Chapter Text
Odessa smiles, the crowd was roaring through the speakers of the TV in the pub, and it still had her ears ringing. She rewatched everything, a large hearty grin on her face. The crown isn’t heavy on her head, it’s snug and feels right. “Congratulations, Queen. I hope you’ll lead better than Howl.” The barman smiles, taking her glass as she gets up. “Right on. I’m heading out, put it on my tab, yeah?” She gives a wolffish smile, leaving. The streets are quiet. People were gawking at her muscle-filled, tall frame. She loved it, loved the attention. As she walks into her new abode, she admires the riches around her. “Welcome home, my Queen.” You smile, stepping around the corner. “Who’re you?” Odessa immediately tenses, grabbing her knife. “I’m… Mason Howl’s, now ex, wife. I’m uh… assigned to you. If that’s okay…” You mutter. Odessa relaxes a little. You’re tense, hands trembling with anxiety and a dark bruise peering at her from under your collar. “That right?” She mutters. Odessa had heard stories of Howl’s wife, who wasn’t allowed outside, not allowed to talk. You take a soft breath. “I can leave if you wish it, Queen.” You bow your head, and Odessa shakes her head. “No. You’ve got no where else to go, right?” She asks, watching you nod. “Stay. I’ll house you.”
Odessa doesn’t know why she did it. Maybe she felt bad, because you’re a victim to Mason Howl too. Maybe she liked you, because from where she stood before you, she noticed how pretty you were. Odessa hasn’t had a genuine partner, a few hookups here and there, but you were gorgeous. You’re leading her to the sleeping quarters. Odessa is greeted with an ugly portrait of Mason Howl as soon as the door opens and cringes. Wordlessly, she pulls Gracie from her sheathe, ripping her blade right down his face. The canvas tears with a harsh shred, ruining his ugly visage. She catches the ghost of a smile on your lips, yet you hid it skilfully behind a blank visage. “Tell me, pet… did he hit you.” She asks, it comes off more as a statement. You avert your gaze to the side, taking a soft breath. Nodding, you’re unable to meet her angry crimson gaze. She steps forward, gently cusping your chin between her forefinger and thumb. Tilting your head back, Odessa leans in slightly. “I would never hurt you, pet…” she whispers, adoring how you lean in as well, your lips gently brush over hers. “Thank you.” You mumble, hands resting over her chest. “You’ll be safe with me. That man will never get near you again.” She tells you, watching your adoring eyes gaze at her as if she’s God’s gift to you.
“Queen-“ “Dez. Call me Dez.” She mutters, watching you nod softly. “Dez… thank you.” You give her a gentle smile. Odessa smiles back, sealing a kiss over your soft lips. “Have you ever been with a woman..?” You ask her, and Odessa hums. “Not yet…” She replies, ruby gaze glued to your pouty lips. “Would you have me?” You ask softly, fingers gently running over her biceps; enjoying how her muscles twitch under the sensitive, feathery touch. “If you want me.” Odessa mumbles, kissing you again. It’s gentle and sensual, nothing like how she’s experienced. “I’m yours, your majesty. I was submitted to you the moment the crown was on your head.” You whisper, voice hushed. “Don’t talk about yourself as if you’re an object.” The taller woman scowls, her kisses becoming harder. Your palms squeeze her arms, body pressing to hers. “You’re not a wife anymore.” She tells you, pulling away. You seem rather hurt. “No..?” you ask, frowning a little. “Nah. You’re your own person. You choose who you marry, no one else.” She grasps your hand, pulling the ring from your finger and tossing it away. You let out a shuddery breath, squeezing her hand a little.
Her exhaustion catches up to her, and you must notice. “Are you tired? I can run you a bath before bed?” You suggest, and Dez hums. “That would be nice, pet. Thanks.” She mumbles, rubbing her eyes and smudging the war paint she had smeared earlier. “Okay.” You smile, walking into the other room. Odessa hears you run the bath, and takes off her gear, laying it on the floor in a pile. “Dez.” You call, gesturing for her to come into the bathroom. She enters the bathroom, stripping off her shirt and bra with ease. You tense, averting your gaze from her toned body as Odessa chuckles. “You can look, pretty thing.” She coos, gently grasping your jaw to kiss your lips. You’re flustered, pulling away a little. “Do you want me to wash your hair, Queen?” You ask softly, and she hums. “That’d be nice.” She smiles, pulling the rest of her clothes off as you take a seat next to the tub. Odessa sinks into the warm water, sighing as her muscles relax. As soon as the bath is full enough, she twists the tap, turning it off. You gently untie her braids, hand cupping a bit of water, gently pouring it over her head. “Tell me about yourself, pearl.” Odessa requests.
“Not much to tell… I was raised in the Wasteland, learnt how to paint, made a small earning for my family… Howl saw my work, offered my father luxury and so he sold me off.” You sour a little, fingers gently untangling Odessa’s hair as you soak it. “It’s a tough world, love. M’sorry.” She sympathises. “Thank you, Dez.” You mumble, gathering some shampoo in your palm and applying it to her hair. “Are you the one who painted that portrait?” She asks, and you hum. “Yes. I never liked it that much.” You giggle softly, it’s the sweetest noise Odessa has ever heard. “Mhm. Sorry I ruined it, even if you don’t like it. It must of cost a lot, a canvas of that size.” She whistles lowly, and you nod. “It was a request,” you reply. “I didn’t feel for it.” Your fingers massage her scalp, making her tilt her head back. “You’re good at that…” Odessa mumbles, closing her eyes. “Glad to please.” You smile, rinsing her hair, careful to not let the soapy suds trickle to her eyes. “You’re sweet.” The larger woman smiles, opening her striking eyes to look at you. You smile too. “Thank you, my Queen.” You gently stroke her cheek, clearly fond of her already. Odessa could see your affection towards her, it was clear in your eyes.
You finish washing Odessa’s hair, leaving her to soak. Eventually, she pulls herself from the now cold water, drying with a soft towel provided by you. You’re on the bed, dressed in nothing but a silky robe. “Hey there.” She smiles, you turn, standing up. “My apologies… I forgot myself-“ she cuts you off with a simple raise of her hand. “It’s fine.” She assures you, walking towards you. “You look good. What’s the occasion?” She purrs with a seductive smile. Your knees weaken as you lean towards her. “No occasion…” you mumble, hands running over her forearms gently. “Dez… I have to tell you something.” You admit, glancing away. Odessa furrows her brows. “What’s that?” She asks, watching you shuffle under her gaze. “I’m… i’m pregnant.” You state, voice wavering with anxiety. Odessa blinks, owlishly. “What? Is it Howl’s?” She questions, squeezing your hips tightly. “Yes… I- I didn’t want it but he wouldn’t let me…” the way you choke up a little makes Odessa pull you flush to her chest. You sob softly, hugging her tightly. “Can you still get rid of it?” She asks, yet you shake your head. “I’m already 17 weeks along…” you tell her, Odessa sighs. “I technically still able to get a late abortion, yet it’s dangerous, especially with the sanitary measures of Junkertown.” You tell her, wiping your watery eyes. “Okay… you wanna keep it?” She asks, and you nod slightly. “Is that… okay?” You ask, trying not to sound too hopeful. “Of course it is.” Odessa gives you a gentle smile.
“Can I see..?” The Queen asks softly, hands running over your side. You nod a little, letting her hands pull your gown up to reveal your stomach. Odessa runs her hand over the small bump, watching how your breath hitches. “I’ll provide you with everything I can.” She tells you, kissing your lips. You whine softly against her. “Thank you.” You mumble, tears welling up once more. Odessa smiles, letting your gown fall back down. “Get into bed, pet. You need rest.” She tells you, kissing your head. “Are you sure? I don’t mind sleeping in another room.” You mutter, fiddling with your hands. “I’m very sure.” Odessa smiles, cupping your face and swiping her thumb over your lips. “Go ahead. I’ll be right with you soon.” She mutters, watching you settle back into bed. Odessa grasps Gracie, pulling her from the ruined canvas. She turns the lights off, yet keeps the lamp on the bedside table on. Sitting down, Odessa begins sharpening her knife. Time ticks by, and eventually, the Queen hears soft snoring. Glancing over, Odessa sees you fast asleep, curled up and hugging your pillow. Adorable. Odessa can’t help but smile. You’d be good company.