Thanks For The Memories

---flashback starts---

"Uriah!" Abe passes his brother my latest shopping purchase for the wedding night.

My hands reach for the bag, damn those long fingers of these brothers. As Abe and Uriah play tag and fetch with my evening lingerie I am chasing them like a dog. My cheeks flush crimson as Uriah tries to peek inside the bag.

"Uriah, don't you dare look or touch!"

A blast of fire erupts from my fingertips, knocking the bag right out of his hands. Abe wraps an arm around my waist and he says, "Damn straight, don't even think about it, U."

Abe plants a kiss on my cheek and I giggle, while Uriah makes retching noises to make fun of us, complaining about when he will find his true love.

"Say, my new sis, how do you feel about becoming a queen soon?" Uriah's eyes are like a glass of water full of liquid mirth.

"She's already a queen," Abe interjects.

"Damn straight!" I repeat Abe's earlier line and Abe leans in for a quick kiss. Uriah attempts to follow suit and receives a baby burn in return.

---flashback ends---

I wake to the sound of fire crackling and an enticing smell, feeling warm and covered by a thin blanket.

Abe has dozed off next to me, and the meat cooking over the fire smells absolutely divine. I can't wait to eat. I don't remember the last time I ate and my stomach growls at the thought of consuming food. I watch Abe as he sleeps peacefully with a hand resting on his chin. I wonder whether I should wake him up yet or if it is okay that I stare at him a little longer like this by the soft light of the fire illuminating his side frame. This powerful amazing man has been so good to me and I feel like I cannot return the favour since he keeps one upping himself in terms of protecting me, showing his strength and his many skills and talents.

Lifting a hand, I draw a smiley face on his smooth cheek, and trace the outline of his lips. He snorts in his sleep, making my lips stretch into a wide smile. I frown, thinking about how most of the time he takes care of me and I haven't been able to do the same for him. I feel guilty because we're supposed to be in this together, and not just one person being the strong one. Even the strong people need rest and to be taken care of, and my Abe is no exception.

I think about the way my memories are getting clearer, but things don't feel fully formed yet. There are still some missing things that hurt to think about and even just one memory being recalled caused me to collapse. Sighing, I put my hand under my chin the way Abe is doing, and I whisper the words.

"I want to remember everything soon but not if it means you keep having to spend all your energy to help me. Let me help you too."

My hand falls from weaving through his hair, but then without warning his hand snatches mine again. I feel the warmth from his touch spreading into my body. I gaze up into those beautiful eyes, now fully open.

"There is something you can help me with," Abe says, his voice sounds inches lower than before.

He heard me!

"Yeah?" I breathe in as Abe pulls me closer by the collar of my shirt. I am practically on his lap now, with very few materials separating our skin. I try to keep the distance between us, feeling bad that I woke him.

A burning smell eases its way between us even as Abe still wants to pull me towards him further towards his lips.

"The meat is burning," I gasp and pull away.

"Never thought a literal slab of meat could be my cock blocker," Abe groans, frustration seeping through our bones.

We rush to stop the burning, and douse the flames as quickly as we can. I turn to Abe and I take his hand.

"Hey, but I meant what I said okay? You can't just do everything for me and then think you can do fine by yourself for everything else!" I nudge him.

"And I mean what I say when I say you are my whole world. I know you're trying your hardest to remember but I'd rather you forget if it's going to cause you physical and mental harm!" Abe pecks my nose, booping it.

We reach a place of halfway truce, though each perhaps not fully convinced of our resolve to not let events and memories take too much of a toll on our body and health.

"So I guess we are going back to our original plan, go to the main palace in disguise and find Uriah?" I ask after we've eaten the the salvaged parts of the meat that didn't get burned.

"Yes. We are back in the forest now, and tomorrow morning let's make a start for the palace." Abe. says.

The night ends with cuddles and deep talks about our memories, what we envision in our future together and what we want to do now. I snuggle by his side and make him promise to wake me up for my shift so he can get enough rest too.

But when I wake at dawn, Abe is no longer by my side.

I have been kidnapped.