The morning light filtered through the cracks as the group gathered near the campfire, the smell of cooking food mingling with the damp air. Kelvin glanced over at Mat, noting the relaxed expression on his face and the faint smile he didn’t seem to notice he was wearing.

"You seem happy," Kelvin remarked, raising an eyebrow.

Mat leaned back against the wall a smirk playing on his lips. "Me and Fiona made love last night," he said, his tone casual but tinged with pride.

Kelvin blinked, momentarily caught off guard, before letting out a soft chuckle. "Well, that explains the spring in your step."

Mat shrugged, his smirk widening. "She even forgave me."

Kelvin raised an eyebrow, his tone curious but laced with caution. "What did you do?"

Mat leaned back slightly, his smirk fading into a more serious expression. "She was on top of me, and I… entered her box without consent."

Kelvin’s expression darkened slightly as he crossed his arms. "That’s a pretty big deal, Mat. You know how serious that is, right?"

Mat nodded, his tone quieter now. "I know. I messed up. I thought—" He stopped, running a hand through his fur. "I thought it was okay in the moment, but she called me out on it right after. Told me exactly how she felt about it."

Kelvin studied him for a moment, his gaze sharp. "And?"

"And I apologized," Mat said earnestly. "Not just words—I meant it. I know I crossed a line, and I’m lucky she forgave me. I told her it was medieval times here and I forgot."

Kelvin raised an eyebrow. "And what did she say to that?"

Mat let out a soft chuckle, though it was tinged with nervousness. "She said, and I quote, 'You’re lucky I love you because entering my box without consent would usually mean me using these claws to slash your throat. I don’t care if medieval law dictates that, since I’m pregnant, I’m always consenting.'"

Kelvin let out a low whistle, his expression a mix of surprise and respect. "She didn’t hold back, huh?"

"Nope," Mat said with a faint smirk. "But she was right. She didn’t let me get away with excusing it because of the setting or some outdated law. She made me see that it’s about us—about trust—and not what some medieval tradition says."

Kelvin nodded, his gaze softening slightly. "Good. Sounds like she’s got her head on straight. And you’re lucky she cares enough to hold you accountable."

"Trust me, I know," Mat said, his voice steady. "She’s… amazing. And I’m not going to make the same mistake twice."

Kelvin gave him a long look before nodding. "Then you’re on the right track. Just remember, Mat—love isn’t just about feelings. It’s about actions too."

"I hear you," Mat replied, his smirk returning faintly. "Though it’s something of a thought, though."

Kelvin raised an eyebrow. "What is?"

Mat glanced down, his ears twitching slightly. "Well, we are on a medieval planet. Technically, if I met someone else, that slip-up wouldn’t just be forgiven—it’d be expected. I wouldn’t have had to stop."

Kelvin frowned, his expression hardening slightly. "Maybe by their standards, but you’re not ‘someone else,’ Mat. And Fiona’s not just anyone. You care about her, right?"

"Of course," Mat said quickly. "That’s why I stopped. That’s why I apologized."

"Then forget what this planet expects," Kelvin said firmly. "This isn’t about their laws or traditions—it’s about you and Fiona. You know better, so do better. That’s all that matters."

Mat nodded slowly, his smirk fading into something more thoughtful. "Yeah. But I lived here as a slave for 20 years. You’re just visiting."

Kelvin’s expression softened, though his eyes held steady on Mat. "You’re right. I haven’t walked in your shoes, and I don’t know what it’s like to live under those rules. But that’s why it matters even more. You’ve been through it, Mat. You know how broken this system is."

Mat looked away, his ears drooping slightly. "Yeah, I do. It’s just… it’s hard to shake, you know? The mindset, the rules—it gets into your head, and sometimes you don’t even realize it."

Kelvin nodded, his voice quieter now. "I get it. It’s not easy to unlearn the things you’ve been forced to live by. But you’ve already started, Mat. Fiona’s not just someone you care about—she’s someone who makes you want to be better. That’s worth holding on to."

Mat glanced back at him, his lips twitching into a faint smile. "You’re not half bad at this pep talk thing, you know that?"

Kelvin smirked, leaning back slightly. "Don’t get used to it. I’m just saying what needs to be said. You’ve got a good thing with Fiona—don’t let this place, or its history, mess that up."

“Yeah.” Mat’s voice softened as he glanced at the fire, his ears twitching. "But I kinda think… do these modern standards really make any difference? I mean, if I never met Fiona, you’d never have known I was the Mat you bullied to death. But I could have ended up in a relationship, had kids, and the only difference is that we wouldn’t have this idea of continuous consent. Millions of families here don’t."

Kelvin tilted his head, studying Mat closely but letting him continue.

"I mean, I could have knocked up another ferret, and she’d 100% believe that, since I knocked her up, I’m always allowed to have sex with her. How is that love any different? How is that not love, just because it doesn’t meet the standards you know?"

Kelvin frowned, his brow furrowing as he considered Mat’s words. After a moment, he leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees. "It’s not about whether it’s love or not, Mat. Love can exist in all kinds of circumstances, even messed-up ones. But love isn’t just about what you feel—it’s about what you choose to do with those feelings."

Mat looked at him, his gaze searching. "So, you’re saying their love is real, even if their rules are different?"

"Maybe," Kelvin admitted, his tone thoughtful. "But just because it’s love doesn’t mean it’s healthy. Love doesn’t justify everything. The difference is choice. Real love thrives when both people can make decisions freely—not just because some law or tradition says they have to."

Mat leaned back, his expression contemplative. "But what about Fiona saying she’d use her claws to slit my throat? That’s not love."

Kelvin sighed, his gaze steady as he looked at Mat. "It’s not love, Mat—it’s anger. And you earned that anger. Love doesn’t mean she’s not allowed to feel hurt or betrayed when you mess up. It means she cares enough to hold you accountable and expects better from you."

Mat frowned, his ears twitching. "But threatening to kill me? That’s a little extreme, don’t you think?"

"Yeah, it is," Kelvin admitted. "But think about where she’s coming from. She’s carrying your kids, Mat. She’s trusting you not just with her body but with her life—and theirs. You crossed a line, and that scared her. Maybe slitting your throat was her way of making sure you knew how serious it was."

Mat exhaled slowly, his shoulders sagging. "Slitting your throat is near 100% fatal on your modern planet. Here? Where I might as well have a tombstone available, it’s almost guaranteed."

Kelvin’s brow furrowed, his gaze sharpening. "You’re saying the threat feels heavier here because it’s not just words—it’s a real possibility?"

"Exactly," Mat said, his voice quiet but firm. "Back on your world, maybe it’s an expression, something said in the heat of the moment. But here? People don’t bluff like that. If she’d been serious, I’d probably be dead already."

Kelvin leaned back slightly, processing Mat’s words. "So, you think she really meant it?"

Mat shook his head, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "No. I think she wanted me to understand how much I hurt her. But in this world, where violence is part of the fabric, you can’t just brush off a statement like that. It’s not empty—it’s part of the rules everyone lives by."

Kelvin nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. "That’s fair. It’s a lot to unpack, living with one foot in their world and the other in ours."

"Yeah," Mat replied, his tone softening. "But I get it now. It wasn’t about wanting to hurt me—it was about making sure I never forget what’s at stake. Fiona loves me, but she’s not going to let me slide on something that serious."

Kelvin gave a small smile, his tone lighter. "Sounds like she’s keeping you on your toes. Maybe that’s not such a bad thing."

Mat chuckled softly. "Not bad at all. Just… intense. But I guess that’s what happens when you fall for someone like Fiona."

Kelvin smirked. "Better intense than indifferent, right?"

Mat hesitated, his smirk fading as his expression grew more thoughtful. "I can’t say. I mean, when I knocked her up, she was different. Was she Edwin’s daughter then? Or is she the rabbit killer now?"

Kelvin’s smile faded, replaced by a serious look as he studied Mat. "You’re saying she’s changed?"

"Yeah," Mat said quietly, his ears twitching. "Back then, she had this… lightness about her. Like she was carrying her dad’s kindness, you know? But now? She’s hard, sharp—like she’s carrying the weight of everything she’s done."

Kelvin nodded slowly, his tone measured. "And does that change how you feel about her?"

Mat shook his head quickly. "No. It’s not that. I love her, Kelvin. It’s just… sometimes I wonder if she’s still the same person I fell for. Or if I just didn’t see this side of her back then."

Kelvin leaned back, crossing his arms as he considered Mat’s words. "People change, Mat. Sometimes for better, sometimes for worse. But Fiona’s still here. She didn’t have to forgive you, but she did. She didn’t have to stay with you, but she has. Maybe she’s not the same as before, but it sounds like she’s still choosing you."

Mat nodded slowly, his gaze distant. "Yeah. But… she took control. Said she was in charge. She was teasing during sex, but I always took control before. Always."

Kelvin raised an eyebrow, his tone steady but curious. "And how did that make you feel? Her taking charge like that?"

Mat hesitated, his ears twitching as he searched for the right words. "At first, I didn’t know what to think. It threw me off. She was… different. Confident in a way I hadn’t seen before. It wasn’t just teasing—it was like she was making a point. But the thing is… I didn’t hate it."

Kelvin smirked faintly, leaning forward slightly. "Sounds like Fiona knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to show it. That’s not a bad thing, Mat."

"I know," Mat admitted, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "It’s just new. She’s always been strong, but now… it’s like she’s showing me a different kind of strength. And I guess it made me realize I wasn’t as in control as I thought."

Kelvin nodded, his tone thoughtful. "That’s not a bad realization to have. Relationships aren’t about one person always being in charge. Maybe she’s showing you what it looks like when you both share that power."

Mat tilted his head, considering Kelvin’s words. "You think so? That it’s her way of balancing things?"

"Could be," Kelvin replied with a shrug. "Or maybe it’s just her way of reminding you she’s your equal—not someone you get to ‘control.’ Either way, sounds like she’s keeping you on your toes."

Mat chuckled softly, his shoulders relaxing. "Yeah, that she is. And maybe… maybe that’s not such a bad thing. But… on this planet, women don’t have control. That’s a good rule to remember."

Kelvin raised an eyebrow, his expression hardening slightly. "A rule to remember? Or a rule to challenge?"

Mat blinked, caught off guard. "I mean… it’s just how things are here. It’s not like I made the rules."

"No, but you’re living by them," Kelvin said firmly. "And you’re acting like that’s okay. Fiona’s already challenging those rules just by being who she is. If you’re with her, you’ve got to decide if you’re going to stand with her or hide behind what this planet expects."

Mat frowned, his ears twitching as he thought. "I’m not hiding. It’s just… easier to go along with it. People here don’t see things the way we do. It’s not like we can change their minds overnight."

Kelvin’s gaze softened, though his tone remained steady. "Maybe not. But you can choose not to let their rules define your relationship. You already know Fiona doesn’t care about what’s ‘normal’ here. Why should you?"

Mat exhaled slowly, nodding. "Look, I’ve been a slave here for 20 years. I know how this place works. You just follow the rules, keep your head down, and survive. We’ll be back in Ketill soon enough, like nothing happened."

Kelvin frowned, his arms crossing as he leaned forward. "Like nothing happened? Mat, you can’t just pretend this place hasn’t shaped you, or that it won’t leave its mark on Fiona too. Ignoring it doesn’t make it go away."

Mat glanced away, his ears twitching uncomfortably. "What do you want me to do, Kelvin? Start a revolution? Change thousands of years of tradition overnight? I’m just trying to get us out of here alive."

"I’m not saying you have to change the world," Kelvin said, his voice calm but firm. "But don’t let it change you back into someone you’ve outgrown. You’re not just a survivor anymore, Mat. You’re someone Fiona trusts. Someone she loves. Don’t use this place as an excuse to give up on being better."

Mat ran a hand through his fur, his shoulders slumping slightly. "I’m not. But in a few months at most, we’ll be back in Ketill. Equal rights for prey, equal rights for women—everyone you can think of. And this place?" He gestured around them. "Well, you can ignore it. Leave it behind like it’s some bad dream."

Kelvin’s brow furrowed, his tone steady but laced with concern. "But can you? Ignore it, I mean. You’ve lived here, Mat. You know what it’s like. Just because you leave doesn’t mean it stops affecting you."

Mat hesitated, his ears twitching. Then, his voice dropped, cold and sharp. "I don’t know. But I’ve done a good job ignoring the fact that you’re a prick who murdered a 17-year-old fox in high school for likes."

Kelvin blinked, the words hitting him like a physical blow. His posture stiffened, and he opened his mouth to speak, but Mat cut him off.

"Yeah," Mat said, his gaze hard, voice biting. "But you already knew that."

Kelvin’s jaw tightened, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I knew. But it doesn’t mean I know how to fix it, Mat."

Mat scoffed, crossing his arms as his ears twitched in irritation. "Fix it? You think this is about fixing it? Like one apology and some heartfelt words are going to erase the fact that you killed me?"

Kelvin’s shoulders sagged, his voice low but steady. "No. I know it doesn’t. Nothing can. But I’m here, trying, Mat. You think that’s easy? Facing the person I destroyed? Knowing every day that I’m the reason you ended up in a hellhole like this?"

Mat stared at him, his eyes hard. "You’re not the reason I survived, Kelvin. That was all me. You? You’re just a reminder of how broken this world is—every world. You used to stand there, laughing while I bled. Now you’re trying to act like you’re someone different. Someone better."

Kelvin exhaled slowly, his gaze steady despite the sharpness of Mat’s words. "I am someone different. You don’t have to believe me, Mat, but I’ve spent every day since then trying to make sure I never hurt anyone like that again. And yeah, I’ll carry what I did to you for the rest of my life. That’s my burden. But you’ve changed too. You’re not that same kid, and neither am I."

Mat’s ears twitched again, and he looked away, his voice quieter now. "You don’t get to decide that. You don’t get to act like the past is something we can just leave behind because it’s easier for you."

Kelvin nodded slowly, his voice heavy. "You’re right. I don’t. And I’m not asking you to forget, or even forgive me. But I’ll say this—if there’s one thing you’ve shown me, it’s that people can be better. Even if I don’t deserve your trust, you’ve earned mine. So, whether you want me to or not, I’ll have your back."

Mat didn’t respond immediately, the tension between them thick and suffocating. Finally, he let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head. "Look, I know you aren’t the bully that killed me. You’ve changed—fine. But don’t make my life or anyone else’s harder just because you can’t stand that this planet is 500 years in the past."

Kelvin frowned, his arms crossing as he absorbed Mat’s words. "You think that’s what I’m doing? Making things harder?"

Mat’s ears twitched, his tone sharp but measured. "You keep looking at this place like it’s broken, like it’s something you need to fix. But it’s not going to change just because you don’t like how things work here. People survive in ways you can’t imagine. You coming in with your modern ideals and guilt? That doesn’t help—it just stirs up trouble."

Kelvin sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "I’m not trying to stir up trouble, Mat. I just… I hate seeing people trapped in a system that doesn’t value them. It’s hard to stand by and do nothing."

Mat’s gaze softened slightly, though his tone remained firm. "I get that. But you need to pick your battles. This world isn’t Ketill. It’s not built on equality or fairness. It’s built on survival. If you push too hard, you’re not helping anyone—you’re just putting them in danger."

Mat paused for a moment before his voice dropped, sharper and colder. "You didn’t care that I was trapped 11 years ago, Kelvin. Just pretend it’s 11 years ago again and let me die."

Kelvin flinched as though the words had physically struck him. "Mat, that’s not fair," he said quietly, his voice thick with guilt. "I didn’t understand then. I didn’t see you as a person the way I should have."

Mat’s ears pinned back, his eyes narrowing. "And now you do? Because it’s convenient? Because it makes you feel better to care now? I needed someone to care then, Kelvin. Not now, when it’s too late to matter."

"I know," Kelvin admitted, his tone low and heavy. "You’re right—I failed you. I failed the person you were, and nothing I say can ever change that. But I’m trying now because it’s all I can do."

Mat scoffed, shaking his head. "Trying now? That’s for you, Kelvin. Not for me. You don’t get to absolve yourself by pretending to care after the damage is done."

Kelvin took a deep breath, steadying himself. "You’re right. Again. Maybe it is for me in some ways. But it’s also for you—because you’re still here. Because I see the person you’ve become, and I know I don’t deserve the chance to help you now, but I’m here anyway."

Mat’s gaze lingered on Kelvin for a long moment before he turned away, his shoulders tense. "You want to help me? Stop acting like you’re the hero in some redemption story. Just leave it alone, Kelvin. Leave me alone."

Kelvin opened his mouth to respond but stopped, his jaw tightening. He nodded slowly, his expression pained but resolute. "If that’s what you want, Mat, I’ll back off. But I’ll still be here if you need me."

Mat didn’t reply, his focus fixed on the door. The silence between them was heavy, a chasm filled with unresolved pain and guilt. Kelvin stood there for a moment longer before turning and walking away, leaving Mat alone with his thoughts.
