As the days turned into weeks, Lili and Cullen were really beginning to get to know each other. Cullen would tell her what he could remember about who he was and where he was from, Lili started teaching him how to use electronics and when it came to a computer she couldn't help but laugh at his frustration- finding it beyond adorable. Cullen started helping out around the cottage, doing chores and repairs- most of which he knew already, but was learning things related to plumbing and such- while Lili tended to the bookstore.

Lili was beginning to like having someone else around in the old cottage again, realizing how lonely she had really been the last couple of years since her grandfather had passed. And she was glad to see that Cullen was starting to grow accustomed to things in her world, despite his obvious frustrations, and was willing to learn everything he needed to and could in order to survive in her world.

After almost three months, Cullen had settled in well enough and felt like he would be able to survive in this strange world bereft of magik that was so much more advanced than his. One thing he was glad to see was that this world had in common with his were the seasons. Having arrived in late spring, it was nearing the end of summer and settling into autumn.

One day while raking the leaves in the yard, Cullen stood in his boots, a pair of jeans, and light green flannel shirt. A cool breeze blew through Ardon, ruffling his hair and bringing a pleasant chill that felt good against his sweating and hot skin. He breathed in the crisp air and smiled, looking at the golden, red, and orange leaves scattered throughout the deep green leaves still clinging to the last bits of summer.

"Someone's been busy."

Cullen looked over as Lili came up and returned her smile. "I thought I'd get a headstart on the yard work."

Lili looked around, sighing but with a smile. "You really have been a huge help around here, Cullen. I can't thank you enough."

"You've given me food, clothing, and shelter. You took me in without a second thought. It's the least I could do to repay you."

Lili smiled at that. "Well, when you're finished, I was thinking we could go into the big city and hit up the mall. There's a really great store there where they have quality formal wear."

"Why would we need formal wear?"

Lili blushed, realizing that she hadn't actually asked him yet. "Well, I was hoping you'd come with me as my plus one to Anna and Calum's wedding."

Cullen chuckled, leaning forward on the rake with his arms crossed. "I see. And I assume that this formal wear would be intended for such an occasion?"

Lili nodded, her blush deepening. "Sorry, I shouldn't have assumed that you'd come with me."

"It's alright. I'd be happy to accompany you to this event."

Lili looked at him with bright eyes. "Really?"

Cullen had to smile at that. "Of course. I'm rather curious to see how similar or different your ceremonies are to those where I'm from." His smile grew when Lili beamed at him. "I'm nearly done here, we can leave within the hour if you'd like."

Lili nodded, very eagerly, and smiled. "Sure, that sounds good. Would you like any help?"

"Sure."

Lili smiled and ran inside to grab some glove and more trash bags. When she came out, she started shoving the leaves into the trash bags and carrying them over to the curb- thankful that it was trash day the following day. And with the two of them, they were able to finish with the yard work in just a half hour or so.

"There, that's the last of it."

Cullen stretched, then looked at Lili. "Perhaps a shower would prudent before we head out?"

Lili nodded. "Probably not a bad idea."

"Why don't you go ahead and take yours while I clean up out here?"

Lili looked at him, brow slightly furrowed. "Are you sure?"

Cullen chuckled and nodded. "Go ahead, Lili."

"Alright, if you're sure?" Lili sighed and gave in when Cullen practically shooed her off. "I'll try to be quick!"

Cullen watched as she hurried inside and chuckled, turning towards the equipment and gathering it all up to take back to the shed. He grabbed the broom and swept free the remainder of the leaves from the porch and the walkway before returning it to the shed and heading inside. He could hear the shower running upstairs, so he grabbed a fresh towel from the linen closet before heading upstairs to his room.

As Cullen was changing out of his dirty clothes, Lili was finishing up her shower and hoped that she hadn't used all of the hot water. She stepped out and wrapped her towel around herself, squeezing the excess water from her hair before stepping out of the tub. As she opened the door, she found Cullen opening his bedroom door- standing there in nothing but his towel.

"It's all yours." Lili said, trying to ignore her blushing as she ducked into her room.

Cullen was blushing himself, neither of them usually catching the other in nothing but a towel. He tried to shake it away as he stepped into the bathroom, closing the door behind him. He restarted the shower, grateful that there was still hot water, and set his towel on the hook before stepping into the flowing water. As he stood there in the shower, letting the hot water rush over his body, he thought over everything that he had been through since coming into Lili's world.

He had regained some of his memories, but not all of them- which made it a bit difficult to adjust to how life was in this world. But Lili was there every step of the way, helping him adjust to the technology, the way of life in Ardon, and helping him cope with being so far from home. She gave him shelter, food, and clothing. She had basically saved his life, finding him in the alley behind the bookstore. If she hadn't, he would have been lost and alone, trapped in a strange world. He was so grateful that he was found by her, but he also felt so guilty for just falling into her life like that and that's why he tried so hard to repay her kindness.

In her room, Lili was brushing out her hair as she checked the forecast for the remainder of the day. "Hmmm, looks like there's going to be some overcast later, possible showers." She sat there in just her camisole and a pair of panties as she tried to detangle her hair.

In his room, Cullen was drying off after a quick shower. His thoughts remained on Lili and he couldn't help but smile when they turned to just earlier when she was so eager to bring him along to get formal wear. He thought it was adorable that she was so excited about it that she had asked him to come along with her more or less in her head and not aloud.

'Also goes to show how nervous she must be.' he noted as he pulled his shirt on.

He had never really been the kind of man who did well in situations like that, though. Give him a farm to work or soldiers to train and put a sword and shield in his hands and sure, he was fine. Parties just weren't really his thing, yet even so, he found that he was growing more and more excited himself at the thought of going with Lili to this wedding. It wasn't just to see how similar the ceremonies were to his customs, but he really wanted to see her in a fancy dress for some reason.

Shaking the thoughts from his head, he finished dressing and went across the hall to knock on Lili's door.

Lili had managed to detangle her hair and braided it before slipping into a pair of leggings, knee high boots, a soft white long sleeve shirt, and a gray cardigan tunic sweater. When the knock came at her door, she was just finishing up and called out to Cullen to give her a minute. When Cullen told her to take her time and meet him downstairs, she hurried to finish with her makeup- as simple as it was- before grabbing her phone and her purse and heading downstairs.

"You ready to go?"

Cullen nodded and stood from where he sat on the couch. "You look nice." He said with a smile.

Lili blushed a little and smiled in return. "Thanks, so do you." She replied, noting that he wore a simple pair of jeans, his usual boots, his old tunic, and her grandfather's old jacket- which thankfully fit him and did look really good on him.

"Where are you going?" Cullen asked, confused as she started heading to the side door.

"The garage."

"Garage?"

Lili grinned. "That's right, I forgot to show you the garage. Come on!"

Cullen followed after her and closed the garage door behind him as Lili opened the large door at the end of the room. "So this is what's in here."

Lili nodded, unlocking the car that sat inside. "Since the bookstore is so close to home and pretty much everything else in Ardon is within walking distance, I don't usually use the car. But for days like this when it's a trip out of town, this baby comes in handy." She explained as she tapped the side of her Subaru Forester. She gestured to the other side of the car. "Get in on the other side."

Cullen hesitantly did as instructed, having seen these things before out on the streets. They seemed like they were death contraptions to him, but Lili seemed to trust it and he trusted Lili.

"Make sure you buckle, alright?" Lili added, pointing the strap that he had on his side too as she clicked hers into place.

Cullen saw what she spoke of and pulled it forward and across his body, clicking it into the same thing that Lili had hers. "What is this?"

"It's called a seat belt. It keeps you from flying through the window or getting seriously hurt should you ever get into an accident." Lili explained as she looked in her rearview mirror and started backing out of the garage.

Cullen watched as she backed the car up, then reach up and press a little black box. He looked back at the garage as the large door started to close shut. "Your world never ceases to amaze me, Lili."

Lili grinned as she backed out into the street and turned the car. When she shifted to drive, she winked and said, "Just wait til you see what's outside of Ardon."