α ѕɴow ѕтorм вυrɴιɴɢ (snowqueenish) wrote in valloic, @ 2022-07-03 10:40:00 |
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Entry tags: | !: action/thread/log, marvel: kate bishop, ₴ inactive: elsa |
Kate hadn’t exactly intended to drop an ‘I love you’ for the first time in text. She knew it didn’t really matter. Elsa had taken it in stride and said it back. They’d said it in person plenty of times since then — she probably said it close to excessively because she was just overcome with those feelings sometimes. And there were people in long-distance relationships back home who probably did the same thing, maybe only ever said it in texts. She’d wanted it to be different was all. But she’d more than made up for it that night, during the best (and only) pre-planned sex she’d ever had. She hadn’t realized just how much she’d been wanting that connection until it was finally forged. They’d been solidly in the honeymoon phase from that moment on. They hadn’t run into many obstacles in their relationship anyway; there’d been a very specific consciousness to it in every phase of development, lots of checking in and making sure they did what felt right. This was a little different — still happiness but more blissful, more familiarity, and Kate was melting into it. Today, they had brought Lucky out to one of the local dog parks so he could start socializing with other dogs. Having only one eye didn’t deter him one bit. He’d found another dog, a little bigger and a little older, to play tug of war with over a rope zebra toy. Kate sat on a bench nearby with Elsa, keeping an eye on this new pair of pals to make sure no one got aggressive, but it seemed like everyone was having fun for the moment. Then a very familiar tune caught her attention, and her head shot up as an ice cream truck approached just outside the park’s gates. “Oh god, yes, I’m dying for a popsicle. You want something, babe?” It was such a nice day at the park - and Elsa had never been to this particular park before, one where owners brought their pups for some exercise and socialization. She’d come to appreciate urban gems, which were an actual breath of fresh air free from the snarl of traffic and car exhaust. She liked ones near the water best, where you could throw down a blanket and watch an endless regatta of sailboats and even flocks of geese (or other strange birds) wander by. Though admittedly, the joy of watching Lucky have fun with a new friend was unparalleled - there was something wholesome about it, as they played together (apparently there were all sorts of rules when it came to dog play - they even bowed to signal play and not an actual fight, which was interesting). The sun felt cathartic almost, like the soft caress of a hand. She wore a pair of seafoam shorts and a ruched camisole top in pale blue, her sneakers a bright turquoise and they looked brand new - mostly because she hadn’t broken them in yet, but was working on it. Her new job had her on her feet a lot, running around after kids and immersing herself in their creative worlds, and she loved it - most days she was tired after work hours since she also kept her Carrie duties at Cerberus (saving those for weekends, mainly) but she still made time for fun things. And Kate. Always Kate. “I’d love ice cream,” she grinned, re-crossing her legs where she sat on the bench. The dogs were still playing, but she’d pour them some water when they began to get thirsty - maybe add some small ice cubes too, as a treat (and since it was hot). “The chocolate eclair one? With the cake coating?” It was a Good Humor bar and so yum. Elsa couldn’t resist anything chocolate. “You got it. Be right back,” Kate agreed, stealing a kiss before standing up and pulling her long hair back into a ponytail. It was too damn hot to have her hair down, really; her neck was sweaty, as was all of the skin currently exposed to the sun. She wore denim shorts that were just shy of scandalously short and a meshy purple-and-blank tank top so she wasn’t too insulated. She was tempted to call Lucky over and head back home, maybe take a dip in the water to cool down, but he was having fun. Ice cream was a good temporary fix. She wasn’t the only dog owner eagerly hustling toward the ice cream truck, but she was by far the fastest and most in shape among mostly middle-aged competitors. Long legs helped, too; she didn’t need to run when she could just lengthen her stride to outpace everyone else. She was first to greet the driver, some sort of elven species who appeared to have a permanent disapproving expression on his face, but took her money without complaint. It didn’t take her long to return to the bench with the requested Good Humor bar and a red, white and blue popsicle for herself. “For you, Your Majesty,” she teased playfully, presenting the chocolate bar to Elsa with a dramatic flourish. “Hopefully it will take the edge off this insane heat for a little while.” “Oh, perfect,” Elsa replied happily, taking the Good Humor bar but leaning in to press a kiss to Kate’s cheek, the gesture sweet as flowers beginning to bloom - though that was for public consumption. Maybe in private she wouldn’t be so sweet. “Hmm, yes, it is pretty hot - ” She gave a little whistle, a melodic tune that had once been familiar to her mother - but Elsa had learned the tune too, just in case, and it always produced results. Like right now - all of a sudden, there was a refreshing breeze that caressed their faces, ruffling wisps of hair that escaped free from ponytails and braids (Elsa had her hair off her face - no way was she wearing it loose today). “Thanks, Gale,” she added since the source of the cooling wind aimed to please. The sentient spirit was the best air conditioner and didn’t even require electricity to be effective. Now she was happy to eat her ice cream while not sweating too profusely - or with the treats melting too quickly. “I’m glad Lucky’s having fun though,” she reached over and patted Kate’s knee. “And that you’re no longer concussed.” That had been a grand time of Elsa doing a lot of fretting. Ah, Gale, Kate’s favorite of the spirits. Right now, at least, though she had a very soft spot for Bruni and his big eyes. Summer heat had certainly settled over Vallo, and there were days where the humidity and stickiness were hellish. Gale chipping in was an even more effective cooling tool than ice cream, and she was endlessly appreciative. She’d barely gotten a few licks into her popsicle before she was smiling sheepishly, rubbing the back of her head where it had gotten smacked in what she’d been calling the Flan-ken Incident. Vallo’s particular brand of insanity always seemed to be one-upping itself; to think, she’d though not so long ago that the creepy fuckers she’d landed here in the midst of would be the most insane thing she’d ever see. The flan monster topped that by far. And while she’d call the concussion and bruises worth it, she knew it had freaked Elsa out pretty badly. “Same here,” she agreed. “And I’m sorry, again, for scaring you. But you can’t say it wasn’t badass!” The blowback from her exploding arrow may have caused her some problems, but it had also been the first thing to deal the flan monster some real damage. That had to count for something! “It was definitely badass,” Elsa laughed and, well, there was no question about that. She still couldn’t believe they were fighting flan of all things - normally she didn’t really enjoy inflicting harm on other living creatures, no matter what they were, but that thing had attacked New Asgard and had hurt Kate. So of course her fury surged through her veins and since ice was something that seemed to actually have an effect on the squishy obstruction, well - Maybe she just let it go, in terms of being willing to take out some frustration. And desire to bring justice. “I avenged you too, so I’m happy,” she added with a grin. Her and Torunn had taken one of the flan things down (because one had split into two and that was a mess as well) and Elsa was content to not have to battle anything else for awhile. She took a small bite of her ice cream bar, enjoying the burst of cake flavor from the crumbly coating on the outside - so good. Gale continued to cool them off while they relaxed on the bench. “You were a pretty decent patient too, letting me take care of you while you recovered.” The breeze Gale was providing chilled Kate enough for her to scoot closer to Elsa and bump their shoulders together. “Totally nominating you to become an official Avenger,” she teased. She’d made her feelings about what Elsa had done for her super clear. She’d known she was powerful, but seeing the way she and Torunn had brought down that beast had more of an effect on her than she’d expected — something she’d been sure to slur in her direction before she was whisked off to the clinic. But she was a good patient. Now that she was getting herself beat up more and more often, she had to learn how to be less stubborn and behave herself. “I like you taking care of me.” She smiled softly, her lips starting to turn a little red from the top of the popsicle. “I’ll try not to keep flinging myself into insanely dangerous situations, though.” She couldn’t promise because some of it came with the Defense Team territory. There were monsters here aside from the flan that the Outlanders did their best to continue eliminating. And she’d been bitten with the hero bug hard and for as long as she could remember. But she’d try not to needlessly worry the people she loved, at least. An official Avenger, how sweet. It made Elsa laugh a little. “I don’t know about officially Avengering - I might leave that to you,” she teased. Kate was definitely a hero through and through - she felt the call to get out there and help, and while Elsa did to some degree as well she was a bit more reserved about it all. Realistically, she knew that she’d get involved in plenty of situations back home too - as the fifth spirit, meant to link humanity and elemental magic and be that bridge between them, there were going to be problems that popped up. Threats that she’d need to deal with, along with the other elemental spirits, in conjunction with Anna as queen - whether it was more of a larger problem, something overt, or a snake in the grass like Hans had been. She wouldn’t let anything hurt Anna again, was the point. If that required brute force, to handle the threat, then so be it. In Vallo, there were so many other qualified people who would step up and fight - or who would rather not, which was fair. And they needed people to protect them as well. People like Kate. “But I know you’ll be careful - and I won’t stop you from jumping in to do what you feel is right,” she added, affectionately tucking some of Kate’s dark hair back behind her ear. “I don’t think that’s what you do to someone you love anyway.” She was still figuring out romantic love but above all else, Elsa wanted to be supportive. Understanding. Two important components, she figured. Really, Kate was more Avengers-lite, anyway. She didn’t think they did, like, an official induction ceremony, and it wasn’t something she’d gotten to discuss with Clint before she ended up here in Vallo. Still, as a nearly lifelong Avengers fangirl, Elsa would make a great Avenger if it was something she wanted — her powers were a force to be reckoned with — but it wasn’t her calling. She had her own gig, and it was just as good and just as worthy. And the support? The unwavering sweetness? That meant the world to Kate. She needed it. She was lucky (no pun intended) to have it, to keep her steady and grounded while she went out and played the hero. “I love you,” she murmured, leaning in to seal their lips together. Soft, brief, the press of two cool mouths before breaking apart. “And speaking of…I’ve been thinking. You know how I talked about moving out of Mobius and Loki’s, eventually? I think I’m ready to do that.” “Oh??” Elsa blushed after that kiss, sweet as it was - but not because she was embarrassed. More like she was just happy, and her heart was fluttering, a rush of blood and adrenaline and all those feel-good endorphins. “Well, if you think so...” Her smile was telling because, yes, Elsa wanted this too. She liked when Kate spent the night and they got to fall asleep together. To wake up together. Maybe even have breakfast before rushing off to do whatever they needed to do during their day - but the idea of getting to come home to her as well? That would be the cherry atop the sundae. It was something that she thought she’d never get to have, especially not at home in Arendelle - maybe in the Enchanted Forest, life was more open and free but living with a lover and sharing their bed before marriage would never have been accepted within the castle walls. It was just the time period - and amazing how forward-thinking everything was here. Sometimes, Elsa was still pleasantly surprised by it and even a bit overwhelmed. “Then we should do it. Because you’re ready, and I’m ready - I love having you in the cottage with me,” she confessed, trying to hold back her giddy giggles. She bit her lip in excitement, her eyes shining. “And - you never know what can happen. We should, um...live our best life?” Was that the phrase? “...while we can.” That excitement Elsa was feeling was palpable — and contagious. Kate had been a little nervous, honestly, even if that was silly. She wasn’t even part-time at Mobius and Loki’s anymore; she dropped by once a week, if that, to spend time with her Vallo-dad. She was over at Elsa’s all the time. She had been there while she was recovering from her concussion, the whole time. She didn’t want to leave. She hadn’t wanted to for a long time; Elsa’s cottage was her home, and now it was just time to make it official. “Yeah,” she chuckled, the smile that followed bright and wide. “We should live our best lives. And I already know my best life is with you.” She’d never had someone she loved this much, and Elsa herself — she was something only Vallo could provide. Uncertain as this new world of theirs could be, it had given her so much. So, hell yes, she was going to take the opportunity given to her. It was no secret that the world mechanics were very unstable - Elsa didn’t quite understand how it all worked but she didn’t think she was meant to. All she could do was take the time she had and appreciate it, to appreciate these new experiences that taught her so much - about other people, about herself. Wasting it wouldn’t happen - that was just foolish, and she was no fool. “I’ll give you a chance to talk to your current housemates,” she said, with affection lingering on her tone because she knew how much Mobius especially meant to Kate. He had been with her on her first day or two, making sure she got proper care at the clinic since of course she jumped right into the fray of whatever nonsense was happening. “Then we can move your things over? I don’t think you have a lot so it shouldn’t take long.” Still. Maybe Kate could get a portal-making friend to help or something. Surely that was an option. That would be the hard part. Kate knew Mobius would be supportive because that was who he’d always been to her. He had taken her under his wing the very first day she arrived in Vallo, and that bond had only strengthened. She knew he wanted her to be happy, and he liked Elsa, but she still owed him a conversation. She wouldn’t just up and leave without getting his blessing — even if leaving, in this case, was moving just down the road. “It won’t take long,” she agreed. “Most of it’s already…home.” She grinned again, gently knocking her shoulder against Elsa’s, before biting into her popsicle. She had nearly gotten to the bottom of it, and it was at that softer consistency that was easier to chew now. “And I’m sure Loki won’t mind getting his privacy back.” She had come around to Loki. She trusted this particular version of him, and while she wouldn’t equate him to Mobius’ status in her life, he was cool. Kind of like an awkward stepdad to Mobius’ very dad-like energy. But she couldn’t say she’d be sad to avoid further weird conversations in the kitchen. “Good,” Elsa beamed, her smile all sunflowers and bright as one of these hot summer days. She was happy - the only thing that tinged at her heart was that she couldn’t tell Anna any of these developments, and she missed her sister so much. There really wasn’t anyone she had that same kind of sisterly bond with in Vallo, even if she was particularly close to her Brorose covenmates and, well, you couldn’t really replicate that sort of connection anyway. But she had friends and would hopefully make more - getting a chance to squeal over something like moving in with your girlfriend was a rite of passage, she assumed. The dogs seemed to be finished with their game of tug over the rope toy - Elsa bit off the last of her Good Humor bar and rummaged for a napkin in her bag to make sure she didn’t have any smeared chocolate on her mouth. She also rummaged for the collapsible bowls which could be folded up and stored, pouring water into each. With a wave of her hand she conjured a few small ice cubes (no choking hazard) to get the liquid chilly as wintry magic shimmered and glittered over the surface, frost resembling crystalized sugar. There, that was good - so was hydration. “I’m really looking forward to it. We’ll have to celebrate somehow,” she said cheerfully. “Now I can paint on you whenever I want.” Honestly, that was one of her favorite things to do. Kate polished off her popsicle as well, licking both the stick and her fingers clean. Sanitary? Probably not the most, but it did the trick. She was too psyched to care about much else other than her moving plans right now, anyway. She’d tell Mobius tomorrow, get a move on with this. She could probably even get him to open a Timedoor right there from her bedroom to their bedroom at Elsa’s and just dump everything through in one go. Much more efficient. “Fancy,” Kate commented. She never got tired of seeing those little shows of magic Elsa could so easily create. It was still surreal in a way, so much magic was, but she was adjusting quickly. She popped two fingers into her mouth to whistle and grab Lucky’s attention, watching as he came bounding over at once, his new friend trailing behind. Kate scratched behind his ears before offering her hand to the other dog. There was a quick sniff but no further interest in anything but the icy water Elsa had set out for them. “Lots of big things happening lately, huh?” She slipped her arm around Elsa’s shoulders, fingers sliding up and down the top of her arm. “You’re right, that deserves some celebration. I’ll have to start present-shopping. Hmmmm.” Watching the dogs lap up the water, sloppy as it was, happened to be very wholesome too - they just seemed so happy and worn out. “Present-shopping?” Elsa faux-gasped, leaning into Kate. “Oh, so it’s a present type of thing? I thought we’d just get more Eldritch garlic knots,” she teased. Gale continued to keep them cool, fluttering about, the breeze feeling like a refreshing drink of lemonade - like it carried magic unto its own, and maybe it did. But still, Elsa thought she might be able to do with a shower soon - and to take off all her clothes and wander around the cottage naked, maybe with some of the windows open so the sea breeze would filter in there too. Not the windows that other people could see into, of course - she was far too modest for that. But was also of the opinion that she could do what she wanted to do in her own house and if that included turning to the nudist life, then so be it. “I’ll take any excuse to buy you presents.” Kate pressed a kiss to the side of Elsa’s head, then her cheek. “But Eldritch garlic knots are always a go.” As if she could resist - Sofia’s had quickly become one of her favorites for takeout, and she wasn’t going to miss any opportunity for more, even if the amount of carbs consumed in one sitting was insane. “But, I say, we say goodbye to Lucky’s friend here, and head home to celebrate there. Properly. I’ll let you get all your artistic urges out with that edible paint…” She was a very, very willing canvas. There was something about the look in Elsa’s eyes while she worked and the way her fingers felt looping across her skin that only heightened everything between them in the most amazing way. Now that was a good idea, wasn’t it? Elsa would take any chance to remove the edible paints from their hiding place - true to her word, she’d stocked up on those and on pens that were edible ‘ink’ too, so she could do some doodling on Kate with something different. The ink washed off easily and the paint tasted interesting (she’d licked it - for science). Depended what color; strawberries and champagne resembled blood and actually had a decent, if sweet flavor - but Elsa liked sweet things. The chocolate flavor was more like Tootsie rolls, she thought. Overall it had been a fun experiment and she was eager for more. Working with edible paints and such actually helped relax her too, the first few times they’d used them for intimacy - maybe because she was comfortable with art and familiar with it. Less with sexy things, but she was learning (and doing pretty well, if she did say so herself). “You know I love the edible paint,” she laughed, leaning in and dropping a kiss on the tip of Kate’s nose. “But sounds good. Let’s pack up and go. Hope you had fun, Lucky,” she said to the one-eyed pup, who gave her a patented doggie smile which was heart-melting. |