“oh, thanks for checking, but gabrielle’s fine.” she answers, smile wide and, if she’s honest, entirely too enthusiastic, considering why this woman’s here. still, gabrielle can’t help it – something about her feels so familiar, like home. (which is ridiculous, seeing as they’ve just met. still, no matter how hard she tries, she can’t shake the feeling.) “it’s nice to meet you, xena.”

       gabrielle takes the hand extended to her and shakes it with vigor, pointedly ignoring the jolt of electricity the contact sends shooting down her spine. someone who looks like xena does probably gets enough unwarranted attention as is; the last thing she needs is any more from someone she can’t escape. “so does this mean you’ll be here, like, all the time now? i mean… no offense, but isn’t that a little overkill?” she’s quick to backtrack, then, hands raised placatingly. as if she doesn’t want xena here anyway, but really, shouldn’t she have better things to do than spend all her time with gabrielle? “not that i’m complaining, of course! but – you know how heated people can get online. always over-the-top, saying things they wouldn’t in person and, well… rarely following through.”

     blue eyes fixate on their join hands, on the vigor with which gabrielle shakes it & the electricity that seems to spark from it, travelling across her skin, leaving goosebumps in its wake. it’s enough to rattle her from the conversation, mind having to play catch up so she can respond to what gabrielle has been saying. “ you’re right, people these days are usually all bark & no bite. “ she won’t deny that, “ to be honest I wouldn’t have wasted my time with it but after the initial report, my cyber team did some digging & it looks as if there’s more there than vague threats. enough to raise my concern; & considering your status as a prolific author, it’d be best to stop this before the press catch wind & complicate things further. “

THE SHUDDER THAT RAN DOWN HER SPINE WAS ACCOMPANIED BY AN UNFAMILIAR FEELING — as Elendil lifted from the sea ravaged cliffs that loomed over New Asgard & Carol’s arms wrapped around her waist, the Valkyrie felt - contentment & pride, pure gratification & — a twinge of fear. This moment was … almost TOO GOOD to be true. How was it she could go life - times fighting & drinking blindly through what she assumed were her twilight years & now … here she was a leader of her people, soaring over a foreign planet astride Eledil with what was nothing less than a goddess at her back. If this was too good to be true then — the Valkyrie was not going to waste a moment.

It was with a wide grin that she leaned forward against Elendil’s neck & with her gloved fingers weaving into his mane, she urged the pegasus UPWARD — with a powerful beating of wings they burst through the drizzly Norwegian cloud cover & exploded into a dazzling wash of bright blue sky & the warm brilliance of the slowly setting sun. Thighs squeezed more powerfully around the animal, as she urged Carol closer, head tilting so that lips brushed against the other woman’s cheek — & a whisper of caution, “ Hold on — ”

Elendil cried out with a ringing neigh - shaking his head as he continued upward & then — on cue with a pulse of heels into his sides — wings stilled. The Valkyrie cried out in JOY as for a moment it felt as if they were running a top the clouds, hooves catching in the white mist as they ran almost impossibly parallel to the surface, although it was no where in sight. The warrior was laughing - pulsing with bliss - her arms suddenly out stretched & her body pushing backward more tightly against Carol — her head resting back against the Midgardian’s chest even as they began to drop, wind starting to whistle against ears & softly parted lips —

“ You TRUST your … King — don’t you, Danvers ? ”

     the elation of flying was not a new sensation for carol; there were times she’s done it to the point of excess that the thrill of it had worn away. however, this -- this was new, this was electric & enough to make her heart race. is it that she is riding a legendary beast that, twenty years ago would have only imagined in fairy tales or is that the woman in her arms is even more legendary & mythical as the pegasus they rode? to hear valkyrie laugh, with such bliss & uninhibited joy was new. it was a small glimpse into the happiness valkyrie had hard fought for -- & carol has never seen or heard anything more beautiful.

     carol does not need to anchor herself to the asgardian, she’s capable of keeping her own but she holds on; not because she must, but because it mesmerizes her the subtle shifts & twists of the warrior’s body as she urges elendil on. it is because nothing feels more natural than to have the woman nestled into her arms, bodies flush & sharing warmth. 

     head tilts, cheek burns where lips had pressed moments before; breath is hot against her ear & her heart swells at the words. her king; to the asgardians, valkyrie was their king, through & through, but carol -- she had sworn her fealty to the woman long before she had been gifted the title. yes, without a doubt, carol would go to the ends of the universe for her king. fight in any war, give her life if she must. the urge to quip with something sarcastic & playful sits on her tongue, ready to be unleashed but this moment, this heart-racing moment, was so much more.

     “ with my life, my king. “ she whispers back. her smile is broad & her eyes are alight with adoration. 

‘ Challenges are gifts from the sisters of fate that force us to seek a new center of gravity . So many of us try to fight them , when we must find a new way to stand . ’

          Hands clasped , raising her gaze on their training grounds .  

                  ‘ Captain you stand tall as a marvel to other sisters . We will always stand with you but be proud to show other girls they too can find the strength to overcome on their own. ’

     she feels so short, did she mention that? her gaze is turned ot the queen & she won’t even deny the awe she feels looking upon her. what a woman! “ well damn, when you put it that way -- “ she’s chuckling, turning her awestruck gaze to the women sparring before them. all amazing, all so well trained. monica would love this place, she thinks.

Dinosaurs. They make fine friends. Even when you have to chastise them for trying to eat your other friends. 

Oh! Carol kisses her, and it’s like sprinkles atop ice cream. Very delicate, yet it makes the treat so much sweeter. There’s talk of hamburgers, but Diana is keen to press her lips against Carol’s mouth again. It’s always such a sensation to feel how well they fit. 

❝ Mmmm. Let’s go to our favorite place. ❞ The one around the corner. Where you had your first date. Where Diana’s fingers explored between your legs while you licked ketchup from your lips.

     their favorite place is just so for many reasons, & carol’s mind wanders her memories to relish each of them as diana kisses her once more. “ you read my mind. “ she was hoping you’d say that, she’s been craving a meal from there for days. “ & perhaps we can relive some old memories? “ it’s playful, tongue swiping against diana’s lip amidst another kiss.