Work Text:
Tish set down her pencil, took a cloth from one of the many pockets on her apron, and gently dabbed the perspiration that had formed on her brow. She heard some raised voices from the general store next door but that wasn't unusual. The design in front of her was unfinished but it couldn't be helped due to how busy the shop was these days. Between thinking up new furniture pieces and selling existing ones to the new humans that had appeared her days were busy and long. She looked at the clock, and smiled as she got up and started to head over to her best friend's shop.
One of the humans, a young man, was still walking around inspecting the current furniture pieces on display. She waved farewell to him and stepped out onto the street. As she walked down towards Jel's she reached down to adjust her apron and completely ran into a human who had bolted out of Zeki's shop. A few fish flopped onto the ground along with them.
"Oh I'm so sorry!" The human stood then reached a hand down and took Tish's. She looked up into her newest friend's eyes and they both turned a shade of red. A few moments passed before either moved, and they heard Zeki yell "Get a room!" with a loud fading laugh as he turned and strutted into his back room.
"Are you alright?" the human asked, carefully helping Tish to her feet.
"Yes I'm sorry... I was just distracted and didn't see you leaving Zeki's."
"You don't need to apologize to me it was my fault. I was mad that he wasn't giving me as much for these fish as yesterday... Well not important, are you sure you're okay?"
Tish nodded, "Yes I'm quite well and glad that I bumped into you! I'm going to Jel's would you like to accompany me?"
It seemed to the human that Tish's flower was a little bit brighter than usual, but maybe it was just the setting sun lighting it up more directly. "Of course I would! I love watching you both go over new patterns and ideas. But um, I do have these fish that Zeki wouldn't take..."
A loud, "Hey!" and Reth appeared beside them, "oh fresh fish! That would go great in a soup I'm making!"
The human let out soft laugh and pushed them into Reth's hands, "Here, they're yours now."
"Seriously?!"
"Of course."
"You'll be the first to try it when it's done! Well second because I'll be trying it while it cooks to make sure it tastes good. And actually maybe third if Ashura is up then and hungry." He ran off with the fish back into the inn.
Tish smiled softly and shook her head. A brief flash of sadness passed behind her eyes for only a second. Her companion didn't seem to notice. "Well let's not keep Jel waiting, and maybe he has a shirt that doesn't smell as fishy."
"Hey I don't smell that bad!" lifting up the bottom of their shirt and taking a deep breath in. "I take it back, let's see if I can borrow one of Jel's discarded ideas."
After a few hours of good conversation, watching Jel and Tish go over fabrics and patterns of all shapes and colors, Jel waved them farewell as Tish and the newest human to arrive in town left the shop.
They walked quietly to Tish's house, she put on a brave face but it was clear that she was struggling to keep her eyes open.
"I would welcome you in for tea but I'm afraid I cannot stay up any longer. Thank you for accompanying me to Jel's. You're... different from the other humans."
"I'll take that as a compliment."
"Good! I really enjoy your company and... I really enjoy you."
They hugged tightly, a long parting farewell that neither wanted to end. An echoing click, click, click floated over from a few streets over, which caused them to be awakened from their daydreaming. A smile and wave, and the human began walking away.
Tish stared after for a few moments, before turning and going into her house. She closed the door, took off her apron, and looked around the house. A few candles were left burning, she assumed that Reth had come home for a moment to have a short nap as he sometimes did. She picked a few items up and put them away, fighting her exhaustion knowing that these things needed to be put away.
Finally giving into her exhaustion she walked over to lock the door. After locking it and walking the few steps to her bedroom door there was a knock. Confused, she returned and unlocked and opened the door to see the human there panting as they had obviously just ran back to her door.
"I know this is rash but can I stay the night?"
"Yes!" Tish pulled them inside and closed the door.
Startled, the human looked confused, "I didn't think that would work."
"You always brighten my day, cutie, so why wouldn't I want to spend the night with you too?" Tish grabbed her newest friend's hand and lead them to her bedroom.
A few moments later they were both laying on her bed, Tish's head gently resting on their shoulder.
"I'm so glad that... That you're wearing my pin," Tish said quietly.
"No matter what I'm doing, when I look down and see it there... it makes my day."
Tish's eyes closed and her breathing slowed. "I'm starting to fall asleep, I'm so tired."
"I am too. I'm just glad to be able to be with you. I... I love you Tish."
A soft inhale, and exhale, inhale and exhale. Tish was already asleep. The human smiled and softly planted a kiss on her forehead which caused Tish to snuggle in closer.
"I'm the luckiest person alive," they thought, before closing their eyes and falling asleep.