Technically
"Wonder
why he was so interested?"
"In
what?"
"Well,
about... you and I. Us. Us as a couple."
"Dunno."
"At
least you told the truth."
"Yep."
Then
silence as they both walk from the tavern, from the jubilant
celebration of a world now filled up with love. Away from the odd
devices that accompany Nigel and away from the intrusive questions,
they walk to the outskirts of the village.
Even
though there have been inns in the past, they both prefer the
outdoors.
Neither
one questions the other about it. It is habit now.
Much
like Xena always grooms Argo Number Two, then feeds her and then
works over her sword.
Much
like Gabrielle starts the fire, eats her dinner and then lies back
upon soft animal skins.
"If
it had been the other way around, would you have still told the
truth?"
"What?"
"With
Nigel. If we were lovers, would you have said anything?"
"No."
"I
thought not. Good. Privacy is good."
Then
silence. Like usual. It is a habit now.
Much
like Xena always ends up shifting her bedroll closer to the fire,
which always puts her closer to Gabrielle.
Much
like Gabrielle always ends up flinging an arm or a leg over the
warrior in the middle of the night.
Then
silence. But they are not asleep.
"Technically,
no. But I wouldn't mind."
"Did
you say something?"
Gabrielle
thought she might have imagined it at first, a ghostly soft whisper
reaching out from the night. But the movement of Xena's body near her
own halts that prospect.
She
can see Xena's eyes. She can feel heat radiating from Xena's body.
She can feel Xena's arm resting comfortably against her
hip.
"Neither
would I."
"Neither
would you... what?"
"I
wouldn't mind."
Xena
didn't think out the conversation or what she might say. She just
opened her mouth and hoped for the best, like always. It's a habit
now.
She
likes to wing-it, even when it comes to love and desire and the
heart.
And
she wondered if Gabrielle would respond. Then she feels the
feather-light touch of deft fingers along her skin, from wrist to
elbow.
She
feels Gabrielle draw closer. She feels the warm stream of Gabrielle's
breath hitting her cheek.
"If
you kiss me..."
"If
I kiss you?"
"Then
there is no going back."
"I
know. I don't want to go back. I want you."
It
wasn't that Nigel's question brought up something new. This inquiry
has followed them for years, lurking underneath every suitor's
anguish and every foes master-plan. Everyone wanted the answer.
And
sometimes, Gabrielle did, too.
And
sometimes, Xena did as well.
But
habits are hard to break, so the answer always stayed in the
shadows.
Until
now, until the world got lost in an ocean of apathy. Until now, the
relationship was a given.
And,
suddenly, Nigel's quest for the truth opens up a real Pandora's
Box.
"Good.
Because I want you."
"That's
very good."
They
meet slowly, their lips coasting against each other. But then the
faint spark is lit and it turns into kissing. Kissing with teeth and
tongue, with moans and insistence. Kissing which leads to sure hands
moving, untying and unlacing. Touching and feeling, sliding over
hidden places that have been seen but never explored... not like
this.
They
fit well against each other, skin to skin, legs and arms overlapping.
They become seamless, flowing in and out of one another, a maze of
curves and dips.
A
missing piece, held within Gabrielle's sex, unleashes all of Xena's
furious lust.
A
singular truth, deep inside of Xena's wetness, releases all of
Gabrielle's raging need.
And if they were not before, then - technically - they are now.
END
