Chapter Text
Pike looked out the window and let out a small sigh. The house she shared with Allura and Kima had a sizable garden in back, and looking over the flowers and vegetables there always reminded her of Keyleth. The trees made her think of Vex'ahlia. The shadows brought Vax'ildan to mind.
The Gnome smiled wistfully as a bird landed on a branch of the tallest tree, which looked for just a moment like Scanlan up on Grog's broad shoulder. And of course the entire town would always be Percy's. Another sigh, longer and lower this time, escaped the cleric's lips.
A soft hand lightly touched her shoulder, bringing Pike out of her reverie. Turning, she looked up at Allura, the wizard smiling gently. The Arcanist looked out the window and gave her girlfriend's shoulder a squeeze, "I've found you looking out this window a lot lately, my dear. But it feels as though what you're seeing is much further away. Is there anything I can do to help?"
Pike turned and buried her face into Allura's dress, clutching at the woman tightly. The wizard folded her arms around the cleric and simply held her for a long while, until soft sobs could be heard coming from somewhere between white hair and blue fabric.
Allura rubbed and gently patted Pike's back, "It's going to be alright. I know it's been a while since your friends last visit, but I'm sure they'll be back soon. We can pack a lunch and wait by the Sun Tree if you like. I'm sure Kima would join us."
Lifting her head, Pike wiped at her eyes and sniffled, "I'm sorry. I don't mean to be a blubbery mess. I really do miss them. I know I'm needed here, and I am madly in love with you and Kima." She sighed again, "But I really do miss them."
Kima came into the room wrapped up in a fluffy dark blue robe that was far too long for her, "Hey, sweetie, we are madly in love with you too. And I believe I know who you're missing." She plopped onto the seat beside Pike and pulled the Gnome in, kissing her firmly, holding onto her face with strong hands, "You're as much their heart as you've become ours. They love you too. Don't think for a moment that they've forgotten you."
The cleric met Kima's gaze and nodded, "I know, and thank you. Both of you. You're the best." Her sigh this time was happier as she settled in between her girlfriends.
The Halfling grinned, "And if you really can't wait to see them, Allie can do a spell to make us look like them. Should I be Keyleth? Or maybe Grog?"
Allura clucked her tongue and waggled a finger at Kima, even as she stroked Pike's hair softly, "I will certainly neither polymorph nor cast a seeming upon a robe thief."
The paladin gasped, eyebrows shooting up in surprise, "That is a blatant falsehood. Where is your evidence?" She looked to Pike with a wink, "Can you believe this? Our own girlfriend, claiming that someone here is stealing robes." She leaned in and whispered quite loudly, "Was it you?"
Pike couldn't help but giggle, which sent a triumphant smile spreading across Kima's face. The Halfling kissed the Gnome once again, "There you are, sweetie. Good to see you. But you haven't answered either of my questions."
The cleric blinked and tilted her head in confusion. The paladin chuckled and counted off on her fingers, "One, do you want me to be Keyleth? And two, are you the notorious robe-rustler that Allie seems so worried about?"
Allura rolled her eyes, "Feel free to ignore her, my dear. We should be planning our picnic. And I would obviously make the better Keyleth, if we are planning such a thing."
Pike quickly held up both small hands, "Okay, neither of you is going to be Keyleth. That is just a little too strange." She looked from one of her girlfriends to the other and smiled, "But thank you for offering. I appreciate the thought behind it. I do miss my friends, but I know that I always have you two."
The wizard nodded slowly and leaned down to kiss Pike sweetly on the corner of her mouth. "Always, my dear. You're even stuck with the robe thief." Kima put on her shocked expression once again, then squeezed both of her lovers, "I'll take that slander if it means we get to be together."
Pike glanced out the window once again and sighed. This time the sound was content and came with a gentle smile. It was a lovely view, after all.