Chapter 1
On perfect days like this one, it was easy to forget about the ongoing war.
Mata Hari shielded her eyes from the sun as she breathed in the salty air. It had been a miserable week full of "May showers" and the change of pace lifted her spirits considerably. She had been the first one out of the car and she waited impatiently for her Master and Boudica to catch up to her, carrying an oversized beach umbrella and their lunch respectively. Mata Hari herself was holding a thick blanket; she found the perfect place to sunbathe and people-watch before laying it out and plopping down with a happy sigh. The former spy had traveled a lot in her previous life, but had never really had the opportunity to enjoy the sun or the surf.
She fully intended to make up for lost time.
While her companions set up everything else, Mata Hari observed the surrounding sand and, more importantly, the people on it. Young love was in full bloom and the Assassin was just a tiny bit jealous when she saw all the couples enjoying each other's company. She wished she had someone all her own like that.
Lunch consisted of some bento boxes she and Boudica had put together the previous night. The redhead fussed at their Master when he skipped over the vegetables and Mata Hari shrugged when he looked to her for help. It was best just to give her what she wanted.
After they'd eaten, the trio laid out to tan for a bit before Mata Hari began getting restless. She sat up, stretching her arms over her head, and declared, "Come, Master, let's go for a swim!"
Since it was still too soon since they'd eaten, Mata Hari settled for wading in up to their shins. The water was cold and, as she wiggled her toes in the sand, she watched odd little birds race the tide. Once their food settled, the duo dove into the waves and spent a good hour treading water.
After her swim, Mata Hari brought back a bucket full of shells and challenged Boudica to a castle building contest. The winner had to take over the loser's house chores for the week. The beach had grown more crowded by the time both women had finished their structures and demanded that their Master be the judge.
Not wanting to get in the middle of things, he had declared a tie.
There was some light-hearted debate regarding the outcome (because there was no way Boudica's boring cookie cutter castle had bested her wildly imaginative sand citadel), but ultimately the trio had decided that it was time to work on their tans.
"Boudica, will you get my back?" Mata Hari held up a bottle of sunscreen. "I'll do yours."
"Who will do my back?" their Master asked, only half joking, and earned a stern look from both women.
While he grumbled and applied his own sunscreen, Boudica set about rubbing a layer into Mata Hari's skin. As she worked, a pleasant shiver ran the length of the Assassin's spine. Strong hands were calloused from years of swordsmanship, but not rough, and the gentleness of her touch belied that strength. When purposeful ministrations slowed into something akin to petting, Mata Hari turned her head to look at the redhead over her shoulder. "Boudica?"
Were fair cheeks flushed from the heat of the sun? "All done."
"Thank you." Mata Hari beamed. "Your turn."
Boudica obediently turned around and Mata Hari secured long red tresses in a bun. She smelled good, Mata Hari noted idly, as she added sunscreen to her palm. She rubbed them together for a while, trying to warm the substance before actually applying it on pale skin.
Despite her efforts, Boudica flinched. "Sorry, is it cold?'
"Ah, no, it's fine..." Despite her assurance, Boudica's shoulders remained tense throughout the process. When Mata Hari declared that she had finished, Boudica nearly bolted from where she was sitting.
The trio laid out, the huge blanket allowing enough space for them to do so with just a few inches of personal space between each individual. Mata Hari rolled onto her stomach and crossed her arms under her head. She let the warmth of the sun lull her into a sleepy state, though she came to when she heard the soft snoring of the man next to her.
"Hey, Boudica?"
The redhead sat up a bit, so she could see the brunette over their Master. "Mm?"
"Wanna go get shaved ice?" She had seen a vendor with a cart roaming the pier.
"Ooh, let's."
...
On perfect days like this, Boudica couldn't help but dwell on the war they were waging. She felt incredibly fortunate to be able to enjoy her second life like this, in the company of such wonderful friends and allies. In her past life, lazy days were few and far in between.
Boudica spooned sweet, syrup-drenched ice chips into her mouth and enjoyed the crunch. She had insisted on paying for Mata Hari's as well. After the Assassin's defeat earlier (because no matter what their Master said to maintain the peace, there was no way the brunette's sand hovel would have been selected over her decadent sand palace), Boudica felt that was a gracious thing to do.
Mata Hari licked syrup from her lips and pointed towards the pier with her spoon. Her mouth was full, so she didn't say anything, but Boudica understood she wanted to walk along it. Together, the duo strolled the length of the wooden structure, towards the end where a lighthouse stood tall. There were a few fishermen, who nodded their acknowledgment, but for the most part it was quiet.
Once they'd reached the lighthouse, Mata Hari didn't hesitate to step over one of the bright orange blockades posted around the building's base.
"We shouldn't," Boudica protested. The posted sign made that clear.
Mata Hari's eyes twinkled mischievously. "Are you going to let me go all by myself?"
"..."
The lighthouse was cluttered and covered in a thick layer of dust, but the structure itself was sound. They could hardly see in the dim light afforded by the few partially-obstructed windows, and the Servants had to step carefully to avoid tripping over stacks of crates. Boudica didn't step carefully enough and would have fallen had Mata Hari not caught her hand. Her shaved ice wasn't so fortunate.
"Thank you."
Mata Hari gave Boudica's hand a squeeze as she nodded, but she didn't let the appendage go as she continued to make her way through the dimness. Perhaps she was spooked by their setting? Her hand was warm in Boudica's.
Where were they going? To the rear of the building was a narrow staircase that stretched upwards and out of sight. Several flights of steps later, Boudica and Mata Hari emerged onto a viewing deck near the top. The breeze coming up off the water was cooler now and they shivered, their swimsuits offering meager insulation against the elements.
From this vantage point, they could see their Master still snoozing peacefully where they'd left him. More importantly, they were granted a breathtaking view of the ocean turning a brilliant orange-red as the sun drew closer to the horizon. The Servants leaned against the doorway, taking advantage of the way the structure blocked some of the chill, and Mata Hari finished her frozen treat while appreciating the view. She offered a spoonful to Boudica who, after some hesitation and prodding, finally opened her mouth and allowed herself to be fed. It wasn't lost upon her that Mata Hari's mouth had been on the spoon only moments before.
The quiet roar of the waves and the whistle of the wind created a soothing lull—so much so that the redhead jumped when Mata Hari broke the relative quiet:
"Hey, Boudica?" The brunette's expression was difficult to read, but it made Boudica's heart skip a beat nonetheless. Or perhaps it was her proximity? The doorway was barely wide enough for them both, but the shared body heat helped combat the chill, so neither had made a move to create any distance.
"Mm?"
Mata Hari smiled brightly. "Um... nevermind."
Boudica blinked. "Is everything alright?"
"Everything's great." Her laugh was too forced to be authentic. "I've had more fun today than I have in a while."
"Yes, this was a nice change of pace," Boudica agreed, uncertain of the shift in her companion's mood. "
"Right."
In the awkward silence that followed, Mata Hari suddenly seemed to find it difficult to make eye contact with her.
"... Should we head back down?" The brunette asked at last. She seemed almost disappointed.
Boudica linked her arm through Mata Hari's. "Let's wait a bit longer."
The small, almost shy smile she got in response was radiant with genuine happiness. "Okay."
Mata Hari recognized the far-off look in her Master's eyes; she has seen it several times over the course of her life and only in the eyes of men: he was bored out of his skull by a domestic task. More specifically, they'd been shopping for hours now and he was at his breaking point.
Normally she wouldn't care—muscle was muscle, after all, and she had a lot of shopping bags—but in this case Mata Hari took pity on the poor man and asked him to take their bags back to the car. She knew he wouldn't return until he'd managed to restore morale, and there was a bounce in his step as he made his quick retreat.
Bright gray eyes went to the redhead window-shopping at a nearby establishment. Her purchases outnumbered Boudica's by far and Mata Hari got the feeling the redhead was humouring her by accompanying her in the first place. Perhaps this wasn't her sort of thing? She certainly wasn't as easy to read as their Master…
Mata Hari looked more closely at the storefront and blinked. This was… a toy store? The sign said "workshop," but there was a variety of different types of stuffed animals in the window. Some were dressed, some were not, and some even bore name tags. As Mata Hari approached, she noticed the one Boudica seemed fixated on wore a sundress and a wide-brimmed hat.
"Did you want to go inside?" Mata Hari asked.
She'd spoken at normal volume, yet Boudica started as though she'd yelled. "Ah, no. I was just thinking."
Mata Hari waited patiently, giving the woman a chance to gather her thoughts. She observed some children practically dragging their parents into the store and, even more curiously, mimicking store employees as they gestured and touched their shoulders, knees, and other parts of their body. She turned her attention back to Boudica, her interest piqued. What about this place could have possibly interested the woman?
The redhead smiled, but the expression didn't quite reach her eyes. "I never had children of my own. I imagine what that would have been like… I would have wanted a little girl."
Mata Hari's heart constricted empathetically. The sentiment wasn't a foreign one to her, particularly on lonely nights when she dreamed of what her life could have been had she been a normal woman. She knew how difficult it must have been for Boudica to share that.
"What would you have named her?"
"Iris," Boudica said softly.
"That's a beautiful name." Mata Hari took hold of the crook of the redhead's elbow and tugged gently. "Come on, I have an idea."
Her expression mystified, Boudica followed Mata Hari into the store. They walked through the gauntlet of stuffed animal types and accessories until the brunette found what she was looking for. Then, she got in line behind some of the children waiting their turn to interact with the employee in front of a huge vat of snowy white stuffing.
"You're a little old for this part of the process," the employee commented when she reached the head of the line, eyeing her warily. He handed her a little cloth heart nonetheless.
She'd seen what the children had done at the end of the little dance meant to instill a sense of wonder in their young hearts, but it was more the symbolism of the gesture she was after. Mata Hari extended her hand, palm flat with the object in its centre, to Boudica. The redhead placed her hand over Mata Hari's, closing the heart between their palms, and the Assassin said softly, "I wish for both of us to experience the joy of motherhood once the War is over."
The melancholy from before was replaced by a genuine warmth that made Mata Hari's stomach twist curiously. Boudica threaded their fingers together and gave Mata Hari's hand a squeeze. "Thank you."
…
Boudica had a far-off look in her eyes as her mind worked to process new thoughts and translate the resulting tangle of feelings into something sensical.
As queen, there had been enormous pressure on her shoulders to produce an heir to the throne. She had failed, not for lack of trying, and that had been heartbreaking—not only because she was failing her duty, but because Boudica had always loved children. Not being able to have one of her own was what she considered one of her biggest regrets.
Thus, what Mata Hari had said earlier struck a chord with the former monarch. It was as though she understood that yearning completely and her ability to ease Boudica's heartache was second to none. As someone of authority, she'd always had well-wishers and sycophants, but never a true friend. Not like Mata Hari. The Assassin wasn't afraid to voice her opinion, nor would she sugarcoat things for Boudica's benefit. She was open and honest, loyal and considerate, witty and beautiful…
Boudica stole a glance at Mata Hari and realized the woman was staring. Had she been so caught up in her musings that she'd missed what was being said? "Sorry, you were saying?"
Beautiful. As she watched full lips quirk upwards, Boudica was struck by just how lovely the Assassin was. She had always thought Mata Hari to be attractive, but never like this. Boudica had never even considered being with a woman before, yet now… What had changed?
"I was asking if you minded if we stop here."
"Here" was a boutique by the looks of it. There were dresses of all kinds in the window as well as frilly lingerie. They were cute, but not something the practical redhead would ever wear. "Not at all."
As she had in previous stores, Boudica helped Mata Hari pick through the racks without really selecting anything for herself. This time, however, she actively suggested things for the brunette to wear—a fact that seemed to delight the other woman. Boudica wanted to see more of that sunny smile.
"Isn't this cute?" Mata Hari held a set of crème lingerie against herself. There were little red bows on the straps of the bustier and the straps attached to the garter belt. Boudica nodded mutely, her imagination supplying her with a rendition of just how cute Mata Hari would look with them on and not much else. "Ooh, what about this?"
Mata Hari took several items with her into the dressing room with Boudica's assistance. The redhead didn't go beyond the doorway as she handed Mata Hari the remaining articles. Then, she turned to leave.
"You aren't coming in?" The door was still open and Mata Hari's expression was expectant.
This wasn't unusual behaviour, but the nervousness Boudica felt was and she balked. This was the friend and ally she had spent the last year and then some getting to know. For what reason would she feel that way?
Those feelings worsened as Boudica sat on the little corner seat in the dressing room and tapped her foot nervously. Mata Hari was chatting animatedly about something, but Boudica scarcely heard her over the beating of her own heart. Every inch of perfectly tanned skin that was revealed seemed to pull the oxygen right from the air, making it impossibly hot as well as difficult to breathe.
Boudica kept her gaze lowered until Mata Hari asked for her opinion; only then did she dare to glance up and murmur a response. When she began undressing again, Boudica lowered her gaze again. It went on like this, an ebb and flow of the redhead studiously resisting the temptation to peep and then looking when prompted to do so, until Mata Hari had finished trying on everything she had brought into the dressing room.
By the time they made their way to the cash register to make her purchase, Boudica feared the heat in her face would never die down.
Later that night, Boudica took the few bags she had left the mall with to her room. She placed the bear on her bed, nestled between her pillows, and stared at it for a moment. The sight of it reminded her of the fun she had had with Mata Hari that day, but more importantly, it stirred up that fluttering sensation deep in her stomach that had recently begun occurring whenever she so much as thought of the beautiful brunette.
Mata Hari's scream was torn away by the rushing wind, her heart pounding as adrenaline flooded her. The nearly 90-degree drop brought the ground towards her with alarming speed before the track made a sharp turn and twist, flipping the brunette upside down and beginning a second ascent. By the time the ride ended, Mata Hari's knees were weak as she filed off of the rollercoaster along with the other patrons. She was soon joined by Boudica and their Master, who had been unable to sit in the same row as her; the redhead looked a bit queasy, though she put on a brave face, and the man was positively green.
"I'll be right back," he managed to choke out before making a headlong dash towards the restrooms.
Mata Hari shook her head. Perhaps it was best he sat this one out. The trio agreed to meet up at the entrance in about a couple of hours and the Servants went their separate ways. They managed to find a few more rides that didn't have too long lines, but even then the time flew by and soon it was almost time to head to their agreed meeting place.
"I feel badly about having so much fun while our Master isn't feeling well."
"Let's bring something back for him."
"That's a good idea… but what should we get him?"
Mata Hari tapped her chin with her index finger. "What about a drawing of us? There was a woman on the pier creating, uh, "caricatures" I think they're called."
"But our Master would still be left out of it," Boudica pointed out.
"I have an idea."
Together, the Servants headed to the pier. When they found the woman they were looking for, Mata Hari produced a photograph of their Master on her cell phone and asked if she could draw them together.
"Sure, sweetheart. Why don't the two of you sit right over there and I'll be finished in a jiffy." While the woman sketched, the Servants made small talk about nothing in particular. It didn't take long for her to put down her pencil and announce, "Aaaand… done! Whaddya think?"
Mata Hari beamed, pleased with the final product that was presented to her, and fished her wallet out of her purse to pay for it. "Thank you so much."
"It's my pleasure."
"Did you want to ride the Ferris Wheel?" Boudica asked, pointing towards the structure in question.
"That's a very popular ride for young couples like yourself," the caricaturist enthused. She blanched when both women looked at her with blank expressions. "Oh, I'm sorry, are you not…? You two are so cute together!"
"..." Boudica glanced at Mata Hari.
"..." Mata Hari looked at Boudica and then looked away.
'Cute together, huh?'
Before they'd even made it to the entrance, Boudica received a call from their Master, who had returned to the hotel for the evening. He insisted that they not let him ruin their fun and promised they'd spend time together once he was feeling better. When he hung up the phone, Boudica frowned. "Should we go and check on him?"
Some selfish part of Mata Hari wanted this alone time. Three's a crowd, as they say. "You heard him. He wants us to enjoy the rest of our night."
"I suppose…"
"So now you have me all to yourself." Mata Hari wanted to take it back the moment the words left her mouth, especially considering how weird it had been after the caricaturist's remark. She soldiered on, "Where did you want to go next?"
…
This was rumoured to be the scariest haunted house in the world. The experience was tailored to small groups and featured a chilling atmosphere, jump scares, some of the best monster makeup artistry, and even pyrotechnics. Boudica was excited to see what all the fuss was about.
Though she had been fearless in the face of the speed and drops of the roller coasters, the mere sight of the purposefully derelict exterior of the haunted house was enough to make Mata Hari falter.
"We don't have to if you don't want to."
"N-no. You said you wanted to go and we will." She straightened her back and squared her shoulders. "Let's go."
As they made their way up the walk, Mata Hari's pace slowed. While they waited their turn in line, the brunette fidgeted. Each group that entered the attraction brought them closer to the front of the line. By the time there were just a few groups between the Servants and the entrance, Mata Hari looked as though she might bolt.
"Next group." Before the doors shut completely, the man gesturing people through the entryway gave the Servant duo an appraising glance. "Is it just you two?"
"Yes."
He gestured and his co-workers opened the heavy double doors fully. "Go ahead."
Boudica practically dragged Mata Hari inside, concerned that the brunette might change her mind. The doors slammed behind them and Boudica blinked a few times to get her eyes to adjust to the dimly lit interior. Once they had, she realized they were standing in a hall of mirrors.
"See? It's not so scary."
Mata Hari made a sound halfway between a laugh and a sob in response and the redhead winced guiltily. Oh well. They were already here; might as well continue. Boudica took Mata Hari's hand in hers, threading their fingers together, and gave the appendage a comforting squeeze.
The action seemed to snap the Assassin out of her stupor. Hand-in-hand, they walked slowly along the corridor, acutely aware that the only sound was that of their footsteps. Eventually, they could see a bright light at the end of the corridor and Boudica felt some of the tension leave Mata Hari.
It came right back, two-fold, when a sinister cackle broke the silence. The mirror closest to Mata Hari splintered, causing both of them to flinch, and a thick fog rolled across the floor.
"Boudica." It was said in a horrified whisper as Mata Hari clutched her arm and the redhead looked to where a trembling finger pointed: the broken mirror had a viscous red liquid leaking from the cracks and, as it spilled out onto the floor, it coloured the vapour crimson. Not only that, there were bloody handprints all over the other mirrors as far as her eyes could see, some of which were smudged as though someone had been dragged away while clutching at the surface.
Boudica marveled at the sight, genuinely impressed, but her appreciation was short-lived. Mata Hari bolted, heading straight towards the light source, and Boudica hurried after her.
The source of light was a funeral pyre, they found when they entered the next area. They could feel the heat on their faces as they approached, the gravel path crunching beneath their feet. Tombstones jutted up from the ground and a maze of pathways worked their way around mausoleums and statues.
"Which way should we go?" Boudica asked Mata Hari, after briefly assessing both options.
The brunette opened her mouth to respond, only to clap her hands over her mouth, her eyes round with alarm. A humanoid figure was climbing out of the pyre, burnt black by the flames. The whites of its eyes and toothy smile were a stark relief and its jerky, pained movements as it stumbled towards the duo were discomforting to behold.
"Let's go that way," Mata Hari said, her voice a few octaves higher than was normal.
After surviving a wave of disfigured walking corpses, Boudica was fairly confident they'd weathered the worst the haunted house had to offer. She was quickly proven wrong as they entered what appeared to be the wing of a hospital. Blood-stained gurneys and a variety of other medical equipment littered the linoleum and the fluorescent lights overhead were blinding. Once again, silence reigned, and both Servants were tense as they scanned their surroundings for whatever the haunted house had in store next.
Mata Hari clutched more tightly onto Boudica's arm and the redhead looked at her. "Are you alright?"
"Fine." Mata Hari flinched when a low groan came from somewhere behind them. "This is... Fine."
The prideful woman would never admit she was scared, even though her nails were digging into pale skin, and Boudica chuckled inwardly.
They only made it a few steps further before a masked man came lunging from behind a metal storage locker. Boudica had to catch Mata Hari's wrist to keep her from attacking the poor human, twirling and placing herself between the startled woman and her target. She pulled the Assassin to her as a second man followed suit with a wild howl, and pulled Mata Hari back towards the hallway.
Once they were a safe distance from anyone the Servant could perceive as a threat, Boudica came to a halt. Mata Hari was breathing hard and, before Boudica could say anything, she found herself on the receiving end of a tight hug. Wordlessly, the redhead stroked long brown hair and waited for Mata Hari's shivering to subside.
Cute. This was a side of Mata Hari that Boudica hadn't seen before and it only made her affection for the vivacious Assassin grow.
"If you tell anyone about this…" There was a quaver to her voice despite attempting to sound threatening.
"I won't tell a soul," Boudica promised, smiling as she rested her chin on the crown of Mata Hari's head.
Boudica looked stunning. Mata Hari said as much and the smile she got in response made her heart skip a beat. They were going out that night, just the two of them, and the redhead had agreed to go to a club though she wasn't too keen on that kind of thing. Their Master had an early appointment in the morning, so he bid them a safe, fun night as he handed Boudica the keys to his car.
Downtown was all aglow with neon lights and the streets were full of boisterous individuals looking to have a good time. Mata Hari could feel the music like a secondary heartbeat as they approached the club and she flashed the bouncer a grin when he waved them inside. The entryway was crowded and beyond it, the dance floor was packed. Mata Hari glanced at Boudica and saw the redhead looked uncomfortable.
Maybe a drink would help.
The bar at the centre of the room was crowded, too, but not overly so. Mata Hari had to lean in and shout to be heard by the bartender, who expertly made what she requested with a wink and a smile. By the time Mata Hari had returned to the out of the way booth they'd managed to secure, their libations in hand, some tall, blonde guy had set his sights on Boudica.
The redhead looked decidedly disinterested, arms crossed and expression cool, but he didn't seem to be getting the hint. Mata Hari knew the woman to be far too polite to send him scurrying back to his guy friends with his tail between his legs and she straightened her spine as she prepared to do just that. She wasn't going to let some idiot ruin their night.
"You here with anyone?" The guy was asking when Mata Hari came within earshot of the pair. "I wouldn't leave a woman like you alone for even a second."
"Believe it or not, a woman can exist quite happily without a man," Mata Hari interjected, placing herself solidly between the man and her ally. She handed a drink to Boudica, who's clear blue eyes sparkled with mirth, before rounding on the man. "She's here with me."
There were three possible responses to this situation and the sleazebag chose the worst one: "Damn, two beautiful women? Allow me to introduce myself. I'm—"
"Leaving," Mata Hari supplied. "Buh-bye now." She purposefully turned her back on him, blatantly ignoring his attempts to speak to them until he scoffed arrogantly and stalked away to target some other woman. "I hate idiots like that."
They took another few minutes to finish their drinks before Mata Hari grabbed Boudica's hand and led her towards the dance floor. Contrary to her earlier discomfort, the redhead was a surprisingly good dancer… Emboldened—perhaps by the drink she'd chugged, perhaps by the proximity of so many gyrating bodies—Mata Hari moved closer to Boudica and rested her hands on the woman's hips.
"You really do look amazing," she said into Boudica's ear, speaking loudly to be heard over the throbbing bass. She thought back to the man who had been hitting on the redhead and her grip tightened as jealousy spiked beneath her breast.
… Mata Hari wasn't even sure when she'd started thinking about Boudica that way.
The redhead said something in response, but it was eclipsed by the shudder that zipped along Mata Hari's spine when full lips brushed against the shell of her ear. She pulled away, giving herself enough space to get her lungs started again, but still so close that her heart continued to try to escape her chest. She smiled weakly, every brush of Boudica's skin against hers leaving pinpricks of heat that suffused the apex of her thighs with wetness.
The Servants shut the club down, spending the night dancing in closer proximity than they had ever been before, and even then Mata Hari wanted more.
...
Boudica awoke the next morning with throbbing temples. The night before came back to her in fuzzy pieces and, as she arranged them into something sensical, she put her pillow over her face to muffle a horrified groan. She had acted so inappropriately towards Mata Hari, unable to tear herself away even though the winding and grinding was making her hot all over. Or perhaps because of the effect the Assassin had on her.
Maybe it had been the alcohol giving her the courage to act on the budding desires that had taken root that fateful day at the beach or maybe it had been the way the fiery Assassin stood up for her that had gotten her hot under the collar. Either way, she never would have acted that way had she been in her right frame of mind.
… unless Mata Hari wanted her to. But she didn't. Right?
Boudica threw her feet over the side of her bed and the room spun slightly. She shook off any lingering dizziness and headed to the bathroom down the hall. After brushing her teeth and splashing cold water on her face, the redhead steeled herself and headed to Mata Hari's room. She wasn't surprised when she knocked and didn't receive any response as the Assassin wasn't exactly a morning person and they had been out rather late. She was surprised that the door was unlocked and it swung inward to reveal a slightly messy room, but no Mata Hari.
Boudica poked her head in the doorway, curiosity overriding any sense of properness. The bed was unmade and the outfit the brunette had worn the night before had been tossed carelessly on the floor. The redhead glanced at either end of the hallway before stepping inside and pushing the door shut behind her. With hesitant steps she approached the bed and sat on the edge of it.
This was where Mata Hari slept. It smelled like her… Before she realized she had done so, Boudica hugged one of Mata Hari's pillows to herself; her heart raced and she breathed in deeply, imagining what it would be like to be wrapped up in the beautiful brunette. A soft sound escaped her, longing swelling beneath her breast—
Then, the click of the door mechanism shook Boudica from her daze and she quickly set the pillow back down and rested her hands in her lap. There was nowhere for her to hide, no way to make it seem as though she had any business being here. The best she could do was facing Mata Hari head-on.
Mata Hari entered her bedroom and stopped dead. Her eyebrows rose. "Oh."
Boudica flinched, but she tried to act natural. "Good morning. I, um... I wanted to say thank you… for last night. It caught me off guard; I'm not used to that sort of attention.'
"Seriously? A gorgeous girl like you should have to fight men off with sword and shield." Mata Hari grinned to show she was teasing, but the redhead was more focused on the word she'd used to describe her: gorgeous.
Was Mata Hari flirting with her?! Boudica was so floored that all she could do was laugh nervously. Mata Hari had always been on the playful side, but this was different. Somehow, this made her feel different.
The silence that followed stretched on for longer than was comfortable even while Boudica searched frantically for something—anything—to say.
Stormy orbs glinted amusedly. "Would you care to join me for breakfast?"
"Sure…"
(Break)
Something had changed in their dynamic.
Mata Hari had always been an affectionate person, tending to talk with her hands and invade one's personal space without seeming conscious of it, but Boudica couldn't remember anything in particular standing out to her. Not like lately…
/It wasn't unusual for them to curl up on the sofa together to watch a movie. What was unusual was that Mata Hari had insisted on feeding her despite Boudica's protests that she could feed herself. The Assassin's attention was wholly on Boudica as she spooned ice cream into the redhead's mouth and there was an almost satisfied expression on her face.
Just what was she thinking?
"Are you enjoying the movie?"
"Mm? Oh, yeah."
That was a lie; she hadn't been looking at the screen any of the times Boudica stole a glance at her. Rather than call her out on it, Boudica turned her attention back to the screen. The snacks were finished, so Mata Hari would likely do the same.
When the Assassin began to wiggle around in her seat, Boudica didn't pay much mind… Until Mata Hari laid her head right in her lap. Boudica was hyper aware of the warmth of Mata Hari's skin against hers and she could feel every exhale of breath on her bare thigh.
It was impossible to focus on the film after that./
/ Boudica watched as Mata Hari added seasoning to the pot, humming a tuneless melody as she did so. She seemed more confident in the kitchen of late. Chuckling to herself, the redhead returned her attention to her own task. Their Master was busy with work, so it was just the two of them tonight.
She nearly cut herself when Mata Hari hooked her chin over her shoulder. "Need any help?"
The smell of cooking food couldn't completely mask the Assassin's scent and Boudica shivered as she took a deep, slow breath. Mata Hari wasn't wearing a bra and the soft warmth of full breasts pressed into Boudica's back, rendering that bit of oxygen entirely useless. "... I've got it," Boudica answered, a touch huskier than usual.
"Mmkay."
Mata Hari didn't move away, going so far as to looping her arms loosely around Boudica's waist while she observed the woman's actions. Out of the corner of her eye, Boudica could see the brunette's rapt expression and she bit her lip.
'So cute.'/
/Usually Mata Hari was content with Boudica's company, not asking much of the redhead in terms of actually picking things out for herself. Which was why Boudica was surprised when Mata Hari handed her a stack of clothes and ushered her into a changing room. Mercifully, she waited outside while the redhead tried on the first of several items—and then refused to come back out.
A few minutes passed before Mata Hari realized what was going on. "Bou~ Di~ Ca~ Let me see."
The redhead stared herself down in the mirror. "No."
"Come on. I'm sure you look great!"
The woman who stared back was flushed, out of her element. "Mm-mm."
"Aww… Please?"
She didn't need to see Mata Hari to know the brunette was pouting. With as long-suffered sigh, Boudica opened the door and allowed the other Servant entry.
When Mata Hari didn't say anything right away, Boudica cringed. "I look silly."
"No." The brunette shook her head, slowly at first but then more emphatically. "No, you look…"
The wolf whistle made Boudica flush and she hid her pleased smile with a brusque, "Okay, out. I'm going to try on the rest."
"What, I don't get a show?" Mata Hari giggled as she ducked out of the room to avoid the scalding look she received from the redhead. /
Boudica was injured and it made Mata Hari feel powerless. Propped up in bed, her midsection bandaged and a series of shallow lacerations along the side of her right arm, the redhead looked a bit worse for wear. There Their Master had left to gather more medical supplies, but Mata Hari had no intention of leaving the redhead's side. If she'd been able to support her ally in combat this wouldn't have even happened. Instead…
Boudica cracked a smile. "Don't look so forlorn. I'll be fine."
The brave warrior had stepped directly between Mata Hari and a Noble Phantasm. Her shield hadn't proven to be enough to mitigate the entirety of the blow and, though her wounds were mostly superficial, there was no guaranteeing she'd be so lucky next time.
"This is my fault."
Mata Hari had helped bandage the redhead and saw the dinner plate-sized burn mark scorched into her abdomen. Something like that was nothing to a Heroic Spirit, but it would still take time and rest to heal properly.
"Nonsense. You don't have the ability to tell the future. And if you do, then I'm rather disappointed that this is the first I'm hearing of it."
She was joking and keeping things light for Mata Hari's sake, but the brunette didn't miss the way she winced. "If I had been faster… stronger… anything! I really am a joke of a Servant."
"Don't say that." There was steel in Boudica's tone and blue eyes flashed. "You and I both know it isn't true."
Mata Hari's eyes filled with frustrated tears and she looked down at the bed as she tried to get a hold of her emotions. "I don't know what I'd do if something happened to you," she said finally, hating the tremor in her voice that she couldn't control.
"I'm sorry for making you worry, but I'd do it again in a heartbeat." Boudica's expression was serious. "You're the most important person in the world to me."
Ba-dump. Had she really just said that? Blue eyes were wide, as though Boudica herself couldn't quite believe she'd said it either.
Mata Hari didn't even remember consciously thinking about it; next thing she knew, her lips were against Boudica's. Mata Hari had exactly three seconds to appreciate just how soft they were before her mind caught up to her actions and she recoiled. Heat blossomed in her cheeks and her heartbeat was a dull roar in her ears.
"I'm sorry." They said it at the exact same moment and the silence that followed was deafening.
'Wait, what?'
Boudica blinked. "Why are you apologizing? I'm the one who…"
Mata Hari bit her lip. "I thought… Did you want to kiss me?"
The redhead flushed and, for a moment, she seemed to want to deny it. Then, quietly, she said, "Very much so."
'Gods above.' "Can I… kiss you again?"
A soft sound escaped Boudica and it sent a rush of heat to the apex of Mata Hari's thighs. "Please?"
This time when their lips met, it was a mutual act. It began as a gentle exploration and quickly escalated into something hotter, hungrier, as hands began to roam and lips parted to allow tongues to dance. Boudica released a pained hiss when Mata Hari put too much pressure on her bandaged wound and the Assassin quickly pulled away.
"Shit. Sorry." It was difficult to catch her breath.
Boudica wasn't faring much better. "It's fine."
"I, ah, think we should continue this after you've recovered."
"Continue?" Boudica's eyelids were low and her voice was, too.
Ugh. Was she going to make her spell it out…? Mata Hari fidgeted with the bedspread, refusing to make eye contact. Sex was nothing new to the former spy, but for whatever reason, the mere thought of intimacy with Boudica was almost overwhelming. "Only if that's what you want."
Boudica chuckled softly. "I can't wait..."
...
The week it took Boudica to heal up completely was the longest week of Mata Hari's life. It didn't help that the redhead was truly and unexpectedly a tease. Though she spent most of her time in bed, that didn't stop Boudica from getting her hands on Mata Hari.
Whether that was during the moments Mata Hari checked up on her…
/ "Hold still, Boudica," Mata Hari chided.
The redhead wriggled. "That tickles."
"I'm trying to be as quick as I can." The burn was already beginning to look more flesh-tone, much to her relief. Boudica wasn't a fan of the bandages, complaining that they were itchy, but they were a necessary evil. "You look good."
Really good. Mata Hari's hands lingered, soft porcelain skin a siren's song. She wanted to hitch Boudica's shirt a little higher and get a better look at the creamy swells cupped by a simple black bra. She wanted to climb into bed with the redhead and kiss her until they were both breathless.
Boudica's expression was knowing. "See something you like?"
Mata Hari shook her head. "I'm going to start dinner."
Distance was good. Distance allowed for rational thoughts. /
Or when she specifically asked for assistance…
/ "Would you be a dear and shift my pillows for me?"
"Sure." Mata Hari placed the lunch tray she had been carrying out of the room on the dresser. Boudica leaned forward and Mata Hari fluffed her pillows. "How is that?"
"Wonderful. Thank you, love."
The pet name was a new thing and it made Mata Hari feel all warm inside. She grinned. "Is there anything else you need me to do before I go shopping?"
As she straightened, the redhead's arm snaked out and wrapped around her waist. A sharp tug made her teeter and when she fell, she landed across Boudica's lap. Fingers trailed along the Assassin's spine, leaving a shiver in their wake.
Boudica smiled serenely when Mata Hari shot her a stern look. "Oops." /
Or when she simply got bored of lying around in bed all day…
/ "You should be in bed." Mata Hari was having difficulty sounding firm when the redhead was cuddling into her.
She had been cleaning the living room when Boudica had snuck up on her and embraced her from behind. Turning around in her grasp had been a mistake because being face to face with the gorgeous woman made Mata Hari weak in the knees. Every part of her wanted to pull Boudica more firmly against her and get to know the supple curvatures and taut frame honed by years of swordsmanship, but Mata Hari settled for looping her arms around the taller woman's neck.
They stood like that for a while, just enjoying the warmth of each other's bodies, and Mata Hari pressed a kiss to the underside of Boudica's jaw. The redhead shifted, claiming her lips in a slow, sensual kiss. When they parted, both women were breathing hard and more than a little hot under the collar. /
Enough was enough.
…
Boudica gasped, startled, when the diminutive Assassin lifted her onto the kitchen counter. She had come in to share the good news after their Master had removed her bandages and gave her a clean bill of health, only to find herself on the receiving end of a flurry of kisses. As Mata Hari moved to stand between them, she wrapped her legs around the brunette's waist, eager to feel the other woman against her.
Boudica mewled as Mata Hari began kissing a trail down the column of her neck. When the brunette encountered the v-neckline of her blouse, Boudica was quick to remove the article and toss it onto the kitchen floor. A pang of self-consciousness struck her as she bared herself to that sharp gray gaze, but it quickly dissipated when Mata Hari nuzzled between pale swells.
"Gorgeous," she breathed.
Mata Hari reached behind Boudica and made quick work of her bra, immediately latching onto a rosy nipple and flicking her tongue against it. Boudica moaned, sinking her fingers into long brown hair as the Assassin continued her oral attentions, her core suffusing with wet heat. The former monarch had known arousal before, but this all-consuming desire for another person—and another woman at that—had her reeling.
What was it about Mata Hari that made her heart beat fast and her stomach twist into knots?
Mata Hari hitched up Boudica's skirt and the redhead lifted her hips so that her panties could join the other articles of clothing. Her heart was in her throat as Mata Hari knelt between her thighs and began pressing a trail of kisses starting at her knee and working inward. Sex with her husband had always been a rush, a mission to produce children, but this was different.
"Wait." She just needed a moment to gather herself.
Mata Hari stood and kissed Boudica firmly on the mouth. "I want you."
That husky tone made Boudica's inner muscles twitch. Slender fingers drew nonsensical patterns over her thighs and, every time they came close to their apex, a bolt of pleasure zipped along Boudica's spine. She wanted this, too. Badly.
Mata Hari kneeled again and nuzzled the neat strip of red curls between Boudica's thighs. Her tongue flicked out, locating the sensitive bundle of nerves at the top of Boudica's slit and driving her wild with long, slow licks. Boudica cried out, arching and shivering, and the brunette eased a single finger into her sex. Velvet walls clamped down around the intruder as Boudica bucked, pleasure flooding her senses.
She was so wet Mata Hari was able to add a second finger easily and the resulting sensation of fullness made Boudica's eyes roll back in her head. The dual assault of her clitoris and feminine walls, one maddeningly slow and the other a steady pace at a wonderful angle afforded by her current position, had the redhead crying out throatily.
She was close. So close. Her inner muscles clenched spasmodically as orgasm swept over her and Boudica clutched long brown strands to ground herself. A brief eternity later, she remembered herself and hastily released her deathgrip with a murmured apology.
Mata Hari grinned and her chin glistened. "I don't mind."
The redhead growled, pulling the other woman to get her feet. When they kissed, she could taste herself on Mata Hari's tongue. Boudica hopped down from her perch and spun Mata Hari around, bending her over the counter. She pushed up the short sundress the brunette wore, bunching it around Mata Hari's waist, and was surprised to find that the woman wasn't wearing anything underneath.
"You naughty little minx…"
Mata Hari wiggled her hips. "I've made a bit of a mess."
Boudica purred. "I can see that."
Her ass was perfect. Boudica couldn't help but give it a little swat, a possessive feeling blooming beneath her breast when the flushed outline of her palm remained. Mata Hari yelped, shooting Boudica a look over her shoulder, and the redhead kissed the spot apologetically. She lost no time running her fingers along Mata Hari's feminine lips until she found her opening.
Mata Hari braced her hands on the counter as she arched. "Boudica…!"
Warm wetness greeted Boudica's questing fingers and she trailed kisses along Mata Hari's spine as she worked another finger inside and thrust them in and out slowly. The brunette's husky sounds of pleasure encouraged her to add still a third finger and Boudica began thrusting in earnest. She could feel the way Mata Hari's inner muscles clamped down around her fingers and smell the musk of her arousal, the combination of the two giving her own libido its second wind.
When she curved her fingers slightly, wriggling them against a spot deep within Mata Hari, the brunette tensed mightily and her head fell forward as she muffled a shrill cry with her forearm. A litany of moans began to leak out despite her efforts as Boudica purposefully targeted that sweet spot and the Assassin began to bounce on Boudica's fingers, seeking to wring all the pleasure she could out of long digits.
… Boudica sincerely hoped their Master wasn't in the house to hear Mata Hari's cries of ecstasy as she reached orgasm.
…
They'd ended up in Mata Hari's bed, tangled in the sheets and each other. The Assassin was deliciously sore and she made a pleased sound as she stretched. She reached around blindly until she found the redhead's hand, then threaded her fingers through Boudica's.
"That was…"
"Mm," Boudica agreed, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. Her peaceful, satisfied expression made Mata Hari's heart skip a beat.
This was the woman she'd fallen for. The woman who felt as strongly as she did and cared for her as an individual. The woman who valued her as an equal. The woman she might someday call her wife…?
The thought made Mata Hari giggle.
"What's so funny?" Boudica asked, her voice thick with sleepiness.
"Nothing, my heart." The pet name felt right as she said it.
Holy Grail or no, Mata Hari's wish had been granted.
End