Content Warning: The spice resumes😳
"I finished with my bath! Please continue. Don't mind me!" Fey's voice carried through the door as she escaped the girls' wrath.
Maya sunk into the duvet, flushed with fresh embarrassment. Val propped herself up on trembling arms, twirling one of Maya's coils absently.
Val looked abashed away. "I'm. Sorry."
Maya blinked up at her. "About what?"
"I shouldn't have. I mean. Break your shirt…" Val's gaze flickered over where Maya's exposed skin peeked out from the ripped shirt.
The Valkyrie blushed harder, unable to hide her fluster.
"I-it's okay. I-I don't mind… I think." Maya resisted the urge to cover herself.
Val's lips quirked. "You don't? Should I. Continue then?"
Maya opened her mouth, but hesitated. "As much as I want to—and I really do—I don't think I'm ready."
Maya pushed herself up on her elbows. Her stomach folded in a way that made her all but self-conscious. She pinched her soft belly. It was flat while she lay down, but she didn't like how it folded itself when she sat up. Despite Val's assurance, she was still anxious.
"You should take a bath—not that you stink or anything!" Maya added quickly. "You're exhausted, and you need some rest."
"I… understand." Val collapsed onto her back. The bed bounced lightly, and she shielded her eyes from the luminescent light.
"I'l wait. Until you're. Comfortable. With me."
Maya couldn't help but fall into a soft smile and rub Val's hand, fingers intertwining. The comfort it brought was more than enough right now.
"Thank you. I promise I'll tell you." Maya stood up, inspecting the ruined shirt. She couldn't believe how low her neckline was and how it revealed her bra. "Guess this one is a goner now."
Val snorted. "I'm not. Sorry."
"Oh, you—" Maya laughed and took off the broken shirt to put on a new one. She noticed Val stealing curious glances, which Maya couldn't help but enjoy a little. "Let's get you cleaned up first, how about it?"
Val struggled to rise, only to fall back—almost dramatically. She gave Maya a helpless, but coy grin. "Need help. Can't. Do it. Alone."
"You big baby. Fine, take my hands."
Maya hauled Val up, who leaned heavily against her with unsteady feet. Maya's brows cringed as she could feel the fever Val's body radiated.
She wondered how Val even had the energy to play coy with her. Her worries grew, but Maya couldn't help but feel happy about it.
She really likes me, right?
Outside her room, Fey lay on the settee wearing a ridiculous sleep mask with large, stitched-on eyes. It looked like she was still awake and staring into one's soul.
"Where did you even find this stupid old thing? I don't remember giving it to you."
Fey put a finger on her lips and responded with exaggerated fake snores.
"Fine, whatever, good night. We're going to take a bath— separately! Definitely not together. Don't even think about it!"
Fey pouted with her lower lip and nodded sceptically.
The real challenge came in the bathroom.
"You could at least pretend to help a little," Maya grumbled as she wrestled with Val's sports bra.
She couldn't tell whether Val couldn't do it on her own or she pretended to be helpless so Maya did it for her.
Val, playing along, lifted an arm with exaggerated effort. She wasn't even trying anymore to hide her grin despite her feverish face. Maya yanked the sweat-soaked fabric free and resolutely avoided looking when half of Val's chest was exposed.
"Something. Wrong?" The Valkyrie asked coyly.
"Oh, haha. Very funny. Why wouldn't I be when one of your girls looks directly at me?" Maya grumbled some more.
Val laughing again. "Don't worry. I covered. Her."
"Not very reassuring." Maya quickly pulled out the rest of the bra. Vindicated, she tossed it into a corner. "Finally, this thing took long enough—"
Maya bit her bottom lip to suppress a whimpering sound at the sight of Val covering each of her breasts with a hand. It embarrassed Val as well, but she dared to keep up her play.
Val encouraged her to look. Maya couldn't help herself. She had to risk a peek.
Val had a sizable chest, defined by endless workouts. And working out she did. Her body was a map of cuts and bruises over toned muscle—defined abs, powerful arms that flexed by Maya's tentative touch. Despite the firmness, they had a brush of smoothness to them that fascinated Maya.
She trailed her hands over them, squeezing them slightly. The excitement Val's muscles gave her mesmerised her.
Val smirked as Maya explored. "Mind helping me. With my. Pants?"
Maya choked, covering her mouth. She slapped Val lightly against her arm. "Do that yourself, will you?"
‧. .ˋˏʚ♡ɞˎˊ. .‧
Maya eased Val into the bathtub. How she got her out of her pants was a tale for another time.
Val hissed when she soaked her tired body into the warm tub of water. The water's temperature paled in comparison to Val's unnatural fever. So much so that Maya had to throw in ice cubes before it evaporated.
Maya rubbed Val's skin with a sponge and felt her fresh shirt cling uncomfortably to her damp skin. She scrubbed Val's arms, watching blood and dirt dissolve in swirls. Val's head lolled as Maya worked around wounds that refused to close properly.
"You've pushed yourself too hard," Maya murmured, though the answer was written all across Val's body. It was worse than the first time she found her.
Battered and bruised in the bushes. Like an angel that just fell down from the heavens in one epic, divine battle.
Maya fingers gently traced the veins, which pulsed with a faint light beneath a multitude of scars. Scars that have faded and some that didn't, telling a history Maya was all too curious to know.
"Does it still hurt?" brushing her thumb over the healing knuckle.
Val bobbed her head at Maya. Her eyelids opened halfway, ready to drift off to sleep. "Hurt. What? The scars?"
Maya nodded and continued to wash over the wounds, splashing more soap over them. The overhead light reflected over Val's warm brown skin.
"Sometimes. But we. Wear them Proudly," Val sighed wearily. "My. Sisters. And I. Went through. A lot."
"Sisters? Do you remember more about yourself?"
"A little." Val's chin dipped toward her chest. "Five sisters. All different. They were. Happy. But I. Wasn't. I felt restless. Empty. And without… purpose."
"Val?" Maya turned her face toward her, finding the Valkyrie drifting away. "Let's finish up and get you to bed. I'll join you soon."
After dressing Val and getting her to bed—somehow—Maya sank into the bath herself. A long, ragged sigh escaped her sore body.
Maya stared at the ceiling. With every passing moment, she sunk deeper into the tub. The water's peace felt out of place. Her thoughts were still racing from today's event. As if everything that happened up until now was but a crazy dream.
Touching her bruised ribs, Maya flinched, confirming everything was real. And what sparked between her and Val.
Maya couldn't wrap her head around why the Valkyrie felt so drawn to her. That nagging little voice in Maya's head tried to deny everything, believing Val was still delirious.
But the pounding in her chest told a different story. A rosier story.
It's real. It's all real.
Maya splashed water on her flushed face. Her hand fell on her chest, feeling her heart beating loudly. "Maybe she's not asleep yet."
But when Maya returned to the bedroom, she found Val just as she expected to find her—sprawled diagonally across the bed. No pillow or duvet.
Her bandages peeked out from under a loose shirt. Blonde hair fanned across the sheets as she snored softly.
Maya had tried treating her the best she could. But she looked more injured than the day she found her. Val didn't even protest or throw Maya off the bed like the first time.
"You're reckless, you know that?" whispered Maya, putting on her gown and lay down beside the Valkyrie. She pulled a pillow closer to Val and tugged the duvet over her.
However, instead of taking the pillow, Val pulled Maya closer to her and rested her head on her chest. Maya was startled but didn't protest.
Maya embraced Val, and let Val tangle their legs together.
Tomorrow, decided Maya, holding the Valkyrie tightly. I'll tell her everything tomorrow.
‧. .ˋˏʚ♡ɞˎˊ. .‧
Content Warning: The Talk about the Disorder. You've been warned.
Maya woke up to an empty bed, feeling oddly restless without Val in sight. It was late morning, and Maya sluggishly crawled herself out of bed to get dressed.
She tugged on her still tight jeans, and grimaced at how they dug into her stomach despite the fact she hadn't eaten anything yesterday.
Her hands jittered.
"Need caffeine, or I'll implode," she grumbled, nearly bumping into Fey when she stepped out of the door. "Oh… hey Fey."
"Well, good morning to you too," Fey replied with a grumble of her own.
"Sorry, I am just… hungry… and withdrawn. I've been decaffeinated for the past 24 hours." Maya rubbed her temples. "I'm a walking time bomb without my morning coffees—plural."
"Good thing I'm leaving then, huh?"
Maya blinked at the revelation. "You're leaving? Why?"
"Love your home, but your settee is terrible. Can't mooch off you the entire time, can I?" Fey smiled meekly, and rubbed her arm "Also, I've wanted to say that I'm sorry."
"For what? The conditioner? Just buy me a new one."
Fey laughed. "That's not it. I've wanted to apologise for everything that has happened because of me; everything dangerous. You even let me stay overnight. I can't help but feel like a lousy friend…"
Fey awkwardly shifted her weight at her with her one good foot—her crutch leaned against the wall as she used the doorframe as support instead. She fiddled awkwardly with the hem of her shirt, avoiding eye contact with Maya at all cost.
"I doubt you will consider me as one. I'll understand if you tell me to—OWW!"
Maya pinched Fey's shoulder hard before pulling her into a hug. Fey stood dumbfounded in place.
"Consider us even—though you still owe Val an apology." Maya rubbed Fey's back and gave her a genuine smile. "You're always welcome to stay. I mean, as long as you like the settee."
Fey snorted at the proposition with an evil laugh. "I certainly mind." She popped her back loudly. "It's a literal deathtrap. Unlike the one waiting for you in the kitchen. Seriously, you should have told her by now."
Maya frowned. "What do you mean?"
Fey laughed and grabbed her crutch to walk to the front door. "You'll see. Byeeee, girl~"
The door closed shut, leaving Maya bewildered in her hallway. "Ok… that was weird. Whatever, I need my coffee. I wonder if Val made some already."
When Maya opened the kitchen door, she knew she had lost a war that had barely begun. Seeing Val cooking with an apron tied around her waist did things to Maya's mind she would never positively recover from.
Even injured, nothing could deter Val's mood as she prepared more than a simple and healthy breakfast course.
"Morning, Maya," she hummed, beaming at Maya with an infectious bright smile on her lips. "How did you. Sleep? Hope you're. Hungry."
"Morning, Val," Maya laughed uneasily, feeling dizzy from the sweet aroma of pancakes in the air. "I'm good. Actually, I'm not really that hungry—"
A defiant and loud growl emerged. With a red face, Maya held her traitorous stomach, ready for the floor to swallow her whole and never see the light of day again.
It was not the first time, and it would not be the last. She absolutely hated it whenever it happened in the absolutely worst moments.
The anguish to appear like an absolute glutton in front of others was not the impression she liked to share. Glancing over at Val, she feared what she would say about this.
Yet, to her surprise, Val's smile only brightened.
"Let's eat. Together."
Maya gulped anxiously. I won't survive this.
Maya's survival rate plummeted by the minute. She was sipping on her third mug of coffee and second set of pancakes—right after the scrambled eggs.
At the same time, Maya tried to keep her attention solely focused on her projects and papers for university. Anything to keep her protesting stomach at bay.
Though when witnessed Val taking out a muffin tray, she knew time was not on her side. Especially when Val cooked and watched Maya eat with such content that it was impossible to work.
The Valkyrie's hands were clasped before her apron, constantly switching weight from one leg to another, waiting for a reaction.
Maya struggled to finish the last bite of food and figure out how to gently tell Val that she was unknowingly enabling Maya's eating disorder.
The stress it built up only worsened her episode as she needed more brain fodder to function.
How do I tell her? Maya despaired as Val opened the oven to check on the muffins.
She held such a radiant expression and twinkle in her eyes that Maya felt bad for breaking it by telling her to stop cooking so much.
But if I don't tell her, I'll explode.
"They're. Ready." Val placed the plate of muffins beside the untouched waffles. Maya hiccuped, face paling. Val's smile faltered. "What's. Wrong? Everything. Ok?"
"Val… can I confess something?"
Maya cautiously pushed away the plate, but her hand stopped on the corner. Despite the agonising fullness, she took a muffin. It was so comfortably warm in her hands. And the blueberries burst on her tongue with delicious torture.
Neither her brain or her stomach listened to her. Self-control abandoned her long ago. She couldn't draw it out any further, she had to act, now.
"It's embarrassing. Very embarrassing. I don't know how you might take it."
Val crouched down stiffly, looking at Maya with wet eyes, almost like a punished kitten. "Did I… Do. Something?"
"What, no! It's not you. It's me— that sounds like a corny breakup line. Gimme a sec." Maya forced down the muffin. Shockwaves of tasty pleasure rocked her brain. "It's… It's your food."
Maya hiccuped, placing a hand on her tight belly.
"My. Food?" Val's face fell. "Is it not. Good?"
"That's the problem. It's too good. I have had this issue since I was small. An eating disorder. A terrible and unhealthy relationship with food. I binge, I gain weight, and I hate myself tremendously afterwards. Those episodes come and go. Often triggered by stress or craving. I'm sorry, Val, but your food, it… it enables it.
"You cook so much. And it tastes good, so so good. I can't help but eat it when it makes you so happy. My impulse control is terrible."
Maya demonstrated it by taking another muffin and nibbling on it. She groaned again, rubbing her stuffed stomach with a scrunched face.
"See? No impulse control. I'm stuffed like a turkey, but I keep on eating. I love your food, Val, but it's too much for me."
The Valkyrie dropped her head remorsefully and fiddled with her thumbs. "I'm. Sorry, Maya. I'll stop. Cooking."
"What? No, that's not what I said!" Maya tried to stand up from her chair but slumped right back, winded. "Listen, I don't want you to stop cooking because of that. Maybe you could cook less?"
Val chuckled embarrassed. "I can do. That. I love watching. You eat my. Food."
Maya grimaced at that, though she couldn't hide her smile. "Maybe you do, but I'm conflicted. I don't want to gain weight and make you think of me as the fat whale I already am."
"You're not. Fat," Val affirmed sternly, placing a hand on Maya's thigh. "Even if you were. I'd still find you. Attractive. You look. Hot."
Val emphasised the last word, making Maya flustered and avert her face in shame.
"You're saying that now, but… no, I… Thank you, Val. I appreciate it," Maya relented, figuring Val meant everything she said. She held her firm abdomen and grimaced. Again, she ate too much, dreading the thought of gaining any more. Her pants felt tight. "I need to do something about this thing before I pop one day—"
Just then, Maya felt relief at the absolutely worst moment imaginable.
The button on her overstretched jeans visibly popped off and rolled on the floor irritably on display for them.
Maya covered her ashamed face with her hands.
Val closed her eyes.
"I-I think I need to go on a diet," Maya said, mortified.
Val patted her knee sympathetically.