From Real to Realm

Lynesia was walking back to Val’s new place with a bag full of her stuff. She was old enough to be moving out on her own, so her parents didn’t press. They just made sure she promised to visit occasionally.

“I wonder if Marxus has single bedrooms?” she asked aloud.

Val and Lynesia had slept in the same bed every night since she’d been medically cleared. Lynesia saw no reason to have an empty second bedroom, especially if it reminded Val of her friend.

Lynesia was getting more worried each day for Val. There were numerous times she’d be woken up by Val freaking out. Sometimes it was as simple as Val sitting up quickly, calling out a name. Other times, she’d go as far as climbing out of bed in a defensive stance. A few times, it was as simple as waking up crying. Lynesia had never felt so powerless as she did when Val struggled to sleep.

Lynesia sighed. “I don’t know what to do…”

There were things Lynesia wanted to talk about with Val. Things she wanted to do, but when could she find the time to have those conversations? Val was struggling so much and was barely beginning to piece herself back together.

“Gods, I hope she makes up with her parents…”

If Val burned that bridge any more than it already was, then she’d be a total wreck. Lynesia didn’t think Val would do anything stupid, but she wasn’t willing to risk it. She couldn’t risk losing the woman she loved, not if she could help her.

Lynesia looked up, eyes wide. “Wait… maybe I can do more.”

Val just lost a friend, one was injured, and the healer of the group just quit. That meant it was just Val and Amarisse.

“Amarisse is the Tank, right?”

Lynesia racked her brain for a moment, trying to remember who was who exactly. She was pretty confident Amarisse was the tank. What were the chances she herself had a knack for magic? It had never occurred to her to check. What if she did? Should she try becoming Val’s party healer?

“Could I handle what she went through?”

It was such a heavy question. Could Lynesia handle seeing someone die and come out okay from the experience? She shivered at the thought.

“Maybe… I don’t know…”

Before long, she finally arrived at The Weeping Wagon. She slowly pushed the door open, and something heavenly filled her nostrils. Something seared to perfection with vegetables on the side for sure. Her stomach grumbled; it was almost dinner time.

“Hey there, lass. Val just headed upstairs to find you,” Marxus said, taking another bite of something green.

“How convenient, I was just about to start looking for her,” Lynesia said, grinning. “Say, Marxus, do you have any single bedrooms available?”

Marxus tilted his head. “Aye. With runes and plumbing, I assume?”

Lynesia nodded. “That would be preferred, yes.”

“Are you two sharin’ a room?” he asked, eyes narrowing.

Lynesia blushed. “Yes… I thought you knew.”

Marxus held her gaze for a few seconds, then chuckled. “Of course I knew, lass. I’m just givin’ ya a hard time. A single room with runes and plumbing is four Marks a week.”

Lynesia started fishing for her coin pouch.

“No need for that right now, lass. Free week for yer girlfriend, after what she’s been through.” He reached down, fishing out a different key. “If you want to move rooms now, I can give ya a new key. You can stay in the one you have now if you want until the week is over.”

Lynesia smiled. “I’ll talk to Val, see what she wants to do, then get back to you.”

Marxus nodded, setting the key down. “Sounds good to me. I think I’m goin’ to get back to my dinner for now, though.”

With that, he happily bit down on a thick, juicy chunk of meat as Lynesia started ascending the stairs.

Just as she was about to grab the doorknob, the door opened with Val standing there.

“I was beginning to wonder where you were,” Val said, smirking.

Lynesia furrowed her brow some. It had been a while since Val seemed so… Val.

“Are you feeling alright?” Lynesia asked, stepping inside the room.

Val tilted her head. “Yeah, why?”

Lynesia studied Val for a moment. “You seem like you’re in a much better mood. Did everything with your parents go well?”

The smile that lit up Val’s face made Lynesia’s heart skip a beat.

“It went better than I ever could have imagined. They bought me new gear to wear in the dungeon.” Val’s smile only got larger. “They’re supporting me more than I ever imagined. They’re even okay with the fact I’m into women.”

Lynesia froze for a second. “You told them we were together?”

Val shook her head. “Not yet. They know I have a girlfriend, but they don’t know it’s you. At least not yet.”

“What do you mean, not yet?” Lynesia asked, placing her bag down. “Are we going to tell them?”

“Tonight at dinner. We actually should probably head over now, it’ll be done,” Val said, taking Lynesia’s hand.

“Wait a second, we’re telling them tonight that we are together? Won’t they ask why or try figuring out the reasons?” Lynesia asked, pulling away slightly.

Val stopped walking. “They won’t pry. I don’t think they’d ask anything we wouldn’t be comfortable answering. What’s wrong?”

Lynesia had never been interested in women when she was younger. However, as she got older, she started noticing different things. Her eyes drifted to the curves of other women; her heart would race when thinking about them. It wasn’t an issue, at least not until she started helping Val with her rehab. Seeing her every day, watching as she slowly got back into shape. Then that fateful morning. Things really changed after that day.

“Do they know about your… you know…” Lynesia asked, motioning towards Val’s crotch.

Val blushed, then nodded. “I actually told them tonight. I felt it was necessary, so they knew what to expect for the future.”

Lynesia tilted her head. “What do you mean by the future?”

“Oh… uh, kids. Dad brought up grandchildren, so I had to assure him they were still possible,” Val said, rubbing the back of her neck.

Lynesia was blushing even brighter now, eyes wide. “K—kids? You told him we would have children together?”

Val grinned. “I didn’t say it quite that way, but the thought did some things to me.”

Lynesia’s head was spinning. Val was thinking about kids already? They had just kissed for the first time not long ago; hell, they hadn’t even had sex yet. How was she already ready for such a step?

“Val, I—I don’t think I’m ready for that just yet,” Lynesia said, trying to hide her blush. “There are steps to these things, you know?”

Val’s face contorted for a second before she burst out laughing.

Lynesia didn’t know what was so funny right now. This was a serious conversation, and she was being serious, deathly so.

“I didn’t mean we would have kids soon, just that they were possible if we made the choice,” Val said, wiping a tear from her eye.

Lynesia grumbled before slapping Val’s shoulder. Then she slapped her again, and again, and again. Val just laughed while Lynesia innocently slapped her for the confusion.

“Getting me all worked up over something like that. I can’t believe you,” Lynesia said, mock pouting.

Val wiggled her eyebrows. “It got me worked up thinking about it, too.”

Lynesia huffed and slapped Val on the arm again, then she smiled.

It’s nice to see her back to herself.

“So, ready to head back?” Val asked, interlacing her fingers with Lynesia’s.

Lynesia looked down at their hands and smiled. “To be introduced as your girlfriend? Think it’ll shock them?”

Val shrugged. “Something tells me they had a hunch, especially after what happened that one morning. Gods, you looked hot covered like that.”

Once more, Lynesia slapped Val’s arm as they started walking down the hallway. Val’s laughing was the only thing that echoed, though.

The walk back to Val’s home was uneventful. Both girls had calmed down quite a bit, getting quiet. For as confident as Val was acting earlier, it turned out she was just as nervous as Lynesia.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Lynesia could hear commotion inside as they stood outside. She wished she had more time to prepare for dinner tonight. Even if she knew the Strouss family well, it didn’t make this any less nerve-racking for her.

The door finally started opening.

“You don’t have to knock, sis. You can just c—“ Celestia’s words cut off at the sight of Lynesia. “No way.”

Val smirked, while Lynesia gave a shy wave.

“Is… she’s… Lynesia is your girlfriend?!”

The announcement was enough to cause all commotion within the house to cease.

Lynesia groaned in embarrassment as Val nodded.

“That’s right,” Val said, grinning. “I told you everyone would know her.”

Within seconds of entering the dining room, they were bombarded with questions. Lynesia knew it was going to be like this, even if Val tried playing it off earlier. They were long-time best friends, and now they were together. Who wouldn’t have questions?

“How did it happen?” Maxwell asked, glancing back and forth. “I never thought you’d be into women, let alone Val. She’s more tomboy than girl.”

Val scoffed at her brother. “I can be girly if I want, thank you very much.”

Everyone stopped for a second, doubtful expressions on their faces.

Lynesia giggled. “Honestly, I don’t know. I’d always cherished our friendship before she was bedridden. After she finally came back to us, I guess I realized there might be more there. It wasn’t until I watched her work so hard to get healthy that it really clicked. It took me a few days to sort through my feelings. Then I pulled her aside one day and told her how I felt.”

Val was smiling the whole time, just happy to be involved in the conversation. Lynesia was more than happy. Val’s family didn’t have a single issue with the two of them being together. If anything, Vesperia seemed over the moon about it. The way her face lit up in realization when they walked in, it was obvious.

“I’m so happy for you two,” Vesperia said, smiling. “Childhood sweethearts, it’s perfect.”

The only person Lynesia thought didn’t like it was Maxwell. However, that was more likely because he had a thing for her at one point or another.

Celestia gently elbowed Lynesia playfully. “So does this mean you are going to steal her away now?”

Everyone chuckled at the callback to a previous comment.

Lynesia shook her head. “If anything, I’m going to make sure she comes back to visit often. With or without me.”

Volde chuckled. “With. You’ve always been a part of this family, Lynesia. If anything, this makes you an even bigger part now.”

Everyone shared Volde’s sentiment. There was nothing but love and acceptance for their relationship. It was everything Lynesia had hoped for, and more.

Dinner went by quickly. Everyone was enjoying the lively atmosphere and celebrating multiple things. For the first time, Val was allowed to partake in alcohol with her parents. This meant by the time they were leaving, both Val and Lynesia were feeling quite buzzed.

“Be safe getting home, you two,” Vesperia said from the porch, smiling.

“You can stay here if you need to,” Volde reminded them, arm wrapped around Vesperia.

Lynesia was leaning against Val. “I think we’re okay to walk home. I’m feeling good, but not so far gone I can’t remember where we’re staying.”

“I had more than she did, so she’s taking the lead,” Val said, kissing the top of Lynesia’s head.

Val suddenly released Lynesia before walking back up onto the porch. Without a word, she pulled her parents into a hug.

Lynesia couldn’t hear what was said from where she stood, but she could tell it was sweet. Both Vesperia and Volde smiled and hugged Val back before whispering something back.

“Alright, now you should probably go back to Lynesia. She’s taking you home,” Vesperia said, smirking.

Val nodded, making her way down the stairs and back to her girlfriend. “Time to go home, girlfriend. You’re my girlfriend.”

Lynesia giggled. “And you’re my girlfriend, too. Let’s head home.”

With a final wave goodbye, the two of them started walking home together through the streets. Lynesia and Val were dropping by again tomorrow once they sobered up to grab Val’s new gear. In the meantime, Lynesia was going to start looking into joining the guild as well. She promised at dinner to take care of Val. It was time for her to begin committing to such a promise.

When they finally reached The Weeping Wagon, Marxus was no longer at the front desk. The fire within the hearth had cooled down to embers, and all but one lantern were snuffed out. Everyone was asleep or heading to sleep shortly.

After taking the time to change into something more comfortable, they both climbed into bed. Lynesia found her spot immediately, head lying on Val’s chest. At the same time, Val’s hand idly raked its fingers through Lynesia’s hair.

“I love you, Lynesia. You have no idea how much you being here means to me.”

Lynesia looked up into Val’s eyes, smiling. “I love you, too. I’d do anything for you.”

Val leaned down and kissed Lynesia softly, and she happily returned the kiss.

Before long, both girls fell asleep.

An undetermined amount of time later, Lynesia was startled awake. Val had stumbled out of bed suddenly. Even after falling to the floor, she shot up, fists in the air, tears rolling down her cheeks. She was whipping her head around, like she was looking for someone, or something. Lynesia sat up just as Val’s arms dropped to her sides.

“Damnit…” Val murmured. “Fucking nightmares…”

Lynesia reached over and grabbed Val’s hand. “Come here.”

Val didn’t need any convincing. She slumped back onto the bed, quickly falling into Lynesia’s embrace. Lynesia’s hand idly rubbed Val’s back, doing anything she could to calm Val. She wasn’t crying as much as she usually did, but Lynesia could still hear the sniffles.

“I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to wake you up…” Val said, exhaling slowly. “I just wish I could get these nightmares out of my head.”

Lynesia continued rubbing Val’s back. “You don’t have to apologize, Val. I know this is all hard on you. I wish I could do something to help.”

Val just nodded.

“Did I ever tell you about the days you were lying in the infirmary?” Lynesia asked, still rubbing Val’s back.

Val only shook her head.

A tear rolled down Lynesia’s cheek. “When you never came to find me later that day, I started thinking the worst. I tried asking the guards at the main gate, but they didn’t know anything. It wasn’t until I asked the guards at the dungeon entrance. They told me what happened, where I could find you.”

By now, the two of them had slipped beneath the blankets. Their positions were swapped compared to earlier. Val’s head was resting on Lynesia’s shoulder while she listened.

“It took some asking around to get pointed toward the infirmary. When I finally found you, they had just finished healing you. Your armor was shredded, covered in dried blood. They had bloody bandages next to your bed, too. Apparently, your injuries took a few hours to heal, corruption similar to Mina’s.”

Val tilted her head in surprise, locking eyes with Lynesia. “Why didn’t anyone tell me?”

Lynesia shrugged. “You’re healthy now. There wasn’t really any reason to. Just remembering that day hurts.” She took a calming breath. “Anyways, that’s where I met Amarisse and Lucia for the first time. They explained what happened. After that, I came by every day and helped take care of you. Just like when you first became bedridden, and just like during your rehab.”

Val was much calmer now, absorbing everything.

“I’m always going to be by your side, Val. Through thick and thin. Just promise me, you’ll be more careful in the future, please?”

Both of them sat up straight, eyes locking once more.

“I promise, my love.”

Lynesia knew Val could only promise so much, but it helped to hear her say the words. Before she knew it, she was leaning forward, eyes closed and mouth slightly agape. Val didn’t say anything or stop her; instead, she happily accepted the kiss.

One kiss became two, then three, then a dozen. Before long, they both pulled away, breathing heavily, eyes glazed over. Lynesia’s heart was racing, something else rising to the surface. Right now, she wanted nothing more than to be with Val, in more ways than one.

“Lynesia… do you…”

“Yes… right now…”

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