Work Text:
Today, thought Maya, is the day I finally get rid of this mutt.
It had been fun looking after Missile for the first few hours, then it had been kind of cool for another few hours, and then after a day and a half of non-stop yapping and the mysterious disappearance of all of Maya’s meat and candy-related foodstuffs, the situation had slowly deteriorated to a steady meh.
Missile was cute. But he was a demon.
She chewed on the chocolate bar she had bought from a store on the way to the park. Missile had looked at her so sadly when she first opened the wrapper that she’d had to go back again and buy another one for him, which he was still happily munching away at around her feet.
She looked down.
Or at least - he had been around her feet only a moment ago.
In the single moment before she could figure out where he was, she felt a yank on the leash she held and was dragged forwards and straight into the arms of someone very soft and perfumed.
“I’m so sor-!” she cried out, stopping mid-sentence as she noticed the huge blue eyes staring at her in shocked outrage, cheeks glowing and flushed. A floaty pink scarf tickled Maya’s ear.
Maya felt the blood rush to her neck as an embarrassed tide washed over her thoughts until she could make out that stupid, adorable dog yapping away beside her. She looked down and realised that Missile had caught his leash up with some other dog, someone else’s dog. Someone who was pressed solidly against her, while they were tied at the ankles by two minute and very excitable dogs still racing around them, tying them in even more knots.
Maya gulped and looked up to see the huge blue eyes blink with sudden recognition.
“Mayo?” said the girl.
Maya furrowed her brow, trying to lean back as much as she could without toppling, acutely aware of the nose-to-nose situation. She scanned the face before her. Blonde curls, those large eyes, cute nose, pointed chin.
Maya felt herself blush, and she squirmed a little more in an effort to extricate herself. Instead, her movement caused the girl’s knee to slide ever so slightly further between her legs.
She tried to swallow but her mouth was dry.
“Maya,” she corrected.
“Maya!”
Maya tried to share her enthusiasm, but she still couldn’t place the girl. There was something familiar about her but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it.
“It’s me,” said the girl. It wasn’t a particularly helpful statement, and Maya could feel herself begin to sweat at the proximity despite all the winter layers. “Regina? Regina Berry. You and your, uh, friend helped my father buy a house years ago.”
So she knew her through Nick, house flipper extraordinaire.
It had been a while since she’d tagged along on one of Nick’s house viewings, but then again, it had been a long time since her sister had died, and had left Nick to mostly look after her. She was an adult or whatever now. Pointing out damp and mould much to Nick’s chagrin no longer held much appeal - and also he’d banned her from coming along anymore.
Still, she racked her brain for Regina Berry.
“Oh!” she said. Regina Berry, and her father, had been looking for a house near this area. How could Maya have forgotten Regina? She’d had a major crush on her, but then again, around that time, Maya had crushes on everyone.
She and Regina were the same age, and at the time Regina had been training to be in musical theatre. She had offered numerous times to let Phoenix and Maya come round for a private singing performance, but Nick had always said no, despite Maya’s repeated pleas. Nick had said it would have been “inappropriate”.
Maya blushed at the thought of a private performance from the Regina Berry who was currently attached to her at the thighs.
“Yes, of course,” she said, hoping she hadn’t noticed the slight stammer in her voice. “I remember you.”
Regina smiled widely, and Maya instantly forgave her for the mayo comment. There was just something so warm and welcoming about Regina’s smile that made Maya feel as though she couldn’t possibly have meant any harm, that was the only reason. Besides there were worse condiments to be confused with.
Regina pointed down to their feet.
“Is that your puppy?” she asked. “He’s absolutely adorable.”
Regina’s pink scarf had wafted to Maya’s neck, where she felt it tickle her gently.
“Uh,” said Maya, with conviction. “Yes.”
Regina beamed, her pinks still flushed - and Maya realised it was probably from the cold. Her nose was very pink too. She could make out a couple of freckles underneath her left eye.
“Oh, what’s his name? Mine’s called Regent, he’s an absolute sweetheart.”
Maya looked down at Regent, a tiny Pomeranian who was currently trying to wrestle with Missile.
“He’s very cute,” said Maya.
Regina scrunched her nose up happily, and brushed Maya’s arm. “Do you really think so! I’m so pleased.”
For a moment, Maya was sure Regina was blushing. It was unlike the Regina she had known before, who she could remember being very full of herself, and not particularly mindful of anyone else’s opinions on things.
Regina’s thighs were warm against her own, and Maya cleared her throat awkwardly. “Um, if you don’t mind,” she said, moving slowly to untangle herself from the leash around her feet.
Regina’s cheeks went a deeper red.
“Oh, of course!” she said with a bubbling giggle. She rushed to lean down and untie the leashes herself. Maya tried to step back to give her room to remove it, but the unexpected extra weight of Regina caught her off guard, and before she had a chance to warn anyone, she felt herself falling backwards. One of her ankles slipped out of the tight knot surrounding Regina and herself, but the other stuck in, bending through the strips of material, and hooking around Regina’s ankle.
With an almighty thump, Maya felt herself flat on her back, with Regina’s weight on top of her.
“Ow,” said Maya.
Regina’s big eyes were on her again.
“Oh, um,” she said, and her cheeks were on fire now.
Maya realised why in a second. Regina’s leg was caught right between Maya’s own.
Maya scrambled to get up and release them from the situation, which by all accounts had gone on for too long now. There were only so many times fate should let people be tangled up per day. But her speedy attempt to escape just made her bump heads with Regina instead.
“Ow,” she said again, settling her head back down on the ground.
“Ow,” replied Regina, rubbing her forehead. “Did you mean to do that?”
“Not really.”
Maya looked at Regina. Regina looked at Maya. A whole moment passed.
Maya realised she’d been holding her breath, and quickly inhaled. At the same time, Regina pushed herself up on her hands, and turned to fumble with the leashes around their feet. Then she was up, her pink floaty scarf all askew, hair a mess, and face as bright as a strawberry.
She held a hand out for Maya to grab.
Maya let herself be pulled up. Regina held onto her hand for longer than was totally necessary, then quickly pulled it away.
“Well,” said Maya. Her throat felt tight. “It was nice - uh, bumping into you.”
Regina chuckled before bursting into hysterical laughter.
Maya laughed awkwardly, but as Regina began to snort with mirth, she gave way to a real laugh.
“Well, I hope our next meeting will be more dignified,” said Regina finally.
Maya snorted.
“See you around, Maya.”
Regina made to swish on past Maya, little Regent in tow, but as she was about to brush by, she stopped.
“You’ve got chocolate on your chin by the way,” she said, and wiped it off with her thumb.
Maya shivered.
Regina smiled brightly, and then she was gone.
Maya stared after her.
“Dammit,” she said finally. “I didn’t give her my number.”
She looked down at Missile, who was scurrying around her feet.
“I guess I’ll have to keep you for a few more walks.”
Missile barked happily.