Synced Up
A/N oof this is um, my period frustration, I apologise, please skip if this is too much, but I was going for sappy and cute rather than gross.
Somewhere in Greece, The Known World - S6
Gabrielle sat in the camp with her arms crossed, the bowl of soaking rags in front of her. She was on her third rinse through and the water was almost clear. The murky red of the rags was mostly out and she was relieved the washing was almost over for the day. Then Xena came raging into the camp, slapping a new rag in the bowl and spoiling the whole lot. Gabrielle raised her slowly and gave Xena a glare.
"Xena! I just finished washing these ones, now I'm going to have to wash them AGAIN! No, you know what, I'm not going to. If I can wash your bloody rags, you can wash mine!" She said, but she didn't get up because she was too tired and achy. Xena sat down beside her, and began rinsing through the new rags, hanging her head. "What is it now?" Gabrielle snapped a little too shortly.
"W-Why are you yelling at me?" Xena said, looking over at her friend who was only really a little mad at her.
Gabrielle's features softened, and she leaned against Xena's shoulder. "I'm sorry," was all she said. Xena looked down at her, wrapping her hand around her head and pulling her closer. She started washing the rags, the blood spilling from material in spurts, the water changing from cloudy to a bright red. She'd done this so many times, washed blood out of rags, clothes, armour, weapons, her own hair a few times. This wasn't life or death, it was domestic.
Xena wiped her hands and put the bowl to one side, Gabrielle lifted her head sleepily and looked at her. "Cramps," she said, her hand on her belly, rubbing away the sore spots.
"Ohh," Xena said sympathetically, "you poor thing, here-" she leant down and kissed her languidly. It was slow and soft and for a moment Gabrielle forgot about the groaning pain in her belly. "Feel better?"
Gabrielle opened her eyes and nodded, "much. Hey, did I tell you that I love you?"
"I think you did, but it's nice to hear it again." Xena replied, just looking at Gabrielle was starting to make her feel better, because she was trying to ignore her own pain. Xena thought that at this particular moment she would just give up and collapse with Gabrielle onto the ground if someone decided to ambush them.
"Do you not love me back?" Gabrielle pined, Xena could see right through this. This was her partner pulling her for affection that she was more than willing to give.
"Yes, of course I love you back." She said, kissing the bard again.
"Good."
They collapsed into each other, tired but smiling. They always managed to make each other feel better just by being together.