Chapter Text
It had been three months since the final battle with Adriel, and one month since Ava had returned from the other side. Since Michael had spent two months on the Other Side, he explained that he had been in that realm for fourteen or fifteen years. Ava had cut that time in half.
According to Jillian, theoretically, Ava had spent around seven to seven and a half years on the Other Side. Due to the Halo's unnatural abilities, Ava's aging had been slowed down, only turning twenty-four when she returned to the world, cutting the aging process down by half.
Michael might have been younger himself had he bore the Halo when he had entered the Ark. Camila and Jillian tried to crack how the timezone worked on the Other Side, but the best they could do was have more than half of an educated guess. Camila had estimated Ava's birthdays throughout the months, the Sister Warriors hosting a small party to honor Ava. The one birthday was the hardest was when Ava had turned twenty-four, the same age as Beatrice.
When Ava did come back, there were subtle but noticeable changes about her. Ava's hair was slightly longer, but was still neatly cut and maintained. Her arms and legs were a lot more defined, and she seemed to be the littlest bit taller than she was the last time the sisters saw her. The only thing that was the same about Ava was that she looked like she was still twenty years old. She still had her signature, heart warming grin, but the brightness in her eyes had darkened slightly.
Ava seemed more contained and mature, and was a lot more reserved. She was a lot more like Beatrice was before the nun met Ava. Ever since the Warrior Nun's return, the sisters wanted to spoil Ava with quality time and gift giving. They all took a break from training, regardless of the fact that Ava trained intensely every day, and spent all of their free time with the Halo Bearer.
Ava and Beatrice had spent more together alone than in the group, but neither of them acted on their feelings since the first kiss and I love you's. The tension and yearning was clear, but they silently agreed to take things slow.
Beatrice wanted to take Ava somewhere since the world and OCS had calmed down, leaving the Sister Warriors some time to live a relatively normal life. Beatrice knew Ava loved being out in nature and wanted to do something active, like a hike. She also knew how much Ava loved to stargaze, and so the nun settled on a camping trip, just the two of them.
To say that Ava was ecstatic was an understatement.
She pranced around the bedroom with the biggest grin on her face, spinning Beatrice around with her as she snuggled close to the nun.
She quickly packed up two bags full of clothes and some forms of entertainment and set them out in the hallway. Ava then proceeded to sit cross legged on the bed as she watched Beatrice pack in a much more calm and organized manner.
Beatrice decided to take Ava to Obwalden, an area in Switzerland that allowed wild camping temporarily. It would be the perfect place to camp and stargaze. She could also take Ava to the Tätschbachfall, which is one of the taller waterfalls located near Engelberg, a village in Obwalden.
It was about a twenty-two minute drive from their apartment in the Swiss Alps to Obwalden, where their first day would take place. Beatrice would make the tent, and would let Ava hammer in the spikes to keep the tent from moving.
She'd get firewood from the local market while the Halo Bearer grabbed bags of marshmallows, chocolate, and boxes of graham crackers. The nun would let Ava roam around the stores, roads, and campgrounds while she prepared food and their sleeping area for the night.
Beatrice just wanted Ava to be happy and experience everything that she could during this trip. Ava took pictures of the hills and countryside, snapping shots of anything she found beautiful, which included Beatrice.
Ava got photos of Beatrice setting up the tent and carrying the firewood. She got photos of the nun roasting marshmallows and sitting by the fire, the orange light hitting her just right.
"Are you alright, Ava?" Beatrice asked when she caught onto the Warrior Nun's staring. Ava didn't register the question at first. She was so preoccupied with how perfect Beatrice looked at this moment.
The Sister Warrior's hair was messy, strands of her hair framing her face as they escaped her low bun. The blonde tips had faded in the months that Ava was gone, and the Halo Bearer often saw how Beatrice ran her fingers over those dyed spots. Beatrice's clothes were relaxed, her sweater collar low, showing her collarbone. She had a little bit of melted marshmallow on her upper lip, her eyes gleaming with curiosity as she returned Ava's gaze. She finally looked at peace.
"You have a little..." Ava's soft, cracked voice trailed off as she reached over to wipe the marshmallow with her thumb. Beatrice swallowed hard as Ava's finger left warm tingles on her skin.
Their eyes lingered on each other as the rest of Ava's hand settled on Beatrice's cheek, chin, and jaw. It was in that moment that Beatrice realized how truly disciplined and restraint Ava had gotten. The Ava who kissed Beatrice then wouldn't have wasted a second kissing her now. Beatrice also learned how laid back she had gotten. She was ready to kiss Ava the second she returned.
Ava slowly reattached her hand, wiping the excess marshmallow on her jeans. She tore her stare away, and reached for another white square to toast. Beatrice let out the breath that she'd be holding. Her whole body yearned for Ava.
The nun missed the gentle, curious, constant touch that Ava always had, and the softness of Ava's lips when she left for the Ark. She missed her bright, contagious smile, and sarcastic wit. Instead, it was like Beatrice was standing in front of a mirror, Ava a reflection of the nun's past self. Ava took her newly made s’more with her as she walked away from the fire and into the tent.
Beatrice sighed as she poked the embers with a stick. It wasn't dark enough for stargazing yet, and so the two women had a couple of hours before they could sky watch. What they were going to do for those couple of hours was the question.
Beatrice followed after the Halo Bearer, swiftly and quietly entering the tent. She found Ava sitting on the edge of the bed, her back facing the Sister Warrior, the hum of the Halo audible as it softly glowed. Beatrice sat down behind Ava, resting her hand between her shoulder blades, feeling the heat radiating from the relic. Ava leaned into the touch as she sighed deeply.
"Thank you," Ava said after a couple moments of silence. "For not giving up on trying to find me. Jillian told me how much you all worked and researched." Beatrice planted a light kiss on the back of Ava's neck.
"We would never leave you." Beatrice replied. She wrapped her arms around Ava's torso, which made the Halo glow brighter. "We have a couple of hours before the stars come out," Beatrice stated as she gently pushed Ava to face her. "How do you wanna pass the time?" Ava watched as the nun's eyes filled with a lustful glint as her eyes darkened. The Warrior Nun raised an eyebrow as Beatrice pulled her closer.
“We haven't been this close since..." Beatrice trailed off as she thought. It has only been a few months for her. It had probably been years for Ava when she was on the Other Side. "It's been too long." Ava finished. Beatrice nodded.
For most of the night, the pair shared innocent touches and kisses on cheeks and hands. They talked of Ava's time on the Other Side with Reya, and her new knowledge of the Halo and body. As much as Beatrice didn't understand some of the things that Ava talked about, she didn't dare interrupt her as she spoke with power and intellect. And as much as Beatrice didn't trust Reya, she was glad that the entity was on their side.
Ava and Beatrice laid on top of the van, gazing up at the stars as the nun caught the Halo Bearer up on the OCS agenda and Jillian's new inventions at ArqTech.
They watched as the sky faded from dark blues and purples into a mostly pitch black canvas. Stars and galaxies littered the sky; big, faint streaks of pink, purple, and blue brightening up the night sky. When the talking died down, Ava turned into Beatrice, letting her body be cradled by the nun as her breathing slowed.
This was probably the most relaxing sleep that the Warrior Nun had in a long time. Beatrice held Ava in her arms gently, waiting for the shorter woman to fall asleep first before the Sister Warrior allowed herself to be swept away by the wave of exhaustion crashing over her body.