Work Text:
Parking her motorcycle next to a street lamp, Bronya put one foot on the ground and removed her helmet. She shook her head gently to straighten her bangs before looking around.
It was already dark, and at this time, many people were heading home after work, just like her. However, Bronya was there, in front of one of Shicksal's imposing buildings, for another reason.
It was Friday, and she had arranged to pick Seele up from work so they could go home together.
Normally, Bronya was used to working overtime regardless of the day of the week, but something told her that she should set aside more time for her and Seele to be together instead of burdening herself with even more work.
She also knew that before she knew it, time would pass, and Seele would be dispatched on longer and more distant missions as she rose in her position as a Shicksal Valkyrie. So, prioritizing their time together from time to time was the natural course of action.
After a few more minutes of waiting, she couldn't help but smile a little when she saw the girl with dark blue hair approaching her.
Seele raised her head, making her blue eyes meet Bronya's gray ones, while she also gave a small smile, which seemed a little sad for some reason.
Without Bronya being able to ask anything, she hugged her, as she always did, but lingered a few seconds longer than normal.
This caught Bronya's attention.
“Seele, how are you? Ready to go home?” she asked as soon as the hug ended, looking into her girlfriend’s bright eyes.
Seele nodded, a small smile still on the verge of fading.
Bronya continued to smile at her, even though she could tell she wasn't doing so well.
“Bronya bought us dinner on the way so we could rest tonight,” Bronya said, caressing her cheek with the back of her hand.
Seele's smile seemed a little more sincere. She closed her eyes as she nodded, touching Bronya's hand.
“Sounds great, jie-jie. Thank you.”
Handing the spare helmet to Seele, Bronya waited for her to climb on the back and hold her waist tightly before starting the motorbike again and beginning the journey home.
All the way, Bronya was thoughtful.
She knew her Seele well enough to know she was quieter and more downcast than usual. It was probably work-related, so Bronya knew Seele wouldn't normally bother her with it, even though Bronya reminded her she could always vent to her about anything she wanted.
Bronya decided to try to talk once they were home alone, as it would be easier to make Seele comfortable that way.
Thinking about this, Bronya took the quickest route back, and not long after, they had already arrived at the building.
Seele didn't say anything on the way from the garage to the elevator, or even the entire way up. She just held Bronya's hand as she waited for each floor to pass until they reached home.
“Seele?” Bronya called as they closed the apartment door and left the bag with the meal on the kitchen table.
“Yes, jie-jie?”
Bronya then approached her, and brushing her bangs from her eyes, kissed her forehead once. "Do you want to tell Bronya what happened?" she asked quietly, smiling slightly at Seele as she pulled her closer to her on the couch.
Already sitting next to Bronya on the couch, Seele looked her in the eyes.
At that moment, she felt the lump in her throat tighten even more and her eyes involuntarily fill with tears after holding back for so long.
She tried to swallow that feeling, as she clutched the hem of her skirt tightly, but every second that passed seeing Bronya's gentle expression to her made her feel like she was about to collapse.
Aware of every slight change in Seele's expression as she heard her words, Bronya knew what would happen, so she wrapped her arms around her in a tight hug.
Unable to resist any longer, Seele gave up and began to cry, hugging Bronya tightly.
It was only a matter of minutes before, through sobs and tears, Seele began to unburden herself about her week at work.
Even though she was worried and wanted to comfort her, Bronya held back and just let Seele say everything that was stuck inside her.
She knew more than anyone that although being a Valkyrie was an honorable and very rewarding job at times, it was far from a bed of roses, and there were incredibly difficult days all the time.
She knew Seele was aware of this, but that didn't mean she wouldn't cry. She herself probably would have cried a lot more if it weren't for the damage the X-10 had done to her limbic system during her early years at St. Freya.
Someone as sensitive and gentle as Seele, no matter how strong, couldn't maintain her composure 100% of the time. Much less in front of her own girlfriend, who knew her so well and wouldn't hesitate to bring her all the comfort in the world to expose her fragility.
For a long time, Seele cried and poured out her heart on Bronya's lap, who simply listened attentively and stroked her hair.
At some point, Seele stopped talking and just lay on Bronya's chest, sobbing and crying until she had nothing left to say.
When she was calmer, Bronya was finally able to comfort her a little.
She couldn't solve Seele's problems, nor could she make the world a completely kind place for her full-time, and she didn't need to — because she believed in Seele and knew she was strong and independent enough to move forward even through difficulties — but she was still her childhood best friend, her girlfriend, her Seele.
And there was nothing wrong with letting her show weakness and then comforting her and helping her validate her feelings.
She knew the kind of things Seele could handle at work, and even though she witnessed things that would turn the stomach of anyone with a heart, she still stood tall and did her best.
Bronya felt proud of Seele every day when she saw the person she was becoming, but it still hurt her to see her sad and crying like that.
Trying her best, Bronya was gentle with her words. Words weren't always her strong suit, but with Seele, it always seemed so easy and natural that she never hesitated to comfort her.
Bronya just wanted Seele to know that even if she no longer had to hide in her toy chest, she could always escape into her lap when she was sad or scared.
A good while of talking later, Seele was much calmer, even though she still had her head down.
With her eyes closed, she felt Bronya's fingers stroke her hair, while she listened to the calm beating of her heart below her.
Even after more than a year free of the Sea of Quanta, Seele would never forget how much she missed being able to hold Bronya like that.
At least remembering that while feeling the warmth of Bronya's body beneath her brought her an extra dose of peace after all that crying.
"Seele's day was hectic, now she needs to rest," Bronya whispered, helping her sit up again. "Shall Bronya help you with your bath?"
Smiling as she rubbed her red, tear-streaked face, Seele nodded. She really liked it when Bronya joined her in the bath, and it had been a while since they'd done it together.
“Then, let’s go,” Bronya replied, holding out her hand for Seele to get up from the couch.
Together, they went to the bathroom.
After opening the door, Bronya asked Seele to sit down and wait for her to organize the things for the bath.
While the tub filled, Bronya went to get clean towels and clothes for them. Seele simply obeyed and continued chatting with Bronya about other things while they waited.
Not long after, the tub was full and smelled of the bath soap Bronya had added. She knew Seele liked that stuff, so she made sure to add plenty.
Once undressed, Bronya took Seele by the hand and helped her into the bathtub with her.
Carefully placing one foot at a time into the tub, Seele bent her knees and sat down slowly, feeling the warm, soapy water envelop her cold, tired body.
Seeing that Bronya had sat down as well, she pushed her back until she was leaning against Bronya.
“Is the water temperature too hot?” Bronya asked, helping her settle in.
“It’s good, jie-jie. Thank you,” Seele replied, closing her eyes as she felt Bronya hugging her from behind.
It was even a little funny, but after crying so much, Seele was very tired. Having the hot water wash away the salty tears and sweat from her body was a huge relief, and having Bronya by her side made everything so much better.
Peeking out of one eye, she saw that Bronya had also closed her eyes.
"Bronya jie-jie?" she called, making Bronya open her eyes and look at her. "Thank you for taking care of me."
Bronya smiled at her, burying her nose in her still partially dry hair. "No need to thank Bronya for that. She'll always be there for Seele, whenever she needs her."
In response, Seele simply held Bronya's hand underwater and relaxed again, feeling even lighter.
She only opened her eyes when she felt Bronya carefully pouring warm water on her hair to start shampooing it.
“Is jie-jie going to wash my hair?” Seele asked, feeling the water run down her shoulders.
Bronya nodded. “Maybe the shampoo will make some of those bruises hurt.”
Seele then looked down at her own arms, where a few small cuts and bruises from one fight were scattered. Honestly, she had barely noticed them herself before Bronya mentioned them.
“Don’t worry, jie-jie. It doesn’t hurt.”
After that, she felt some cold shampoo begin to be rubbed into her head, massaging her scalp carefully so as not to tangle her hair too much.
“Seele’s hair looks nice like this,” Bronya said, rinsing it with the shower head.
It had been a while since she'd worn her hair long, and Bronya could safely say that Seele was beautiful either way.
“Does jie-jie like it? Sometimes I think about cutting it again.” Seele laughed, closing her eyes to keep the water out.
“Seele looks perfect either way. But change is good sometimes.”
“I think so,” Seele mused, turning in the tub to look at Bronya. “Bronya, jie-jie, can I ask you a question? If it’s too personal, you don’t have to answer.”
After that, Seele made Bronya also turn around in the bathtub, facing away from her.
“Seele can ask whatever she wants.” Bronya replied, smiling as she felt Seele wet her hair too.
“Why did you… change the way you talk to other people?”
The question took Bronya by surprise.
It wasn't exactly an invasive question, since it was Seele, but Bronya was surprised she was interested in knowing that.
She pondered for a bit before answering.
"Bronya... has been trying hard to be more mature and professional. She thinks some of her habits wouldn't be as appropriate."
Seele suddenly stopped rubbing her hair.
As comfortable as speaking about herself in the third person was for Bronya, it was now something she reserved for moments alone with Seele. Except for the times she accidentally let it slip.
She had also been working and striving to improve her expressions and tone of voice.
In the corporate world, despite their main interest being game design, presentations and pitching were inevitable, and having a level greater than zero in theatricality becomes highly necessary in these cases.
Bronya didn't like to admit it, but this was often extremely exhausting, but if she wanted to be seen as a serious and professional person, she thought it was a necessary sacrifice.
"You don't have to push yourself so hard for this, Bronya jie-jie. You're the best at gaming, and your skills as a developer are always praised." Seele said, starting to rinse her hair.
“Bronya knows that, but sometimes she feels like she’ll always be seen as a child if she doesn’t change these things.” Bronya replied, this time closing her eyes as the water ran down her hair and face.
Seele just hugged her from behind.
She noticed Bronya's effort to feel more imposing, but she also noticed the strain it took on her.
At least she knew Bronya felt safe enough to be real with her and not hide behind a mask.
It was a little sad that Bronya thought she needed this, but Seele knew that most people would judge her every step, so she understood Bronya's decision.
In the end, the decision was hers. And Seele would always support her and do everything to be her safe zone no matter what.
A few minutes later, the two of them had finished washing, and the water in the tub was getting colder and colder. Bronya and Seele decided it was time to get out of the bath and dry off.
Already dressed in her pajamas, Seele was about to grab the hairdryer and plug it in when Bronya stopped her.
“Seele, wait in the living room, Bronya will do it for you.”
“Are you sure? I can do this…”
Bronya shook her head. She wanted Seele to rest, and therefore not exert herself in the slightest.
Without leaving Seele time to escape, Bronya took the hairdryer from her hands and led her from the bathroom to the living room sofa, making her laugh a little at her determination.
Throwing a large pillow on the floor, Bronya handed the television remote to Seele.
“While Bronya dries Seele’s hair, she can choose what we’re going to watch today.” Bronya said, as Seele sat on the cushion.
“It’s okay, Bronya jie-jie.”
So, while Seele looked through the catalog of films and series available on television, Bronya carefully sat behind her and began to dry Seele's hair.
After choosing a movie, Seele remained silent, enjoying the feeling of Bronya's hands touching her hair and taking care of her, since the two of them couldn't talk without shouting over the noise of the dryer.
When she finished drying Seele's hair completely, Bronya applied some moisturizer to the ends, and finally, she kissed Seele's neck, indicating that she was done.
“Hmm… Thank you, jie-jie,” Seele murmured.
Bronya just smiled at her, and went to the kitchen to get the dinner she had bought for them.
Sitting on the floor as well, Bronya placed the packages, plates, and cutlery on the coffee table in the living room, so they could eat comfortably while watching the movie Seele had chosen.
Time passed quickly as the two girls ate and talked about the movie, and before they knew it, the credits were already rolling on the screen, indicating that the movie was over.
Looking to her side, Bronya saw Seele dozing lightly, her lips parted as Bronya hugged her.
Bronya smiled at the scene. Seele was always so cute.
Just as Bronya was pondering whether she should wake Seele or not, she blinked in confusion, waking up from her nap and trying to understand what was happening.
“What… Bronya jie-jie!” Seele rubbed her eyes. “I think I fell asleep…”
Bronya laughed and kissed her on the lips once.
“Seele needs to rest. The movie’s already over.” Bronya said, glancing at the television.
“I’ll help jie-jie to clean up first.” Seele said, pushing away from Bronya and preparing to get up from the couch.
Bronya suddenly yawned.
She was also quite tired from the work week, and like Seele, she suspected she needed a few long hours of sleep before she thought about sitting down at the computer again.
“Come on, jie-jie! The sooner we finish, the sooner we can go to bed,” Seele called, starting to collect the dirty dishes from the small table in the living room.
Nodding and following suit, Bronya helped her carry all the dishes to the kitchen and together they took care of all the mess, leftovers, and cleanup after dinner.
Taking advantage of the impulse, they went to the bathroom and brushed their teeth together, getting ready for bed at once.
As Bronya was pulling the duvet off the bed to lie down, she felt Seele's arms wrap around her from behind.
“Seele?”
“Bronya jie-jie, I love you.”
Hearing these words suddenly, Bronya blushed.
Even though she and Seele had been together for so long, she still felt a little shy when she was caught off guard like this.
“Thank you for taking care of me. I’m feeling much better” Seele continued, still holding Bronya.
“Seele, Bronya also loves y-” Bronya tried to turn to look at her as she answered, but Seele pulled her by the shirt and kissed her lips.
Feeling her waist being pulled, Bronya could only grab Seele back, letting her continue to lean in to kiss her.
Bronya wasn't wearing heels like usual, so Seele almost lifted her off the ground as he hugged her tightly.
When they separated, Bronya was even a little dizzy from how much Seele had kissed her in such a short space of time.
“Shall we go to sleep, Bronya jie-jie? I’m really tired…” Seele said, climbing up and crawling to her side of the bed.
Bronya followed her, also settling under the duvet.
After the lights were turned out, Bronya came over and hugged Seele from behind, as they usually did before sleeping. Seele just smiled and held Bronya's hand under the covers.
“Good night, Seele. Rest well. If you need anything, wake Bronya.”
“Okay, thank you. Good night, Bronya jie-jie.”