Maya had the jitters as she stomped through the pitch-black corridor and up the staircase. A drop of water dripped from her coils and onto her fist. Maya grumbled loudly as she fiddled with her keys in front of her apartment door. 

The downpour had drenched her and her clothes well. The thought of class and Ragna surfaced like a small wound around a nail. She tried to forget what had happened, but was too upset about it. And she was missing the keyhole the entire time. 

“Come on,” she complained with increasing frustration. “Go in—” 

A loud yelp escaped her when thunder struck outside the building. Her keys clattered to the ground. Maya looked outside the large glass panels of the staircase, where rain pelted dramatically against them. 

Maya huffed and finally flicked the light, turning on the lights she’d been too lazy to use earlier. She bent down to pick up her keys, unlocked the door and stepped into her apartment. 

“I’m home!” She yelled gleefully inside and waited patiently for a reply back. Though all she got was a cold draft in return. 

Maya shivered. “Right… I forgot we both had work later that day.” 

Sighing, Maya stripped off her wet clothes. Her bare feet pressed down on the cold ground, reminding her to shop for a fuzzy carpet before winter. 

Today was not really a day Maya wanted to get caught in the rain. She grabbed her last fresh towel and pat-dried her hair. Though she loved her hair, it also took way too much effort to shampoo, condition, dry, brush and all the other little, annoying parts of the process to take care of it. 

Maya tried not to dwell on that; it would only sour her mood further and ruin the way she felt about her hair. 

Rather, she tried to focus on the blissful hot shower. Her skin warmed up as she scrubbed herself with a loofah, but no matter how much her brain tried to wander, something distracted her. 

This Autumn season felt so harsh.

And Winter might be even worse. 

Maya reminisced about her old best friend, right when Austin was not there to talk to. Fey seemed more distant than ever. Though she hid her discomfort, Maya knew something was troubling her—more than usual. But Maya couldn’t pry. Fey had to share it by herself. 

And then there was Val… 

Maya cupped her hands in front of her, watching the water gather from the showerhead and into her palms. 

Her reflection looked back at her, and Maya didn’t like it. School and work were rough on their quality time, and not even their weekends were spared from it. 

All Maya wished for was to spend some time with her loved ones.

“I miss you,” she whispered into the water before she splashed her face, trying to wash away the loneliness she felt when her girlfriend was not around. 

Wrapping in a towel, Maya stepped out. A draft slipped through the makeshift curtain where her bathroom door used to be. Another cold blow then sent her shivering. She must have left a window open in the kitchen. 

Rubbing her arms, she hesitated. There was no way she should dry her hair in those conditions. 

With a defeated sigh, Maya ventured into the kitchen. Halfway in, she realised she had forgotten about the lights once more. 

She kept going anyway. 

Maya found the balcony door ajar, rattling and shaking as it let the cold seep inside. 

“Strange,” Maya shivered with each step, “this shouldn’t be open—” 

Another flash of lightning split the night, briefly illuminating a winged silhouette just beyond the balcony’s threshold. 

Maya shouted, stumbling backwards right when the thunder cracked a heartbeat later. 

But right before Maya hit the ground, she felt a pair of arms wrap around her back. A warm feeling like a large blanket cocooned her, shielding her from the invasive cold that entered through the balcony. 

Maya opened an eye and was mesmerised that the person who had almost scared her to death was none other than her girlfriend. 

“Miss. Me?” Val asked shyly, her hair dripping wet and cheeks as red as the bouquet of roses in her hands. “I’m home. Dúllan mín.” 

Maya covered her mouth in surprise, but not for too long. The sight of fragrant roses blooming against the moody grey of autumn was more than just welcome. It was missed. 

She cradled the precious flowers in her hands and admired the beauty of her partner. 

Inside the dome of white feathers, Maya reached out. 

But Val flinched. Her face twitched at the approaching touch. It was instinctive, fearful. Like there was an old fear buried deep inside of her. They had seen each other earlier in the afternoon, but a lot could have happened throughout the day. 

Maya’s hand paused in the air. She waited. Waited until Val breathed, relaxed, and let her partner approach.  

And when she finally touched her, she felt it—how freezing cold Val was.

Maya caressed her face and felt Val lean into the warmth of Maya’s palm. The Valkyrie thawed not just in body but also spirit. There was even a purr. 

Maya laughed softly, “You’re like a kitten.” 

Their faces drew closer. 

Foreheads touched.

Noses brushed.

Lips met. 

The canopy of swan feathers wrapped around them, glittering in hues of vibrant orange and gold. 

Warmth and affection held them in the here and now, encasing them in a moment to keep forever in their hearts.