The heroine held an angry staring contest with her best friend, Austin. Maya put her hands on her hips and stuck out her chest as she sneered at her tall buddy. Austin cocked his head from one side to the other, sizing Maya up.

“Say, something seems different about you,” Austin started. “Can’t put my finger on it, though.”

Maya clicked her tongue. "Dont, Austin, if you say what I think you'll say, I'll-"

"You've changed your hairstyle, didn’t you?" he snapped his fingers in realisation. “I knew something was different!”

"Oh," said Maya in surprise, and twirled her finger over one of her coils. Her afro was pulled back into a puffy ponytail, with the hair on her scalp tied into braids. "Y-yeah, I did. Do you like it? Val and I-"

“And you seem rounder-”

“DANG IT AUSTIN!” Maya shouted and thrashed her bag at Austin. “Stay still and suffer your words!”

“What’s wrong?” wondered Austin with a laugh. “It's happy weight, no -oof.”

Maya threw her backpack at Austin’s face and barely caught it in his hands—the throw stung, though.

“Gosh, Austin!” Maya exclaimed. “One day, I’ll throw you off the highest bridge in all the Netherlands!”

“Good thing the Erasmus Bridge is in Rotterdam, and I don’t go near bridges—Trolls are nasty creatures.” Maya blinked at him, unimpressed and moody. “Just kidding, they migrated away from bridges centuries ago.”

“Austin, I sometimes don't get your jokes, and I don’t get mythology as you do, you know that,” huffed Maya and leaned against the railing of the university stairs—thankfully, the building was still empty, and no one heard them. “I like you, but you can be so insufferable sometimes.”

“Hm,” Austin wrinkled his brow and leaned with his back against the railing, “did I cross a line?”

“Very much so,” Maya complained. “I told you that I'm not taking those jokes well.”

“Sorry, awful sense of humour and habits.” Austin took a step back and put his hands up placably. “Got harassed a lot by my older siblings. Jokes are a sort of coping mechanism.”

“That's not an excuse,” she said. “I told you to stop it before. You know about my issues. Why do you keep poking?”

“Because I-” Austin reeled back. Maya was genuinely angry with him. He backed down with his excuses. “You’re right. I should know better than finding excuses. That was insensitive of me. I’m sorry.”

Maya grumbled under her breath. Resting a hand on her cheek, Maya took a deep breath. “Next time, I won’t be so forgiving. You’re lucky I tolerate your other shenanigans as my friend.”

“That I am, haha…” Austin’s laugh strained. “Would you still like to talk about your new hairstyle? I thought you liked your afro.”

“I've wanted to try out something new. Since…” Maya blushed. She petter the single blond weave on top of her head and mumbled, “Since Val and I got together.”

“Come again?” Austin put a hand around his ears and came closer. “Didn’t hear you.”

Maya pushed him away, though her increasing blush and smile gave her feelings away. “It happened. We’re together.”

Austin whistled loudly for Maya. “Congrats, gurl, you took your damn time. I’m happy for you.”

“Oh, you.” Maya shoved Austin, who laughed again and averted his eyes, still feeling bad about his jokes. “Did she change her looks as well?”

Maya nodded. “She said it would be a surprise. When she saw my hair, she couldn’t hide her surprise. I loved teasing her with them and think they will be more comfortable to work out with when we go to the gym later.”

Austin furrowed his brows and scrunched his nose. Maya noticed he was biting back on saying something. “Are you constipated, or what’s wrong?”

“I…” Austin hesitated. “I’m a little reluctant to ask after what I previously said.”

“Out with it,” said Maya, whipping her head with the rest of her afro settling like a cloud behind her neck. “I promise I won’t bite off your head… actually, no promises, I might… just tell me.”

Austin took a breath and glanced over at Maya. “You going to the gym,” he started. “Is it because of your recent… gains?”

Maya reluctantly nodded. “Unfortunately. I told Val about my disorder when we got together.”

“How did she take it?”

“Surprisingly well, which is nice, but not the best start into a relationship.” Maya leaned further over the railing and let her feet dangle between the bars. “The first week was awkward. I asked to watch what she cooked for us, but she consistently worried and hovered over me—like my mother did in the past,” said Maya. “Val was confused if giving me seconds was good or not, which, granted, might have been confusing.”

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“She’s trying,” said Austin. “And she’s understanding, which is worth a lot. ”

Blushing, Maya mumbled into her arms. “I know, I like it, but I jokingly proposed that we should hit the gym—together! You know, like a couple. I wasn’t serious, but Val was ecstatic!” Maya despaired. “This is going to be a disaster.”

“Why?” Asked Austin.

Maya gave him a look. “Are you serious?” She turned around and motioned to her body. “Look at me. I’m not equipped for physical exercise—and never was! I knew buying that gym membership as a New Year’s resolution was a mistake, and now I’m paying the price!”

Furiously, Maya punched some coins into a vending machine and tore into an overpriced, small bag of chips. It was a terrible habit Maya kept up during lectures when her stress level hit her. Austin knew about this, but he doubted Val did.

“Are you planning on telling her, then?” asked Austin, taking away the chips to eat them himself. “Ihw mwean,” he swallowed between bites, “You’re keeping a secret because you think knowing might be uncomfortable. Shouldn’t you be honest instead of forcing yourself?”

Maya nervously folded her hands over her stomach and bit her lower lip. “I do want to try it, though. I want to spend time with her doing what she likes… and subsequently lose weight.” Maya discontentedly pinched her belly paunch. “Val says she doesn’t mind, but I do, so I’m not sure.”

Austin sighed and binned the empty bag of chips. He playfully shook his friend. “Don’t question everything, Maya. You’ve got a cute and attentive girlfriend. Better enjoy it rather than overthink it.”

Picking up his bag, Austin adjusted it over his shoulder. He averted his eyes from Maya. “I’ll go to my lecture now,” he said. “Sorry again about the jokes. I should know better. Still not an excuse tho. I’ll do better, I promise.”

Maya smiled at her friend. “I appreciate it. You should meet her one day. And Fey. She’s funny, although a little quirky.”

“Nah, not interested,” Austin deflected with a cocky grin. “Don’t need to see your imaginary witch and Valkyrie girlfriend.”

“Haha,” Maya laughed sarcastically. “Funny, but I mean it. They’re great.”

Austin considered the offer. “Next time, ok?”

“Okay. Also, can you do me a favour?”

“Sure, anything.”

Maya sneered at him. “Shave off that stupid thing.” She tapped at her chin. “You look like you want to compete for the ugliest beard in the world or as a second-rate villain.”

Austin smugly scratched his soul patch and drew closer to Maya. “Why? I find it charming.”

“GO AWAY!!!” Maya pushed Austin away, but he kept taunting her. “THAT THING IS AN ABOMINATION!” she laughed. “GET RID OF IT!”

“NEVER! SUFFER ITS GLORY!”

They laughed at their silliness and forgot about their brief argument. Maya was glad to have him as a friend. Although Austin still felt a little bad about himself.

—✿—

Maya walked back home humming along to the song of a musical playing in her playlist. She was in a good mood, knowing Val was waiting for her. She still couldn’t get over the fact they were a couple now.

A fact Maya still had a hard time believing. Even when Val wanted to shower her with affection, Val kept it contained with small kisses and holding Maya’s hand. It was the right amount of affection to send Maya’s heart fluttering—reaffirming that Maya’s fears and doubts were nothing but her imagination.

Val took it slow with her, considering Maya’s feelings. Her smile couldn’t be stopped when she thought about the Valkyrie at her home, no matter how much Maya tried to hide it.

The first three days were filled with anxiety for Maya. She feared that whatever happened between her and Val wasn’t real and that Val would soon realise Maya was a mistake.

That her feelings were fleeting, and then she would leave.

Seeing this, Val surprised Maya by brushing over her neck and asking for confirmation to kiss her—which Maya promptly granted.

Maya couldn’t deny that kissing the Valkyrie was a tingling sensation that would wash over her lungs and settle pleasantly in her abdomen. She heard of the saying that love made you feel you had butterflies in your stomach, but she never believed how true it could be.

Val’s minty breath was as cool as her hands. Like a breeze, it would pleasantly wash over Maya’s skin when they kissed or held hands. They knew they wanted more, but Maya kept the Valkyrie at a distance as she still felt sheepish about initiating any deeper display of emotion that involved touching.

She was insecure about her body, no matter how much patience and understanding Val showed her. Maya believed Valkyrie would lose patience with Maya not giving her the attention she deserved, but Val never once complained.

With a warm smile tugged on her lips, Val kept showering Maya with positive affection and affirmation.

Heat rose to Maya’s face. She swooned, unable to keep the image of her and Val out of her head. “I have a girlfriend,” thought Maya, almost crying from how happy she was. “She’s too good for me.”

Unlocking the door to her room, the smell of dinner and coffee enamoured her.

“And she can cook. I can never let her go!” Maya clenched her fist in victory. Val was more than Maya deserved, and she knew she had to give something back. No, she wanted to reciprocate it all to the Valkyrie. “Maybe I can make an exception for a bit of PDA,” thought Maya, and blushed more.

“Maya?” Val called and entered the corridor, wiping her hands on the apron. “You’re. Back.”

Val carefully wrapped her hands around Maya’s waist, testing the waters and how far she could go before Maya held Val’s arms, chuckling.

“Oh gods, Val, what’s that thing you’re wearing on your head?” Maya pointed at the plastic wrap on Val’s head. “Are you trying to set a new fashion trend? It’s not working.”

Val beamed at Maya’s giggling and kissed her lips to draw the laugh out and replace it with a blush. “Told you. A surprise. Just like you. Surprised me. With your new. Hairstyle.”

Val stroked the blond little weave, the same colour as her hair. Val placed a kiss on Maya’s head. “Dinner’s ready. Be right. Back. After the. Shower.” The Valkyrie withdrew her hands from Maya’s face—but not without whispering teasingly into Maya’s ear with a minty breath. “Can’t wait. For our workout. Date.”