Birthday Pranks
Somewhere in Greece, The Known World - S5
"Good morning Gabrielle," Xena said smirking.
Gabrielle pulled herself up onto her elbows and smirked back, "yes Xena? Anything you want to say to me?" Eve squirmed between them so Xena picked her up and kiss her head lightly.
"No, I can't think of anything." Xena replied, pulling herself out of the blankets and tying up her breastplate.
Gabrielle's face fell, but then again, with Eve around she hadn't really expected Xena to remember. So she pulled herself up to look for more firewood.
Xena was left with Eve, "so sweetheart, we gotta make sure that auntie Gabrielle doesn't find out about her present." She rocked her from side to side and then settled on feeding her.
Gabrielle walked through the forest alone, thinking about her last birthday, and the birthday before that. Xena always made her feel special, and in return, on her birthday she always tried her best to make it a good day. Oh no, Gabrielle realised Xena's last birthday had been a massive disappointment. They'd been stuck inside during a blizzard and Xena hated being cooped up more than she liked sitting around listening to her stories. Maybe this was payback.
When she came across the campsite again, she found Xena sitting next to a pile of fish, the frying pan out and smoking. Gabrielle added the firewood to the fire and sat down, "do you want me to start on breakfast?"
"Yeah you go ahead, I'm just gonna go and-" Xena never finished her sentence because she'd already wondered off into the forest.
Gabrielle picked up the nearest fish and started cutting it, she was half an inch into the flesh when a smell erupted into the clearing. A scent so violent and vicious that she was still washing it out of her nostrils hours later. When Xena crept back, a grin on her face, Gabrielle was livid.
"XENA!" She yelled, chasing the other woman into the forest, until she had her cornered and backed into a tree. "Listen here, it's. My. Birthday. How could you do this?! I thought you'd forgotten but this just isn't fair."
Xena's face melted into a small smile, "Happy birthday Gabrielle. It's a prank, it's tradition. I used to do it at home with my brothers, I just thought this year we know each other well for you to find it funny. It's a sign of affection, really, I promise. I've got your present right here." She reached inside her coat and pulled out a rounded piece of metal.
Gabrielle turned it over in her hands, "Xena I-I- I'm sorry."
Xena stepped forward, away from the tree, her hand caressing Gabrielle's cheek. "There's no need, it's my own fault. But look it's- I got this because you can wear it and it'll represent the love we have for each other. And only we'll know about it."
Gabrielle smiled, leaning into Xena's touch and stroking a finger over each rivet and leaf forged into the metal. It was a band, not a ring but similar. "I love it," she said, "and I love you."
"I love you too Gabrielle."