We had slept some considerable amount of time after meeting back up with Jack. A day maybe? We could have slept a whole day, I don't know. I stuffed another piece of dried meat into my mouth as our horse clopped along the road. I really hoped this whole thing didn't give me an eating disorder. Paz sat closely behind with her arms wrapped around me. Jack walked ahead, leading the way, and the others took turns riding the remaining two horses. I had tried to say that we would take turns walking as well, but Xena wouldn't hear it and everyone agreed with her.
Paz leaned close and whispered in my ear. "You're going to get fat if you keep stuffing your face like that." I shivered. I swear to the gods Below, she was intentionally torturing me!
"Would you stay with me if I was fat?" She nodded into the back of my shoulder. "Well then, that's a win/win. No down sides that I can see." She clung to me and giggled.
After a few minutes of riding in silence, she whispered in my ear again. "Would you stay with me if I was a worm?"
I frowned. Truly, you can never escape a social media meme. "Are we talking like dirt worm, or great wyrm, or world eating leviathan? I need to know my responsibility of care before I commit emotionally."
Paz blew out a breathy chuckle and shook her head. "Fuck, I love you so damn much." And then she froze as she realized what she had said. And I froze as I realized what she had said. And Xena and Bethany who had been walking along side us froze and stumbled as they realized what Paz had said.
I placed my hands over Paz's and held her as tight as I could. "And I love you." She melted into my back and made little whimpering noises. After a minute, I felt something wet on my shoulder. I twisted around and saw she was quietly crying. "Hey, you okay? What's wrong?"
She sniffed and wiped her nose on her very much too large shirt. "N-nothing is wrong. I just never imagined that I could be so h-happy." I leaned my head against hers and just held my beautiful Paz.
We finally arrived at Vaqyn, thank the gods Above. Paz took a breath but I shoved a Solo finger in her face before she could snort or say a word.
Jack stopped and turned back to sweep a critical eye over the group. Paz and I were wearing men's clothes that clearly didn't fit us and everyone else was naked. Every last one of us was scuffed and scraped and covered in dust and dangerous malnourished. Fortunately Xena was quite a skilled healer and she had been able to keep anyone's feet from getting infected.
"Right. I'm gonna head into town and buy all the shoes and clothes I can find." Half the group dropped to their knees and thanked the gods.
This time, Paz did snort and shake her head. "We're the ones who saved them, not those useless idiots Below or the sanctimonious monsters Above."
"Shush." I slapped her arm and slipped down off the horse. I reached up and helped Paz get down.
She glared at me. "I'm only a couple inches shorter than you! I didn't need your help."
I smiled at her. "What if it's just an excuse to put my hands on you?"
Her cheeks flushed pink. "Well.. I guess that's alright then." She pulled me into a hug and then stood up on her toes and her lips softly met mine.
Jack awkwardly cleared his throat. "So anyway, the two lovebirds will protect y'all. I'll run to Maple's shop and be back as fast as I can."
Paz and I sat down in the grass. Xena stood quietly at attention to the side until I looked at her and patted the grass. She considered me for a moment and then moved closer and folded her legs under her as she settled near us.
My ginger girl tilted her head and turned to the brunette elf. "So, you're really going to devote yourself to serving us for the rest of your life?"
Xena nodded eagerly. "Oh yes, Miss's Mistress. It is an elf's honor to serve."
Paz slowly shook her head. "I really don't care for that." Xena frowned. "It's nothing against you, I just hate slavery and servitude and gods; anything that takes away free will." My love folded her arms over her breasts and leaned back against a rock.
The tall elf smiled reassuringly. "But Miss's Mistress, I am free. You are not forcing me. I could leave this very moment." She looked to me and I nodded agreement. "I was in that slaver camp for ten long years. I.." She faltered and showed something other than pleasant exuberance for the first time since we freed her as her personal demons danced across her face. "I would repay that kindness by devoting this life to two such amazing women." She nodded officiously, indicating that was all there was to say as far as she was concerned.
My girlfriend relaxed and nodded. "Alright." But then she pointed a stern finger at Xena. "But don't let Alexis get lazy and talk you into washing her socks. Her feet really stink and no one should be subjected to that for any reason."
"Hey! They do not!" I pouted and looked down at my feet shyly. Did my feet stink that bad?
Xena nodded and smiled at us. "Oh yes. I shall ensure both Miss and Miss's Mistress's feet stay clean and well groomed enough that stink is not allowed to develop!"
Paz blushed and mumbled something about her feet.
"Hey hey! Did you miss me?" Jack swaggered back into camp with piles of clothes stacked on top of one of the horses. "I cleaned Maple and Olivia out and spent all but my last gold piece, but I think we have enough shoes and clothes to at least protect everyone's feet and modesty." Jack stood to the side out of the way as the group surged forward and started sorting through the clothes.
I struggled up to my feet and sauntered over to him. "You're not so bad, Jack. I'm glad we didn't kill you." And pulled him into a hug.
He happily returned my hug. "I've got a lot of sins to make up for. But I'm taking it one step at a time."