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Rain had started drizzling, and Lilja had quickly moved the herd back to the barn in enough time, then the clouds decided to let loose as she was walking to the cottage. Within a minute, she was drenched and wishing she had taken Lace's advice to at least bring her half cloak along with her. Knowing that she was going to hear it, Lilja trudged up the front steps of the cottage, taking off her mudcaked boots outside on the covered porch before opening the front door and crossing the threshold.
"Hey, love? Could you bring me a towel?" Lilja yelled out before hanging up her sword and bow. She pulled at the sash around her waist until it came undone, letting it flop to the ground with a wet smack. Next was her shirt, and about halfway off, Lace walked to the foyer with a towel in hand.
"Mhmm, I-"
"You told me so, I know, I know," said Lilja with a smirk while slowly shaking her head, sending water droplets splattering everywhere. "I should have listened." Leaning in, she placed a kiss on Lace's cheek before taking the towel from her hand. "Thank you."
"Of course," said Lace before she started giggling. "You're dripping like a puddle."
Lilja dried her hair until it at least stopped dripping. "Smells like apple pie? And perhaps a stew?"
"My Ma's recipe for the pie and your Ma's recipe for the stew. Beef and barley, perfect for a rainy fall day." It was Lace’s turn for cooking today and Lilja’s stomach was growling happily about what was being made.
"Well, they both—" fighting against wet fabric sticking to her, Lilja managed to get her trousers off, "—smell delicious!" Everything had soaked through enough that even her small clothes were wet, so she removed those as well before wrapping the towel around her waist. She walked into the kitchen and leaned into Lace's back to look over her shoulder. "Any extra apple slices?"
"Put some aside just for you." Lace looked over, grinning as she offered an apple to Lilja, who gladly took the offering with her mouth. "I know by now that you need a snack after working."
"I love that you get me." She took another offered slice and wrapped an arm around Lace's waist before kissing the back of her neck, soft and slow.
Lace giggled once again. "Don't get any silly ideas! The rain may have washed the dirt from ya, but you still stink like a field and barn. Go wash up, then we can see about more." She turned and placed a kiss on Lilja's cheek before poking her in the ribs. "Go on."
Lilja laughed at her wife's insistence before holding her hands up, disarmed and innocent. "Okay, okay. Loud and clear. I stink."
She received playfully rolled eyes. "Seriously, I already made a hot bath for you when I saw you walking in with the herd. Go clean up before it gets cold."
"Look at you," said Lilja, slowly backing away to the main bedroom and bath. "The once feral Scout Harding, now the domesticated Lace Harding."
Lace turned and pointed a wooden spoon at her. "You keep it up, and I'll show you who's actually domesticated later."
Lilja tilted her head to the side and bit her lower lip. "Hm, is that a promise, or...?" She wiggled her eyebrows with a smug grin.
"You are impossible!"
She took off, scampering into their bedroom, laughing with joy and playfulness. From the other room, she could hear Lace laughing as well. Oh, how she loved this life.