‧. .ˋˏʚ♡ɞˎˊ. .‧

With a cup of coffee in hand, Maya went right back to editing. Notes littered her desk, right next to the laptop she bought for school. She had to review her papers once more. Maya adjusted her glasses. She didn’t need them, but they helped her concentrate. They also had a blue light filter to lessen the strain from the laptop light.

Maya sipped on her coffee as she typed away.

If it weren’t for Val, Maya would have hungrily worked on her papers with a rancid cup of coffee. It was a luxury for her to enjoy her morning with a hearty breakfast and a fresh brew in the morning. She didn’t even change out of her nightgown as she got ‌busy. 

Then something clattered on the ground. She craned her head and spotted Val crouching in the living room. 

“Val? Is something wrong?” 

No reply. Maya stood up to investigate and found Val cleaning the living room. 

How come I didn’t hear anything? Maya noticed that Val also dusted off the walls alongside the lamps. She had even brushed the old rug and vacuumed behind the sofa. 

“Val, you shouldn’t have,” said Maya. She touched Val’s shoulder and noticed her shivering, her breathing laboured. “What’s wrong? Val, are you alright?” 

Maya noticed Val clutching her chest. Her hands jittered and her lips were pale. “Out. Of. Breath. No. Worry.” 

“Yes, worry!” exclaimed Maya and ushered Val to the couch. The Valkyrie couldn’t protest. “Talk to me, ok? What happened?” 

“I- ngh.” Val’s face was paled to a sickly shade of grey, and her breathing was erratic. She started hyperventilating

“Don’t move. I’ll be right back!” 

In her panic, Maya stumbled over the vacuum and faceplanted on the carpet. She hastily picked herself up to the bathroom and rummaged through her glass cabinets. She returned to Val as quickly as she could with an inhaler. 

Thank the gods I didn’t throw it away! 

Maya clutched the inhaler tightly as if it were the most precious item she’d ever held. It belonged to a former friend which she gave Maya in case of an emergency, and you couldn’t argue that this was one.

Val reclined against the couch. Her breaths were shallow and laboured, conserving what little strength she had left. Her amber eyes were half-lidded with exhaustion. Maya shook the inhaler, her voice soft but firm as she instructed Val on how to use it.

“Just take it slow. Deep breaths, okay?” she coaxed.

Maya held the inhaler to her lips, but Val struggled to take the medicine properly. After a long and agonising moment, Val’s breath began to steady itself. The rasp faded to something softer, less strained.

“Thank… You,” Val struggled. “I feel… Better.” 

“I’m glad, but I didn’t know you were asthmatic.” 

“Me… Neither. I’m not at… My Strength. Anymore… I feel. Weak.” 

“Then why did you cook and clean so much this morning? You moved furniture around even though you’re clearly not well.” 

“Didn’t want. To be. Useless,” Val breathed deeply, her chest rising with each breath. “Wanted to. Support you. Like you did. With me.” 

Maya smiled sadly. “Thank you, but please, don’t overexert yourself. Try to be more careful next time, alright?” 

Val didn’t meet her eyes. She felt embarrassed and weak, but she gave her a light nod. “I’ll try.” 

“That’s all I’m asking.” Maya’s eyes drifted downward, noticing how close she was to the Valkyrie—close enough that their knees touched. She coughed to cover her flustered state. “Do you want me to help you lie down? You can use my bed, and I can—” 

Ding. Dooooooong. 

The sharp chime of the doorbell interrupted her, echoing through the apartment like a deafening church bell. A pause followed, and then the tone stretched out, low and drawn, almost taunting in its persistence.

Maya stormed to the door. She yanked it open, only to find the corridor empty. Again. Frustration boiled over as she stepped out and yelled,  “Show yourselves, cowards!”

She stepped onto the balcony, her eyes scanning the vicinity. The wind brushed over her coils as Maya leaned over the railing, searching for any sign of movement. A fleeting shadow, the faint echo of childish giggles—anything that might reveal the miscreant who dared to interrupt her rare, peaceful moments with Val. 

But the street below lay silent, the stillness mocking her frustration. 

“I swear, I will wring those children if I catch them,” Maya grunted and stepped back inside. “So, ehm, I was thinking—” 

“I thought to. Start Running. Again,” said Val, keeping herself steady with some effort. “I need to. Get back in. Shape. Need to get. Strong.” She skipped past Maya and stopped, returning for a moment to squeeze Maya’s shoulder. “I’ll clean. The table. And come back. For Lunch. See you. Later.” 

Maya leaned against the door frame, dumbfounded, and watched how Val—despite her unique asthma attack—was busily cleaning and getting herself ready to head outside. 

Maya couldn’t even appreciate the new outfit as she liked to do, she was too worried. “Are you sure you should go out for a run, now? You just suffered an asthma attack.” 

Val stopped before the door and turned around, her fingers stapled. “I should train. Especially. After the. Attack.” 

“I- I get it, but maybe you should do it later.” Maya gestured to the chair. “Relax for a moment and get some rest—” 

“Thank you. For worrying. I’m alright.” Val suddenly brushed her thumb over Maya’s chin, making her look up. “I’ll be back. Soon. Promise. Look forward. For later.”

The Valkyrie closed the door behind her, leaving Maya worried whether it was smart to let her go. “Should I have been more forceful?” Puzzled Maya, tugging at her gown. “And I seriously need to change into something casual. Can’t believe I spent the entire morning in this thing… in front of her…”

Maya returned to her room and gathered the notes on her desk.

Her worries gnawed at her consciousness, preoccupying her mind. Val may be a Valkyrie, but she was not fully in her game. They had found her shield, yes, but the unexpected asthmatic attack proved how much she was still recovering. 

Maya looked back at the table where they had breakfast together. Val had barely eaten anything. She must be the type who barely eats in the morning. Yet she cooked and cleaned for me every day. Maya clenched her fist. I need to do something for her, something to help her recover—

Ding. Doooooong. 

“Again!?” Maya exclaimed. Then she paused. A thought dawned on her. “Wait, maybe Val got back? She doesn’t have any keys yet.” 

I should make her a spare one. Maya walked back to the door and turned the handle, ready to greet the Valkyrie. “Val, welcome back–”

“Grrruuuurgh.” 

It wasn’t Val at the door.