Getting out of bed was usually the hardest thing that Isabelle did in a day, but it had never felt as impossible as it did today. Ella's arms were wrapped around Isabelle, and their legs were entangled. They were both naked from the night before, and their skin shared warmth freely as though their bodies were joined.
Were the last two days real? Was she still dreaming? She didn't want to move, afraid that her reality would crumble around her. If it was real, and not a vivid hallucination, then these had been the best two days of her life. A real faerie, summoned with real magic, was lying next to her in bed. A beautiful faerie devoted to helping her realize her wishes, even if her wish-granting powers were just a helpful attitude and the ability to sexually dominate Isabelle into cleaning her room. Why was there a tug of grief in her heart when she thought about it all?
Right. Once her faerie, Ella, finished helping her, she would be gone. And unfortunately Isabelle was already completely falling for her-- it was one wish she couldn't have granted.
Ella stirred next to Isabelle, sitting up and glancing around the room in the morning light. Isabelle feigned sleep, hoping that Ella would lie back down beside her. No such luck.
"We've overslept, Isabelle! It's my fault, for falling asleep last night. I just get so overcome with tiredness afterwards-- Come on now, Isabelle!"
She shook Isabelle, who refused to acknowledge that she was awake.
"Isabelle, wake up! The day is starting without you!"
Isabelle mumbled something incoherent and pulled the covers around her tightly, curling her legs up to her chest. Ella sighed, and reached under the blanket. Her fingers found the naked skin of Isabelle's sides, and tickled them with rapid strokes. Isabelle cried out in sudden laughter, and thrashed under the covers.
"Ahhaha-- Ella! Stop! Fine! I'll get up!"
"See, that's much better! I'm glad that I know how to get you up from now on!" Ella teased.
Instead of letting up, Ella reached further down and tickled Isabelle's inner thighs. Isabelle let out a louder squeal of laughter, and kicked her legs. The covers came off of her, and Ella relented.
"I'm awake! I'm awake..." Isabelle caught her breath, still giggling. Her thighs were still tingling where Ella's fingers had been, her body reminding her of the release she had been denied the night before.
"Good girl. Let's get to work, then!"
---
Ella allowed Isabelle the time to make some tea and get dressed. She had also donned her t-shirt, which was still the only item from Isabelle's wardrobe that the faerie would wear.
"I guess my dream is to become an artist," Isabelle admitted, sipping her tea as Ella listened intently, "it was the only thing I was ever any good at. My teacher used to tell me I should go to art school, but I was so embarrassed of everything I made that I could never put together a portfolio."
"Art is a beautiful pursuit," Ella's eyes sparkled, "I wish that I could show you the palaces in our realm. They have great tapestries hanging on every wall, and I used to sit and stare at them for hours."
"That sounds so cool... I wish that I could make something that you-- that anybody could enjoy like that."
"Have any of your artworks ever been displayed?"
"No, not unless you count my high school's art room. I keep all my work in my closet now. Once I finish it, I can't look at it anymore."
"Those drawings were yours?" Ella's eyes opened in wonder, "I looked through them when we were cleaning. They're lovely, certainly not anything to be ashamed of. If you practice, I'm certain your work will be worthy of hanging in the finest halls!"
"I don't know," Isabelle blushed, looking away from Ella's earnest expression, "That would be a lot of practice."
Ella put a finger under Isabelle's chin, and turned her face back up so she was staring into Ella's eyes.
"Isabelle, you can't let that stand between you and your wish. I'll do everything in my power to make it come true-- I'll make sure that you're practicing every day."
"But you don't understand! That could take years..."
"You're closer than you think, Isabelle. And I'll make sure that you work every day, as hard as you can. I can tell how much potential you have. But even if it does take years, I'm bound to you until your wish is fulfilled, and--" Ella brushed Isabelle's hair out of her face, "--Oh dear, Isabelle, why are you crying?"
Isabelle hadn't even noticed that there were tears running down her face.
"I'm sorry, I don't know--" Isabelle felt herself choking up. She had spent so much time lying in this room, passing time. So much time making excuses to her exasperated parents every time she needed a little more money to make ends meet. So much time wishing she was more than a burden. It had been years since anyone had encouraged her. Was she being too hopeful, thinking that maybe Ella had some genuine care for her that wasn't bought by magic?
"It's okay, Isabelle," Ella soothed, giving Isabelle a hug and stroking her hair, "I'll be here as long as you need."
Isabelle heaved a sob. She was used to crying often, but it was always alone. Ella's warmth melted her walls, letting her grief flow freely. It had been building up for so long, in her loneliness. She wept for a blurry and uncounted time before she lifted her face from Ella's shoulder. She sniffled, and started breathing more regularly. Ella kept holding her wordlessly. Finally, Isabelle broke the silence.
"Ella, can I try drawing you?" Isabelle asked quietly, the words so soft they hardly made it out of her mouth. Ella smiled.
