The following is a bit of alternative fiction based on certain characters from the Xenaverse. It is not meant to infringe on anyone else's rights. If you don't agree or disapprove, please go read something else.
Xex alert: Yep, more naughty bits! You've been warned! Turn your head if you are too young or whatever!Arete's arm was wrapped comfortably around Kalai's waist as they walked, escorted by a member of the Queen's guard, back to their room. Vera, who was guarding Xena and Gabrielle's room nodded pleasantly at one of the newer Amazon arrivals who'd been picked for duty. Solari had this niggling worry, so she'd made some quick executive decisions. She knew that Arete and Kalai were very capable Amazons, but she also knew that their status had changed and while she might not have the guard placed as tightly around them as she did the queen, she wanted to be sure that at least the formalities were followed. Especially at this awkward time. As they entered their room, the guard bowed and then left. One Amazon at the doors should be sufficient for the night.
Kalai stepped out of Arete's embrace and grinned up at the ceiling. "Oh Artemis! That was fun." She could still feel the rhythm of the drums in her blood. *boom boom du boom, boom boom du boom* She turned, grinned at Arete and pointed, "and who knew you could dance! I've never seen you do that." Kalai did a body motion that she'd seen the blonde perform.
Arete smiled patiently, her eyes glinting with humor, "you just were never able to stay up that late before." she said as she made her way to the water pitcher. Her hands shook a little and she turned her body so the younger Amazon couldn't see. For some reason she felt very thirsty, though she'd had little in the way of spirits to drink.
Kalai's mouth dropped and she laughed, "Oh! Oh! Hey, I am *not* that young." She pointed at her chest, "My rite was held several years ago I'll have you know. Just because I'm not as tall as you doesn't mean that I haven't had a bit of experience under my belt."
Arete kept her attention on pouring the water into her cup. "I will keep that in mind Kalai." She spoke gently. The brown eyed Amazon continued to grin behind the blonde's back.
Kalai's attention wandered the room and settled on the bed. "Hey Arete?"
"Yes?" she said as she turned around while sipping from her cup.
"I get the left side." Arete swallowed wrong and coughed out the water. The brunette stared at the strong Amazon in perplexed amazement. "Are you all right." Arete coughed some more and did that distracted I'm suffering but I'm fine hand wave. Kalai went over and thumped the Amazon on the back until Arete was able to stand upright again. Arete blinked back cough tears and decided she needed to sit down.
"Where's a chair when you need one?"
Kalai snorted, "I guess they figured the bed was plenty large enough."
Arete grinned wryly at the young woman. "I guess so." She was grateful she hadn't been sipping water again. The blonde sat down carefully, holding her cup in two hands. She looked thoughtfully at the young woman who had so suddenly come into her life. "Kalai?"
Kalai had been looking at the drapes, thinking that the color matched Arete's eyes. She turned around, "Yeah?"
"You think you can tolerate me for a year?" Kalai stood open mouthed for a few seconds. Then she paced to the bed and sat down besides the warrior. She looked at Arete with a new kind of understanding.
"You know, I hadn't even thought about it. I didn't expect,"
"Cherise to announce it?"
"yeah, I thought she'd call council or something. I mean, I figured she was just being nice and letting people have a dance and then tomorrow, you know the joke would be over."
"Me too."
An idea formed in her head, "Do you think Gabrielle will," Kalai blushed, "I mean, how seriously do you think she,"
"They share."
If Kalai had been the one holding the cup, it would have been all over the floor. "What?"
"They share. I mean," Arete's eyes were very sincere, so Kalai knew she wasn't lying, "They are definitely," She demonstrated with her hands, "one. You know. They belong to each other and there is NO doubt and I wouldn't want to challenge Xena about Gabrielle in any way," Arete's face did a funny little movement, "but, they share."
Kalai sat back down on the bed, her mind reeling. "I thought," she hesitated, "she was playing around. I mean joking, with her mother."
"She was."
"Oh."
"But, I just thought you ought to know, the possibility. just in case, though probably they won't, but," Arete looked carefully at the young warrior, "You know, so you wouldn't be surprised or judge or,"
"Hey, I would never," Kalai spoke indignantly, "judge. Not the Queen. I mean, they never approached anyone at the village, that I know of. Have you heard?" Arete shook her head in the negative, "So they must be very careful. Selective." Arete looked thoughtful and wondered about that, but then she considered again and nodded, "and it's not like Gabrielle had a choice in this."
"True."
Kalai went silent then spoke softly, "and they are so," her voice caught, "so,"
"stunning."
Kalai nodded.
"beautiful."
More nods.
"strong."
"kind."
"funny."
"smart."
"humane."
"In their own ways, differently."
"mm."
"And Xena." Just the way she said the warrior's name said it all.
Arete exhaled a breathe and nodded sincerely. Her own voice added worshipfully, "Gabrielle." Kalai nodded
"I would like it if," Kalai found herself admitting.
Arete looked seriously at the young one, "Me too."
They stared at each other for long seconds, then back at the floor. Then Kalai began to chuckle.
"What?" "Gods, you know, when they say you better watch what you ask for?"
"yeah?" Arete answered carefully.
"Damn if they don't mean it." Arete looked startled, then she began to giggle and soon they were both guffawing and holding on to each other through some serious chortles. And when they calmed down they found themselves gazing through misty eyes at each other.
Arete's hand gently stroked Kalai's cheek. Her green eyes shined. "I think you are beautiful," she said softly. Kalai blushed but didn't move her gaze. "I like the way you think and how you make me laugh," the blonde continued. "Kalai?"
"yes."
"I just wanted you to know."
"yes."
"I don't think you are too young at all." Arete, who was not that much older, waited as her heart beat slammed in her ears. Then her mind rested at the answering flicker in Kalai's brown pools of light and she felt her face being dragged by warm hands into a lingering kiss so dazzling sweet that it rolled like liquid fire through both of them. They pulled away from each other with gently shocked expressions playing on their faces. There was an instant, mutual decision to experiment with that kiss again. Lips touched against lips and that gushing spark thrilled through them again.
There was no going back after that. Mouths and tongues and hands and bodies had to explore and be explored. Arete was gentle, fearing that her strength might hurt her new love. But that was only right up until Kalai demanded more by demonstrating that she was stronger than she looked. Then they made love with passionate and responsive surrender to each other's needs. Kalai found while she may have had some experience under her belt, that Arete was an affectionate teacher of a few things that she might have missed. Arete found Kalai's vigor to be stimulating beyond expectation and their first time proved not to be the last at all.
They finally, some point deep into the very early dark of the morning, crested into a deep cuddlesome sleep. By that time, Kalai didn't care what side of the bed she was on, as long as it was with Arete.