Work Text:
Victoria turned the key, opening the door to the apartment. Taking Kenzie’s hand, I guided her in as Victoria stood aside holding the door, and winked when I turned to glance at her. As soon as we entered the apartment, Kenzie went to her room to drop off some gear she had brought with her when we went out. I took a seat at the table and waited while Victoria prepared dinner, which was going to be pasta it seemed.
I went and let myself get domesticated, I thought to myself.
I really didn’t mind it, all things considered. Things had been peaceful since… a while, and it was nice. Living with Victoria hadn’t been much of an adjustment, it was just more now since there hadn’t been anything cape related going on. Kenzie was sometimes a handful, but she was my handful.
Our handful, I mentally corrected myself, glancing at Victoria for a second time since we came home.
Victoria was multitasking, pulling out a pot with her forcefield while getting ingredients from the panty. Her blonde was braided, and she wore a sweater, black.
Elegant. Or, at least, as close as one can get to elegant while wearing pants and a sweater, I thought, giving Victoria a once-over.
My thoughts were derailed by a screech from Kenzie dragging a chair up next to me holding up some gadget she made. A camera, presumably. “Hiya, mom!” she said.
“Hi Kenz.” I said.
Kenzie suddenly yawned and slowly lowered her head onto my shoulder, eyes drifting shut. I gave her a gentle nudge, but she kept her eyes closed. “I think she's had enough excitement for today,” I said.
“That's for sure, I felt like that walk would never end,” Victoria said.
After another shake, Kenzie stirred.
“Tired already? When did you go to sleep last night?”
She glanced up at me, a bit ashamed, and that was answer enough.
“Vic, when will dinner be ready? I think our Kenzie needs an early bedtime today," I asked.
“I'm...." Kenzie yawned again, then continued, “...totally fine, mom. I still want to watch the first Maggie Holt movie, remember?”
“I'll think about it. Are you still fine with that, Vic?”
“Of course.” she said, turning around to look and Kenzie and me.
“Vicky is probably an even bigger Maggie Holt fan than you are, Kenz.”
“No way! I love Maggie Holt!” Kenzie exclaimed.
Victoria interjected, sounding almost insulted, “Hey, I never said that. Just because I enjoy reading doesn’t mean I like Maggie Holt. Frankly, the movies aren’t even-,” I gave her a hard stare. It was probably true that the Maggie Holt movies weren’t masterful filmmaking, but there was no need to ruin Kenzie's hopes after she was so invested in the books.
“Aren’t even what, dear?” I asked, stern.
“...aren’t even… half bad. I don’t remember much of the books honestly, but if there was one thing, I definitely remember it's that the movies are good.”
Victoria looks like she really had to force it out, as she said it. Are they really that bad?
Kenzie looked a bit confused at the exchange, probably now doubting the stock she held in the movie. I tried to recover the situation, continuing my previous line of thought, “I just don't want you to get a twisted view of her. She may look like an athlete, but I promise Victoria Dallon is the biggest nerd this side of Gimel.”
“I am not!” Victoria protested.
Kenzie smiled a bit at the interaction.
“When I was trying to sleep last night, the light from your laptop while you were reading your precious case files kept me awake,” I said.
“Alright, fine, maybe just a little bit of a nerd." Victoria said, sounding resigned.
“She did not!” Kenzie said, giggling.
“Haha.” Victoria said, deadpan, but she couldn’t keep the grin off her face.
“I'm simply stating the truth.” I said, and I allowed a small smile to grace my lips.
Victoria chuckled a bit before she continued, “So Maggie Holt tonight, then? The pasta should only take a few more minutes.” She stirred the steaming pot in front of her.
“Yeah!” Kenzie exclaimed. Any trace of tiredness she had before was replaced with pure excitement in that moment. Kenzie got up from her seat, holding her camera up to Victoria, still giggling from before. She bounced in place, staring up at Victoria. I broadened my smile and nodded toward Victoria when she glanced at me for confirmation that I was fine with being roped into this. Victoria turned her attention to Kenzie. “Alright, alright,” Victoria said, “Sit your butt down now, I'm going to strain this.” Kenzie obeyed; her giggling reignited some from Victoria's word choice. She really is a nerd, huh?
Victoria clicked off the stovetop and lifted the pot with the pasta over to the sink, forcefield active, and poured the contents into the strainer sitting there. "Could you grab the drinks from the fridge, Ash?" Victoria asked.
"A tasteful red to go with the pasta, perhaps?" I asked. I felt like I could see Victoria's eyes roll from my seat. After a non-comital "Hmm" from Victoria, I got up, and took a bottle of wine and one of sparkling juice from the fridge, and poured out a glass for Victoria and me, and a third of the fruit juice for Kenzie.
After a few weeks of living with us, it became apparent that Kenzie felt left out just drinking water whenever we had wine, so I decided to get some juice, which seemed to placate her. I even caught her sending a picture of her drinking it to the rest of the Chicken Tenders, bragging about getting to drink wine, though they didn’t seem fooled. I placed each glass around the table, and Victoria announced that dinner was ready.
Dinner passed without too much intrigue. Kenzie had summarized the first Maggie Holt book, after I let slip that I had never read any of them before. Victoria had an amused look on her face as Kenzie went on about the plot, and my heart fluttered despite myself. The pasta was cooked well, and the wine was a good complement. After a while, I collected the dishes from the meal, despite Victoria's protests.
"I got it, Vic," I said. "Go relax in the living room with Kenz. You two can set up the movie."
Victoria didn’t seem to want to move from her spot, but she reluctantly nodded before standing and gesturing toward Kenzie to follow her. Kenzie gave me a small smile before turning to follow Victoria.
She’s made quite a bit of progress recently. She had established better boundaries with the rest of her team. Living with… parental figures like me and Vicky had helped too. I didn’t know if she'd ever fully adjust to this life, but I could hope we were positive influences. And, I think to myself, she's started smiling and laughing when she's happy. And what a pretty smile it was. My heart warmed every time I saw it, just a little, even if I didn't say it. Victoria felt the same way, I was sure.
I placed the newly washed dishes on the drying rack next to the sink, before toweling my hands dry. As the cloth wiped over my hands, the sensation was fuzzy, not in the sense of texture, but in the sense of clarity. Victoria didn’t want me to overdo it with my hands, but the make was solid enough to handle menial tasks like dishwashing just fine. Victoria’s forcefield would be gentle enough to handle the dishes, but it was a bit cathartic to take some time alone, even if that time was dedicated to washing dishes.
Having finished with the dishes, I entered the living room to see Kenzie and Victoria sitting on the couch next to each other. “Do you want to lean your head on my shoulder if you get tired?” Victoria asked Kenzie. Kenzie nodded, and after a few seconds, lowered her head onto Victoria's shoulder. I wondered how long this movie night will really last, given Kenzie’s current state. I took my seat on the other end of the couch, next to Kenzie. “If you want a less rock-like shoulder, mine is also available for leaning.” I said. Kenzie giggled a little at the comment while Victoria gave me a brief glare before saying, “Are you attempting to steal our Kenzie’s cuddles from me? Not fair.”
I smirked.
"Simply stating the truth, dear."
Victoria scoffed, before pressing play. Kenzie fell asleep before Maggie even left her hometown for adventure. Despite this, Victoria was focused enough on the movie that I would feel bad pausing the movie to put Kenzie to bed.
Was she actually into it?
I was also aware of how long the movie had been running, and with Kenzie fast asleep I was worried I might have started dozing off as well. It's a shame I don't have a Victoria shoulder to lay on as well. I would have happily accepted it.
Just as I was about to close my eyes, the sound of a gnashing goblin from the movie stirred me. Victoria stared on with intent. "Victoria?" I said, trying to be quiet as to not wake Kenzie.
"If this is going to be about how much of a nerd I am, I just want to let you know that I could have taken issue with how stuck up you sounded when you were talking about the wine earlier, or about how uncomfortable your boney shoulder would be as a pillow," Victoria said, responding, not taking her eyes of the screen. I stayed silent; my eyes boring into the side of her skull.
Victoria turned her head and gave me smug grin. Lisa was really rubbing off on her. I folded my arms, and turned my head away, feigning insult. Once upon a time, a comment like that might have set me off, but it really was better to just take it in stride. "Nothing to say for yourself?" Victoria said, clearly suppressing laughter.
"Perhaps, Victoria Dallon. I would prefer you not mock me," I responded.
"I'm not mocking you," Victoria said, "I'm mocking the stereotype."
"I know you are lying, but fine. Here, I'll pretend I'm not offended: 'Ah. Good then.'"
I swore I heard Victoria suppress a snort.
I felt a touch more energized after that exchange, and after another hour, the film ended. Kenzie didn't stir as Victoria gently took her in her arms and walked her to into her room. There were some things it was better to do with your own two hands. I couldn't tell if it was resentment or warmth that built in my core. I followed, even if it was a token gesture. Perhaps it was more than token if Kenzie's camera still captured this. The cameras had been a difficult issue to hash out with Kenzie. Even if she was getting better about it, she had a bit of fear of missing out. Nevertheless, Kenzie had agreed to limit the camera use to being handheld; with exceptions made for the outside of the apartment to prevent certain individuals from making visits unannounced.
Victoria laid Kenzie down onto her bed, and I took the camera she still held and placed it on her bedside table and tucked her in. Amazingly, she stayed sleeping. The look on her face was serene, and I knelt to give her a kiss on the cheek. Victoria held the door open for me for the second time tonight, this time simply giving me a patient smile as a I passed before she clicked it behind her as she exited. She walked up behind me, putting one arm around my waist. The Victoria shoulder had finally arrived. She guided me to the bathroom and helped with removing my makeup. It wouldn't be difficult to remove it myself, but it was nice to be cared for like this. It occurred to me that I probably left a mark on Kenzie's cheek when I kissed her, as Victoria brought a wipe across my lips, stripping them of their black color. She gave me chaste peck. "Let's go to bed."
"Very well," I hummed, and I could tell now that feeling was warmth, seeing Victoria this close.
She led me to our bedroom, and soon, I found myself under the black duvet, Victoria next to me.
"I love you, Ashley" Victoria whispered.
"I love you too," I replied, just as quietly, my heart fluttering.
"Good night."
"Good night, my dear."
And so, I slept, peaceful dreams of crystals and Valhalla dancing in my head.