I'm super busy these weeks so this is really short, but as it turns out this is where my thoughts go when I picture these two in Italy. This is far from perfect though! (And also no: I don't want them to leave the show!) ;-)

Note: English isn't my first language, plus I don't really have time for a reread, so there might be some spelling mistakes in here - sorry about that!)

... ...

Though only just rising above the horizon, the sun already feels warm on her skin. It's about a thousand times nicer than the Seattle rain, and if it weren't for the chance of some passing villagers Maya would drop the white sheet that's delicately wrapped around her body without a second thought.

With her hands tightly around a cup of strong coffee (a double espresso with milk, cause come on, she's still her) she takes in a deep breath of fresh air, then blissfully sighs as her eyes scan the spectacular view their little balcony provides. The field of sunflowers in the short distance looks even more yellow, even more beautiful than yesterday, or the day before.

It's been almost four weeks now since they arrived. Carina, with tons of connections in the area, had found them this small but charming farmhouse before they even left Seattle. A little to Maya's relief, renting the house didn't mean they actually had to do the work as well, although they had agreed to keep an eye on the property and take care of the few residents that came with the place, meaning a bunch of chickens and a goat family. And to Maya's own surprise she'd soon discovered she didn't hate any of that.

Not at all.

Their temporary shelter turned out to be one of those place that makes you dream away. That makes you believe anything is possible, even though that's not always the case.

Like when Carina decided she wanted a horse.

As soon as she'd checked the stable on the other side of the yard, she'd cheered that there was plenty of room for a horse - reminding Maya of the many stories she'd told her about the horse rides she used to make before coming to the States. But although the image of Carina galloping freely, with her face all smiles and her long hair dancing behind her, was enough to share that dream, she knew they had to keep it real.

"You know we can't buy a horse for just a few weeks, right?" she'd gently reminded her, hating it to take anything away from Carina that would make her happy.

But Carina knew - of course. Their stay would only be provisional, until they'd arranged everything that needed to be arranged. Visa stuff. Family stuff. Mostly stuff they still hadn't even started with, for no clear reasons. Yet that didn't mean she hadn't brought it up a few times more. Playfully, mostly, but still.

While procrastinating pretty much everything they came for, they hadn't just played house (or farm?) while dreaming about horses though. Carina had managed to get her old job back in a hospital in Lucca, not that far from their village, and Maya herself had started volunteering at the local fire station - loving the job too much to let go of it for all these weeks or maybe even months. But even with those new tasks they'd spent a lot of time in this cosy little universe they'd swiftly created together.

Strolling around the property.

Enjoying the fantastic food - why did literally every bite taste better here? - and the wine that came with it.

Making out underneath the olive trees.

And above all: falling in love.

Not just with each other - all over again, every day and every night - but also with their tiny baby goat. Or well, Maya was.

When her gaze moves from the sunflowers to the small meadow next to them, a recent memory pops up, together with a smile. About a week ago she'd declared her love for the fluffy creature for at least the tenth time, and this time, instead of fully agreeing with her, Carina had pulled a face.

"I can't believe I'm replaced by something so smelly!" she'd grumbled, making Maya laugh, but also come to his defense.

"He's not smelly! He's just, you know... living in a smelly place. Maybe we should let him stay with us in the house instead?"

Realizing straight away that she was only partly joking, she'd questioned herself if this was really coming from her, while Carina had already taken the part of the wise woman in this case.

"And take him away from his mamma and papà? That's just cruel."

"Then we invite them too-"

"Maya, we're not taking in three goats in the house!"

Maya had muttered a little bit more, though knowing very well this wasn't a battle she would ever win, until she eventually gave in, yet not after a final remark, telling Carina how she was just bitter for not getting a horse.

So, the goats stayed where they belonged, which Maya soon realized was - of course - really for the best, since the little one started to leave more and more droppings behind every day, and also had a thing for chewing on her favorite sweater. Nevertheless, they felt like part of their little family, and the house - and everything that came with it - started to feel more and more like home every day that followed. Maybe even more than...?

Dreaming away like this, and not ready yet to turn away from the sun's rays, Maya closes her eyes. That is till she hears movement behind her, followed by that familiar voice she loves so much.

"Buongiorno, bella."

She looks over her shoulder and watches Carina show up from behind the fluttering curtain that separates their bedroom from the balcony. Just like Maya she's clad in nothing but her snow white sheet. Stepping closer Carina wraps her arms around her girlfriend and rests her chin on her naked shoulder.

"Looks like you're not tired of this vista yet."

Het warm breath hits Maya's ear, running shivers down her spine.

"I don't think I ever will," she sighs, more content than she might have ever been.

Without saying anything else they keep standing there for a while, just the two of them, enjoying the world around them. There are no sounds, except for some chirping birds in a nearby tree. Their silence is comfortable.

Safe.

Perfect.

Then Carina breaks it by mumbling something in Italian. Maya has no clue what it means, but is sounds sweet as it always does. Sweet and true.

"I don't know what you just said, but I agree," she hums.

"Actually," Carina softly answers, "I was just remembering that I should look into that visa application."

"Oh." Maya spins around in Carina's arms, ignoring the sudden twitch she feels in her stomach. "Well, yeah... I guess I agree on that, too."

Carina leans in, closing the distance between them to give her a tender kiss. One that tastes like more. Yet before Maya can pull her closer, Carina already lets go of her and steps back.

And right in that moment Maya realizes what that twitch means. And that she really doesn't want to ignore it.

"Carina?"

Right before she's about to disappear behind the curtain again, Carina turns to face her.

"Yeah?

This time Maya is the one taking a step closer, her eyes for a moment on the floor between them, but then quickly looking for her girl's eyes again - no longer able to hide the smile that's sneaking onto her face.

"This may sound super crazy," she grins, "But maybe instead of getting that visa you should start looking for a horse?"

... ...