Anything for You. (For xena_warrior)

[call_me_snake]

After This though due to time travel only an hour or two will pass for everyone else



Snake set the gifts aside after returning home. He wasn’t sure if they would help. Chances were she would see them as a way of buying her and not the symbol of affection that they were. The gifts could wait as could the news he had.

He had been a way for a day but he knew his family would see only an hour or so, that was the nature of time travel. Even so the time had done wonders for his mood. Part of it he owed to Rose. Even with his injuries the optimism was creeping in. It had nothing to do with Xena’s attitude. He already imagined she would be furious for days, maybe forever. The hope was coming from his own determination. Snake would make this work out with his wife.


Snake frowned at his thoughts. “His wife”, “my wife”, those were phrases he wasn’t allowed to say. She believed they were possessive, put her down. In truth, they were declarations of his love and devotion but he accepted that she would probably never understand. Just like his desire for affection and physical contact, it was part of himself he set aside for her. She claimed it made her happy and so he went along with it no matter how much it hurt.

Plissken began to doubt her assertions. They were happier when he was affectionate. Snake toyed with his wedding band unable to stave off the anxiety. She had started pushing him away when they were married. It left him to wonder if she still truly believed what she had when he first asked her to be his wife. Did she still believe she was a trophy for him, that this was a conquest to flaunt or that he would move on if something better came by? There was nothing better, not in Plissken’s mind. There would never be, never was anyone who could take her place.

He knew he had to convince her that none of this was what she thought. This was not her prison but her freedom, that he was not her overlord but her servant. He couldn’t be without her, not now. He would give everything for her and now it seemed she wanted more. Plissken didn’t know what more he had to give.

Plissken sighed thinking of his dreams. The woman beside him in war, the woman in his arms with their child, the woman he would grow old and die beside, she was always on his mind. Where were her dreams? Plissken didn’t even know what they were. She never told him. Maybe she had lost them like he had in the years after Sophia’s death and time was needed to rebuild. He would wait.

First he had to make sure she would still be here to share them when she regained her hope. Snake still wasn’t sure why he was apologizing and inside it didn’t matter. She was worth anything even admitting wrong when he could not see it. She was his wife and no matter what she believed those words meant Plissken knew what they meant to him.

Another deep breath for his confidence and Snake was off to find his wife. He needed to talk to her.

Comments

[xena-warrior.livejournal.com]

Xena and Solan looked at their ranch from a hill, coming back after horse walk. Xena liked the horse whom Snake has presented to her son, though, certainly, it would be required some time and a lot of work to make it even in half same trained as Argo.
Solan was pleased with walk though he admitted to mother, that he ride on saddled horse for the first time.
It is terribly uncomfortable, you know, - boy muttered, patting his mare on a neck.
You should get used to a saddle if you want to be the warrior, - Xena has told, still looking on ranch. The boy sighed and nodded.
Yes, but my knees and one soft place which-is-below-a-waist, hurt now, - he replied.
Xena looked at him with a good-natured smile.
The true warriors are ready to bear more uncomfortable things for the sake of perfection of their skill.
I am ready to bear everything and as much as necessary, - he answered ardently and blinked the eyes crafty, - whether it means, what will you show me how to throw your Chakram, uh? And will you teach me how to jump on the horse so valiantly, as you?
She shook head.
You should not hurry up in such things. Your horse is still too inexperienced for such exercises, and we should begin her training with more simple things. But Ephiny is good mare, and I sure, she will be an excellent battle horse soon. If, of course, you will not be lazy and will work with her daily. As to Chakram...
Xena narrowed eyes.
Any person can throw Chakram. But only few are capable to catch it. Here is a difficulty.
But, in fact, you can catch it, - he continued, - means, you know a secret.
Undoubtedly, I do, - she chuckled.
Why don't you share it with me? - Solan looked at her expressively.
You know, Gabrielle is my best friend, but even she does not know how to catch Chakram without being cut.
Because you do not trust to her? - Solan tried to hook her, to provoke to the further conversation. But Xena was not bought on this trick.
No, I trust her completely. But the question is not in trust. A question is in a level of skill. I think, we should begin our training from more simple and safe things. For example, exercises with staff. It will develop your reaction so you can catch quickly flying subjects. Arrows, darts...
And Chakram, - Solan inserted obstinately.
And Chakram, - she finished a phrase, having nodded.

Solan smiled, looking at the house below.
Say, - he started to ask again, - is Snake able to catch your Chakram?
She shook a head.
No. Well... at least, I did not check it.
Xena smiled and added with a sad smile.
But he is able to catch bullets instead. And not only with the help of hands.
Solan recollected that day when he found Snake on a threshold in a pool of blood, and blinked for one instant.
I hope, his hand will recover soon, - he told quietly. - And we can train three together...
Xena answered nothing, having pulled reins shorter.
I think, it is time to us to come back home, - she told at last. - How about small gallop up to that fence? I am sure, my horse will be there the first.
Solan pulled reins too and put spurs to his mare.
Well, we should see it!
They rushed forward, setting on their horses.
Xena went ahead, as well as she predicted, but, not wishing to upset the son, held back Argo imperceptibly for him so that he has outstripped her.
Solan flushed, urging on his mare, and Xena smiled, observing of him. This ride helped her to distract from reflections about recent events. She occupied herself with work, only to not remain alone with own thoughts... And melancholy which appeared as soon as she stopped...

[xena-warrior.livejournal.com]

Solan run out from a stable, pleased and smiling.
I have made all, mom! Ephiny is cleaned and fed.
Xena looked back on the husband and handed Argo's reins over to the son
Very good, my dear, then start to work with my horse. Just to fix this lesson.

With these words she followed Snake in the house