“…Heather?”

“Yeah, Cammy?”

“…Why are you being so nice?”

“How do you mean?”

“You kidnapped, brainwashed, and then forced me into a magic contract. And.. now we just had pizza, and, I’m wrapped up in a soft blanket. What gives? Was this not just some petty revenge plot? Are you going to yank it away to be cruel, to get back at me?”

“No such plans.”

“Then why are you being so nice?”

“Because you’re no longer a threat to anyone. I pacified you. You can’t hurt me anymore. You don’t beat up a rabid dog after you restrain it, because it bit you.”

“…Did you just compare me to a rabid dog?”

“With how stupid and close-minded you were, yeah I think it’s an apt comparison.”

Camilla somehow finds the energy to stand up, attempting to look as intimidating as she used to, and, while she gets close, it’s hollow.

“I am not a rabid dog, you fucking skank, I can’t believe I cozied up to you. You’re just some-”

“Cammy, calm”

With those words, all the anger and emotion behind her words fade. Not to say the opinions are gone, just that there is no emotional capacity to actually… feel any of it. She’s out of anger.

“Gnh-nh god- fuck.. that is.. potent..”

“It’s so much easier to just cooperate.”

“I- n-no” she sputters, weakly.

“I’m not asking, Camilla. You came to me. You’re in my home. I treat guests with affection, positivity, and hospitality. You do not get to opt out.”

“Wh-wha?” The gears in her head start spinning, trying to make sense of the concept of what I had said. I stand up, staring Cammy in the eyes, before curtly saying “1 week.”

Camilla continues to stutter and stammer, unaware of what she’s even processing. I decide that’s enough confusion for the moment, so I get to the point.

“Cammy configure”

Just like last time, the light in her eyes dulls and she slumps over. I have to catch her this time, as she isn’t laying on the couch anymore. I lay her back down, and sit beside her.

“For the next 7 days, you will be entirely and blissfully unaware that you ever held homophobic views.”

“Yes.”

“During this time, you will believe yourself to be a cheerfully out lesbian, happily in a relationship with me.”

“Yes.”

“Cammy confirm”

“Hnmm?”

“Don’t worry about it, dear. You just dazed out.”

“Mhm.”

“Love you cammy.”

“Love you too~”

I pet her hair again, this time she leans into it, making a noise akin to a cat purring. She curls up next to me, grabbing onto my arm with a dumb little smirk.

“Mine. My arm.”

I chuckle, partly out of how cute that is, partly out of the fact that this woman angrily called me a skank 10 minutes prior.

I relax, knowing the next week is going to be peaceful. I briefly consider the moral implications of all that I’ve done, but then reconsider, deciding that I’d rather not think about that yet.

“Are you busy tomorrow, Cam?”

“Yeah, I’ve got work from 11-6, why?”

“No reason. Just curious. Where do you work again?”

“Nordstrom rack.”

“Oh yeah.”

I feign remembering, as though that were knowledge I possibly could’ve known.

“Wanna stop by the café for breakfast, help me open?”

“Yeah, sure babe.”

“We just got more of those french toast sticks.”

“Yum.”

It’s certainly weird, bantering like a lover with my highschool bully, who I dragged off the street with magic. It’s nice though. Reassurance that she won’t hurt me, or anyone else this week. I wind up curled next to her on the couch, listening to some cheesy 70s horror flick, before dozing off to sleep.