Work Text:
“I don’t like it when you do that.”
Claudia blinks, taken aback, and turns around in her chair. Victoria is standing in the doorway of her office, a mildly indignant look on her face. Her pale blue sweater ( Claudia’s sweater) fits perfectly against Victoria’s pearly skin, and contrasts against the dark wood of the door and its frame. Claudia takes a brief moment to appreciate the sharpness in her eyes, and the hollow of her neck, before finally speaking.
“What’s this about, puffin?” She asks gently. It could be about a number of things, but she knows it’s something serious (Victoria’s nose is creased, her brow is furrowed slightly, and she’s doing that thing where she sucks on the inside of her left cheek).
Victoria stays standing, and she shifts her weight onto her other foot as she leans against the frame. “Well-“
“Come here, baby.” Claudia interrupts her before Victoria has the opportunity to say another word. She sees her hesitate for a moment, piercing eyes darting around with a hint of confusion.
“On my lap,” Claudia takes the step to clarify. “If we need to talk, then we can talk.”
A second passes, the tiny hand dragging itself across the shiny face of Victoria’s silver watch. Claudia doesn’t mind. She enjoys watching Victoria figure things out. She makes a small step forward, feet silent on the carpeted floor, and Claudia nods encouragingly. No words are needed, and the message is passed across and understood fluently. Claudia doesn’t quite know why some things need more thinking in Victoria’s head than others, but it’s no bad thing. She can spend even more time gazing at her girlfriend.
“I love you.” The murmured words are soft, and Victoria’s lips barely move as she says it. It distracts Claudia briefly from her initial statement. Victoria slides easily into her lap.
“Vicky, what’s this about?” She says gently, wanting to quickly get to the root of the issue. “What’s making you unhappy, puffin?” Claudia’s hands are soft as she slowly rubs circles on Victoria’s lower back.
The words come out clear and slow from Victoria’s mouth. “I don’t like it when you call me stupid.”
The air is warm and quiet. Claudia can feel… nothing from Victoria. Her blue eyes are suddenly very interested in a small coffee stain in the carpet. She’s not even breathing anymore.
“That’s okay, Vicky.”
A small exhale.
“Thank you, Claud,” she says quietly, and Victoria looks back at Claudia. She leans forward to kiss her cheek, and rests her forehead on Claudia’s shoulder. Instinctively, Claudia’s fingers go to her blonde hair, combing through the strands with scarlet nails.
“Is that it?” Claudia prompts, attempting to press her further.
“Yes, that’s it,” comes the slightly muffled reply. “It’s happened a few times, so I thought I should… say something?”
“And well done, Vicky.” Claudia’s honeyed voice and praise sends a small shiver down Victoria’s spine. “I’m glad you told me.”