Mal’s winter adventure (SFW)

Marla was having lunch with Mal after attending to some work for the Sultana, over the past weeks Marla had made a habit of meeting up with Mal whenever she was in town. The two had been spending some time together at Marla’s home as well, but this was a chance for the two to chat together on their own.

“So I took a job to kill a huge Ogre in Coerthas.” Mal said, as they finished their lunch.

“How huge is huge?” Marla asked relaxing back into her chair to chat.

“They said it was two to three times the size of a regular Ogre.”

“Hmm, might be a bit of a challenge for you, are you sure you’re ready for it?”

“Sorta, that’s why I brought it up. I wanted to know if you would…….. watch my back for me in case it goes sideways.”

“Of course I will, I wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to you.” Marla gave Mal a big smile and a wink.

“Thanks, I think ill be fine, but just in case.”

Marla thought that Mal seemed a little more worried than she should be, but as long as she didn’t majorly mess up she should be fine. “You’ll do great I know it.” Marla patted Mal’s hand which was resting on the table. “When do you want to go?”

“I was thinking 4 days from now? I need to get my tonfas repaired, and I need to get some winter clothes, my desert wear isn’t going to cut it I understand.”

Marla laughed, “Yeah you’ll need quite the warm coat, it gets quite cold up there. I’ll make sure I’m available for a few days starting then, and we can head out together.”

The two talked for a bit longer before Marla had to head back home, and the parted to meet up in Ul’dah 4 days later.

---

“So what was Mae doing under the table when I came in, I saw here climb out from underneath of there.” Mal asked with a curious tone.

Marla laughed, “If you can’t figure out the answer then you don’t need to know.” she said trying to cover her grin.

Mal seemed alarmed at the implication, “But Manami was 10 feet away!”

“Yes, and Manami knew what was going on, and if she was sitting might have gotten the same.”

“Wait so…. You’re all 3 dating each other… oh… wait what about Mason?”

“Yup all 4 of us.” Mason was the newest member of Marla’s clan and had just moved in a few weeks ago.

“And none of them mind?” Mal asked with a very interested hint in her voice.

“Nope, hell it was half Manami’s idea and Mae’s fault anyway.”

Marla heard Mal mumble to herself, “Maybe they won’t mind another….. but… hmm….”

Marla decided to pretend she didn’t hear that, “What was that?”

Mal flushed for a second alarmed and said “I said, I don’t mind the weather.” trying to cover up what she had said,

“Well of course not were still in Gridania, it’s a ways to Coerthas from here.” Marla replied

“I’m glad we took an airship, I don’t know how to handle riding beasts and using Aetherytes everywhere, I get so sick, and walking would have taken forever.”

Marla chuckled, “Yeah though we will have to walk the last leg of the journey to Camp Dragonhead where we are staying.”

“I don’t mind, the company is good.” Mal smiled at Marla, the two were having quite a good time on their travel, with Mal sitting very close to Marla. Marla wasn’t displeased with this development, perhaps the little adventurer has developed a crush on her.

“So what’s the intel you got with the job?” Marla asked.

“Big ogre… frequents caves in the northeast part of the region around Camp Dragonhead, only ever seen during the day. I think we will just have to stake out the best caves and wait.”

“I do know one in that area with a water source, that might be our best bet.”

“Wow really? That’s awesome, we will have to check it out, I can’t imagine there are too many with non-frozen water up there.”

“Pretty much just that one for surface caves, there are a few deep caves that aren’t completely frozen.”

“Thanks Marla!”

Marla was amused with how excited Mal was, it was helpful intel, but she seemed to really be pleased with receiving it.

As the air finally got cold entering Coerthas Mal stood up and started putting on a warm coat. Marla looked the coat over, it seemed like it would keep Mal warm, but she wasn’t sure how Mal would kick in it. “Are you able to kick in that?” Marla prodded, hoping the girl had thought of it.

“I think so, I should be fine if I don’t button it all the way down.” Mal replied, not sounding as confident as Marla hoped.

“Make sure to take some practice kicks before we go hunting, you don’t want a move to get caught on your coat and leave you vulnerable.”

“Is that why you wear so little while adventuring?” Mal asked.

“Part of the reason, I also like how it looks, and it’s less mess to deal with when I get soaked with something, wet clothes are very heavy too.”

Mal seemed to think about that, “So you like showing off your legs?”

Marla grinned and winked, “Yup!”

Mal smiled, “Huh, ok. I just wear shorts because they are comfortable and not too warm, I hadn’t thought about the freedom of movement.”

Once the airship reached the tower the two climbed off and trudged down the tower before stepping out into the cold air of the Coerthan Highlands.

“There’s so much snow.” Mal marveled, taking in her surroundings.

Marla nodded, “Yes, and some of it can get as deep as your knees or even hips for us short people.”

Mal cocked her head, “What about Lalafells….. how do they get around?”

“Snow shoes, you’ll see one or two wearing them. They are light enough that they don’t fall through and can stand on top of the snow.”

As they stepped into the 2 ilms of snow that had accumulated in the street of the town Marla bent over and grabbed a handful before tossing a snowball at Mal.

Mal jumped, raising their voice in alarm. “What was that for?”

“For fun.” Marla said, giving her best cocky grin before tossing another one Mal’s way. Squealing again, Mal knelt down and tossed another at Marla, which was easily dodged. “You’ll have to catch me if you wanna get me” Marla declared before running off towards the edge of town where they needed to go.

Mal did eventually catch up, but had lost her snowball in the run and was quite winded. “You let me follow you that time back in Ul’dah didn’t you. You could have lost me in a heartbeat.”

Marla nodded, “Yup, I didn’t want you getting lost.”

Mal grumbled as she punched Marla in the arm with decent force, hitting a wall of surprising strength for the woman’s small stature. “Jeez, no wonder you’re a hero.” she said while shaking her hand after the blow.

Marla gave Mal enough time to catch her breath and then the two started to walk up the hills towards Camp Dragonhead, It was slowly becoming evening and the real cold would be coming soon. As they walked Mal asked. “How do you keep warm in that. It’s fewer clothes than a gown.” while pointing at Marla’s Halone inspired custom battle dress.

“Magic.” Marla replied with a wink.

“Come on, tell me!”

“No, literally, it’s magic, touch my arm.” Marla insisted.

As she reached out to touch Marla’s arm she could feel the girls frozen fingers due to a lack of gloves. She would have to remind the girl of that and get a pair tonight. “You’re practically warm!” Mal declared.

“Yup, fire or ice magic at all times ensures I stay a comfortable temperature.”

“Cheater.” Mal declared before huffing and tucking her frozen fingers under her armpits.

Arriving at the gates Marla and Mal were waved through, who was going to stop and question the savior of Ishgard and her guest. As they walked to a room that house Fortemps had set aside for her upon her request the two changed into some more comfortable clothes and the hearth to dry their snow soaked gear. The two climbed into the bed and Marla pulled Mal in close for warmth under the heavy covers.

“Oh you’re so warm, I’m going to sleep like this.” Mal declared.

“Fine by me.” Marla replied, squeezing Mal in close and spooning the young adventurer.

Mal got real quiet, eventually asking, “Have you adventured with someone else like this before?”

“Like this?” Marla squeezed Mal for emphasis, “Yes, just one person.”

“Is that …. Rin… Mae mentioned her name once.” Mal seemed hesitant to even mentioned the name.

Sadness started to creep into Marla’s mind, “Yes” was all she could muster.

“Would you…. Would you like to tell me about her?”

Marla thought for a moment, she might as well, this wasn’t something she would never talk to her future partners about anyway. “Sure.” Gathering her thoughts she started to talk about Rin, the small Raen lover who had owned her heart so completely. She told Mal about her and Rin camping out together in a tiny tent, crammed into the same rucksack. She told Mal about their normal activities while they traveled, about Rin making dinner and patching Marla up after a fight. As she held the young Hyur close, she finished with, “… and then she was killed, because of me.” Marla struggled to get that last sentence out of her mouth, the guilt over Rin’s death still ate at her. Manami, Mae, and Mason had done wonders for her sanity, Mal and Mackenzie had as well, though not part of the Clan. However, the thought of Rin’s death still depressed her.

Marla then felt the cold hands and arms of Mal wrap around her own, as Mal pushed further into Marla’s chest. “I’m sorry.” She said, “I didn’t realize.”

“It’s ok, you were curious, and I knew what it would do to me.” Marla buried her face into Mal’s small back, this girl really was sweet at heart.

Mal’s voice came out after a moment with some coldness to it, “Did you get them?”

“Yes.” was all Marla replied.

For the first time she had told anyone her story she finally got back a new response, “Good.” This surprised Marla, when she had told this story to Manami, Mae, and Mason she got back kindness and understanding, care and affection. It seemed like Mal understood, perhaps it was their shared nature as adventurers, but whatever it was made Marla a tiny bit happier at that moment.

Mal then started asking questions about Marla’s time in Ishgard, and Marla answered them, finally warming emotionally from the frozen winter her heart became when thinking about Rin. As the two got sleeping they slept just as they had been laying, two small women, spooning for warmth.

The next day the two went northeast to the cave Marla had mentioned, scoping it out they sat near the entrance for hours waiting with no luck. They ate trail rations where they were, sitting on a rock brushed free of snow and continued to chat about each one’s individual adventures. The entire day passed with no sight of any Ogre large enough to warrant a quest like this, and they went back to the Camp to have a warm meal and bed again for the second night in a row. Mal had become quite the cuddler and immediately made space for Marla to climb in behind her that night. “Stealing my warmth again?” Marla teased.

Mal blushed slightly. “Er… yeah.” and smiled at Marla before lying her head down on the pillow. They didn’t stay up as late tonight, being in the cold all day had sapped Mal’s strength, and she was exhausted. Marla stayed up for a bit taking in the sweet blonde’s face before going to sleep herself. The second and third days of stakeout turned out much the same as the first, and by the fourth day Mal was starting to become frustrated.

“Where is the thing.” she asked, her breath visible in the air.

“If you keep making noise it won’t ever show.” Marla chided.

“Fine.” came back a near whisper, still frustration but conveyed without volume.

Not long before lunch the creature finally showed its face. Mal jumped up in excitement, “That has to be it.” she whisper yelled.

Marla nodded, this thing was easily two and a half times the size of the typical Ogres in the region, It was no wonder there was a bounty on it. She turned to Mal, “Are you ready?”

“Yes, I’m totally ready.”

“Wait till it turns its head, so it won’t see you move, and charge it. Make sure to get a good strike to its head first, so it gets disoriented, you’ll have an advantage.”

“I know, I know.” Mal then crept down the hill and drew her tonfas. As she approached the creature Mal jumped and struck it upside the head. She was fast, her limbs flying as she pummeled the much larger creature. Marla was nervous, her hands on her sword and shield ready to dash in, but it wasn’t needed. Mal was doing well, dodging blows and striking many in return. Eventually the creature fell with Mal covered in its blood.

She turned towards Marla and ran before jumping and landing in Marla’s arms wrapping her own around Marla’s neck. Before Marla knew what was going on Mal had kissed her, It was full of energy and very Mal, sweet but rough. Pulling back Mal began to panic, “No, shit….. Sorry…. I’m so sorry.” before she shoved herself out of Marla’s arms and started to run back to the Camp. Marla was stupefied, she would have to catch the girl, but she had left the trophies to prove her hunt behind. Marla turned with a blade and quickly severed the claws and horns before tossing them in a bag and running after Mal.

The girl wasn’t hiding her footprints, so her path was visible from Marla’s vantage point above the snow. Marla wasn’t about to be slowed by the snow and was dashing along on top of it instead of trudging through. Spotting her from yalms away she caught up to her just as she entered the Camp and immediately drug her into an alley. Pinning her against the wall Marla tried to look Mal in the eyes, but she was hiding her face.

“Look at me Mal.” Marla commanded, her voice firm. Slowly Mal turned her head upwards and Marla moved her own head to lock eyes. “Why run away, did you not want to kiss me?”

Mal shook her head “No, I wanted to, but…” she trailed off.

Marla shook her head and then went in and surprised Mal by taking a kiss in return. This should leave her with no misunderstanding about what Marla wanted. As she pulled back she felt Mal’s body relax, Marla released Mal and handed her the bag of claws, “You forgot these.” Mal took the bag blushing and looking at the ground. Marla shook her head, Mal still seemed out of it she would have to get her home to talk about this more, and get her warmed up. Concentrating Marla summoned a two-seater aircraft from the aether, and strapped Mal in behind the pilots seat, “Let’s go back to my place, this will be much faster than waiting on an airship.”

As they took off she heard Mal say, “Can we forget I did that?”

“Nope, never letting you forget.” and picked up speed making conversation impossible.

When they arrived Marla landed the aircraft directly on the lawn before reabsorbing its aether and carrying Mal inside. She dropped the bags on the ground, threw coats on the table all without letting her go, she was still worried about Mal running. Taking a seat in one of her favorite chairs Marla patting the free half of the chair and indicated to Mal she should sit. Mal climbed on and curled up on the seat, placing her head in Marla’s lap.

“Are you mad at me?” the younger woman asked.

“No, I’m just frustrated with you running after kissing me, why would you do that?”

“I was….. I….. I don’t know… I was so excited, and I just did it, and I felt like I made a mistake immediately because you’re going to stop hanging out with me.” she rambled trying to explain her thoughts.

Marla placed a hand on Mal’s head, and stroked her hair before answering, “I was glad you kissed me, I like you too Mal.” Marla really wanted her to understand.

Mal turned her head and looked up at Marla confused, “Like you like me, like me? Or… just want to fool around and have fun like me….”

Marla sighed, “I like you Mal, I have for a while.”

“But why? You have Manami, and Mae, and even Mason I guess, why would you want me? I’m just… a skinny little mess, I don’t have near the body that Manami or Mae have, Hell I think Mason is prettier than me.”

Playfully smacking Mal’s outer thigh Marla replied, “Because you’re cute, sweet, kind, and fun, sure you don’t look like Mae, almost no one does, and I think you’re very pretty. But you don’t believe me do you?”

Mal shook her head no and Marla continued, “Ok, well too bad, it’s true, and you can deal with it. Now a much more important question is, do you want to be with me? Obviously I’m a mess as you saw, I have two girlfriends and a boyfriend already who would be part of the package, and not least of all I have way too much of a libido and unique preferences in bed.”

At the last statement Mal blushed a little, “What do you mean unique?”

Marla laughed a bit, she was finally getting somewhere, “I like to be in charge, I like to tease, I like to play rough.” at the last one Mal’s blush blossomed into a full face. “Oh, you like that idea don’t you, Marla teased, but none of that matters if you don’t want to be with me.”

Mal tucked her arms into Marla’s legs and returned her head to Marla’s lap, before replying, “I do, I think I do at least, could… could I move in as well?”

Marla laughed, “You could have done that anyway, but yes, you could move in.”

Mal pressed her face into Marla’s legs, “Ok, well… I want to… be with you that is, … is that ok?”

Returning her hand to stroking Mal, Marla smiled and said, “Yes, yes it’s ok, it’s better than ok, it’s perfect.” before leaning down and kissing Mal’s head.

“Can I move in…. Tomorrow?” Mal asked, eliciting a final laugh from Marla.

“Yes, we can all help you move in tomorrow.”

“Good, I’d like that.” Mal’s voice trailed off, she was obviously very worn out. Marla decided to just sit there and let her continue to be comfortable and settled in for a long cuddle with her newest lover.

Fin