Quite a Bit Different
It was weird for Xena to have company while traveling, she had gotten so used to being on her own. Just her and Argo and the long road to redemption. The ex-warlord was fine being alone, she got use to it. But now, somehow, she had an omega following her around like a lost puppy. For months now Gabrielle had being tagging along with Xena. At first she was annoyed at the wanna-be bard, but she couldn't deny that over the last few months she grew to like Gabrielle's stories.
Gabrielle wanted to learn how to fight and since she was insistent on staying with Xena, it wasn't a bad idea to teach her how to defend herself. Which is what they were doing now.
The omega was clumsy, her strikes predictable and no where near enough force behind them. Truth be told Xena was amused by their sparring session, which made Gabrielle pout, which in turn made it even more amusing for Xena.
Xena swiped her legs under her, making Gabrielle fall to her back with a groan.
"Alright. I think that's enough for today." Xena looked down at the omega, who sat up and rubbed the back of her head.
"Yeah, I think I'm gonna feel this for months."
Xena offered Gabrielle her hand to pull her up, "I'll get us something to eat. You go wash up, you..." Xena paused. Gabrielle didn't stink, she actually had a rather pleasant smell. Which was odd considering they just finished training.
"I what?" Gabrielle narrowed her eyes, "You don't exactly smell like sunshine and roses either."
Xena shook her head, "No, just... just go wash up."
Gabrielle stuck her tongue out but smiled as she turned to leave. Xena couldn't put her finger on the lingering scent. It smelt sweet, she decided to file that thought away for later. For now she needed to find her and Gabrielle something to eat.
When they met up by the camp again Gabrielle was clean, although still smelling just as sweet. Xena caught some fish, not her best catch honestly, at least in her opinion. They ate in silence, it was something they just seemed to settle in naturally.
Gabrielle ate her meal with gusto, making Xena happy and her her inner alpha howl with pride that the omega enjoyed the food she made. She didn't expect to have that much of a reaction to having the young omega around. She did her best not to show it too much but she couldn't deny that she was protective of her. Xena didn't know where that came from, she's been around omega's before but none of them caused such protective instincts from her. And for some reason she's been feeling it more and more over the past few days.
As the duo went to sleep Gabrielle gave Xena one of her usual hugs, except this one seemed to last longer. The girl seemed almost reluctant to let go.
"Are you alright?" Xena asked as they separated.
"Yeah. Why do you ask?" Gabrielle tilted her head.
"You seem more clingy."
Gabrielle's eyes narrowed although Xena found no actual anger behind them, "Well excuse me for being affectionate then."
"No, it's not bad!" Xena didn't know why the thought of Gabrielle no longer being affectionate bothered her, "I don't hate it. I just noticed that's all."
The omega smiled, hugging her once more, "Good."
They stayed like that for a few more seconds before Gabrielle let her go and went into her bedroll. Xena smiled at the sight of the other girl sleeping, so relaxed, so trusting of her. Once again it made her proud as an alpha, but she shook her head trying to get those feelings out. She hadn't known Gabrielle for long, so why was she acting like this now? Sighing she went to her own bedroll, hoping that tomorrow things would be a bit more clear.
Upon waking up Xena noticed a sweet scent around her. It smelled like honey and flowers, it was so strong she could almost taste it. She sat up abruptly, her eyes snapping to Gabrielle.
The omega was panting, sweating and curled up into herself. Xena gulped, and ever so slowly moved towards the omega.
"Gabrielle." Xena debated weather she should touch her or not but she decided that she should at least make sure the omega was ok. She placed a gentle hand on Gabrielle's shoulder, shaking her gently, "Gabrielle."
The young woman turned to Xena, her face flushed and a clouded over look in her eyes, "Xena."
The way Gabrielle said her name, combined with her sweet scent and the way she looked at her made all Xena's head spin.
"You're in heat."
Gabrielle hummed. She took Xena's hand in hers bringing it to her cheek and nuzzling into it, "You smell nice."
Xena looked around, it didn't look like anyone else was around but they were out in the open and that made Xena uneasy.
"Do you have anything for your heat? Tea maybe?" The omega shook her head.
"I didn't think I'd be here so soon. I wanted to buy some tea in the next town." The next town. That's a few more days of travel. With an omega in heat. Practically a moving target.
"We need to get somewhere safer. Let's get you up." Xena wanted to pull Gabrielle up but instead she was the one being pulled down. It took her by surprise when the omega pulled her down and wrapped her hands around the alpha's neck. Xena went completely still. Gabrielle pulled herself closer, burring her face in Xena's neck.
"Gabrielle." Xena clenched her teeth, placing her hands to the sides of Gabrielle's head and getting some distance from her, "What are you doing?"
"It... it hurts... please..." Gabrielle attempted to pull Xena into a kiss only for the alpha to move further away. The omega whimpered as a wave of unhappy pheromones hit Xena's nose.
Xena stood up slowly, offering her hand to the omega, "We need to get somewhere safer."
Gabrielle sat up but didn't move towards Xena. She avoided her eyes.
Xena sighed. She knelled down in front of the omega, gently cupped her face and turned it towards her own, "I just want you to be safe." She kept her voice low and gentle, just like her touch.
Luckily she got a good response from Gabrielle, "Alright."
She walked alongside Xena and got on Argo. She sat behind Xena, wrapping her arms around her, pulling herself as close as she could get. Xena could feel the warmth coming of the omega. If she was still in her warlord days she wouldn't hesitate for a second to fuck the omega and make her forget any other name than hers. But she was better than that now, she was in control of herself.
Fortunately they didn't have to travel long before they found a small cave. It seemed safe. They could make camp here.
As soon as they got into the cave Gabrielle wrapped her arms around Xena's. It didn't seem like her heat was in full swing yet, good, this meant Xena would be able to set the boundaries before Gabrielle loses herself to lust.
"Gabrielle, sit down." Xena rolled out the bedrolls, put them together and patted the spot next to her as soon as she took a seat.
Gabrielle seemed to perk up at the fact that Xena did in fact want to be close to her.
"Gabrielle, have you ever been around an alpha during your heat?" Xena suspected she already knew the answer despite asking the question.
Gabrielle shook her head, "It wasn't something that was encouraged, I mean I know some who did anyway and that it's pretty fun. I'll be honest I'm not having a lot of fun right now. In fact it's starting to feel pretty bad. But I have you here, so it won't be that bad." Gabrielle shifted uncomfortably, rubbing her thighs together.
Xena could feel the scent getting stronger, she inhaled trough her mouth but that made her practically taste how sweet the scent was. She groaned and looked over at Gabrielle.
"Gabrielle I don't think you should be this close to me right now. I can't, no, I won't take advantage of you while you're like this." Xena thought about the best way to go about this. She can't leave Gabrielle all alone, that would be too dangerous. But staying too close to her could also be dangerous.
"And," Gabrielle smoothed her hands over Xena's biceps before wrapping them around her neck, "if I asked you to help me, would you say no?"
"Yes," Truth be told Xena didn't believe her own words, but she had to, for Gabrielle, "I don't want your first time to be while you can't even think straight, and in a cave of all places. You deserve better than that."
Gabrielle hummed, "You're sweet," Xena grit her teeth as Gabrielle placed a kiss on her neck, "but I'm getting really uncomfortable here."
"And it's gonna get worse as I'm sure you know, but I'll be here protecting you. No one will come close to here."
"That's fine. I only need you." Xena knew she shouldn't feel any sense of pride over Gabrielle's words but she couldn't help it, she shot her a quick smirk before untangling herself from the omega.
"Alright. Get comfortable, I'll make us some breakfast." Xena heard Gabrielle's groan of displeasure but she listened.
The rest of the day had been torture. Xena didn't act on her instincts when it came to Gabrielle's heat but that didn't mean they didn't effect her. Every time Gabrielle would hug her blood would rush directly to her dick and make her feel like a horny teenager. She knew Gabrielle liked her and wanted to be around her, she felt safe and comfortable around her despite Xena being an alpha. She was glad Gabrielle trusted her so much. But that made Gabrielle all the more appealing, especially when she borrowed one of Xena's nightshirts.
Xena may have liked the look of Gabrielle in her clothes a bit too much, but they would also leave Xena's scent over Gabrielle so she would be left alone for a few days even after her heat ends. Not that she had to worry about that much anyways since not many people would try anything funny with Xena around.
The two had just finished eating dinner, Xena was cleaning things up when she felt arms around her neck and the softness of breasts being pressed against her back.
"Everything okay?"
Gabrielle buried her head in Xena's neck in response. This wasn't unusual, Xena knew from experience that omegas got really clingy during heat. She didn't mind that in the past, quite the opposite. But Gabrielle wasn't like any of the omegas she had been with, she cared way more about her for starters.
Xena took in a deep breath, "Gabrielle could you go lie down? I'll join you after I'm done with this."
"You will?" Gabrielle seemed mildly surprised given how adamant Xena was at not being too close to her earlier.
"I will. I promise." Xena turned around and kissed Gabrielle on the forehead. It seemed to brighten up her mood. Gabrielle returned the affectionate gesture with a kiss on Xena's cheek before she walked over the their bedrolls.
As soon as Xena was done she, true to her word, joined Gabrielle. She lied down next to her, keeping some distance. At least she would have if Gabrielle hadn't flung her arms around her and left no space between them.
"You..." Xena gulped, "Gabrielle are you only wearing my shirt?"
"It feels too hot to wear anything else."
Xena sighed, "You're really stubborn." The warrior returned Gabrielle's embrace, placing a kiss on Gabrielle's forehead and her cheek, "Good thing I am too."
"I'm starting to dislike that." Gabrielle grumbled.
Xena chuckled, sending out comforting pheromones in hopes of calming Gabrielle down, "You'll thank me for this after your heat ends, trust me. But until then I'm sure you'll hate me."
"I could never. Just really annoyed. But... you feel really nice and you're a great cuddler so I guess that makes you more endearing." Gabrielle sounded tired and it didn't take her long to fall asleep.
"You're endearing too." Xena placed another kiss on Gabrielle's forehead, gently rubbing her back as the omega feel asleep.
Spending time with Gabrielle during her heat was like living hell while she's still holding on to her promise of not sleeping with her.
"I guess I better get used to this." Xena murmured to herself as, she too, began to fall asleep. Gabrielle was right about one thing though, it felt really nice to cuddle like this. So maybe this wasn't all bad.
It would take several years for Xena to finally accept the fact that she likes Gabrielle as more than a friend or companion, and to think of herself as someone worthy of the love Gabrielle was willing to give.