Despite her best efforts to hide it behind her sleeve, a giggle escaped Maya's lips, her poorly concealed grin lighting up her face.

Val trailed behind her, walking with an air of sheepish apprehension, her fingers steepled together as if to calm her nerves. Her frown deepened with every step, and her unease was palpable. When an explosion of ravens burst from the bushes, Val let out an involuntary cry like a startled cat.

Why was this so gosh darn adorable!? Maya tried to wave the heat away with her hands but only managed to adjust the coils of her afro. “Say, do you want me to hold your-”

Suddenly, Val locked her arm around Maya and entangled her hand with hers. 

What is happening? Maya wondered and stared bewildered at Val’s cool hand squeezing hers. She couldn’t process what was happening and squeezed back. 

Soon enough, Val locked eyes with her. Her pleading look, like a scared cat, told Maya not to let go of her at any cost.

“Don’t be scared. I’m right here-” Maya joked, but Val unexpectedly kissed her hand. A waft of mint hit her nose. Looking away, Maya covered her mouth and adjusted her pace so they walked comfortably together.

Val, on the other hand, anxiously scanned the area, holding onto Maya’s hand tightly while keeping her close. 

Something. Not. Right. Better. Be. Careful. Val subconsciously brushed her hand around Maya’s waist and bumped with her hip against Maya’s. She heard a whimper escape from Maya and her face turning. Val’s frown vanished. Pretty.

There was something relaxing in the simple touches they shared. Val had been on edge since she couldn’t do much about her missing memories as a Valkyrie or her seemingly worsening physical state. Even when she exercised, she barely found herself improving. And then she suddenly developed an uncommon case of asthma. 

The fact she had been struggling against mere undead wasn’t doing her pride any favours.

If the other Valkyries found out, especially her sisters, Val had the feeling they would never let her hear the end of it. Even though her memories of them were faint, the mere thought made her irritation spike. 

This frustration wasn’t limited to her battles. There had been countless moments of exasperation—like when she dropped a plate out of clumsiness or her declining stamina. Despite her best efforts, it felt as though her own body was betraying her, fighting against her with every step. Every fall gnawed at her, leaving her questioning if she was ever good enough to be at what she did.

Yet, somehow, Maya’s presence made it bearable. Around her, Val felt a vigour that was missing in her life—a spark of joy she missed. Like cooking; once a task she was doing out of necessity, she started to enjoy it more and more because of the company it came serving.

Maya’s mere touch syphoned the confidence and energy to actually push on. That’s why, when they stepped through the gate, Val struggled to keep her cool.

Usually, Val would face it head-on without hesitation, but not this time. Maybe it was because she was not equipped for war like she usually was, lacked her demigod strength, or maybe there was another reason she couldn’t place. 

There was something evil in the air—unnatural and manipulative.

Val was afraid. Like she was facing a mustelid charged with unimaginable pain.

The pressure wore Val down. It trickled into her weakened mental state like venomous green sludge she couldn’t get off, no matter how much she showered. Her skin crawled, her mental fortitude wavered, and all her instincts screamed to stay away. 

But somehow, Maya was unaffected by any of that. 

Clinging closer to Maya, Val could fight the uneasiness and keep her mind sane. Though she couldn’t lie how her eyes and mind began to wander.

Val took a better look at Maya. She was almost a head shorter but compensated with her puffy and voluptuous coiled hair. Her dark brown skin was soft and warm to the touch. She could feel the warmth radiate from her even from further away, but up close, it was as intense as bathing under the sun.

Val was not used to this. Her own hands were chilly and welted on the inside from intense training and fighting, but Maya didn’t seem to mind the callouses as she kept the touch going. 

Val tried to look into her startling blue eyes. They were like the glaciers or fjords of the far North, giving her a loving sense of familiarity.

A genuine smile came upon her lips. “You’re beautiful, you know?” Val had to hold back on the heat she suddenly experienced. She exhaled a minty breath, pulling herself even closer to Maya until it became difficult to walk.

Val’s firm arm pressed closer to Maya’s soft body hidden underneath the baggy shirt and pants she wore today. Inclining her head, Val had the wistful thought of trying to peer into Maya’s shirt. 

She did and got a slight peek at Maya’s chest. Val’s gaze wandered to linger on it longer, maybe even going further. She banished the thought and asked herself, How do you make me long for you so much?

Val tried to rest her head against Maya’s, only for Maya to pull away and cover her face with her sleeved hand. 

“I-I think I see something there. Let’s check that out, shall we? Haha…” Maya skipped ahead, leaving Val to look longingly after her. It didn’t last long before Val’s eyes fell to Maya’s lower back, noticing another thought surfacing. 

She followed after Maya, unable to shake it away.