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warrenwilkinson · 1 year

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We all need someone to hold

TIME: April 4th, 2023 PLACE: Warren & Maya’s place BETWEEN: Maya ( @msmayaparker ) & Warren NOTES: Written on Discord. Several TWs (check tags) Title from here

Warren wasn't even sure what had possessed him to stop the car by the alley behind the hotel but when he did he heard them. He frowned as he got out of the car and walked closer to where the garbage containers were, and he heard it cleared. Kittens.

He had no problem with animals, but animals usually had a problem with him, so he only nudged the shoes box with his foot when the kittens meowed again. More desperately this time and something in his chest twisted. With a heavy sigh he leaned to uncover the box only to find two little felines. One orange with stripes and the other white with a soft brown muzzle. He reached to touch them and the orange one didn't hesitate to hiss and throw its little claws at him making him chuckle, "little firecracker! Stop that," he said with a smile only to get another attempt to rip his finger off, "yeah that's not gonna work," he rolled his eyes and closed the box again, picking it up and getting back in the car, "guess we're going back home," he told the fiery kittens as he started the car and drive back to the house. They could deal without him for a day.

As soon as he got home, he realized Maya was at work already, so he moved the new tenants to the bathroom while he changed and ordered some stuff online for them, "watch over this door for me ok buddy?" He asked Hermes when he noticed the dog's curiosity as he paced outside the bathroom door.

Work went by quickly. Now that she remembered what she was doing. Her boss had hinted again that maybe she should try going back to school. To her that seemed like nothing more than an idle fantasy. Maya was not the kind of person who went back to school. She walked up the drive to her and Warren's home. It was a beautiful spring day, perfect for walking.

Opening the door, she was surprised that Hermes didn't come to greet her. The Bernese-Rottie was usually waiting for her by the front door. Warren, she assumed was at work. After dropping her denim jacket on one of the kitchen chairs, Maya opened the cabinet, looking for a glass and thinking about what to make for dinner. Hearing a noise, her head turned to it immediately. "Hello?" she called. She grabbed the chef's knife. Just in case.

As soon as the kittens food, litter, litter boxes and toys arrived, he changed and settled everything in the bathroom for the kittens but then he noticed the fleas and that called for immediate action. He wasn't counting on how hard it was to give a cat a bath but that was not a mistake he was gonna make again any time soon. He cursed in Germany as he tried to keep the white kitten from clawing to his arm when he heard Maya’s voice. Was it so late that she was already home? He hadn't noticed time flying by while he dealt with the tiny devil spawns.

He settled a bunch of towels on the floor for the balls of fur to finish getting dry and then left the bathroom but that only caused Hermes to start barking again cause now he stunk of wet cat, "calm down, buddy!" He petted the dog before walking to the stairs, "it's me," he called from the stairs, so Maya knew he was home, and he was glad he did when he made it to the kitchen and noticed her with the knife in hand. He chuckled and raised both hands in surrender. His t-shirt was yet and dirty and there were a few fresh scratches down his arms and one right on his neck, "I got home early," he explained, "next time you better grab the angelic one," he teased as he moved closer, "I got you something," he grinned wondering what Maya would say about the idea of more pets.

Her grip on the knife tightened when she heard Hermes barking. Although, it did, ironically, make her feel a little calmer. At least Hermes was still okay enough to bark. Warren's voice coming down the stairs made her frown in confusion though. Hermes had long since stopped barking at Hermes. They were buds now. Or at least she had thought they were. Maya was still holding the knife when he entered the kitchen. Not so much on purpose as she hadn't thought to put it down. "Hi honey," she said, setting the knife down as she realized she was holding it.

"Is it a fight with a blackberry bramble?" she asked as Warren moved closer. The scratches on his arms and neck didn't escape her notice. Nor did the fact that his shirt was wetter and dirtier than she would expect it to be from work. The scratches looked superficial and the damage to his shirt was minimal. Still, it was confusing. Maya leaned up to kiss him in greeting, still curious as to what he was up to.

He smiled like an idiot when she called him that and moved closer to her, "I love it when you call me that," he admitted and then chuckled at her question, "not exactly," he rubbed the back of his neck before placing both hands on Maya's waist and lean down to kiss her back, "we have some guests in our main bathroom," he murmured against her lips, a kitten reluctant to pull away, "I was on my way to work when I found something and got back home," he explained as he tangled their hands together to guide her upstairs.

"Maybe I should've asked first but I couldn't leave them there," he added as they got to their bedroom, "how do you feel about cats?" He asked sure that she could already hear them meow across the door.

Maya blushed slightly. She didn't think of herself as the kind of person who used pet names. It had come naturally though, she made a mental note to do it more often. As she always did, she fell into his embrace like gravity. "In the bathroom?" she asked, confused. Still, she followed him upstairs.

As they approached the bathroom, she spotted Hermes. He was pacing, seemingly nervous. "Hey buddy," she said, scratching him behind his ears, "You and Warren up to something?" Faintly, Maya could hear what sounded like cats. "I like cats," she said. Some of the foster families had cats and usually she got along with them best of the family. As they moved into the bedroom, she thought she had an idea of what had happened and what she would find on the other side of the bathroom door.

Opening it, she indeed found stray cats. Stray kittens in fact. "Hi sweeties," she said softly, immediately recognizing something of herself in the abandoned creatures.

Warren nodded when she asked if the guest were in the bathroom, “I thought it was the safest place to put them in the meantime,” he said with a shrug and a sheepish smile.

He chuckled when Hermes huffed but moved closer to Maya for attention, “I’m not sure he’s happy with the idea of siblings,” he said a little amused. He was glad to see Maya’s positive reaction, “They’re clean now, but I’m not sure they’re happy,” he closed the door carefully and leaned against it, giving Maya to approach the little kittens, “they were in a box behind the hotel… covered in fleas and starving so I thought maybe we could give them a temporary home while we figure out what to do with them,” he said still uncertain of what she would say. He would be more than ok with the idea of keeping them, but he didn’t know what she’d prefer, “unless you want us to keep them?”

She was only mostly listening now that she saw exactly what was going on. The rest of her attention was carefully focused on the kittens. She moved forward slowly, giving them plenty of time to show signs of displeasure. When they didn't, Maya knelt beside the pile of towels. They meowed up at her. "Big guy took you to a strange place, huh?" she said as if she could understand them. It was natural as breathing for her. Hermes joined them, sniffing carefully around the new creatures. She looked up at Warren when he offered that they keep them. Her green eyes scanned over his expression, looking for what was underneath it. "Do you want to keep them?" she asked.

Warren pouted when the kittens seemed to be complaining about him to Maya, “Hey, I was careful, you’re the ones who attacked me,” he said in a soft tone, smiling when Hermes got closer to Maya and the little kittens. His expression shifted from tenderness to worry when she asked if he wanted to keep them, “Uhm… I like animals, they just don’t like me,” he sighed. “It took Hermes a little to feel safe around me. I know it’s their instinct to stay away from me, so I don’t wanna make it hard for them to have to be near me,” he shrugged. The only animals who had ever wanted to be with him were the ones his prophetic horse took upon. Like Thor.

After letting them sniff her hand, Maya scratched the orange kitten behind their ears. "They're in a strange place," she said when Warren argued that the kittens were who had attacked him. She saw the worry in his expression and frowned slightly. It wasn't exactly an answer to her question. She thought he meant yes. It sounded like he might mean yes. But it wasn't quite a yes. "Yeah, but Hermes got used to it," she replied, "Plus you saved them. They'll remember that. So do you want to keep them?" She had no issue with keeping them. They seemed sweet. That and she was never one to give up an abandoned creature. She wanted to know if he was sure though.

Warren smiled and moved closer when Maya scratched the orange’s cat ear, “I know but it’s better here than there,” he sighed in hesitation about reaching to try to touch them. He didn’t want to upset them further. “Yeah, I know… I just don’t wanna make it hard on them,” he admitted. It was hard for him to simply say yes because he wasn’t one to force anyone to be near him if they didn’t want to be. Even with Hermes, he had given him space and let the pup decide if he liked him or not, “I do but… what if they don’t like it here,” he crossed his arms over his chest cause he actually meant that they might not like him cause they seemed pretty content around Maya and Hermes.

The kittens turned to watch him approach. From what Maya could tell they remained mostly calm. One of them meowed again, trying to demand attention. She adjusted how she was sitting. The orange kitten slowly started to explore her lap. Hermes flopped down on the bathroom tile next to Warren. By now he was perfectly comfortable. "It's a big house," she replied, "Someone's gotta fill it." She added a shrug.

It looked like Maya had that same calming effect on the kittens as she had on him. He sat next to Maya watching carefully as the cats explored and sniffed her lap. His smile faltered at her words. Suddenly remembering that dream he had never told her about cause she was right, it was a big house and it was just the two of them. No matter how much he’d like to give her a real and bigger family if she decided she wanted that kind of life he knew it was the only thing he could never give her, “Yeah, you’re right,” he sighed and tried to smile again and moved his hand closer to let the kittens sniff him, hopping they wouldn’t run away again, “should we take them to the vet?” he asked unsure what they needed to do since he had never adopted a pet before. Not a real one.

Maya caught the falter of his smile and frowned. As she did, she continued to pet the kitten in her arms. "What is it?" she asked. The mostly white kitten was far more cautious as Warren moved closer. Her gaze fell to watch the kitten move glacially closer. As far as his question though, she nodded. "Oh for sure, especially if you found them in an alley," she said. She then asked, "Was there a mama around somewhere?"

Warren chook his head and tried to keep on smiling, “It’s nothing, I was just realizing it a big house,” he said with a shrug. “Ok, maybe we should get them there tomorrow. I don’t think they’ll like more strangers around too soon,” he tried to touch the white kitten and it only ran to hid behind Maya, “No, no mama and no other kittens, it was just them in that box,” he pulled his hand away, “should we keep them here in the bathroom or should we get one of those pens for cats?” he asked wondering where would be the best place for them to get used to the house and to Hermes.

It was Maya's turn to shake her head. "It's not nothing," she replied, "Not if its bothering you." She had not gotten into the size of the house much with him. That was a thing rich people did, she thought, buy big houses. She had never imagined herself buying a house, so she had no idea what size of house she might've bought. She liked the house he had bought, or maybe more so she liked the home they had created here.

She nodded, "Tomorrow is probably a good idea." As the other kitten ran behind her, Maya's green eyes tracked the movement. The kittens would warm up to him. Like Hermes had and honestly even like she had, they would warm up to him. The question was how long it would take. "Probably not the bathroom," she replied, "But a dedicated space would probably be a good idea. Maybe somewhere with windows."

"It's not bothering me, it's just that maybe I hadn't considered it actually was a big house just for the two of us," he sighed. It wasn't a lie, but it wasn't the whole truth. "I've had big places before, but I wasn't around much to notice," when he bought the house he hadn't really thought much about the size.

Warren smiled, "ok, I'll call to see how early they can see us and maybe we can put them in my studio. I'll order the pen and we can settle them there with everything they might need," he suggested offering his hand for Maya to take.

Her eyes searched him for a long moment in silence. There was something he wasn't telling her. Between her own hypervigilance and the long hours, she had spent studying him, she knew that much. She also knew that pressing the issue rarely made things better. "There's something you're not telling me," she said, "But I'm going to pretend I don't know that." When he was ready to tell her she would be around, but until then she wouldn't hold it against him.

"Studio sounds good," Maya said. She was glad they had settled on taking the kittens in. She would never admit it, but her heart did have soft spots. Maybe they were bruises, but she was happy to indulge it anyway. Taking his hand, she stood. The orange kitten stayed cradled on her arm while the other pawed at her leg. Hermes had taken to sniffing the towels, sussing out these newcomers.

Warren smiled a bit and leaned in to kiss her temple, " thanks... we'll talk about it another time," he promised knowing it was not the best time. He hadn't even voiced his desire to marry her cause he wasn't sure how she'd feel about it.

He was unsure about picking up the other kitten but stopped himself, "I think they like you better so maybe you should bring them while I set everything on the studio for them.

"Okay," Maya said, nodding. She titled her head slightly forward, letting him kiss her forehead. She worried, of course. Secrets, or maybe just not understanding had gotten her in trouble before. But she had to trust Warren. He would tell her in his own time. Knowing that, even believing it didn't stop some part of her brain from starting to offer its own solutions.

Giving him her best smile, she picked up the other kitten. "I always did get along better with animals than people," she said. Setting the white and brown kitten on her shoulders, she let them explore the new territory. The orange kitten had already fallen asleep on her arm. Maya let Warren lead the way. She knew where his studio was, but she wanted to give him a chance to get anything out before they let the kittens explore.

He was glad she didn’t push on the matter and let it rest. Deep down he was glad to see she trusted him enough not to frown and she didn’t seem to be overthinking it. One day he’d tell her about that dream he kept replaying in his head, wishing one day it could come true even if he knew it was impossible.

“That says a lot about that good heart of yours. They just know when someone is good or not,” he said with a small smile. It was a cute view to see Maya carrying both kittens and how calmed they seemed around her. He didn’t move a lot of things out of the studio but instead he settled the litter boxes and the small beds there and not too far he set the plates half filled with kitten food and the water bowls, “I think it’s big enough for them right?” he asked unsure if maybe it was too big or if the might have a lot of places to hide from them. He really needed to get that pen as soon as possible.

Maya laughed and shook her head. "I think it says more about my issues with authority," she replied, "The pets never asked questions." She didn't think it made her a good person that the pets liked her more than the people. It was easy to get a pet to like you.

Once it was ready, she settled the kittens in the studio. The orange kitten woke back up and started to explore with its fellow. She nodded, "I think it’s big enough." It was sweet the way he worried. She knew that he thought of himself as a monster. Moments like this proved to her it wasn't true though. Still, she knew better than to push too hard at convincing him of it. Her gaze travelled the room, now looking at it with an eye towards safety. Soon enough, she imagined they would probably have the run of the house. Maya watched the kittens explore. "We should probably keep them inside though," she said, "Otherwise they'll ruin the local ecosystem."

He nodded as he kept on watching the cats explore the space with their big curious eyes, “is there something we have to remove so they don’t hurt themselves?” he really didn’t want them to get hurt because they hadn’t been careful enough, especially because he didn’t want Maya to feel bad if something happened to them.

“Oh yeah, they definitively are gonna be indoor cats,” he smiled and offered his hand to her so he could bring her closer to him and wrap his arms around her, “maybe when they get a bit bigger, we can build them a catio so they can be outside without being a risk for themselves and others,” he suggested.

Maya surveyed the room again. Shaking her head, she said, "I don't think so." She certainly hoped not. Cats could be clever, but they were also well equipped to survive. At the very least, there wasn't anything that was an obvious danger.

She let him pull her close, relaxing into the warmth of his embrace. She tried not to think about how long she had denied them both this. If Maya had only moved in when he had first mentioned it. She had moved in now though. A smile curled her lips when he talked about building a catio for them. Laughing softly, she said, "I think you're getting ahead of yourself honey. You haven't even named them."

He tried to relax when Maya said there wasn't anything that looked dangerous to the kittens, "ok, that's good then, we'll still keep on checking on them," he said with a shrug cause he really never had the chance to take care of a pet let alone one as young as the kittens.

It came naturally the way Maya just came close and lean into his embrace and it made him wonder how he had survived centuries without her. He hadn't felt this content with his existences in a very long time and the mere thought of it not lasting enough made him tighten his hold on her. His heart fluttered when she called him honey, "well yeah but it'll be a nice project right? and I think you should name them, we already know I'm terrible with names," he said playfully cause even his sibling had made fun of him for choosing his current name being so obvious to who he really was.

She nodded, "Good idea." Half idly she thought of what he had said once about her not having to worry about pregnancy with him. He had wanted kids then. She wondered if that was still something he wanted. She wondered if it was something she wanted.

As his arms tightened around her middle, Maya relaxed further into him. She nodded again, "It sounds like a lovely project." It really did. Especially if it meant she got to watch him play hot handyman. She was handy with a tool herself. Officer Baer had made sure of that. Scrunching up her nose, she shook her head when Warren suggested that she name them. "I like your name," she replied, "Besides, you found them, you should name them. And if anyone makes fun of your choice, I'll beat them up." She tilted her head to look up at him, stealing a kiss on the underside of his jaw as she did so.

"We can start looking for ideas online," he suggested since he had a very vague idea of how they could build that catio. Warren chuckled, you're a bit biased," he joked and then hummed when she said he had found them and therefore he should name them, "ok, I'll think of some nice names but I'm open to suggestions," he added and then grinned, "my hero," he added cause it wasn't the first time she had promised violence on his behalf.

"Are you going to make a vision board?" she teased a little. Her smile widened when he accused her of being biased. "I think we've also agreed I'm the smart one," she replied. Maya was happy he agreed to name them. She still worried that his life revolved too much around her. He had work, she supposed, but outside of that. Her green eyes retuned to the kittens. One of them was nibbling at the food he had bought while the other was still exploring.

For a long moment, she was content to watch them. By now, Hermes had joined them and already seemed to be trying to guide the more curious kitten from climbing onto the desk. Whatever reservations he might've had seemed to have lessened. "Do you still want kids?" she asked, voice soft and free of judgement. She knew it was dangerous to ask directly. It wouldn't surprise her if he deflected the question back to her. But she hoped he would answer honestly. It was an important thing to know if they were building a life together.

Warren chuckled but shrugged, “Maybe, if it helps I might, haven’t you seen my Pinterest boards?” he joked knowing that the idea of someone like him having Pinterest would make Maya laugh. “That is very true, you’re definitively the better half,” he assured. It was nice to see Hermes guiding the kittens around making soft huffs to let them know where to go, “He’s gonna be a great big brother,” he hummed.

This was definitively what happiness was about. His smile faltered when he heard Maya’s question and he knew she would notice every emotion that went through his face from surprise, to sadness, to regret and disappointment. The one thing in the world he could never give her and it made him wonder if maybe one day that was gonna be what it takes to break what they have, “Uhm… it doesn’t matter if I want to, sugar,” he sighed, “there is no way for me to have my own kids, but if you want us to start a family, we can always adopt as many kids as you want,” he offered with a small smile.

"There are Pinterest boards?" she replied with fake shock. She gave him a smile when he claimed that she was the better half. Rather than try to argue, she kissed him softly. It was easy to pretend that she was the smarter one or the better one, but in her heart, she didn't believe it. It was nice that he thought so though. Turning her attention back to Hermes and the kittens, Maya watched them. She nodded her agreement. "He is," she said.

She could see him out of the corner of her eye when she asked. It hadn't been an easy question she knew. But it was an important one. She waited patiently for him to answer. When it did come, it made her equal parts sad and angry. Clearly, having his own children was still something he wanted. She wondered if with the advancements in science and likely magic it was still impossible. "I'm sorry. That doesn't seem very fair," she said. She sighed, "I've never really thought seriously about it. We always talked about adopting each other after we aged out, but no one would've ever allowed that. And there were a few scares over the years, but I don't think I would be a very good mom."

“Tons of them!” he grinned, “where do you think I get all this amazing outfit ideas?” he joked. He had noticed how Maya usually kissed him instead of starting an argument of something she didn’t agree on or wanted to accept about how he saw her, but he was definitively not gonna complain about it. It was already a great step forward that she wasn’t openly denying it. Maybe one day she would believe it. “They’re gonna drive him crazy,” he chuckled when he saw one of the kittens start following Hermes around.

Warren shook his head, “Hey, don’t be, it’s ok that you ask,” he assured, “and it’s not your fault that I can’t give that to you,” he shrugged, “but I don’t want that to make you feel like it’s something you can’t have,” he swallowed hard, “if you ever wanted to have kids, like I said, we can adopt them and if you wanted them to be yours, we’ll find a donor,” he squeezed her hand, “just because I can’t give you kids doesn’t mean you have to deny yourself from that experience, Maya,” he said seriously. If they considered it, they could just be another couple with fertility problems, there were tons around the world and Warren certainly had the money to afford whatever they needed for Maya to get pregnant even if it wasn’t his. He smiled and shook his head, “you’d be a wonderful mom. I’ve seen you with the kids at the library and at the park with Hermes. You’re good with kids.” He sighed, “remember that thing I didn’t tell you earlier?” he asked moving to sit on the couch and pull Maya to his lap, “I had a dream a few weeks ago,” he started with a sad smile, “I don’t dream often so I knew it was a dream… we were here and I was coming come home from work and you looked just stunning,” he sighed, “you were pregnant and you looked so damn happy. The happies I’ve ever seen you,” he caressed her cheek, “maybe it was just me projecting but if you ever feel like you want that… to experience that, to have kids, don’t let me be the reason that stops you, Maya. I wouldn’t want you to.”

She listened as he spoke and for the first time seriously considered if she wanted kids. She had wanted to help the other kids in the group home. Warren she could easily imagine as a father. He would be a good father. It was harder for her to imagine herself as a mother. She shook her head when he offered to find a donor. "I wouldn't want to have anyone else's kids," she said. If they had kids of their own, she would want them to be his too. As far as if she would be a good mother, she was less convinced. "Maybe, I'm still pretty fucked up," she replied, "I wouldn't want to pass any of my own shit onto a kid."

She let him pull her into his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck and getting comfortable. His dream didn't bring a smile to her face. It hurt to see how much it hurt him that he couldn't have kids of his own. "Like I said, I've never really thought seriously about it," she said, "It's something married people do, and I didn't think anyone would ever want to keep me like that." It was her turn to smile sadly. She didn't know if that was something he wanted either.

Warren had the feeling that she would say something like that about the baby being someone else’s but his, “I know but it’s a way to do it. A lot of people do it when they can’t have kids on their own,” he added just in case, “but if it’s not something you want then we won’t,” he assured. “Well, we’re all a little fucked up...” he said cause he was the living proof of it, “but because we are we also know what we want for someone else. Less alone a kid,” he smiled, “you don’t see it often, sugar, but you’re caring, loving, patient and a good person overall, all that already makes you more than qualified to be a good mom. You wouldn’t let anything bad happen to your kids. You would do anything to make them happy as your parents surely did for you,” he knew it was bittersweet, but he imagined that was the best way to describe it. He didn’t know what it was like to have parents, but he imagined it must be an even more unconditional love than the one he felt for Maya.

He was confused when she said she hadn’t actually thought about it seriously, “Why did you ask me then?” he was curious now of what would have made her bring up the subject. “Ok we’ll have to go one step at the time,” he smiled a bit, “I do want to keep you forever so let me propose first, then you say yes, then we get married, and we cross that other bridge when the times comes uhm?” he tried to make her smile cause he knew this subject had definitively made them both sadder than happier, “just promise me one thing yeah? If you ever want to have kids, please, please, tell me. I’ve made my peace with that a long time ago, but you don’t have to because of me, ok?”

Families came in all shapes and sizes. She knew that better than most. Although, she had never been adopted, it was something she had desperately wanted at one point in her life. It would've been a real family. "I just..." she sighed, "I don't know, I don't hate the idea of a little you running around. A little me sounds terrifying. And science is way different now than it was then." Maya chewed her bottom lip as he insisted that she would be a good mom. It was hard for her to believe him, although she was closer now than she ever had been. The idea of being responsible for a child still scared her. She would hate for the hurt she still carried to hurt a child. It was bad enough that she knew it hurt the people she cared about.

She shrugged, "I was just watching you with the kittens. And I don't know, the future seems possible now, so we should talk about it." Surprise bloomed on her face when he said it so simply. Sure, she had considered it, but only as a passing fantasy. A castle in the clouds. "You want to marry me?" she asked, "I thought you just said that to shut my grandparents up." She swallowed. "I wouldn't make a very good wife," she said like she was sure of it, like it was a fact. When he asked for her promise, she nodded, "I promise." She did like the idea of adopting or fostering at least. She understood what it was like and that could help. It would've helped her.

Warren smiled cause It was a lovely idea that they could have a little version of each of them. He laughed when she said a little her was terrifying, “I think I could handle a little you,” he said fondly. She was right, science was different, but he had the feeling that God’s design for his kind would be changed, “I guess we’ll research more when and if the time comes,” it was nice to hold some hope to add more happiness to their lives.

He reached to put a strand of hair behind her ear, “the future is possible, and I think we do have a lot to talk about and lot more to share,” he grinned, “Of course I do! I never say something I don’t mean, sugar,” he reminded her and then frowned, “you’re an amazing partner, what makes you think a change of title might change that?” he asked. He relaxed when she promised him, “then we’ll revisit this topic in a few years I hope?”

She smiled, "You handle the big me pretty well." When he suggested researching it if the time comes, Maya nodded. "Okay, that sounds good," she said.

She nodded again, smiling. She liked the idea of having a future with him. It was tinged with warmth, but the surprise didn't disappear from her face. She still didn't think of herself as someone anyone wanted to marry. She was Maya Parker, hot mess express. "I, um..." she swallowed. Walden's voice echoed in her head. "You just deserve the best wife, who takes care of you and makes you crazy happy. And I mean...I can barely take care of myself. A dress still fucks me up." Her gaze fell from his face. "I just want to make you happy," she added, feeling a little pathetic. She nodded, "yeah, we'll revisit it."

“I know that’s why I’m certain,” he winked. Just the idea of a little girl with Maya’s eyes pouting at him was enough to put a big smile on his face. Maybe one day.

He frowned when he heard her cause those words didn’t sound as much as her own but the ones someone else had implanted in her head, “No, in this household, we take care of each other and ourselves and we’ve done a pretty good job doing that,” he assured, “can’t you see how happy you already make me?” he asked tilting her face up so she could see all the love and devotion in his eyes, “we’re gonna have some bad days too, but it’s part of it, sugar. We both have issues we can’t overcome yet, but we will, together,” he pressed their foreheads together, “now, do you know what would make me even happier?” he asked playfully.

She smiled. He would be a good father. She was still sure of that. The question for her was if she would be a good mother. Of that she was much less certain.

She sighed. It was backsliding she knew. She was backsliding again. Maya nodded, tightening her arms around his neck when he reminded her, they had promised to take care of each other. Letting him tilt her face up, she tried to smile. He looked happy. "I love you. I'm sorry," she said softly with her forehead pressed to his. "Is it talking about something else?" she asked.

“I love you too,” he grinned and pecked her lips, “don’t apologize anymore, it’s ok,” he assured against her lips. He chuckled and scrunched up his nose, “nope, to get rid of these stinky clothes and have a shower cause those two were nasty when I gave them a bath,” he chuckled, “how about you join me and then we order something, and we decide kitten names together?” he suggested pulling away enough to look at her. He was amazed how even the hardest topics felt natural to discuss with her. How even if they both hurt by their past and uncertainty of their future, they also found a way to heal each other. If that wasn’t love, then Warren didn’t know what it was, but he was decided to hold on to it.

It didn't seem so heavy or so dark when he kissed her. Instead, she felt safe and warm. At his suggestion, she nodded, "That does sound nicer." She got up, stretching and giving Hermes a scratch behind the ears. "I thought about it you know. When I decided to try wearing dresses again, I thought that maybe if we ever got married, I'd want to wear a dress to that," she admitted as they made their way towards their bathroom.

“I have good ideas sometimes,” he winked. He tilted his head when she said she had considered the idea of wearing a dress for their wedding. The smile on his face was more about the fact that she had considered marry him one day than the idea of the dress, “technically just said you want to marry me,” he grinned as he squeezed her hand, “and if you ever want to try again to wear a dress before we get married, maybe I can help. I don’t know, maybe if I’m there, reminding you that you’re safe with me and it’s just us, it might be less complicated?” he suggested.

"I never claimed I didn't," she replied, smiling back. It was not the life she would've ever imagined for herself. But all her fears around marriage had to do with her own inadequacies, had to do with if she would make a good wife. She had no doubts he would be the best husband she could ask for.

Maya looked down at their hands. Bringing her gaze back up to his, she sighed. "It still scares me," she said, "The idea of anyone seeing me messed up like that." She stopped in the bathroom. "Maybe you're right though, maybe it would be easier."

“I know but you’ve never said out loud before either,” he probably looked like an idiot with the big smile on his face right then, but he didn’t care, “I’m feeling tempted to propose right now but I just really wanna do that right,” he chuckled.

Warren nodded, “I can imagine it does and I guess it’s normal to be scared,” he pulled her a little closer before getting to the bathroom, “it has worked before, right? To have me there to remind you you’re not alone,” he hoped that having him close would keep Maya’s demons away.

She chewed her bottom lip, unable to keep from grinning. "There's still a lot we would have to talk about. Finances, whatever else people talk about," she said.

She let him pull her closer. It was like he had a gravity she was always falling in to. She nodded, having him close always did help. "I don't know if it will help this time though. Everything with Walden, he always wanted me to try them on for him, tell him I loved them. I know how I get, confusing the past and the present. I don't want to hurt you," she said. She rested her forehead against his chest. "Shower, food, kitten naming," she said, standing up straight.

He hummed pretending to consider it, “ok, fine, I’ll wait a bit longer,” he whined playfully even if mentally he had already started to think about the best way to propose.

It was hard for Warren not to tense up when that name came up. He might have destroyed the scumbag but the wounds he had left on Maya would always be there and he hated he couldn’t do more to heal them. He rubbed her back, “you won’t hurt me, I’ll just be there if you want me to, to bring you back when those horrible memories come for you,” he promised. “Yes, that’s the plan, and the sooner get to it, the better,” he kissed her forehead before finally making it to the bathroom.

"We should talk about those things," she replied, "They're important."

It felt like she was already hurting him, like the fact she wasn't healing as fast as she thought she should be. "It’s worth a try," she said. It was at least a try. Maya nodded. "Suppose we should get you undressed then," she said, starting to unbutton his shirt.

“I know, I think we’ll do ok cause we’ve come far from that first talk when we became exclusive,” he grinned remembering how that was their first big talk after the jealousy mess, “if we keep talking about those things, we’ll be more than fine,” he assured.

Warren nodded, “it is and even if goes wrong somehow, we’ll move forward,” he promised. He chuckled and nodded, “we definitively should,” he let her undo his shirt and he helped off her clothes. It was a kind of intimacy Warren had almost forgotten about. It wasn’t about sex and that didn’t mean he didn’t want Maya all the time, but it was different, it was not just lust for her body as it had been the very first time. He didn’t rush removing her clothes. He took his time caressing her soft skin and dropping kisses here and there while he looked at her with all the love she made him feel, “should we make it quick and take a shower or do you wanna take a bath?” he asked pressing a kiss on her lips.

"We don't even know if I can have kids," she added, "I haven't exactly treated my body very kindly." She sighed before smiling. They would be okay. Even if there were things they still needed to talk about, they'd had plenty of difficult conversations before. "Yeah, we're gonna be great," Maya said. She went up on her tiptoes to kiss him quickly.

Some of the tension left her shoulders. They would find a way forward. Even if it was slower than she wanted, she was healing. She would heal from this. Maya nodded, "yeah, okay."

As he undressed her, she did her best to stay still. She had never been good at staying still. It was easier these days. The soft material of her clothes slipped away from her imperfect skin. She felt vulnerable under his gaze, seen in a way she was never quite used to. "We should probably make it quick, so we can check on the kittens," she said as she moved to remove the rest of his clothing. Once they were both naked, her hands traced idle patterns on his arms. "Although, maybe not too quick," she added.

“That’s true but when we decide if we do want kids, we can see someone about and if for some reason we can’t have our own, then we’ll find a way, how about that? We shouldn’t be torturing ourselves with that now. Especially if we’re not even sure we want kids,” he smiled a bit cause he was aware she had said she hadn’t given a real thought to the idea, and he was more than aware of her fears of not being fit to be a mom. Warren was glad she agreed that they would be great cause he truly believed that.

He almost groaned in complain but he remembered the new kittens would need their attention more often than not these first days, “ok, fine, just for the kittens,” he pouted. He smiled when she corrected that maybe they could take some time, “I like how you think,” he turned on the shower and waited for the water to be in the temperature Maye liked before pulling her with him under the spray, “can you believe that we’ve been together for almost a year?” he asked with a big smile.

"Yeah, yeah," she nodded before shaking her head, "I just got caught up in giving it thought. We don't have to decide now." He still wanted kids, she thought, even if he claimed to have made peace with the fact he couldn't have kids of his own. She didn't want to deny him the chance to be a father simply because she was afraid.

She tried to kiss away his pout after saying, "You're the one who decided to rescue them." As if she would've made a different choice. Maya smiled up at him when he said he liked the way she thought. As he tested the water, she took a moment to admire him. He was so handsome. She let out a giggle when he pulled her into the water. Surprise colored her expression again when he commented on how long they had been together. "I suppose that depends on when we start counting," she replied, "It's over a year since the first time that we had sex." She picked up his shampoo, squirting out enough to wash his hair into her hands.

“We have all the time of the world,” he promised cause in a way it was true for him even if she probably would argue about her mortality.

The kiss helped and he sighed, “I just couldn’t leave them. You would be disappointed of me if I had,” he said even tho his real motives had been his own. Ones that probably Maya had already influenced on. He could feel her eyes on him, and he only grinned cause he liked knowing she liked what she saw. He chuckled and leaned down a little when she picked his shampoo, “well that’s true but I meant since we became exclusive,” he added as he let her wash his hair, closing his eyes and enjoying her caring touch.

"I'll go through menopause, eventually," she replied. There was no sorrow in her voice when she said it. For so long, she had not thought she would grow old. It was a gift to imagine it now. She smiled up at him, "But that's not for a long while."

She laughed softly. "I think you would have been disappointed in you in you had," she replied. Sure, Maya wouldn't have liked to hear that he left kittens in an alley. She knew he worried that he was a monster, that in the past he had been something terrible and frightening. But that was not the man she had ever met. Even the night he had killed Walden, she wouldn't classify as monstrous, not when that man had been a monster himself. It was easy, natural the way he leaned down, so she could wash his hair. It was a kind of intimacy she had never dared wish for. He was right; they took care of each other. She bid him stand to wash out the shampoo, so she could put in conditioner. "We should do something," she said, "Go away for the weekend. I have some money saved up." He had far more money than her. They both knew that. But she wanted to treat him. Especially given the last two holidays had been less than stellar because of her.

That was something Warren hadn’t actually considered until she mentioned it, “well yeah but we still have a while for that,” he agreed cause she probably had noticed how she was still too young to think about it.

Warren hummed, “maybe a little bit,” he accepted. He stood up straight to rinse his hair and after she finished conditioning it, he returned the favor, washing her hair carefully of not tangle it. He grinned at her suggestion, “We should,” he didn’t comment on her savings part cause he was not gonna let her pay for everything, “where would you like to go?” he asked curious of what she might have in mind.

She let him stand to wash the product from his hair. "Good thing you brought them home then," she replied, smiling softly. Maya turned to allow him to wash her long blonde hair in return. He wasn't quite surprisingly good at it. She'd long stopped being surprised at his skills. "I kind of like the idea of a little cabin somewhere, just the two of us. Maybe over in Acadia National Park," she said as bubbles slid from her hair down her skin. "Hiking, campfires..." the corner of her mouth lifted in a smile, "Sex obviously." She turned around, "But you have to let me treat you. Since Christmas was all fucked up and I didn't do very well on Valentine's."

“It’s because of you, that I’m learning to be better,” he said simply cause in part it was true. Maya made him want to be better to deserve her. Once he was sure her hair was clean of product he reached for the loofah and their body wash to start soaping her arms and shoulders, “That actually sounds great. The kind of break we need,” he chuckled when she cleared out the sex part, “it all sounds perfect,” he leaned down do peck her lips, “I think you already know I’m not gonna let you pay for all of it, right?” he scrunched up his nose, “how about I pay for the place and you play for everything else… you can pick it so it’s a surprise for me. How does it sound?” he offered, “oh stop that, you did fantastic on Valentine’s… one of my fondest memories,” he grinned.

She leaned up to kiss him before briefly pressing their foreheads together. "I love you," she whispered. Half reluctantly, she pulled away to let him clean her skin. "I think it'd be nice," she said, leaning back against him, "Quiet." She tilted her head up, allowing him to kiss her quickly. Almost mirroring him, Maya scrunched her nose when he told her that he wouldn't let her pay for everything. "I don't have to pay rent anymore, I have money," she replied, pouting. As far as Valentine's Day, she sighed. "I didn't plan anything special. I want to plan something special for you," she said. She rested her hand on his wet chest. A voice in her head whispered that the issue was what she could afford wasn't good enough for him. She tried not to let that voice convince her of anything.

“And I love you,” he assured with a happy sigh, sure that he would never get tired to hear her say those words. “We definitively need some peace and quiet,” he said and then smiled and shook his head when she pouted and pressed on her valid point, “ok, fine, I’ll cave in this time,” he sighed still smiling knowing that it would make her happy to have the chance to do something for him. He arched a brow, “oh really? I remember you had a really nice plan when I got home,” he smirked putting the loofah away and instead use his soaped hands to trace Over her wet curves, “that was more than special,” he assured pulling her in for a deep kiss.

She nodded her agreement. Peace and quiet was certainly in order. They should enjoy it while they had the chance given they didn't know how long it would be until something else in Hollow's Creek blew up. She gave him a grin when he agreed with her. "Thank you, baby," she said, "I'll make sure it's great."

She shivered as his hands replaced the loofah. She smiled, "I mean, I seem to remember suggesting keeping you cock all nice and warm in your office and you had to improvise a little." Her face flushed with arousal as she remembered the events of Valentine's Day. Looping her arms around his neck, she kissed him back. Her body pressed as close as possible to his.

“How can I say no when you smile like that when I say yes?” he asked with a fake annoyance he would never be able to feel when it came to Maya. He was sure whatever her plan for that trip was, it was gonna be something for them both to cherish.

Warren hummed pleased at the way she reacted to his almost innocent touch, “even with the improvisation it all worked out fantastically, didn’t it?” he asked easily picking her up after she kissed him and pressed closer to him, “it was your idea and you certainly made that day one to be remembered,” he before kissing her again.

"You can't," she replied cheekily.

"Yeah, it did," she agreed, nodding. His skin, like the water, was warm against hers. She squeaked a little in surprise when he picked her up. Her arms tightened around his neck, anchoring herself better to him. She smiled against his mouth about to say something else when he kissed her again. Whatever she was going to say was stolen from her lips. When she had to pull away to believe, Maya was smiling. "You're still dirty," she argued halfheartedly.

He huffed pretending to be offended even if there was a pleased gleam in his eyes, “You’re right, I can’t,” he admitted with a dumb smile.

Warren could easily get lost in her like this, just having her close, kissing her, seeing her happy and relaxed around him. Everything was worth it for moments like this with her, “I know…” he sighed against her lips and reluctantly lowered her back to her feet, “wanna help me with that?” he asked with his best puppy eyes.

Maya couldn't help but pout a little as he lowered her back to her feet. It was comfortable being in his arms. And there were much happier endings to showering together than getting clean. There were kittens to check in on though and she was starting to actually feel hungry. Now, she had responsibilities. It was almost funny how much happier she was now that she had responsibilities than when she'd had none. "Yeah," she replied, picking up his body wash. She washed him carefully, massaging his muscles as he went. It was easy, taking care of him in a way she was never able to take care of herself. When she was done, she smiled, "There, all clean."

Warren chuckled at the little pout, she was too adorable, “I’ll make it up to you later tonight,” he promised, closing his eyes and enjoying the soft touch of her hands as she helped him clean up. As much as he wanted to get distracted, he knew they both would probably be worrying about the kittens. Besides, it was already late, and Maya was probably hungry even if she wouldn’t say it. “Thank you, sugar,” he smiled and pulled her closer again for a soft kiss, sighing against her lips and reluctantly turning off the water, getting ready to get out, “is there something in special you’d like to eat?” he asked reaching for one of the robes and helping Maya put it on.

"I'll hold you to that," she replied with a cheeky smile.

She kissed him back. "Any time," she promised. He turned off the water, leaving them dripping onto the tile. Maya let him slip her into a black silk robe. Running her fingers through her hair, she shrugged, "Whatever's fine." She started to braid her hair. "My boss asked if I'd thought about going back to school again," she said. She had mentioned it the first time, framing is as the ridiculous idea she thought it was.

Warren only grinned nodding happily at the prospect of their night.

He put on his own robe and grabbed another towel to dry his hair as he listened. He couldn’t help to smile at the idea, but he wasn’t sure how she’d feel about it since she still sounded unsure, “That sounds like a nice idea. What do you think? Would you like to?” he asked knowing that she could do it and he’d support her. It wasn’t like she needed to work if she decided to go back to school. He hadn’t said anything about her working cause he knew it made her happy to do something she liked and to earn her own money, but he would happily support her if she ever decided to go back and pursue a career of her liking.

Maya laughed. "It’s ridiculous," she replied, "I barely graduated from high school. I'm not smart enough to go to university." She started walking back towards where the kittens were hopefully safe and fed. "It’s the only way to get a promotion," she shrugged, "But, like I said, I'd flunk out of university in the first week and I don't really need a promotion." It'd be nice to have a little more responsibility, but it wasn't possible. She might think more generously of herself now, but that didn't mean she was book smart.

Warren frowned a little and moved to follow her, still drying his hair, “You are plenty smart, Maya,” he assured and then hesitated a little before voicing what he was thinking, “I think maybe school was hard for you back in the day cause you had a lot to worry about,” he said in a neutral tone. He had noticed how having a secure life changed a lot how kids developed in school, and he was sure Maya’s situation had affected how she perceived herself as a student, “I think you’d do well now tho, if you wanted to give it a try,” he smiled a bit cause he knew this was about her feeling self-sufficient and confident with herself. He was aware she didn’t care much about money or a promotion but more about being useful, do things right, do something she enjoyed. “You know that if you wanted to give it a try, I’d support you, right?” he asked to make sure, wondering if maybe he should share that he hadn’t actually gone to school.

"I'm street smart or whatever, sure," she conceded as he hesitated, "But that doesn't help with school." She made a face, clearly not enthused to have to agree with him. She'd had a lot to worry about at the time. She sighed. "I know I'm not stupid. I'd be dead if I was stupid, but that doesn't make college smart," Maya said. She paused, turning to face him properly when he asked if she knew that he would support her. She answered earnestly, "Yeah, yeah, of course." He would support her, whatever she wanted to do. Hell, he'd half started a business for her in the beginning. "I'd just be embarrassing myself though. School was rough and I..." she shook her head, seemingly less confident in her conviction that it was ridiculous, "It's not like any school would let me in."

“You’re smart as a whole, sugar,” he pressed a little because he knew her. He knew that beautiful mind of her and it broke his heart that she doubted herself so much. When she turned around to look at him, he moved closer and took her hand, tangling their fingers together, “it might not count as much and you’re probably gonna say I’m biased, but I believe that you’re more than smart for anything that you want to do. Anything,” he smiled, “I know you could do it. I know you can do anything you put your mind and heart into and if you ever want to try, I’ll be there for you. I’m not school smart. I’ve never been at school myself. I don’t know how that works on my own experience, but I would do anything I could to help if you want to give it a try,” he assured, “and I don’t think you’d have to worry about schools letting you in. You love proving people wrong and I’m sure you’d prove them that they’re stupid if they don’t admit you,” he pulled her a little closer, “Anything you need, I can provide it, Maya, anything and I would do it gladly, but the most important thing here is that you want it. If you want to, forget about the rest and go for it. I’ll be there for you every step and I’ll be proud every moment of it because you choose to do something because you want it,” he said a little more serious, “don’t worry about what the world would think, just focus on what would make you feel happy, and whole and proud of yourself.”

Maya looked up at him as he insisted on her intelligence, expression open and trusting. It was different. He was always different than her past. It wasn't always derision and dismissal. But she was used to the people who cared about offering caution, trying to help her avoid disappointment. They had been looking out for her the best they could. Encouraging her to dream modestly when they knew she was unlikely to accept help. In response, she had made her dreams small. She imagined for herself only the things she knew that she could achieve.

Warren had never dreamt small on her behalf. When he said that he would do anything he could to help her, Maya believed him. It made the thought of accepting his help easier. She let him pull her closer, unable to help the tears the blurred her vision. Everything he had given her was already beyond the wildest dreams she had allowed herself. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she kissed him the way she always did when mere words were not enough to express the depth of her love for him. When she pulled away, she rested her forehead against his. Softly she said, "You rescued me too, you know." Arms still around his neck, she lowered herself to standing rather that up on tip toe. "I'll think about it, okay? And actually, think about it, not say I'm going to think about it when I've already made up my mind."

The look on Maya’s face made his expression soften. Some of his words might had hit home and made her remember that all he wanted for her was to be happy ding whatever she wanted to do. He wrapped his arms around her waist and accepted the kiss, sighing against her lips when they pulled apart cause he had learned she tended to kiss him like that when words escaped her. When it was too much, and she didn’t know what to say. He smiled at her words, “I think we rescued each other, sugar,” he said cause Maya probably had no idea the way she had saved him from himself more than once. Warren pecked her lips once more and nodded, “ok, take your time, Maya, there’s no rush at all,” he promised caressing her back, “so kittens and food?” he sighed letting her go reluctantly.

"I don't remember you needing rescuing," she replied softly. She had needed rescuing, more than once. He had always arrived though, like her personal knight. Still, she was content to kiss him again quickly before nodding her agreement. She would think about it. Maybe she would talk to her boss about what exactly that might look like.

Her pink lips curved in a half smile when he sighed as he let her go. "Kittens and food," Maya agreed, "Then you making good on your promise." She resumed her walk towards his office. "Is there anything in particular you want to eat?" she asked.

He chuckled a bit, “Oh but I did… I could’ve lost myself so many times, but you brought me back,” he said simply, “you probably don’t even know the exact times, but you have saved me more than once, sugar,” he explained.

Warren nodded when she agreed and reached for her hands as they made their way to the studio to make sure the kittens were fine. He hummed and squeezed Maya’s hand, “Yes, ma’am,” he grinned knowing that he was definitively keeping his word on making it up to her later. “I don’t know, we haven’t ordered pizza in a while? Pizza and wine sounds good?” he asked as he opened the studio’s door and letting her in first.

It didn't make her happy exactly to hear that she had saved him too. It did make her feel a little less guilty for all the times he'd had to rescue her. She could remember how he was after killing Walden, how she had managed to bring him back then. "We rescued each other then," she agreed

Maya let him take her hand, sliding her fingers through his. She flashed him a sly grin at his quick yes ma'am. "I like pizza and wine," she agreed. Stepping into the office, Maya found the kittens and Hermes as they had left them, safe and sound. She smiled. "I could be talked into a movie too, if you wanted to talk me into one," she added.

“We did,” he agreed glad that she accepted she was good for him as he hoped he was for her.

Warren hummed, “Then pizza and wine will be,” he nodded and relaxed even more when he found the kittens happily snuggled against Hermes, “I think they officially adopted him as the big brother,” he chuckled. He arched a brow, “Ok, sounds good, we’ll have an impromptu date night,” he smirked knowing that they probably wouldn’t even finish watching the movie and he was very ok with that. Life was good with her, and he was decided to make the best of it for as long as he could.

#para: maya #para: We all need someone to hold #mentions of infertility tw #abandonment issues tw #insecurities tw

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alinefrank · 2 years

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LA LUNA Y EL MAR. #2

Namor x MayaFem! Reader

PART #1

hi!

I have to clarify a few things before you read:

I’m not Maya but I tried to be as respectful as possible by integrating different details of the culture.

I don’t speak Maya but I used a Spanish-Maya translator from the Mayan Intercultural University of Quintana Roo who helped me to be able to make the reader speak Maya, I apologize if there are any mistake.

Since English is not my first language, I use DeepL translator so that the text is in English, I apologize if there is any grammar mistake or if there are parts that are meaningless. Let me know if you see something.

DISCLAIMER: The protagonist is Mayan by birth and speaks Mayan as well as English (although in the original version it is Spanish but it is translated, anyways), the name of the reader town is not mentioned because I didn’t think of anything.

COMMENT, LIKE AND REBLOG IF YOU LIKE. LET ME READ YOUR OPINIONS.

PART 3

I couldn't stop thinking about him.

That bothered me.

A long time ago I was no longer an inexperienced child who got excited when she felt butterflies in her stomach, even then I should have protected and cared for my people, but I have grown up and I should have learned to do it without distractions.

It was probably the times I dreamt about that man that caused me to not be able to get him out of my head.

Or even the insatiable desire I had to go swimming in the sea, with the slightest desire for him to be there.

It was ridiculous, this situation.

Even the council and my warriors asked me what had happened that afternoon, but I could not explain the situation logically so I simply played it down and gave them no further details.

I could not let a man who proposed to me to be his queen in such a disrespectful way, come and affect my thoughts day and night.

Even the goddess Moon had abandoned me and was not watching over my dreams and my rest as she let that underwater man break into my mind and play with it at night.

A few weeks had passed since that meeting and the day had come to commemorate my birth.

I could no longer think of that Namor.

I shouldn't.

People were laughing and dancing in my honour, families had cooked delicious dishes and offered them to me, it would be disrespectful not to give them the attention they deserved.

The atmosphere was festive, it had been that way for a week before the big day.

I was surrounded by my council as I watched children run and dance all around, couples enjoying each other's company and warmth as musicians brightened up the night.

As the moon was about to reach its highest point, out of the undergrowth, he appeared.

Namor was in front of my people and in front of me.

Behind him were some of his soldiers, they were blue and had a strange mask on their faces, all carrying weapons that looked lethal, very similar to ours.

The people were startled at the sight of the fish men and began to panic, with just a wave of my hand, I shushed them.

The jungle went completely silent.

All that could be heard was the crackling of the fire and the footsteps of one of the fish men, a woman wearing beautiful orange headdresses and animal bones.

“K'uk'ulkan, máako' u Talokan, taalak u solicitar junp'éel múuch'tambale' yéetel le ko'olelo' Ix chel" ("K'uk'ulkan, lord of Talokan, has come to request a meeting with Mrs. Ix chel").

This one walked to the front, he wore a beautiful cloak with finely made embroidery, it seemed to contain threads of gold, on his head was a beautiful arrangement resembling that of a feathered serpent as his name described it and precious jewels covered his chest.

He raised his hand and some of his men left at the foot of my throne, bread, chocolate and brandy, together with some jewellery made of Jade and some beautiful flowers that I had never seen before.

His audacity was impressive.

It was beginning its courting process on the day when all my people were gathered, praising and celebrating me.

Something that deep down inside made me tingle.

I got up from my seat, and walked down the steps that separated us, he offered me his hand as he looked at me like a hungry animal, I took it and headed towards my people.

"K'aame'ex le yu'ulabo'ob yéetel ma' cha'ake'ex u máansik utsil!" (Welcome the guests and don't stop enjoying yourselves).

It took them a few seconds to integrate.

A little girl ran up to the woman who spoke when they arrived and after saying something to her that I couldn't hear, took her hand and led her to her family.

When I saw this, I turned and my eyes went to Namor.

"Follow me, let's talk somewhere more private."

He nodded and started walking beside me.

My council looked at me worried and waiting for some indication but I just nodded my head and headed home.

"Teech ka wilik ki'ichpam" (You look beautiful).

Namor wasted no time in scanning my figure.

My voluminous black hair fell down my back adorned with the snake-like headdress I wore at important ceremonies, my gold jewellery and our star mineral, Jade. My white suit contrasting with my skin tone and my two wristbands shining with the light of the fire that illuminated our path.

When we arrived at my enclosure, an underground Cenote away from the hustle and bustle, I turned to him with the intention of reclaiming his boldness.

"Your people and mine are in danger."

My blood froze and my claim was forgotten.

"You can't come, with guns and warriors to tell me that my people and my territory is in danger, I need an explanation, now!"

"A few days ago my people discovered a machine 150 kilometres off your coast, they were extracting that mineral that you love so much and that has kept our people safe."

My heart froze.

"My people finished that thing, but if they have more, it will be a danger”

"Wa ku kaxtiko'ob asab, ku talo'ob in lu'um yéetel tia'alo'." (If they look for more, they will come to my land and yours.) I told him understanding the seriousness of the matter.

"Yaan k k xu'ulul yéetel leti'ob" (We have to finish them off).

"Ma'" (No)

I said forcefully

"Bin tuméen leti'ob chéen k ts'áabal ti' talamilo'ob, acabaste yéetel le amenaza, Teene' yaan in meentik k'ek'eno' wa ku tal waye'" (Going after them only puts us in danger, you ended the threat, I will do the same if they come here).

His gaze darkened and he clenched his jaw, his mouth didn't say it but he disagreed with me, it was obvious he wanted us to attack together.

"Ma' u páajtal k p'atik vuelvan" (We can't let them come back).

"Ba'ale' mina'an je'el u páajtal k bin in ch'a' le, lelo' ya'ab talamilo'ob, utia'al a máak yéetel utia'al utia'al u mía" (But we can't go looking for them either, that's too much danger, for your people and for mine).

"I didn't think you would allow the audacity of those men," he said to me with disguised annoyance.

"I allowed your insolence about bringing me premarital gifts to my village, with all my people present, even though I told you I did not accept your ridiculous offer."

His face changed from the scowl he maintained, to a half-laugh of pure coquetry.

"I apologise for making my first proposal in such a hasty manner."

"I should punish you for daring so much, when I already told you no."

Deep in my breast, that act of rebellion fanned the flame I had longed to quench.

His shoulders slumped and he said nothing for a few seconds.

"Come with me to Talokan," he begged, "Meet my home and see all that surrounds me.”

I hesitated for a second

"You live under the sea and I can't hold my breath that long" my excuse seemed to have worked as it took him a few seconds to regain his speech.

"It's true, you couldn't go like that, your bones wouldn't resist the pressure of the ocean, you would die of hypothermia and your lungs would collapse" he said as he brought his face dangerously close to mine.

"And how do you think I will meet Talokan?" my eyes connected with his and one of my hands rested on his chest.

I felt his breath on my face and if I did not wish to marry him and believed him to be a barbarian as he had repeated to me for the last few weeks, my attitude did not conform to this and neither did the urge to attack his lips.

"In suut ta wo'olal sáamal ken le k'iino' ka'ansaje' táan hiding u, Taas wéetel le loolo'obo' tin kíinsa'ab tu táan a trono ka conociás in wotoch ti' le ka le ujo' ilumine k beel" (I will return for you tomorrow when the sun is setting, bring with you the flowers I leave in front of your throne and you will know my home when the moon illuminates our path).

His voice hypnotised me and noticing the dangerous proximity, I tried to move away, but a strong hand grabbed me by the waist.

"I will bring no soldiers or weapons, it will just be you and me at the place where our meeting was first interrupted" his way of speaking was appealing in every way.

It took me only a second to realise that maybe it wasn't wrong once in a while to go back to my youth and escape from the council and go to the beach.

Satisfying my more primitive senses such as the desire for adventure was something I had put aside a long time ago.

"I'll see you there," I said.

He smiled and shook my hand to return to the celebration.

[...]

It was a lot easier to escape the council than I thought it would be.

All my people were tired of the celebration and security had been reduced so that my soldiers could spend time with their families.

I took those strange flowers and wrapped them in my white dress, heading for the beach as the sun began to turn orange.

When I arrived I dropped them on the beach and waited only a few seconds.

As promised, Namor came out of the sea and walked towards me, holding a mortar in his hands.

"Ma' tin wóotaj in meentik a pa'atik" (I didn't want to keep you waiting).

"K'uchen chéen jump'íit ka'ache'" (I arrived just a little early).

He gave me a smile full of innocence and began to crush the flowers while explaining why doing this was essential for me to get to know Talokan.

"Will I become the same as your men?" I asked with the mortar in my hands, holding it to my lips.

"Its effect will allow you to go to Talokan, you will become a mutant like me but the moon goddess gave you the role of protector and I will not prevent you from fulfilling it, no matter how much in love I am with you."

Her words reassured me and provoked a slight smile on my face.

"I trust you, K'uk'ulkan" and I took the mixture she prepared for me.

When I finished it, he wiped the corners of my lips and held out his hand.

"Ko'ox" (Let's go) he encouraged me.

Our hands intertwined and we both stood up, just as he said, the moon illuminating our field of vision and giving a pearly hue to our brown skin.

We walked together to the sea and when we reached the shore, he turned to look at me and wrapped my hands in his.

"If for some reason you don't feel comfortable there, let me know and I'll walk every ocean on the planet so I can please you".

My heart did a flip and I just nodded gawking.

When our feet stopped touching the sand, we began to swim into the depths.

My lungs began to itch and I wondered if the mixture had worked, but as I was about to return to the surface, I felt a change, my skin burned for a few seconds and the lack of air was no longer a problem.

"You're ready to visit Talokan," Namor admired.

We descended and descended to a point where the sunlight no longer reached, my body was unharmed, Namor made a movement with his hands and a swift current appeared.

"When he held out his hand, I didn't hesitate for a second and it was the best decision I could have made.

We moved quickly and aggressively to some extent, my head was spinning and being the first time I was here, I felt disoriented.

When I finished, I regained my stability and that's when I saw him.

A beautiful city lay before my eyes.

The magnitude of it was incomparable.

The first thing I saw was a beautiful throne that had the teeth of a shark as an ornament, which made it look big, terrifying.

Imposing.

"I brought the sun to my people" Namor, who at some point stood behind me, approached my back and grabbed me by the waist, with that grip, he made me turn around and appreciate everything around me.

"Jats'uts" (It's beautiful) really, there was no word to describe what I was seeing.

"Yaan in ka'ansik teech tuláakal" (I will teach you everything) he took my hand again and we swam together.

The people of Talokan greeted Namor and showed him their respect, it was clear that he loved his people and cared for them, some of his warriors greeted him and exchanged information about how everything had remained peaceful.

"I hope you don't mind if we move a little away from the centre, it's just that I want to show you something, a little more private," we swam a little more in a quiet silence.

When we reached what looked like stairs, Namor came out first and held out his hand to help me out.

I walked out of the water and smoothed my dripping hair and the dress tightened around my body.

"Le wíiniko'obo' Talokan, tu beetaj le ba'ala' teechi'" (The people of Talokan, made this for you).

He extended to me a beautiful costume typical of the city.

"Kin ts'áik ti' teech kúuchil utia'al a ts'áik ti' teech" (I'll give you room to wear it).

Namor withdrew and I was able to get rid of my wet clothes and put that work of art on my body.

When he returned to where I was, he praised the way I looked and guided me through the building, which was lit with a dim light that gave it a cosy aura.

We passed a beautiful frame that divided the two rooms, and as we entered the second room, I noticed how the walls were filled with beautiful paintings.

It took me a second to realise something.

It was our history painted on the walls.

The first was the meeting between our versions as children.

Then there was the image of him flying in front of me.

The third was the journey through Talokan that we had made just a short while ago.

The fourth was our wedding, my face was painted red.

And the last one was a beautiful painting divided in half where one half was representing his village and the other half mine, in the middle of it, we were both with a baby.

"Ta boonaj wáaj le ba'ala'." (Did you paint this?)

I turned around so I could see him, his eyes were shining and it took him a few seconds to react to my question, when he did he nodded embarrassed.

"Kaj in pintar tu ya'ab k'iin paachil" (I started painting it a long time ago).

He stood next to me.

"How did you know this would happen?" the trip to Talokan was something that had just happened.

"I didn't know, I just wished for it."

His breathing was calm, he stroked the painting and turned to look at me, noticing that my attention was focused on the last phase of the story.

"Ba'ax ku yúuchul." (What's going on?)

"It's just that, you and I are not a couple, yet" my fingers ran across the painting and for the first time in many years I felt embarrassed and wanted to run away.

"But we will be," he said confidently, bringing his face close to mine.

"How can you be so sure of that?" I leaned closer to him and the atmosphere felt magical again.

"I know that you too feel how our hearts dance in the same tune from the first moment our eyes connected," his strong arms wrapped around my waist.

And that's when it all came crashing down.

I kissed him.

And it was the best decision I could have made.

Our lips connected and all the stars in the universe shone brighter.

My hands caressed his chest and his hands rested on my back, he began to caress me in a loving way and I felt everything I had repressed the centuries I have lived, was released.

"J-oken ti' teen a pixan" I said breaking away from his addictive lips. (Give me your soul.)

"In wíinkilililil, pool yéetel pixan le a tia'al tak u u yáax súutukil le ku kaxanta'al k wicho'ob" his words made my heart flutter. (My body, mind and soul are yours from the first moment our eyes met.)

It was a fact.

I was in love with Namor.

[...]

The sun was beginning to rise and we went back to the beach.

We got out of the sea and he came closer to me to kiss again, or so I thought.

"P'úulech tin wéetel" he took my face and looked at me eager to hear an answer. (Marry me)

"Forget the colonisers and forget the war, if you ask me to, I would never raise a weapon again, unless it is to protect you" his voice showed the purest sentiment.

It was laden with love.

"Ma'alob, ts'o'okol k beel" (All right, let's get married).

And for the first time in my long life, the idea of marriage didn't seem so overwhelming or terrifying.

He kissed me again and I let myself go.

The rhythm he was keeping enveloped us in a harmonious dance.

"I must go," I said to him once I broke away from him.

"I'll be back in a few days to talk to the council and your people.

I nodded and we said goodbye.

He returned to the sea, but not before seeing me once more so that he could sink and disappear from my sight.

I quickly made my way back to my village.

When I arrived, everything was quiet, the bad thing was that the council was gathered in my house, waiting for my return.

"Ko'olelo' Ixchel, yaan u ts'o'okol waye'" (Lady Ixchel, you are here at last).

The older one, looked at me and invited me to sit down, clearly the clothes I was wearing were somewhat different from ours and my hair, totally wet, gave a sign of where I might have been.

"Yaan ba'ax u k'áat ya'al k." (Is there something you want to tell us?)

"K'uk'ulkan, máako' u Talokan yéetel teene', k tukultik u ts'o'okol k." (K'uk'ulkan, lord of Talokan and I have decided to get married).

I said it without further ado, for if I had decided to accept my future husband's proposal, I had to start with the preparations. And contrary to the reaction I expected, everyone present was overflowing with joy.

"We are happy that you have found your partner, great lady," said one of the wisest women in this community, she was like a mother to me.

And just imagining my mother and how happy it would have made her to know that I was finally getting married, I got a lump in my throat.

"Leti' yaan u taal ichil ichil jump'éel k'iino'ob tsikbal yéetel tuláakal To'one'" (He will come in a few days to talk to all of us) I cleared my voice and regained my posture.

I was going to marry Namor.

Yes, there will be a third part.

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