ears fell flat, did she over do it? she didn’t think so, everything she said was true anyways, not a single lie. She knew how hard Camila could be on herself, especially with the whole demon realm thing. But she deserved to know how amazing she really was.
“What?” Eda repeated the question dumbly.
“Oh don’t what me.” A smile spreading on Camila’s lips “do you really think that?”
“Yep!” Eda popped the p while she grabbed Camila’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “With every bounty on my head, well was.” The witch looked at Camila with a questioning look and a shy smirk.
Camila couldn’t comprehend it, Eda’s words, all of them bouncing around in her head, the sincerity in them. Did she really think that of her? Eda’s eyes locked onto hers. She was still holding her hand. She could feel her face getting warm and a hitch in her throat. She took a second to truly look at Eda, she was extravagant, Camila couldn’t possibly put the woman into words, but she could definitely try.
“Me? You think I’m amazing? What about you! Ay dios mio, you’re incredible! You took in my Luz when she needed it the most, cared for her and kept her safe, while fighting a whole empire, you stood up for what was right, against all odds. I mean you are a bit reckless but you know when to behave, most times.” She shot Eda a wink. “And you’re absolutely breathtaking! Just look at you!” She gestured to the witch “You are just something else, Eda Clawthorne.” Camila looked at Eda, both of her hands now holding hers. She hadn’t realized how close they shifted together.
Eda was taken aback she could feel her face and ears burn, since when was Camila such a smooth talker? And the wink! She practically had a heart attack. The witch prayed to the titan that her blush wasn’t that visible on her face. From Camila’s reaction she could tell it was very much noticeable.
“Dang Cami, do you talk to all the cute witches like that?” The aloof of confidence died on her tongue.
“Only the ones I like.”
Camila’s hands moved, caressing Eda’s face. She placed her lips on the witch’s, Eda was surprised, she started to kiss back, it was sweet, probably due to the apple blood, Camila’s thumb gently brushing against Eda’s cheek. While Eda placed her hand on her waist softly as she pulled Camila closer to her. They pulled away.
Camila moved first and shot up from the couch.
“I need to use the bathroom.” She took off.
Eda didn’t have a chance to respond before Camila ran up the stairs. Leaving her alone.
She sat up straight, mind racing, what should she do? Should she go check on her? Would Camila want to see her right now? Should she stay here? Eda got up and started walking around the coffee table. She didn’t know what else to do. Eda wanted to kiss her. Drink or none. But did Camila? Surely she had to, she had kissed her first! Camila kissed her. It was slowly sinking in. Was it the apple blood? They didn’t drink that much, did they? Eda looked down at the table where the two empty bottles resided. She really hoped it wasn’t. She wanted Camila to kiss her for her, not because of some stupid drink. She grabbed the two empty bottles and walked into the kitchen and set them on the countertop, she tried to clean the space just a bit, taking away the wine glasses, rinsing them out and leaving them in the sink. She’ll do the dishes later. Eda walked by the steps, Camila had been up there for about seven minutes. The witch wasn’t regularly one for patience, especially now under this circumstance, she hoped Camila was okay, scratch that, she needed to make sure she was okay. Slowly she made her way up the stairs.
Camila climbed up the stairs, went down the hall and headed straight to the bathroom, she took off her glasses, turned on the faucet and splashed her face with cold water. What was she thinking? She didn’t have that much to drink but she kissed Eda, because she wanted to, she really wanted to, another splash to the face. Did Eda even like women? Camila figured that out about herself a little while ago. What if she doesn’t? Is she upset? No, she wouldn’t be, Camila paused, would she? All of her thoughts ran through her head. Eda kissed her back. The realization was hitting her. Maybe it was the apple blood? She didn’t know how witch alcohol was any different than regular but she doubted they were. She hoped it wasn’t. She did want to kiss Eda, if given the chance she would do it again, preferably fully sober. Should she just go back through the portal and go home? It was about an easy five minute walk back to the house. No she couldn’t just leave Eda, Not after she ran away upstairs. Camila dried her face and hands with a spare towel and stared into the sink.
There was a soft knock at the door.
“Cami, you okay in there?” It was Eda.
She held her breathe for a second trying to think of something, anything. “Yes, I’m… I’m fine.” It came out delayed.
“When you come out I’ll be waiting downstairs, okay?” Eda’s voice was gentle.
Camila didn’t respond, she waited until she heard the footsteps get further away from the door and headed back down the stairs. She had to go. What would she even say? What would Eda say?
———
Eda sat there anxiously as she waited for Camila to come down. She grabbed a few blankets from the spare closet while she was upstairs and brought them down just in case. Obviously one of them was sleeping on the couch.
She looked over as she heard the creaking of the third step on her staircase, the one that always squeaks no matter how many times she tried to fix it and she tried, a lot.
Camila padded her way down the steps quietly and stood there a bit aways. Should she sit?
“I rarely bite.” Eda tried to break the tension and patted the couch cushion, an invitation for Camila to come sit with her.
Eda’s ears dropped as she noticed Camila sat further away from her then she was before.
Silence filled the room.
“Eda…” Camila started, she didn’t know if she could maintain the eye contact. “Eda, I’m so sorry.”
“What?” Of course Camila would apologize. She didn’t want her to. “Why are you sorry?” Eda gave a nervous airy chuckle.
Camila ran her fingers through her hair and clutched her shirt. “Because I kissed you! That’s why, and I-I didn’t even-“
“Well I kissed you back!” Eda stood up and practically shouted as she cut her off, she looked at Camila. The woman was startled, she knew Eda had kissed her back. She felt her kiss back.
Camila had to think for a minute.
She shot up right pointing an accusing finger at the witch. “You wanted to kiss me!” Her whole face red.
“So you like me? Like, like like.” Camila couldn’t phrase it properly not right now, she watched as Eda went quiet, her ears had twitched and the blush on her was growing increasingly.
“Well yeah, I mean who wouldn’t!”
Camila sat back down on the couch, Eda followed. It took her a minute to collect her thoughts. “Well I like you too if you couldn’t tell.” Camila tried to hold back the shakiness in her voice.
It was Eda who kissed first this time, Camila’s hands went to Eda’s waist and pulled her closer, the witch was practically on her lap, Camila could feel a smile and a light laugh pressed up against her own lips. The owl lady laid her hand on the back of the woman’s neck as they leaned in, Eda’s lipstick was definitely stained on Camila’s lips now, no doubt. This kiss was longer, softer.
“Eda?” Camila looked at her with a soft smile, awe stricken eyes and a hand covering her mouth, completely flustered.
“Mm?” She looked at Camila and followed her eyes, her hair had poofed up. A squeak escaped her as she hurriedly tried to slick it back down into place. “Are you laughing?” Eda smirked. She was a new shade of red.
“Pfft!” The woman tried to stifle a laugh as best she could. Eda pushed both of them over and they flopped backwards on the couch. There was a weight on Camila’s body. Eda had laid right on top of her.
“Eda.”
“Yeah?”
“I don’t think I can get up.”
“What?” Eda looked up at Camila.
Camila started to laugh. “I don’t think I can get back up.”
“Well we can just lay here then.” Eda had rested her head on Camila’s chest.
“Absolutely not.” The witch tensed a little, did she overstep a boundary?
“I am not laying down with you in jeans and a button up.”
There was a smirk on Eda’s face.
Camila deadpanned. “Pajamas Eda, I meant pajamas.”
“Yeah I know.” Eda snickered as she started to get up. She grabbed Camila’s hand and pulled her from the couch.
“Come on, I have some spare clothes upstairs we can change into, if that’s okay?”
“Yeah that sounds good.”
Eda didn’t let go of Camila’s hand as she lead her up the stairs, it made Camila feel fuzzy, a heat spread to her cheeks as she followed up the stairs and down the hall to the notorious Owl lady’s room.
“It’s kind of a mess.” Eda rubbed the back of her neck as she opened the door. They entered and went straight for the dresser.
Camila had stopped and looked around the room, it looked… lived in, homey more like, there was a pile of clothes on the floor, trinkets and other miscellaneous and probably magical items littered the room as well as some posters covering the walls and the giant nest in the middle of the space but it wasn’t entirely messy. She liked it.
Eda tore through the dresser drawers in search of some sleeping clothes, throwing them behind her as she went along. After admiring the room Camila had joined her and stood there waiting. She watched as the witch set aside some things as she kept searching.
“I hope a shirt and some shorts is fine.” Eda handed Camila the clothes with a bashful smile.
“Thank you.” Camila took the articles of clothing and held them.
Camila practically jumped as Eda started to take her dress off, she whipped around, her face burning.
“Ya know you can just get dressed in here, we’ll just turn around so we can’t see each other.”
Even turned to face the wall Camila’s eyes had been shut. “Yes I figured.” She quickly got changed into the pajamas that were given to her, a big purple shirt with graffiti style writing on it and a cartoonish Eda adorning the front and some black shorts. She folded her day clothes and put them atop a desk close by.
“Mila? You all changed?”
“Yes all changed!”
They had turned back around at the same time. Eda had on some shorts and a tank top. She took one look at Camila and she was done for.
“You look cozy.”
“I could say the same for you.”
Eda walked over to the nest and let herself fall into the blankets and pillows inside.
“Is that actually comfortable?” Camila kneeled down and inspected the makeshift bed before stepping into the nest and sitting down.
“Well I would think you would have to be laying down to see if it’s comfortable or not.”
“Thank you Eda, I wouldn’t have known otherwise.” She gave the witch a light hearted scoff and layed down.
“Mm feels nice.” Camila let out a yawn as she situated herself.
“Do you want a blanket?” Eda looked at her and questioned, there was no way anybody was sleeping on that couch tonight.
“Yes, thank you.” Eda grabbed the blanket from beside her and started to hand it to Camila. Camila had gently grabbed Eda’s hand in the process and brought her closer to herself. Eda only took a few seconds to move right next to Camila. She nestled in close and wrapped her arm around Camila’s waist while the blanket was laid on top of them.
Camila’s heart pounded in her chest from the contact.
“So what’d you think?”
“What?”
“Of the apple blood, what’d you think?” Eda perked up as she talked.
“It was good, just a little sweet.” Camila rubbed soft circles on Eda’s hand as she held it. “When I take you on a proper date, you could pick out a human alcohol or food or something you’d like to try.”
“A proper date?” Eda questioned. “You want to take me out on a proper date?”
Camila froze just a bit. “Would you like to go on a date?”
Eda gave Camila a squeeze. “Yes! Yes I’d love that!” She let out a yawn leading to silence, only for a couple seconds. “I can’t believe you Mrs. Noceda, having me in bed before inviting me to dinner?” She cackled lightly.
Eda moved and rested her head on Camila’s chest. “Quite scandalous if you ask me.”
“Go to sleep.” Camila wrapped the blanket around them both. She intertwined Eda’s legs with hers.
“Oh, so no goodnight kiss?” She pulled a dramatic pained expression.
Camila rolled her eyes playfully. She softly cupped Eda’s face into her hands and pressed a gentle kiss to the witch’s temple.
Eda didn’t think she was actually gonna do anything, she smiled giddily to herself completely flustered.
She had finally gotten comfortable when she realized it.
“Camila?”
“Hmm?” A light hum in response.
Eda’s hand came up to Camila’s face and took off her glasses. “Can’t forget about these.” She set them aside to where she thought they wouldn’t get laid on.
“Thank you.”
She brought her hand back down to Camila and cupped her cheek as she gave her a kiss to the forehead. “No problem.”
They situated one last time until finally settling in.
“Buenos noches.”
“Goodnight Cami.”