The Stormbringer

Eloise let out a long sigh. Her eyes followed the rock sailing towards her. With one fluid movement, Eloise raised her tail and whacked the rock to the side. Her faced scrunched up a little as she examined her tail. A dull pain bloomed from her fin, but other than that she was fine. 

     Riki smiled.  Xena was not so complicated as he had once thought long ago.  In fact, she was quite easy to understand, it was just a matter of taking the time to figure her out.

     Riki sighed as he felt the warmth of a blanket fall over them.  It felt much better.

     Riki hummed as he felt Xena cuddle up, snickering as he also felt Ryker express her displeasure.

Xena relaxed in his arms, the only place she would willingly let herself feel so vulnerable and peaceful. “A considerable oversight,” she muttered, shifting to grab the blanket off the back of the couch, there for situations just like this one. She always preferred to be warm, after all. Xena draped it over the both of them before nuzzling back into the crook of his neck, pleased at the warmth of his skin and the smell of earth that alway clung to him. She smiled slightly as she tightened her arms around him.

Xena watched him reach for her hand, then snorted and rolled her eyes at him. “Aspirin has actual medicinal benefit,” she pointed out. Even so, she moved Ryker to the back of the couch and straightened up. Carefully, she crawled onto the couch and then laid down on him, wrapping her arms around him before nuzzling into his neck, her favorite spot. 

     Riki trudged over to the couch, lying down and grumbling to himself.  He curled up slightly, rubbing his forehead.  

    Riki climbed out of the vehicle as well, giving himself a moment to get oriented before following Xena into their home.

With a sharp whistle, the dogs quieted and stood at the entrance of the living room, whining and wiggling with impatience. They stared at Xena hopefully, waiting for permission to approach. “Things happen,” she said as she closed the door. The blonde turned to kiss Riki’s cheek before nudging his arm go on and lay down, grumpy.