Their cries faded, dissolving into the rustle of grass and the warm breath of the late spring wind. Sophie lay spent across David's chest, neither of them rushing to move, letting the meadow's warmth envelop them. For a while, they allowed themselves not to think about where they were or what had just happened. But they both knew that sooner or later, they would have to.
Half an hour later Sophie stirred, rising with slow, graceful movements full of strength. She looked at him, her eyes still burning—not with passion now, but with curiosity.
They didn't need to put on sweaters, coats, or hats—winter wasn't coming back. The air was warm, almost summer-like, with only a cool breeze brushing their bare skin. David guessed it must be May here.
The car still stood at the edge of the same green meadow, ringed by tall grass and blossoms beneath a sky too vividly blue. The mountains were gone. They were in an unknown place, a world that wasn't theirs.
Sophie had already dressed, but she lingered barefoot in the grass, savoring the sensation. She didn't look frightened. She looked… pleased. Content. David thought, not for the first time, that she had to be insane.
"Love," he said at last, deciding it was time to talk. "I can see how thrilled you are about whatever it is you just pulled off. But let's actually try to figure out what happened."
She caught the sarcasm and laughed.
"I pulled off? Not sure it's me. You know, before I met you, I lived the most ordinary life without a single hint of magic. So the big question is—who's really to blame here?"
"Let's be serious. How did we end up here? And where even is here?"
"Where? No idea," she admitted. "But how… I've got a theory. I told you already—the portals open depending on intensity. On how strong the experience is. You know, when it's so good your nerves can't take it, and the system just… glitches."
"Ehh, but this time—before spring showed up—there hadn't even been sex yet."
"Don't be so sure," she countered slyly. "Sex is subtle. It takes many forms. Orgasm doesn't always wait for the obvious moment—it can hit just from you being near."
"Explain."
"You were looking at me."
"Just looking, and?"
"You stared at me for half an hour. The whole drive. I had to focus on the road, and you kept looking in a way that made my head spin. Do you have any idea how hard it is to concentrate when someone looks at you like that?"
"You couldn't even see me—you were watching the road," he tried to protest.
"Oh, don't start. Peripheral vision exists. You nearly drilled a hole through my cheek with your eyes. You looked at me so hard I ached for you to touch me—just your hand on my knee, or brushing my shoulder. I wanted it so badly I couldn't think of anything else… And voilà. Here we are."
"So, I put my hand on your leg and you got so overwhelmed you opened a portal and dragged us… here?"
"Well, that's how it seems."
"Unbelievable. Though I could use a stronger word." He shook his head, then grinned. "Alright then, let's scout the place, witch." As she moved toward the car, he gave her a playful slap just below the waist. She turned and kissed him hard.
"I love you," she said.
And David thought he had never been happier than in that moment, despite—or maybe because of—the sheer madness of it all. No wedding could ever compare to adventures like these.
Actually, he realized, she refused me. She didn't take the ring. For an unaccepted groom, I'm far too content. Maybe she's not the only crazy one here.
Sophie slid behind the wheel and started the engine. It purred softly, breaking the meadow's silence.
"Ready?" she asked, her voice bubbling with excitement.
"Ready," he answered with a grin.
The car rolled forward, tires crunching against the dirt road. The wind rushed in through the cracked window, carrying the scent of wildflowers.