Mar-Vell College (Valkarol)

Oak tree

"Wow." Was all Carol said.

"I know, I'm that good."

I'm speechless."

"I have that effect on people." Valkyrie smirked. Carol kicked her lightly and watched the credits play on the screen.

The pair had just finished binging all of one punch man and Carol had enjoyed every moment of it. Her eyes had been glued to the screen throughout every episode.

Valkyrie had seen her laugh at every joke, smile at every kick ass moment and watch the important scenes intently.

"So what now?" Carol asked, turning her full body towards Valkyrie. She thought for a moment before a smile crept onto her lips.

"I wanna show you something." Valkyrie said, nearly jumping off the bed.

Carol followed without question and the pair left the room. Valkyrie led her through the kitchen past her confused mum who gave Valkyrie a puzzled expression as she loaded the dishwasher.

"We're going out back." Valkyrie explained briefly.

"It will be getting dark soon." Her mum replied.

"The sun's setting now." Valkyrie said as she took Carol's hand and led her outside.

The back garden had a border of flowers similar to the driveway except some had grown taller than the fence. The lawn was freshly cut, making the garden smell of summer.

At the back of the garden was a large oak tree that Carol assumed had been their long before Valkyrie's family. Hanging from one of the branches was a plain wooden plank attached to two ropes either side. It seemed sturdy and homemade and as the pair got closer she saw the ledge positioned near the top. The climb up to it seemed at least twelve feet but Valkyrie didn't hesitate to start up it.

She knew were to place her hands and feet and climbed the ancient tree effortlessly. Once she reached the ledge she peered down at Carol and grinned.

"What kind of a pilot's scared of heights?" She laughed. Carol took on the challenge and tried to remember what Valkyrie had done. It wasn't as hard of a climb as she had expected and had paid no attention to how high off the ground she was untill she neared Valkyrie.

She made the mistake of glancing down only to suddnly latch onto the tree. Valkyrie leaned down and extended her hand towards Carol.

"You're nearly there." She assured. "Trust me, the view is worth it." Carol looked up at Valkyrie. Her confidence was infectious. Carol leaned closer off a branch and grabbed hold of Valkyrie's forearm. She hauled her up whilst Carol used her legs for support.

Once up, the pair collapsed side by side onto the built in ledge. They looked at each other for a split second and couldn't help but burst out in laughter.

Valkyrie gradually sat up once she stopped laughing. A smile was still planted firmly on her lips as she looked out across the horizon opposite her house. In the diming light, Carol could see an orange glow reflected onto Valkyrie's face. She sat up too and both their legs dangled over the edge.

They both started at the setting sun in awe of its beauty. The sat in contented silence with only the faint humm of insects below then and the occasional bird chirping.

"I built this with my dad." Valkyrie said, still staring at the horizon.

"Aiden told me about him." Carol said quietly." Valkyrie nodded slowly.

"He doesn't get it.  He keeps coming up with ideas to bring him home but..." She didn't finish. She didn't have to. Carol knew what happened. Although she'd never been through something like that she tried to sympathise with Valkyrie.

"I'm sorry." Carol said looking at Valkyrie. She returned the gaze with a small smile. The pair went quiet again and Carol felt her heart beat begin to rise.

"Val..." She said staring off in the distance.

"Hmm." Valkyrie replied, unfocused.

"When I kissed Em-"

"Really Carol?" Valkyrie said, not hiding her annoyance. "We said we weren't going to talk about that-"

"I thought it was you." She stopped breathing. They both did. They held their breaths in unison not knowing what to say.

"What?" Valkyrie said quietly, allowing oxygen back into her body.

"When I nearly got hit with that football... I wanted to kiss you there and then but... I freaked out." She said.

"So did I." The two turned to each other and Carol felt herself start to breath again.

"But I ran off and messed it up." Valkyrie suddenly turned her full body towards Carol and took her hands in her own.

"No you didn't."

"Then I ran into Em and... I don't know I guess I hoped she was you." Carol babbled, a tear forming in her eye. Valkyrie cupped her face in her hands and looked Carol in the eye.

"I believe you, I really do. I told you, you don't have to explain yourself to me... but I'm glad you did." Neither spoke. The sat as there for a few seconds, both having trouble grasping the situation and what the other had said.

Valkyrie's hands were still around Carol's face untill one moved round to her neck. Carol felt goosebumps across her body at the small motion. Valkyrie's other hands stayed on her cheek but her thumb moved down to Carol's lips. It only brushed over them for a brief second but it was all Carol needed. She closed her eyes and leaned forward at a painfully slow pace and began closing the gap between them.

Valkyrie knew what was happening but soon became impatient with Carol's carefullness. After what they both said there was nothing to be afraid of.

Valkyrie threaded her fingers through Carol's hair and brought their lips together. They both smiled into the kiss, overjoyed with what they'd both been longing for.

Valkyrie got up on her knees, to gain the needed height, without breaking the kiss. Carol noticed this and felt Valkyrie's hands snake round to her waist. Carol supported herself by bringing a hand up to Valkyrie's neck and entangling it in her soft hair. Her other hand moved to her cheek like Valkyrie's had before.

Unlike with Em, Carol knew it felt right to be kissing Valkyrie. She wanted nothing more than to stay like that for as long as they could. Their lips moving in sync, only stopping briefly for air. They could feel each other's hearts beating crazily.

Excitement. Relief. Joy. The pair felt it all and treasured every moment. It was perfect.