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Thud. Thud. Thud.
McQueen’s footsteps grow heavy as she trains with the sun setting behind her, she’s lost count of how many laps she’s run. She knows though that it isn’t enough, never enough for a Mejiro and she continues to run.
Then, she hears a voice in the distance calling out to her, ‘Oiiiii, McQueen!’ and suddenly a blur of white tackles her down to the ground.
‘What in the—Gold Ship!?’ she grunts out annoyedly. Gold Ship laughs and gets up while pulling McQueen up with her.
‘Heya,’ Gold Ship greets her, dumb grin on her face and tail swishing cheerfully behind her. ‘I rented out that baseball movie you’ve been bugging me to watch, come to my room later so we can watch it together. Oh, and also…’
McQueen’s ears perk up at the mention of baseball, she’s been itching to rewatch that movie and now’s the perfect opportunity, right?
But I still have training to do. I haven’t done enough befitting of a Mejiro, I must—
‘Mac, are ya listening?’ Gold Ship leaned towards her, voice laced with concern.
McQueen startled back, replying quickly, ‘I, uh… sorry, what were you talking about?’
Gold Ship teased, ‘The Great Mejiro McQueen spacing out mid-convo? Baseball really got you excited, huh? I was saying that I got you sweets just for tonight.’
‘Wait, but I haven’t even agreed to your movie night yet.’ McQueen sighed, ‘Anyway, I still have training to do so unfortunately—’
‘We’ll be doing some training too! Friendship training that is,’ chuckled Gold Ship.
Then, Gold Ship seemed to deflate a bit, her voice falling quiet, ‘And… it’s been a while since we last hung out, so I just missed talking and laughing with you.’
Her ears flattened just the slightest bit, but McQueen noticed. Gold Ship was showing her rare vulnerability to McQueen, she’ll be damned if she ever thought of rejecting Gold Ship now.
‘…Fine! I’ll join your movie night, alright?’ said McQueen, looking away bashfully.
That instantly made Gold Ship perk up again, ‘Really!? Then, make sure to wear your comfiest PJs and bring your carrot stuffie, I’ve decided it’ll be a sleepover too!’ said Gold Ship as she ran off towards the dormitories.
McQueen was left there bewildered, she hadn’t agreed to a sleepover! That damn—!
---
McQueen knocked on Gold Ship’s door.
The door opened to reveal a grinning Gold Ship welcoming McQueen with a dramatic bow, ‘Welcome my dear Princess, to the birthplace of Golshi’s dynasty!’
McQueen was then ushered in and guided to a cushion on the floor. ‘Right here, a special seat for a special guest,’ said Gold Ship with a smile, ‘You get comfortable here while I get your sweets.’
McQueen sat there in silence, she hadn’t expected Gold Ship to welcome her in like that. Being treated with care by the unpredictable Gold Ship made her heart flutter. Gold Ship came back a few minutes later, holding out a cup of pudding and a slice of strawberry shortcake for McQueen.
‘Just for you, Mac. I had to wait in line for ages just to get that slice of cake so you better eat it like it’s made of pure gold!’ huffed Gold Ship.
McQueen smiled apologetically and thanked Gold Ship before taking the sweets.
They got comfortable and started the movie. McQueen’s tail was swishing in happiness the whole time, she tried to control it but how could she?
Her favourite baseball movie is on, she’s got a slice of cake and Gold Ship to keep her company.
Gold Ship… she’s surprisingly nice tonight. She didn’t even lace my cake with wasabi or anything.
Her tail swayed just a little harder at the thought and accidentally brushed against Gold Ship’s tail. McQueen jolted slightly, heartbeat quickening at the unexpected contact.
She glanced at Gold Ship, who was completely focused on the movie, it seemed she didn’t even notice their tails were touching. McQueen pouted slightly and moved her tail closer to Gold Ship’s, a part of her hoping for a reaction from Gold Ship.
She would never admit to wanting to see a flustered Gold Ship though.
Gold Ship finally noticed something was touching her tail and glanced behind.
McQueen’s tail was practically overlapping hers, and it seemed like it wagged harder whenever it was close to Gold Ship.
Cute.
Gold ship wrapped her tail around McQueen’s, not letting her pull away and looked to see McQueen’s reaction. She stifled a chuckle when she saw McQueen’s face flushing and went back to focusing on the movie.
Their tails stayed entwined until the end of the movie, neither wanting to pull away.
---
McQueen stifled a yawn as the credits rolled, it had gotten quite late.
Gold Ship poked her gently, ‘You should take the bed McQueen, I’ll sleep on the floor.’
McQueen refused, ‘It’s your bed, you should sleep in it. I don’t mind the floor really, just give me some spare blankets.’
‘I know you’re used to plush soft sheets, not the cold hard floor. So just take the bed already, you don’t want to wake up sore, do you?’ Gold Ship countered.
McQueen was growing frustrated, ‘I refuse. Maybe instead of arguing we should just…’
Wait.
Her face started flushing, was she really about to suggest that?
Maybe because it was quite late, she wasn’t thinking straight. She hoped Gold Ship didn’t hear what she just said, but of course,
‘We should just…?’ repeated Gold Ship with a knowing smile. She wanted to hear McQueen say it herself.
‘…we should sleep together. On the bed.’ whispered McQueen.
‘It would solve all our problems and it’s a win-win situation, isn’t it?’ she rambled, flustered.
Gold Ship smirked, this was the perfect opportunity to tease McQueen. ‘Oh Mac, you could’ve just asked if you wanted to get in my bed that badly.’
McQueen sputtered, ‘It’s not like I wanted to sleep with you alright!?’
Gold Ship laughed as she climbed into bed, patting the spot beside her. ‘Come here, I saved a spot just for you Princess.’
McQueen grumbled as she slipped into bed beside Gold Ship, facing away from her to try and hide her blushing face.
---
McQueen couldn’t sleep, Gold Ship was too close. She couldn’t even breathe without her body brushing against Gold Ship’s.
And Gold Ship calling her a Princess earlier? Her heart was still racing thinking about it.
I need to calm down, think about something else. Ah… I forgot, I didn’t finish my training schedule today. I’ll need to train harder tomorrow to make up for it… How many laps…?
She let out a deep sigh, thinking about tomorrow was already making her exhausted.
Then, she felt a poke on her back, it was Gold Ship. She was looking at her with worry in her eyes, ‘That was a loud sigh, got something on your mind?’
McQueen opened her mouth to respond but no words came out. She was going to avoid answering but something about Gold Ship’s expression made her hesitate, she looked so earnest, different from the usual chaotic Gold Ship.
She choked her thoughts out, voice quiet, ‘…I need to train harder tomorrow, to make up for today. I was going to train more until you came along and…’ her voice trailed off, she didn’t want to make it seem like she was blaming Gold Ship.
‘McQueen.’
She looked up at her, Gold Ship looked frustrated.
‘You’re telling me you would’ve train more had I not invited you? Mac, you looked like you were one lap away from collapsing on the track. You can’t keep pushing yourself like this.’
McQueen felt slighted, did Gold Ship think she couldn’t handle a little extra training?
‘As a Mejiro—’ She started before Gold Ship interrupted her,
‘Being a Mejiro doesn’t make you a superhuman, you’re just a normal Uma Musume like the rest of us, and news flash! We breakdown when we push too hard, never resting.’
McQueen knew what Gold Ship was saying was true yet she couldn’t back down, ‘I need to be better, I need to bring honour to the Mejiro name. I haven’t done enough yet, I still…’ she choked up, too many thoughts and emotions were running through her head.
Gold Ship sighed and pulled her closer. She wrapped her arms around McQueen and spoke gently, ‘You’re doing more than enough, you’re the pride of the Mejiros for God’s sake. Your drive to improve is amazing and I like that about you, but I don’t want to see you destroy yourself because of it.’
McQueen was quiet, silently accepting Gold Ship’s words. She loved her family and would do anything to live up to the Mejiro name, but if she’s starting to crack then maybe it’s time to rest, before she breaks completely.
‘I’ll try to slow down, but… will you be there for me? Make me rest when I’m training too hard, keep me from shattering.’ McQueen whispered into Gold Ship’s neck, almost pleading.
Gold Ship held her tighter, responding softly, ‘I will. I’ll stay by your side for as long as you need me to.’
McQueen nodded and rested her forehead by Gold Ship’s neck. Gold Ship gently stroked her hair until she fell asleep, her breathing evening out. Gold Ship looked at her with a gentle expression filled with love, she brushed McQueen’s bangs aside and kissed her forehead softly.
‘Rest well.’
---
McQueen woke up with warm, heavy arms wrapped around her.
Gold Ship was snoring softly, it was endearing to McQueen. She considered going out for a morning jog, but she remembered the words Gold Ship said last night and decided against it.
She snuggled back into Gold Ship, closing her eyes slowly.
You’ve always been there for me, holding me together with your teasing and your pranks, I don’t know how I have someone this amazing with me, but I’m grateful… I hope you’ll stay forever.
‘Thank you, for staying by my side.’