Prompt: First lovers tiff


Jenny was worried. Madame had for some reason shot out of the bed as soon as Jenny climbed in and muttered about work. That was five days ago and now Vastra refused to stay in close proximity to her. The Silurian would glance at her and move to another part of the house or go hunting. She also never returned to their bed, instead sleeping on the couch in the living room. They've been doing so well the past month. Jenny curled her hands into fists.

She walked to the study and saw Vastra scribbling something down. The Silurian stiffened and placed her pen down. Jenny could tell she was about to make an excuse to leave as she stood up.

"I need to -"

Jenny cut her off, blocking the doorway. "Ma'am, why have you been avoiding me."

"No I haven't. I've just been busy."

Jenny crossed her arms, glaring at the lizard woman. "I'm the first to check for letters and telegram. I know you don't have a case right now."

She paused taking a deep breath. "Are you having second thoughts about us? You've been avoiding me and I want to know why."

Vastra rapidly crossed the distance between them and stopped in front of Jenny. "No, definitely not that. I'm sorry, I've been inconsiderate. It's just, you're bleeding."

Jenny looked at her in confusion. "Yes, but that's normal for us and you never had a problem before."

"Yes, but before, you weren't sleeping in the same bed as me. And for the other apes, well I've learned to ignore it on the streets if I smell it. But it shouldn't be here since I don't bring dinner home."

"Oh, so the scent?"

"Yes."

The two remained silent, thinking of their predicament. Jenny shook her head and glared at the Silurian. "Instead of avoiding me, talk to me so I know what's going on."

Vastra scratched the back of her neck, looking sheepishly. "I'm sorry. I promise I will."

"Good well, you better be back in bed after I finish."

Vastra replied with a small grin. "Yes ma'am."

The Silurian happily cuddled her human in bed once she stopped bleeding.


Post Trenzalore

For the past couple of days, the Silurian had been brutish to everyone including Strax. It was bad enough that Strax left for Glasgow mumbling about crazy lizards. On the streets, Vastra would walk as if she was seconds away from launching herself at anyone who looked at them wrong. Though the veil covered it, Jenny was sure Vastra was flicking her tongue out, constantly tasting the air for something.

After Vastra threatened to eviscerate a bumbling inspector sending him running out the door, Jenny decided to confront her. She walked to the living room where Vastra was pacing.

"Ma'am, what's going on with you?"

"I don't know what you mean."

Jenny raised a brow and crossed her arms. "Hissing, glaring, and now threatening that Inspector. Shall I list more?"

Vastra glared at her and was about to hiss before she froze. She cursed in Silurian and forced her body to relax. Well, this would explain why she was hungrier than usual.

"You are bleeding."

Jenny looked confused as she answered, "Well yes, but what does that have to do with anything?"

Vastra sighed and sat down in one of the chairs. "Everything. My instincts are registering you as injured and require protection."

"But I'm not injured."

"Yes, I know that mentally. But right now I really cannot differentiate between that and real injuries. I suspect this will last until you no longer smell of blood."

Jenny rubbed her forehead sitting down next to Vastra. "But, you haven't had this trouble in years."

Vastra shrugged, taking Jenny's hand. "That was before Trenzalore." She spat out the word, her grip tightening slightly. "Let's just say much of my instincts are not quite right yet."

Before Jenny could reply, the doorbell rang which made Vastra snap her head in the direction of the door, hissing. Jenny grabbed Vastra's arm before she could tear apart whoever was at the door.

"Wait, perhaps I should handle this."

The lizard woman turned to Jenny, tongue flicking. She pulled Jenny into a tight hug.

"Indeed. I suspect the next ape that looks at you will lose at least its eyes."

Vastra flicked her tongue again and went upstairs. Once inside their room, she sighed shaking her head. She could almost see her Sisters rolling their eyes at her weakness. Even a fool would have figured this out earlier.

Now knowing the problem, Vastra sat down on the floor close to the fireplace. Perhaps some meditation would help though Vastra wasn't quite sure she could clear her mind. She ruthlessly squashed the need to fidget and closed her eyes.

After Jenny sent the man off saying the Madame was away for business, she went upstairs to check on Vastra. She felt a little guilty having not realized how deeply her wife was affected. Jenny still had nightmares about cold grasping hands reaching in and being unable to breath. She paused on the stairs, the memories making her tremble momentarily.

Steeling herself, Jenny continued up and into their room. She paused when she saw Vastra was meditating. She sat by her wife who reached out to grasp her hand. Neither talked much about Trenzalore in an effort not to burden the other. Perhaps this was a mistake.

Jenny took a breath. "In my dreams, I'm back there, paralyzed. I feel a cold hand going through my chest and grabbing my heart."

Vastra's eyes snapped open to look at her human. "Jenny - "

"No, we haven't talked about it, not really. You know I have nightmares but not what's in them. And just now, you almost tore the Inspector apart despite him being the same bumbling man he is. This isn't working."

Vastra remained silent for a long moment before nodding slowly. "You're right. When you...disappeared..."

They talked long into the night.