Victoria had smiled cutely at the sight of Diana's flustered little blush, the teeny tiny soldier somehow managing to make herself look even cuter than she already was. Victoria was enjoying her interactions with the loser of the bet immensely, loving how easily she was able to make her new squadmate and temporary slave squirm and wiggle. What she didn't love was hearing the poor girl break into tears and confess that the foul-mouthed Oceanic was the first person to ever tell her that.  [color=#4F97A3]"Hey, don't cry. I might have been the first cunt to talk about how much of a beaut you are, but I promise you I won't be the last.[/color] the gentle giant whispered softly, a hand brushing away her lover's tears.  Was her squadmate truly that deprived of kind words? Or was she just being dramatic thanks to all the alcohol? Either way Victoria was putting an end to it, an arm curled around the girl's back as she slid into bed with her. Now it was her turn to blush as the smaller soldier entrusted her to take the lead. This whole scenario wasn't exactly true love or anything sappy and romantic like that but the Oceanic would be damned before she violated that trust that was placed in her, even if it was only for a night.

"I'll give you a few choice words." Slasher purred before tugging the covers over them.

MORNING

After it was all said and done she hadn't gotten much sleep at all, perhaps or an hour or two in total. The rest of them she had spent quietly resting her with Diana's limb intertwined with hers, flicking open the clasp of the cold brass necklace hanging against her bare chest. With each flick of the metal lid she could catch just a glimpse of little Elizabeth, her pride and joy, the reason she had exchanged the tick infested beds of Prairie for a tick infested bed in some war torn city an ocean away. What time was it back home? Was her daughter getting dressed for bed by the woman who she had been named after? Did she even really know what her mother looked liked? Would Elizabeth grow up only knowing her as some mysterious woman who sent money through the mail but never came around to see her? If the war went on long enough, that's all their relationship would be.

If the war went on long enough, that's all there relationship would be. But it would be so much worse if Victoria died. While alive and stuck in muddy, rat infested trenches she could at least send envelopes with cash stuffed inside next to letters that Elizabeth could read when she was old enough. As soon as she died that tap would run dry and her baby would only know her as a perpetual drunk who had shipped herself off to die in service of a Federation that cared nothing for her since it was all she could do. And as much as it hurt to think that that's how Elizabeth would know her, it was the truth. At the end of the day, she was just a murderous drunk who's one chance for a normal life had left her.

The Oceanic was so absorbed in her own worries that she didn't notice Diana had woken up until she complained about hr hangover.  [color=#4F97A3]""G'morning, beautiful. "[/color] she purred, hiding her fears beneath a playful grin.  [color=#4F97A3]"Don't mind the headache, you keep drinking like we did last nigh 'n' you'll get used to 'em right quick."[/color] She nodded absentmindedly at Diana's talk of getting dressed, sitting up on the edge of the bed and watching her cover herself back up. [color=#4F97A3]"You're a whip smart student when it comes to this. I almost don't believe this was your first time fucking a chick! Anytime you want come yarn to me 'n' I'll make you even louder."[/color] It was a genuine offer of course, but it served another purpose. Slipping back into her brash, "who gives a fuck" attitude was like wrapping herself in a protective blanket. No matter how scared she was Victoria wasn't going to let anyone see it. Showing weakness meant that you were vulnerable, that you could be taken advantage of. 

Throwing back on her uniform she went downstairs just in time to see going off about his mom or some other bullshit on poor little Diana. Her eyes narrowed as the scene unfolded, hanging back as the Corporal got himself involved. And for the second time in a single day she had to see her favorite member of the unit (tied with Marathon) break down into tears again. All six feet and three inches of lean Oceanic muscle was tensing for a fight, fists clenching and unclenching as she waited for Jean to leave. Memories of Marathon asking her to keep an eye for her fellow soldiers mixed with those of the night she shared with Diana and how sweet the girl was. 

She was going to kick Luke's ass for hurting her.

[color=40E0D0]Potential Activated: Mother Bear[/color]

When Luke left the bar she was immediately tailing him, blinking in pain as her eyes adjusted to the light of the outdoors. [color=#4F97A3]"Oi, cunt!"[/color] she hissed, leaning against the wall next to him. [color=#4F97A3]"Just what is your fucking problem? You were starting shit with Diana all last night 'n' now you make her cry? Are you really so up your own ass you throw a fit like an ankle-biter that can't wipe his own ass yet?"[/color]

[@Landaus Five-One] [@Jacky]