Work Text:
Uncharacteristically, Mejiro McQueen finds herself staring out the window mid-lecture. In her defense, it’s the first day of classes after winter break and the lecture material is about the syllabus. Disjointed phrases pass through her consciousness as she focuses instead on the track outside.
“Final exam… 40% of your grade…”
She sits ramrod straight, postured correctly and as expected of the Mejiro family, but her restless, shifting gaze must give her away, because suddenly her daydreaming is interrupted by--
“Isn’t that right Miss McQueen?” The professor booms, with an accompanying rap of the ruler on the blackboard.
Mac swallows hard, and nods tersely.
“Yes ma’am.” She squeaks out, feeling a hot blush rise to her cheeks. She’s about to apologize when a bright flash from the hallway blinds the room.
The entire classroom’s gaze flies to the windows in the hallways, where a very disgruntled yelp echoes… one accompanied by a rather solid bang. McQueen swears she sees a flash of silver hair fall out of sight of the window, and she clenches her teeth, knowing exactly who it belongs to.
There’s a couple of loud snickers and McQueen takes a deep breath to collect herself when she feels Tokai Teio kick her chair from behind, snorting and giggling under her breath.
“Your girlfriend playing paparazzi on the first day of class?” Teio whispers to her, which causes another round of knowing laughter.
“Class dismissed!” The professor booms, clapping loudly to reestablish attention on her. “And to whoever’s friend is taking photos outside and disrupting my class, do NOT let it happen again.”
McQueen wants to slam her head on the desk, the blush on her cheeks rising to the top of her head, a burning crimson at this point rather than an embarrassed pink. Thankfully the attention isn’t solely on her anymore, with a loud clamor of packing up and squeaking chairs filling the room as everyone gets up to leave.
She does her best to slip into the large volume of other Umamusume filing through the only door, and ducks her head in an attempt to go unnoticed on the way out. She gets one foot through the exit when she’s being pulled to the side rather garishly by exactly who she expected. Her ears flatten on the side of her head, embarrassment and anger shifting into defeat.
“MCQUEEEEEENN!!” Gold Ship yelps, pulling her into a tight hug. Mac feels the air evacuate her lungs, coughing pathetically and slapping her hands into Golshi’s back in a petulant attempt to be released.
Before McQueen can eke out a quick goodbye to her friends in the class, Gold Ship is whisking them both outside in a hurry. She knows better than to argue, so McQueen reluctantly lets herself get dragged along. Gold Ship kicks the door open and pushes Mac through, letting out a loud and exaggerated sigh of relief.
“Good ol’ FREEDOM!” She harks, clapping McQueen on the back once in victory. “And you’re welcome for getting you out of trouble.”
“Getting me OUT of trouble?” Mac huffs, “You embarrassed the hell out of me and disturbed the whole class!” McQueen punctuates the end of her sentence with a loud slap to Gold Ship’s arm, which is answered by a raucous laugh.
“Okay well, I actually didn’t mean to have the flash on but look at how scared you looked! HAHAHAH--” Gold Ship is nearly in tears laughing at the photo on her phone screen, which is pointed in McQueen’s face. The photo shows a rather pale and wide-eyed McQueen staring at the professor mid-scolding. Mac feels a rise of anger and humiliation in her chest.
“WAAAAOUGH!!” Gold Ship’s gloating ends when McQueen jabs her in the gut so hard and so suddenly Golshi finds herself squirming on the ground in pain.
“MAC!!!” She howls, legs bicycle kicking in agony while McQueen feels herself relax, letting out a small giggle before Gold Ship composes herself. She’s standing now, but doubled over in pain and gripping onto McQueen’s tail like a lifeline.
Mac directs Golshi’s gaze up to hers with a rather firm grip on her chin, pulling her face upwards.
“Don’t do that again.” McQueen deadpans. She ignores the feeling in her stomach when Gold Ship grins and moves her face closer, her voice in an unexpected whisper.
“Got it, Mac.”
McQueen is grateful the quiet only lasts another moment, because as if nothing happened, Gold Ship swings a heavy arm around her shoulders, pulling her close and directing their steps towards the dance studio-- where they both have practice in a few minutes.
“And for the record,” Golshi blurts out, “I thought you looked really cute when you got all nervous in class.” She says, shifting her arm from Mac’s shoulder to put her in a playful headlock. “Little cutie patootie doesn’t listen in school-ootie.”
McQueen laughs, headbutting her way out of the headlock.
“You’re so immature. I could never pull half of the stuff that you do... Some of us have reputations to maintain.” She teases, successfully maneuvering herself away from Gold Ship’s unrelenting grip.
“My reputation just happens to be irritating you, so I think you’re wrong about that.” Gold Ship fires back, tilting her head down at Mac to sneer at her teasingly. Her ears and tail are swishing in unison, a habit of hers that McQueen (unfortunately) finds rather endearing.
Mac quashes the butterflies in her stomach when she recalls Teio jokingly calling Gold Ship her girlfriend, an uneasy quiver replacing the small bit of admiration she was just feeling. Maybe bringing up her reputation as a Mejiro was a mistake, because now she feels the weight of so many pairs of eyes on them both. She opts to further the distance between them, now a step to Golshi’s side rather than under her arm. Gold Ship cocks her head in question, but doesn’t say a word.
The rest of their walk to the studio is occupied by a one sided conversation: Gold Ship prattling on about her day and everything in sight and musings about what dances they would have to learn, and McQueen nods when she’s supposed to.
Honestly, it’s nice. McQueen even finds herself giggling every once in a while, relieved to have no obligation to contribute to the conversation at the moment, as her head is swirling with a bog of anxious thoughts. She can admit, at least, that this is what she likes about Gold Ship’s constant presence: a relief from expectations.
“Do you think I can do a cartwheel?” Gold Ship murmurs, “Or is that too easy should I try a backflip instead?”
McQueen is brought back to reality, and a wry smile spreads on her face.
“Nah, do a cartwheel. I don’t think you can.”
“HUH? I totally can, WATCH!”
Gold Ship barrels forward on the sidewalk, clearing space for her antics. She places one hand on the ground, but her excitement and excess momentum propel her way too far-- and she ends up crumpling in a heap of limbs.
“Oughhhhh…”
McQueen laughs harder than she has in a while, and sticks out a hand to help up her companion.
“Hehe~ It was a good try..”
Golshi accepts her hand and stands slowly, and McQueen stifles another laugh when she sees the way Gold Ship’s ears and tail are pinned down in embarrassment.
“Let’s just get to practice already, I’m exhausted.”
…
A small gathering of Umamusume are standing side by side in the dance studio, ears perked in unison as they listen with rapt attention to the instructor.
“Practice today is for the winning concert of the upcoming Tenno Sho. We’ll be going over a special routine for the winner of that race… along with the rest of the concert routine.”
She pauses, surveying the room with a watchful eye. “But, the director wants to try something new this time, so I’ll need someone who is not competing in the Tenno Sho to volunteer for me. I need a ‘Prince Charming’--”
Gold Ship’s hand rockets to the sky, interrupting the instructor.
“ME! I’ll do it.” She takes a step forward and turns to address her captive audience, a hand placed on her chest as she curtseys. “I’m the best one for the job, as the most handsome and chivalrous in the room--”
The entire studio bursts into shy giggles, everyone in the room expecting no less from her. McQueen laughs, a bit forced. The thing is, Gold Ship definitely isn’t wrong, but the palpable giddiness from the rest of the room leaves a weird taste in her mouth and an anxious knot in her stomach.
The instructor sighs and ushers Gold Ship back to her spot in line aside McQueen, shaking her head in amusement.
“Okay, since I don’t have any other volunteers… Prince Charming will be Gold Ship. But she’s gonna have to be everyone in the room’s Prince Charming.”
An incredulous murmur shakes the Umas.
“Which means…” She pauses, enjoying the confusion in the room. “You all have to learn the winner’s routine and practice one-on-one with Gold Ship in turn.”
Mac’s ears pin to the back of her head, the weird feeling in her stomach growing to something more uncomfortable. Her tail is swishing violently as the room echoes with shy giggles and whispers. Why is everyone so eager to practice with her? And why do they have the audacity to think they’re even gonna win the Tenno Sho?
…
Suffice to say, all the commotion is enough to sour McQueen’s mood.
The Prince Charming practice sucks up all the energy and attention in the room like a black hole. Everyone is practicing on their own, but the subconscious attention is all placed on the smaller side lesson happening at the back of the room, visible from all angles thanks to the floor to ceiling wall mirrors.
Mac is currently staring at herself in the mirror, forcing herself to take short, angry steps to carry out the background dancer routine. Thankfully, everyone else in the room is too excited to pay attention to her, they’re all glued to Gold Ship-- who is currently twirling around a rather boisterous Teio.
They both aren’t taking it very seriously, which McQueen only knows because she’s been barely paying attention to her own practicing. Her gaze flits over to the side instruction constantly, unable to identify what about it is driving her so crazy. Between the raucousness in the room, her inability to learn the new routine, and the smug look on Golshi’s face, she’s completely irritated.
She stumbles a bit on a turn, having to steady herself. Mac takes a deep breath and attempts to collect herself when a loud gasp draws her attention to the Prince Charming practice yet again-- Gold Ship has just put Teio in a ballroom style dip, which has everyone in the room giddy and scandalized.
McQueen’s eyes and ears twitch in dangerous unison, and she forces herself to start her own routine from the top when she notices that Teio’s turn is over and now Daiwa Scarlet is next to practice with Gold Ship.
…
The rest of the multiple hour practice continues on in the same way, excited and girlish Umas whispering to themselves about the commotion-- centered by Gold Ship. Every turn seems to go the same way, Gold Ship is boisterous and playful as usual and makes every dance sillier than the last.
McQueen is more focused now, finally nailing her routine, even though she knows she won’t have to actually use it. She’s going to win the Tenno Sho and she’s going to be on stage with Gold Ship-- and now it’s her turn to practice with Golshi.
“McQueen!” The instructor booms over the music. “You’re up.”
She feels a tinge of heat rise on her face, all eyes in the room on her and Gold Ship. Truthfully, she expects a bit of a spectacle just because of how notorious Golshi is for driving her nuts (maybe her earlier comment about her reputation is true…), but when the room is silent she’s a bit thrown off.
All eyes seem to track her movements, walking slowly over to the back of the room.
McQueen finally looks at Golshi, whose normally very animated facial features are drawn into a very serious line. She nods politely at McQueen and extends a hand out towards her.
“McQueen-” Gold Ship yelps, her voice cutting out halfway.
“Okay, now, in ballroom position please.” The instructor interrupts.
McQueen steps forward, closing the distance between them. She winces nervously when Gold Ship tenderly places a hand on her waist, the other hand still grasped firmly on her own. Their fingers interlace, and McQueen tries to ignore the sweat on Golshi’s palm.
She can’t help but think about how different this seems, a stark contrast to the playful and ridiculous way Gold Ship was approaching her other dance partners. McQueen feels part of her sink, unsure why Gold Ship is acting so strangely, so serious.
She cocks her head at Gold Ship in question, who refuses to meet her eyes. Her face is an unseemly bright red, completely flushed.
They twirl around slowly, both of them stiff and unnatural. Mac lets out a sharp yelp when Gold Ship missteps and lands her foot directly on top of McQueen’s, and they separate suddenly.
To McQueen's relief, the bell rings and draws attention elsewhere as the instructor dismisses the rest of the class. She’s relieved to be over with this awkward stint of interaction, but to her dismay the instructor waves her hand over at the nervous duo, the universal sign to see me after class.
Mac and Golshi both sigh, an uneasy dread filling the air.
…
“You two… really need more practice.” The instructor deadpans, an apologetic smile ghosting her features.
Embarrassed, McQueen looks to the floor.
“Sorry, professor.”
“I’ll be a better Prince Charming, I promise!” Gold Ship blurts, the threat of tears evident in the way her voice cracks.
The sudden burst of sound makes McQueen smile, and the professor laughs at the pathetic duo-- like she’s noticing something they don’t.
“It’s fine, you’ve been a great help Gold Ship. McQueen, I need you to practice with her a bit longer. There’s no more dance classes for the rest of the day, so you can use the studio. I’d recommend staying late.”
“Yes ma’am.” Gold Ship and McQueen respond in unison, ears drooping in shame.
“Why the long faces?” She laughs, “You two did good today, and I expect you will be the center of attention following the Tenno Sho…” She says, smiling gently and expectantly at McQueen. “I’ll see you ladies next week for practice.”
That being said, the professor walks out of the studio and suddenly the stillness in the room is vacuous and intimidating.
The silence grows more unbearable as McQueen remains quiet, and Gold Ship paces around impatiently. McQueen is a touch irritated at having to stay longer, and hurt that Gold Ship has changed her demeanor so suddenly, as if she had no interest in dancing with McQueen in particular.
She lets out a defeated sigh, wishing the confusing and unidentifiable feelings would leave her be.
“Well, let’s get this over with.” She exhales.
“Over with?” Gold Ship echoes, hurt plain on her face. Now it’s McQueen’s turn to be surprised.
“Hm? I mean, you were so excited to dance with everyone else, but when it was my turn you got all serious.” McQueen pauses, thinking about her next words. “It was like you were dreading dancing with me.” She admits, her tail swishing nervously and her ears low.
All of the color drains from Gold Ship’s face, her features looking eerily similar to the photo she snapped earlier of McQueen being reprimanded in class. The resemblance makes her laugh.
“WHY ARE YOU LAUGHING?!” Gold Ship wails, hiding her face in the crook of her elbow. “I TRIED SO HARD!!!”
Despite the sudden change in volume, it’s clear that Gold Ship’s outburst is coming from a place of embarrassment and not sadness. McQueen, feeling a bit guilty, closes the distance between them and approaches Gold Ship, grabbing her wrist and pulling it down so she can see her face.
“Golshi, you just looked like that picture you took of me earlier. That’s why I was laughing.”
“Oh..”
Silence permeates the room again.
“You didn’t dread dancing with me?” McQueen asks, voice quiet like she’s still afraid to hear the answer.
“Mac…” She sighs, head hanging low. “I was nervous.”
“Nervous? About what!?” McQueen asks, incredulous. “You were putting on a whole show for the rest of the class but when it’s my turn, you acted like you’ve never seen me in your life-- like we aren’t around each other all the time, like you aren’t always following me and driving me nuts and--”
“Listen, Mac, it’s not a big deal, I just…”
“Not a big deal? The Spring Tenno Sho isn’t a big deal?”
“MCQUEEEEEN!!” Gold Ship yells. “Please don’t be upset. I just don’t know how to.. explain.. why..” She trails off, kicking at the ground nervously.
The shift in demeanor makes McQueen pay closer attention. Her anger slips away and is replaced with genuine confusion.
“Why didn't you want to dance with me?” McQueen repeats, voice gentler.
A beat passes, and McQueen feels the air in the room stagnate.
“I did wanna dance with you. I wanted to be extra perfect because you’re the one that’s gonna win the Tenno Sho. I had to be serious, so you could practice well. But I got so nervous and everyone was staring and--”
McQueen feels a swell of emotion in her chest, the realization of so many things finally clicking into place. She knows, now.
“Golshi…” McQueen says softly, her voice heady with all of her unspoken thoughts. “Do you--”
Gold Ship screams, making McQueen jump.
“I CAN’T DO THIS HERE!!” Gold Ship moans, head swiveling around the room like a trapped animal searching for an exit. “Hold on, princess charming!”
And before McQueen can even process the strange phrasing or sudden outburst, she’s being thrown over Gold Ship’s shoulder like a sack of potatoes. She throws a bit of a fit, yelping and clutching onto Gold Ship’s tracksuit when she makes a sudden start, running towards the door.
McQueen can hardly tell where they’re going, seeing as her only view of the surroundings is the bottom of Golshi’s shoes frantically kicking up dirt, but it’s definitely somewhere on campus. McQueen throws a dramatic slap to Gold Ship’s back every once in a while in faux protest, thankful Gold Ship can’t see her face (or the giant, knowing smile on it).
…
When Golshi starts huffing and wheezing and the pace of her frantic run slows, McQueen prepares for impact-- expecting to be hurled to the ground like every other time she’s been kidnapped by Gold Ship before. But, the moment never comes. Gold Ship lets out a labored “Whew, ough, we’re here…” and gently sets McQueen to her feet.
Mac takes a look out at the scenery, somehow Gold Ship has managed to lug both of them up a hill on the sparse side of campus, overlooking the facilities. By now, it’s sunset and a soft, amber glow is cast over the track and the surrounding vista.
Gold Ship collapses to the ground rather dramatically, sitting on the grass with her feet in front of her.
“You gotta lay off the sweets, Big Mac.” She moans.
A flash of anger lights up McQueen’s face, but it subsides with a measured flick to Golshi’s forehead, delivered before Mac takes a seat next to her.
“I’ve been cutting back!” She protests.
Gold Ship looks over at her, a glint in her eye and sweat meandering down the curves of her face.
“Cutting back another slice maybe.”
“GOLSHI!”
A loud slap echoes in the air.
“Okay, okay, I’m done!”
Seeing her chance to segue the conversation back to where they left off, McQueen replies with:
“Are you done? You interrupted our conversation to bring me here, so…”
Gold Ship lets out an exasperated sigh.
“Can’t you enjoy the views for one minute before rushing me?”
Gold Ship glances over to McQueen, a nervous and shy smile on her face. The sight makes McQueen’s heart leap.
“I’m rushing you because--”
“MCQUEEEEN!! Please give me a second, I’m getting prepared to get rejected.” Golshi squeaks out, a pitiful expression ghosting her features.
McQueen leans forward, the space between them almost nonexistent. It’s different, this time. Different from all the other times Gold Ship has invaded her space, teased her, everything really. The air between them sparks electric, McQueen is almost quivering in anticipation.
“I don’t think that’s what's happening...” She says quietly, a smile growing on her lips.
She presses forwards, eyes closed and hands on Gold Ship’s thigh, leaning in to kiss her. When they finally connect, all of the jealousy and anxiety from earlier (she can admit to herself that’s what the pit in her stomach was) melt.
For all of the times Golshi has been rough or a little too playful, she makes up for it here, hand cupping the back of McQueen’s neck like she’s afraid to break her. Their lips move against each other softly, though it's hard to maintain the kiss when they both can’t stop grinning.
They both pull away with a deep breath, both seeming to be low on oxygen. Mac plants a chaste kiss on Golshi’s cheek when she notices the sound of her tail frantically and excitedly swishing in the grass. The gesture makes Gold Ship blush harder than she’s ever seen, her ears vibrating in excitement.
“This is the best day EVER!!!!” Gold Ship yells, pumping a hand in the air victoriously.
“Be quiet!!” McQueen scolds, letting out a laugh. Her words are empty though, because after slapping her on the arm half-heartedly, McQueen cozies up to her side. Golshi responds by kissing the top of her head rather wetly and obnoxiously before placing a possessive arm around McQueen’s waist.
“Ah, Mac, seriously this is the best day ever.” She pauses. “Please don’t make me go back to dance practice yet.”
McQueen smiles and squeezes Golshi’s side, her arm wrapped around her waist. McQueen searches for her hand, intertwining their fingers and letting out a contented sigh when Gold Ship rubs her thumb across the back of McQueen's hand.
“Fine. But I expect to find you in the studio tomorrow, bright and early.”
Gold Ship lets out a pshh and leans her head on McQueen’s, their ears bumping softly.
“You’ll never get rid of me now, silly.”