In fact, Mai had seemed to go out of her way to befriend Valerie, to open up with her more than she seemed to with Griffen. It had given Valerie something she didn’t really realize she was missing: a girlfriend, someone she could let her hair down with and trade dirty jokes and warm comfort. Val had come to appreciate Mai’s perspective and knowledge. Even with that, she had to admit she still didn’t really understand Mai.

“Sure thing,” Val said.

Val opened the door and waved Mai inside. After she closed the door, she noticed Mai still looking around. Well, if you don’t know, ask.

“What are you looking for?”

“Nothing, privacy mostly. I never knew Valkyries were such slobs.”

Mai grinned as she said it and waved a small hand at scattered clothing over Val’s couch and a small pile of take-out containers on the table. Val rolled her eyes. She knew that she was nowhere near as messy as some. Mai, though, seemed to keep herself, and her surroundings, bordering on immaculate. Sometimes Val just wanted to throttle her.

“Sorry, we can’t all have wrought-iron shafts shoved up our rears, Flower Drum. At least I can eat without the area being declared a disaster zone,” Val teased.

Though if truth be known, the two together was a disaster worse than the sum of its parts. Valerie and Mai attacking a full dinner could give waiters heart attacks the Quarter over.

“You just don’t know how to enjoy your food properly. Amazing, considering how big you are.”

Val grinned at the familiar banter, but there was a slight flash in her eye. One hand idly touched her stomach. Mai noticed it, and her expression softened and went a touch more serious.

“Relax, it’s not showing yet,” Mai said.

“Wh- What do you mean?”

“Oh, please, Valerie. You’ve been out of sorts, far too serious, and there are other signs.”