SG Vol. 1 pt. 37

I’m quickly discovering that Valkyrie is even more distracting than I thought she was, and I’m damn grateful that I know she’s over eighteen now.

I’m also grateful that she’s not looking my way at all.

She pulled her hair up into a ponytail, took off the jacket she was wearing, and is bending down all over the place to pick up and clean. Then there’s the fact that, without her jacket on, there is nothing to hide her chest. The rest of her body has got some nice curves, too.

Damn. If I was single and ten years younger… shit, why am I thinking like I’m some old man already? I’m not even thirty yet, and she’s not even ten years younger than me. I’m still young.

Eh, maybe I’m not that young.

She just flashed me a look and a smile, making it obvious that she knows I’ve been checking her out, and I can’t even bother caring. I probably would have blushed and looked away when I was younger. Now… I can’t be bothered.

Besides, she knows I’m married and that I won’t be doing anything. I’m sure she’s used to people checking her out anyways. If she couldn’t handle being checked out, she’d never be able to handle a battle.

Yeah, she doesn’t care.

Now she’s bending over, facing me, allowing me to see straight down her—

“Lance?”

Damn it! That made me jump.

Now my leg hurts.

Looking over at where the voice came from, Mom is standing there looking confused as to why there’s another woman in the house cleaning up the living room.

Valkyrie was quick to face away and to stop showing herself off.

Damn brat.

“Morning, Mom,” I say and sigh.

My heart is still fucking racing from that. Shit, and right after I was thinking about how I’m not young and don’t get flustered anymore.

It’s a good thing that the demons can’t learn how to be as stealthy as Mom.

Last thing I need is for them to come out of fucking nowhere like her.

Sorry, Mom, but that’s kind of creepy.

“Who’s this?” Mom asks.

Oh, right. She didn’t visit me at the hospital.

Would have been too traumatic for her.

“Mom, this is Valkyrie. She’s a friend I’ve met recently,” I answer, looking over at Valkyrie to nod at her.

I know how Mom reacts when she sees young women having to be a part of this war. Even if it’s common sense that Valkyrie is most likely serving due to her age and the fact that I don’t talk to anybody outside of the military, as long as it isn’t outright brought up, Mom’s mental barriers should hold.

Valkyrie stands up straight and says, “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“Ooh! So you have a new lady friend, Lance? It’s about time,” Mom says before giggling like some sort of young school girl who just discovered a spicy secret.

“Don’t get any weird ideas. She’s too young for me anyways,” I answer.

“Nonsense. How old are you?” she asks Valkyrie.

“Nineteen,” Valkyrie is quick to answer, looking like she’s trying not to giggle herself.

“See? She’s only eight years younger than you! You know, your father was eleven years older than me,” Mom tells me.

“I know,” I answer.

“If we could do it, so can you! Besides, you’re tall, handsome, and strong! You have this entire island to pick from, Lance.”

I should have kicked Valkyrie out before Mom woke up. “I’m married.”

Mom makes a dismissive hand motion while saying, “Don’t you worry about Kate. Besides, don’t you think Naomi would be happier with a new mother?”

I’m impressed that Valkyrie is managing to not cringe. I know that I would be if I had to listen to somebody else’s mom tell them to cheat on their wife with me. “Mom, have you taken your pills?”

This old woman sticks her tongue out at me before sighing and saying, “Not yet.”

“Go take them.”

Valkyrie smiles and asks, “Would you like me to get a glass of water for you?”

Mom lights up. I can’t blame her since this is the complete opposite of how she’s used to Kate treating her. “That would be wonderful, dear,” she answers.

While Valkyrie heads into the kitchen to get a glass of water, Mom comes over to whisper to me, “She’s much more attractive than Kate. Don’t mess things up with her, you hear? She seems nice, she’s one of the prettiest women I’ve ever seen, and I can tell that she likes you!”

“You think every woman who so much as exists within a mile of me likes me,” I whisper back.

“Because they do.”

“This crazy talk is proof that you need to go take your pills.”

Mom gives me a playful smack on my head before standing up with a pout. “You’re the crazy one for not seeing it,” she says and walks away.

For fuck’s sake.

At least Valkyrie is able to handle what Mom is saying. I’m not sure Clover would be able to withstand the pressure of having my mom imply that I should cheat on my wife with her.

She’d probably blush and stutter or something.

Yeah, it’s a good thing that Valkyrie is here instead of Clover.

Then again, neither of them need to be here. They’re both annoying.

Ah, whatever.

I just wish there was something interesting to watch on the television. Rewatching the same shows and movies over, and over, and over again gets pretty damn old.

The only new entertainment we get anymore comes from talk shows and comedians.

I wish that plan to convert an old carrier into a mini Hollywood for some new movies and shows would have been approved.

At least Naomi still gets some new cartoons even if they’re full of propaganda.

“Your mother is nice,” Valkyrie says, taking a seat next to me.

“You’re only going to make her even more rabid if she sees you sitting next to me. And don’t get chummy. I didn’t mean it when I called you a friend,” I say in a lower voice.

“Don’t worry, sir. I know that you would never consider me your friend.”

“I don’t like that sarcasm in your voice.”

“Sarcasm? Sir, I assure you that I would never be sarcastic. I believe with absolute certainty in every single one of your words.”

“Then you’ll believe me when I say that I’m going to work you until your limbs fall off and you wish that I was a demon instead.”

“That would require you to give us exercise that is actually challenging.”

…

“S-sir, I’m sorry,” she says, actually looking afraid of me for once.

Too bad it’s too late for that.