Chapter Text
“Woah, Mac-chan! Look, look! We can see the sea from here!”
A white blur ran past the door, placing herself right in front of the window. Mejiro McQueen only sighed, opting to carry their luggages inside instead of scolding the other overenergetic girl.
The entire Team Spica had just arrived at the beach for their annual summer training camp after a long four-hour journey, leaving everyone exhausted.
Everyone, apparently, but Goldship.
“Woo! It’s time for Golshi’s ultra secret plan to conquer the world to begin!” Goldship cheered, her tail swishing restlessly.
“You literally just revealed your whole plan!” McQueen quipped. “Honestly, I don’t understand how you still have so much energy! Are you not the least bit tired?”
“Of course not! I’ve just consumed my secret 500-year-old ginseng, found on the mountains of Manchuria in China. I’ve got the energy to swim to the Philippines and back ten times over—” Her retort was cut short by a massive yawn.
McQueen deadpanned.
“...But… It seems Miss Princess here is quite tired! So I’ll be the bigger Uma and accompany you on a journey to the dream realm!” Goldship continued, unperturbed. “Come now, Mac-chan, let us begin our voyage and find all the hidden treasures it has to offer!”
“I’m not going on a journey anywhere, least of all with you!”
“Ugh… you wound me Mac-chan! However, I have to bring you some news. If you look closely into the bedroom, you can find that there is a teensy little problem.” She snickered.
Suspicious, McQueen peered inside the bedroom and found the problem Goldship had mentioned.
“Why is there only one bed? No one told me about this!” She screeched, her face slowly turning scarlet.
“Haha! You have activated my trap card, my dear McQueen. Now you have the privilege to partake in Goldship’s plan to become the supreme commander of the dream realm!”
“Now you want to conquer the dream realm?! Absolutely not! I never agreed to anything, and I won’t! I’ll make sure to give our trainer an earful.”
Goldship looked devastated. “Do you really hate the idea of sleeping with me that much, Mac-chan?” she asked, her expression crestfallen.
“Wha–”
“Then I have no choice but to leave. Alas, the voyage of the great Golshi ends here. Now, I shall begin a new journey by finding a new roommate.” Goldship declared, muttering to herself. “Who shall I ask now… Vodka? No… she’s sharing a room with Scarlet, and I do not want to intrude them on their sacred duel… Spe-chan maybe? Or perhaps Teio?”
“Stop right there!”
Surprised, Goldship turned toward McQueen, her face lighting up. “What’s this? Did the princess finally realize my charm and change her mind?”
“I- I just don’t want you to disturb anyone okay? Don’t get the wrong idea!”
Goldship, deciding to ignore McQueen’s reasoning, began celebrating in earnest. “Finally, the honorable Mejiro McQueen has acknowledged my irresistible beauty and accepted her role as my beloved consort! The world shall now rejoice and celebrate our fateful union!”
“Did you not hear anything I said?!”
Goldship ignored her once again, choosing instead to haul their luggage into the bedroom.
“Oh, fine! Just ignore me, then! I’ll just change my clothes and go to sleep,” McQueen harumphed, walking past Goldship to rummage through her luggage.
“Wait, McQueen.” Goldship grabbed her arm, prompting her to look at the other uma.
“Wait, McQueen.” Goldship grabbed her arm, prompting her to look up. “I’m sorry. I was just teasing you, and I took it too far. I’ll sleep on the couch instead. I don’t want to make the princess uncomfortable.” Goldship offered a smile, guilt visible on her face.
McQueen was stunned. It was rare to see this side of Goldship—the kind and considerate one—and it made her heart flutter. Yet, she felt strangely dissatisfied with the offer.
“Now you’re backing away? Why the sudden consideration?”
“As I said, I don’t want to make you uncomf—”
“And who said I was uncomfortable with it?”
Goldship immediately turned towards her, surprise etched on her face.
“You can sleep on the bed. Just… don’t disturb my rest,” McQueen said, still avoiding the other’s gaze.
The unusual silence made McQueen look back. She found Goldship watching her with the softest smile and expression she had ever seen on her.
“Don’t worry. I won’t.”
McQueen was rendered speechless, her heart beating out of her chest. She could feel her cheeks growing warmer. “I- I’ll go change in the bathroom. You stay here!” she announced, retreating behind the bathroom door.
Inside, McQueen tried to calm her racing heart.
Calm down, Mejiro McQueen. It’s just Goldship. There’s nothing to worry about. It’s not the first time we’ve slept together. She slapped her cheeks, trying to convince herself.
After changing, and with newfound determination, she braced herself and opened the door.
“Ah, what took you so long, princess? Come here.”
She found Goldship waiting for her, already nestled in the bed. She was patting the space beside her. Red returned to McQueen’s cheeks, her heart hammering once again. Gingerly, she approached the bed and slipped under the covers, turning her back to the white-haired girl to stare at the wall.
“I’m going to sleep now. Don’t try anything weird,” she announced.
She heard a soft chuckle behind her. “Whatever you say, princess.”
McQueen closed her eyes, trying to sleep, but rest wouldn’t come. After a few minutes, she heard rustling behind her.
“Hey, Mac-chan. Are you still awake?” Goldship whispered.
“Unfortunately so,” McQueen sighed.
“I know what will help you sleep,” Goldship continued.
After a moment’s deliberation, McQueen turned to face the other girl. She was met by a soft grin.
“There you are, princess. You’ve been avoiding me.” Goldship gently brushed away a strand of hair from McQueen’s face, tucking it behind her ear. The reaction was immediate; McQueen’s chest felt tight.
“I swear, if this is just another prank—”
“Of course not. The solution to your sleeping problems is right here.” Goldship beamed, opening her arms. “Cuddle you, of course!” she said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
McQueen was shocked. “What?!”
“I said I wanted to cuddle you, Mac-chan.”
“I heard you the first time! My question is why?”
“Why? Just because. What else?” Goldship smiled.
When McQueen made no move, Goldship sighed. “Oh, come on, princess, don’t be such a killjoy. Apparently, according to Vodka, cuddling always helps Scarlet fall asleep. I swear I won’t do anything weird.”
Staring into each other’s eyes, Goldship decided to make the first move. “If you’re not moving, then I will. Just tell me if you’re uncomfortable.”
Gently, she crept closer. When McQueen didn’t protest, Goldship slid one arm around the smaller uma’s body and pulled her close.
“See? It’s not so bad, is it?”
McQueen froze. After a few seconds, she realized it didn’t feel bad at all. It was… comfortable. She could feel the vibration of Goldship’s chest as she spoke. Gingerly, McQueen nestled closer, soothed by the softness and warmth of the other’s body. Goldship let out a delighted sigh and tangled her legs with McQueen’s. She angled her head down and pressed a soft kiss to McQueen’s head, sparking butterflies in her stomach. Slowly, McQueen felt her eyes grow heavy.
“Good night, princess. I hope you have a restful sleep. Golshi will be your prince and protect you from all the world’s harm.”
McQueen let out an exhausted laugh. “I know you will, Golshi. Goodnight.”
After McQueen’s breathing softened into the rhythm of sleep, Goldship gave her one more soft kiss on the head before drifting off as well.