Taking Care (fic)
Title: Taking Care
Character/Pairing: Wash, Ayani
Word Count: 2004
Rating: PG
Warning: some lady kisses
Spoiler alert: none, pre-series
Summary: Wash gets to go home for a short visit, to take care of Ayani for once.
AN: Fluff alert. And visit zapf_chancery's fics for all my TN fics.
It had been another tough six months. There was nothing better than stepping foot off the jet onto home soil, even if she's forced to walk across the tarmac in the rain with her heavy bag. Even if it's for just five days. Nobody gave her a second look, even dressed in dirty-and now wet-fatigues and a generous purple bruise circling her left eye, as she passed through the boarding area.
"Alicia!"
And upon hearing that voice, she dropped her bag and turned just in time catch an ecstatic Ayani in her arms. The problem was, not the very public show of exceptional affection, but the fact that Ayani was not a tiny woman (just two inches shorter than herself) and Wash was not Nathaniel, didn't have his arms. She staggered backwards as Ayani peppered her face with kisses, holding on to the woman and trying not to fall on her ass.
"Ayani."
The woman was undeterred with her kisses.
"Ayani."
And she took the opportunity of this half-hearted protest to thrust her tongue into Wash's mouth.
Immediately Wash's footing became solid as she held on to the other woman, giving in to the deepened kiss.
A hand came up to sweep the hat from her head, then bury itself in her hair, to hold her head right where it was.
As if she was considering moving it, no matter how her arms were quivering; she'd hold on to this kiss until someone told them to break it up. After six months of mud and gunfire and MREs, this was a welcome home Wash could appreciate.
With twin sighs, one of relief and the other of loss, the two parted, and Wash let Ayani slide down gently until her feet touched the floor.
"Let's go home, Alicia."
The look of love and adoration from Ayani made every moment of misery worth it. Without joining the army, Wash would never have met Nathaniel or her. "Yes, ma'am."
Stepping inside, into the cool air and out of the sunlight, Wash could feel the tension of the past six months bleeding out of her.
"You need something to eat, real food." Right away Ayani began to fuss. "Why don't you get changed while I start lunch."
An enticing prospect, for sure, but there was something Wash had to do before she allowed herself to abandon her military propriety, allowed herself to be a civilian once more. She set her bag down, frowning a little as she watched it shed water onto the carpet, and took hold of Ayani's hand as the woman tried to pick it up.
"Alicia, your bag--"
But Wash squeezed her hand to get her attention, to make her leave the bag for this more important moment. "Ma'am, Major Taylor sends his regrets that he couldn't make it back."
Ayani sighed, her features falling at the (expected) news. "I'm used to it. And it's being delivered in a much more agreeable way than usual."
"But he gave me something to give to you." Before Ayani could doubt or express more disappointment, Wash stepped forward and cupped her cheek.
It was always amusing to catch Ayani by surprise, the sudden confusion in her eyes, the way she went perfectly still as she tried to determine just what was happening. It was also convenient for moments like these, when Wash really needed her to stand still for just a moment. Similar to what Ayani'd done in the airport, Wash planted a soul-withering kiss on the other woman, feeling her go slightly limp.
The kiss wasn't fervent or heated in any way, not asking for anything further; it was simply filled with heart-felt emotion, conveying a similar missing six months from Nathaniel to his beloved wife so close to a day that she should be pampered on. Ayani's hands clutched on to Wash's sleeves, a whimper sounding from the back of her throat in the middle of the kiss.
When Wash finally separated, she had to keep her arm around Ayani to keep the woman upright and steady on her feet.
"Nathaniel gave that to you to give to me?"
"Had to sneak a moment in the bathroom before I left," Wash replied with a guilty grin.
Ayani's hand was on her breastbone as she regained her breath. "That is not the worst way I've received bad news."
"I don't want to cast dispersions on the major, accuse him of using his rank for personal gain, but I do think it's the only reason I got the time off. I don't know if anyone else got any."
"After as long as we've been married, as many birthdays and anniversaries and holidays that he's missed, I will take what I can get, however I can get it." She glanced up, catching the sudden sparkle in Wash's eyes. "That's not what I mean." Taking a breath to finish composing herself, Ayani squeezed Wash's arm and smiled at her. "So now will you go change so I can make you a proper lunch?"
"Yes, ma'am."
A sigh of exasperation.
With Lucas away at school, it left just Wash and Ayani at home for a quiet evening. After dinner, they sat quietly and read or watched vids (Ayani was more of a reader, while Wash was too tired to concentrate on anything not spoonfed to her brain) until the sun finally dipped below the horizon. With the sky a hazy purple dotted with faint stars outside the window, Wash turned off the movie she had been half-watching.
She could feel the bags of Exhaustion beneath her eyes, and both her eyeballs felt like they had grit in them. "Think I'll turn in," she said as she stood.
Ayani looked up at her, glasses perched at the end of her nose precariously. "Did you want me to...?"
"No, you don't have to." Wash would never ask anything of Ayani; the woman did so much, it felt rude to ask her to do more. Worse, it felt disrespectful, like her time at home, spent worrying about the lives of her loved ones and taking care of Lucas by herself, was less significant than what Wash was doing with a weapon in her hands. No, she couldn't ask anything of her, no matter how much she wanted it. "Good night."
Back in her bedroom, Wash got a nightshirt out of the dresser (filled with her clothes and still a wonderful novelty), and changed into it. The closer she got to being ready to get into bed, the heavier her limbs got until, with a frustrated sigh, she forced herself to the bathroom if only to avoid waking up in the middle of the night when sleep was calling to her so strongly.
And when she finally pulled the blanket and sheet back, slid into the cool embrace of clean linens, Wash sighed with pleasure. A moment spent arranging the pillow, and then she was drifting off. A soft knock on the door managed to get only a slow blink from her, a gentle curve of the corner of her lips as Ayani came in.
Soundless, wordless, Ayani crossed the room and got into the other side of the bed. The moment she was settled, Wash curled into her, throwing her arm over her waist.
"Good night, Alicia," Ayani whispered as she brushed stray hair out of Wash's face, then gave her a soft kiss on the forehead.
***
Ayani turned and stretched, finding the other half of the bed empty. Instead of getting up, she hugged the pillow closer, found a comfortable position on her side, and let her eyes slip shut once more. Even though she was alone currently, it had been nice to spend a night in bed with someone, just to have that presence near her.
The door opened quietly, and she cracked one eye lid open to watch Alicia peer inside.
"Good morning. You're up early." Ayani stretched again, relaxed and let her eyes close.
"You slept in. I... have something for you, unless you'd rather go back to sleep."
A glance at the clock revealed it was late for Ayani, so used to getting up at the crack of dawn each day to make sure everyone's day was off to the proper start. "No, I'm up. Just let me--"
"No! Stay right there!" And Alicia was gone, her hurried footsteps audible down the hall.
Amused and curious, Ayani decided to indulge Alicia. She sat up, propping herself up on the pillows, straightened the covers over her legs, and waited. The urge to get up and start getting read was strong, knowing that in the mornings she looked far from her best with her hair in disarray and bags very visible under her eyes, but this was obviously something Alicia had been prepared for, and so she would wait.
It took a few minutes, where Ayani almost allowed herself to return to sleep; it had been a long time since she'd slept in, or even allowed herself to succumb to any form of weariness, exhaustion, or just plain sleepiness she wasn't sure she could. Just as she could feel herself indulging in the idea, the door opened once more.
Alicia came in carrying a tray, something perhaps Ayani had predicted, but it didn't make the gesture any less endearing. "Happy mother's day? It's not much..."
"It's plenty." She only hoped the pleased look on her face is enough to reassure Alicia because she knew no words could. "Here," Ayani said and patted the bed next to her.
Finally Alicia had learned not to protest, knew she wouldn't win an argument with Ayani, and just went along with whatever was asked of her. The tray was carefully placed across Ayani's lap, allowing her to inspect the offerings, before Alicia settled with similar care next to her.
"Adding hot water is my specialty. Makes me a field gourmet."
"They make gourmet MREs?"
"Depends on how much I've had to drink before I eat it."
A gentle furrowing of the brows is all Ayani needs to do to show her displeasure at the idea of Alicia drinking in such dangerous situations, but she knows that it's often the only moments of escape they have from the impossible pressure they're often under. But she knew it wasn't the time for such things either, not on Alicia's first full day home. Without saying more, Ayani took a sip of apple juice.
"Toast, extra butter while it was still hot," Alicia explained, "oatmeal just like you make it, and tea."
"Brown sugar and cinnamon?"
"Yes, ma'am."
Ayani stirred the oatmeal, then brought a spoonful to her mouth. She blew gently on it, and with a smile, held it out to Alicia.
The hesitance faded to be replaced with a smile, maybe a touch wicked, before Alicia took the offered bite.
The rest of breakfast followed this routine, the two women exchanging bites, until the bowl was empty and the toast only crumbs. Alicia set the empty tray aside, and when she turned back Ayani planted a grateful kiss on her lips.
"Thank you, Alicia. Happy mother's day to you."
"But I'm nobody's mother."
"You take care of every single one of those men in one way or another. It's not about being someone's mother; it's about taking care of the people you care about. So." Ayani put her arms around the younger woman and pulled her into a warm embrace. "No matter what day it is, it's time to let me take care of you. I suspect you get too little of that."
A sigh, and Alicia relaxed into her, putting one arm across her stomach. "Yes, ma'am."
Character/Pairing: Wash, Ayani
Word Count: 2004
Rating: PG
Warning: some lady kisses
Spoiler alert: none, pre-series
Summary: Wash gets to go home for a short visit, to take care of Ayani for once.
AN: Fluff alert. And visit zapf_chancery's fics for all my TN fics.
It had been another tough six months. There was nothing better than stepping foot off the jet onto home soil, even if she's forced to walk across the tarmac in the rain with her heavy bag. Even if it's for just five days. Nobody gave her a second look, even dressed in dirty-and now wet-fatigues and a generous purple bruise circling her left eye, as she passed through the boarding area.
"Alicia!"
And upon hearing that voice, she dropped her bag and turned just in time catch an ecstatic Ayani in her arms. The problem was, not the very public show of exceptional affection, but the fact that Ayani was not a tiny woman (just two inches shorter than herself) and Wash was not Nathaniel, didn't have his arms. She staggered backwards as Ayani peppered her face with kisses, holding on to the woman and trying not to fall on her ass.
"Ayani."
The woman was undeterred with her kisses.
"Ayani."
And she took the opportunity of this half-hearted protest to thrust her tongue into Wash's mouth.
Immediately Wash's footing became solid as she held on to the other woman, giving in to the deepened kiss.
A hand came up to sweep the hat from her head, then bury itself in her hair, to hold her head right where it was.
As if she was considering moving it, no matter how her arms were quivering; she'd hold on to this kiss until someone told them to break it up. After six months of mud and gunfire and MREs, this was a welcome home Wash could appreciate.
With twin sighs, one of relief and the other of loss, the two parted, and Wash let Ayani slide down gently until her feet touched the floor.
"Let's go home, Alicia."
The look of love and adoration from Ayani made every moment of misery worth it. Without joining the army, Wash would never have met Nathaniel or her. "Yes, ma'am."
Stepping inside, into the cool air and out of the sunlight, Wash could feel the tension of the past six months bleeding out of her.
"You need something to eat, real food." Right away Ayani began to fuss. "Why don't you get changed while I start lunch."
An enticing prospect, for sure, but there was something Wash had to do before she allowed herself to abandon her military propriety, allowed herself to be a civilian once more. She set her bag down, frowning a little as she watched it shed water onto the carpet, and took hold of Ayani's hand as the woman tried to pick it up.
"Alicia, your bag--"
But Wash squeezed her hand to get her attention, to make her leave the bag for this more important moment. "Ma'am, Major Taylor sends his regrets that he couldn't make it back."
Ayani sighed, her features falling at the (expected) news. "I'm used to it. And it's being delivered in a much more agreeable way than usual."
"But he gave me something to give to you." Before Ayani could doubt or express more disappointment, Wash stepped forward and cupped her cheek.
It was always amusing to catch Ayani by surprise, the sudden confusion in her eyes, the way she went perfectly still as she tried to determine just what was happening. It was also convenient for moments like these, when Wash really needed her to stand still for just a moment. Similar to what Ayani'd done in the airport, Wash planted a soul-withering kiss on the other woman, feeling her go slightly limp.
The kiss wasn't fervent or heated in any way, not asking for anything further; it was simply filled with heart-felt emotion, conveying a similar missing six months from Nathaniel to his beloved wife so close to a day that she should be pampered on. Ayani's hands clutched on to Wash's sleeves, a whimper sounding from the back of her throat in the middle of the kiss.
When Wash finally separated, she had to keep her arm around Ayani to keep the woman upright and steady on her feet.
"Nathaniel gave that to you to give to me?"
"Had to sneak a moment in the bathroom before I left," Wash replied with a guilty grin.
Ayani's hand was on her breastbone as she regained her breath. "That is not the worst way I've received bad news."
"I don't want to cast dispersions on the major, accuse him of using his rank for personal gain, but I do think it's the only reason I got the time off. I don't know if anyone else got any."
"After as long as we've been married, as many birthdays and anniversaries and holidays that he's missed, I will take what I can get, however I can get it." She glanced up, catching the sudden sparkle in Wash's eyes. "That's not what I mean." Taking a breath to finish composing herself, Ayani squeezed Wash's arm and smiled at her. "So now will you go change so I can make you a proper lunch?"
"Yes, ma'am."
A sigh of exasperation.
With Lucas away at school, it left just Wash and Ayani at home for a quiet evening. After dinner, they sat quietly and read or watched vids (Ayani was more of a reader, while Wash was too tired to concentrate on anything not spoonfed to her brain) until the sun finally dipped below the horizon. With the sky a hazy purple dotted with faint stars outside the window, Wash turned off the movie she had been half-watching.
She could feel the bags of Exhaustion beneath her eyes, and both her eyeballs felt like they had grit in them. "Think I'll turn in," she said as she stood.
Ayani looked up at her, glasses perched at the end of her nose precariously. "Did you want me to...?"
"No, you don't have to." Wash would never ask anything of Ayani; the woman did so much, it felt rude to ask her to do more. Worse, it felt disrespectful, like her time at home, spent worrying about the lives of her loved ones and taking care of Lucas by herself, was less significant than what Wash was doing with a weapon in her hands. No, she couldn't ask anything of her, no matter how much she wanted it. "Good night."
Back in her bedroom, Wash got a nightshirt out of the dresser (filled with her clothes and still a wonderful novelty), and changed into it. The closer she got to being ready to get into bed, the heavier her limbs got until, with a frustrated sigh, she forced herself to the bathroom if only to avoid waking up in the middle of the night when sleep was calling to her so strongly.
And when she finally pulled the blanket and sheet back, slid into the cool embrace of clean linens, Wash sighed with pleasure. A moment spent arranging the pillow, and then she was drifting off. A soft knock on the door managed to get only a slow blink from her, a gentle curve of the corner of her lips as Ayani came in.
Soundless, wordless, Ayani crossed the room and got into the other side of the bed. The moment she was settled, Wash curled into her, throwing her arm over her waist.
"Good night, Alicia," Ayani whispered as she brushed stray hair out of Wash's face, then gave her a soft kiss on the forehead.
***
Ayani turned and stretched, finding the other half of the bed empty. Instead of getting up, she hugged the pillow closer, found a comfortable position on her side, and let her eyes slip shut once more. Even though she was alone currently, it had been nice to spend a night in bed with someone, just to have that presence near her.
The door opened quietly, and she cracked one eye lid open to watch Alicia peer inside.
"Good morning. You're up early." Ayani stretched again, relaxed and let her eyes close.
"You slept in. I... have something for you, unless you'd rather go back to sleep."
A glance at the clock revealed it was late for Ayani, so used to getting up at the crack of dawn each day to make sure everyone's day was off to the proper start. "No, I'm up. Just let me--"
"No! Stay right there!" And Alicia was gone, her hurried footsteps audible down the hall.
Amused and curious, Ayani decided to indulge Alicia. She sat up, propping herself up on the pillows, straightened the covers over her legs, and waited. The urge to get up and start getting read was strong, knowing that in the mornings she looked far from her best with her hair in disarray and bags very visible under her eyes, but this was obviously something Alicia had been prepared for, and so she would wait.
It took a few minutes, where Ayani almost allowed herself to return to sleep; it had been a long time since she'd slept in, or even allowed herself to succumb to any form of weariness, exhaustion, or just plain sleepiness she wasn't sure she could. Just as she could feel herself indulging in the idea, the door opened once more.
Alicia came in carrying a tray, something perhaps Ayani had predicted, but it didn't make the gesture any less endearing. "Happy mother's day? It's not much..."
"It's plenty." She only hoped the pleased look on her face is enough to reassure Alicia because she knew no words could. "Here," Ayani said and patted the bed next to her.
Finally Alicia had learned not to protest, knew she wouldn't win an argument with Ayani, and just went along with whatever was asked of her. The tray was carefully placed across Ayani's lap, allowing her to inspect the offerings, before Alicia settled with similar care next to her.
"Adding hot water is my specialty. Makes me a field gourmet."
"They make gourmet MREs?"
"Depends on how much I've had to drink before I eat it."
A gentle furrowing of the brows is all Ayani needs to do to show her displeasure at the idea of Alicia drinking in such dangerous situations, but she knows that it's often the only moments of escape they have from the impossible pressure they're often under. But she knew it wasn't the time for such things either, not on Alicia's first full day home. Without saying more, Ayani took a sip of apple juice.
"Toast, extra butter while it was still hot," Alicia explained, "oatmeal just like you make it, and tea."
"Brown sugar and cinnamon?"
"Yes, ma'am."
Ayani stirred the oatmeal, then brought a spoonful to her mouth. She blew gently on it, and with a smile, held it out to Alicia.
The hesitance faded to be replaced with a smile, maybe a touch wicked, before Alicia took the offered bite.
The rest of breakfast followed this routine, the two women exchanging bites, until the bowl was empty and the toast only crumbs. Alicia set the empty tray aside, and when she turned back Ayani planted a grateful kiss on her lips.
"Thank you, Alicia. Happy mother's day to you."
"But I'm nobody's mother."
"You take care of every single one of those men in one way or another. It's not about being someone's mother; it's about taking care of the people you care about. So." Ayani put her arms around the younger woman and pulled her into a warm embrace. "No matter what day it is, it's time to let me take care of you. I suspect you get too little of that."
A sigh, and Alicia relaxed into her, putting one arm across her stomach. "Yes, ma'am."