Chapter Text
Another lazy Sunday morning; a certain courier of Penguin Logistics was enjoying her weekend off in a rented Lungmen apartment she shared with fellow Rhodes Island Operator Lappland as they attended to business in the city. Roused awake by the rays of the rising sun streaming through the blinds, she turned over to resume her slumber, arms expecting to find her Lupo companion to snuggle up against. However much she flailed around the bed with closed eyes, she found only empty space, rumpled blankets and pillows strewn about the thin mattress. Accepting the fact that her bolster-to-be had probably gone to the bathroom or otherwise began her day early (the latter being more unlikely), she went back to sleep, audible signs of life in the living room confirming either of her theories.
The comfort she now enjoyed was a far cry from the life she used to live. There was no more running from her past, which had caught up to her in the form of the white-haired Lupo from her childhood who had spent years in obsessive pursuit. There was also the Beast Lord Zaaro who aided her escape from her homeland; her bond to him broken, she was free to move forward with her newfound freedom, Lappland in tow as a now-more-than-friendly companion. No more was she haunted by the flames of the burning mansion that night, nor of the bloody familial feuds that she had left behind. She now dreamed of scenes filled with joyous laughter among friends, of sunny days with happy faces, and of the warm and sweet scent of freshly-baked pancakes with syrup for breakfast on a summer morning.
Except the last one didn’t seem to be a dream at all. It was real. Reacting to the scent, she opened her eyes just in time to see Lappland enter the room, tray of food in hand, and dressed in… A maid dress? Her eyes widened in surprise (or perhaps shock) as she wondered again if she was indeed still dreaming. She rubbed her eyes and looked again. Nope, this was real - the frilly hairband, puffy sleeves, and white apron with the scalloped hem of the knee-high dress peeking out. On Lappland of all people.
Staring at her in silence for a little too long triggered a reaction from the tray-bearing figure. “What, speechless?”
Truly lost for words, Texas could only manage a meek “Um… Is that for me?” in response, pointing at the tray of pancakes in Lappland’s hands.
“O-Of course it is, idiota! I… Did this for you, you know,” came her partner’s indignant reply, her tone fading to sheepishness at the end. She shot a look of realisation at Texas, suddenly coming to understand the reason for her confusion.
“... Did you forget what day it was?” asked Lappland with her hands on her hips, having placed the tray down on the bed beside Texas.
Texas, still wiping the sleep from her eyes, thought about Lappland’s question. The date? Wait, what day is it anyway? Sunday, June already? June… 1st? Oh. “Oh. Oh,” came her knowing reply.
“So, uh… happy birthday, Texas, I hope you’ll enjoy… All of this,” said Lappland, eyes cast downwards as if deliberately avoiding eye contact; it seemed that having had the chance to reckon her appearance once more, the white-haired Lupo had started to feel somewhat embarrassed, as evidenced by her squirming in place under Texas’ gaze. The latter was only just starting to accept the scene that lay before her, and could feel herself starting to be overcome with strong feelings. Gratitude. Joy. Desire . But she didn’t want to give Lappland the satisfaction of knowing she was painting an irresistible picture of a meek and vulnerable prey just yet, so she held strong.
“Thank you,” she replied in her characteristically-nonchalant tone. Lappland seemed almost disappointed by her mellowed response, her ears and shoulders drooping visibly even as she stood tense and rigid in her shyness. Then came Texas’ disarming signature move. “And, you look cute.”
Cue Lappland, flustered. “D-don’t misunderstand! Exusiai and Sora put me up to it after I lost a silly bet with them. I’m a woman of my word, okay?” Texas guffawed at the idea that this of all things had been the outcome of one of Exusiai and Sora’s silly games. She revelled in the thought, and made sure Lappland knew it.
“Yes, yes. I suppose I shouldn’t complain about their antics this once, if this is the result.”
“Hmph. Soak it in while you can,” came the curt reply, to which a teasing response was almost certainly required.
“... Don’t mind if I do.”
Texas moved the tray of pancakes over her lap (it was one of those with legs, meant for breakfast-in-bed as Lappland had so graciously served her). However, her attention wasn’t on the pancakes just yet - she was still transfixed by the sight of Lappland in the maid dress. Her gaze drifted subconsciously over her partner from top to bottom; Lappland had braided her hair into twin braids to complete the maid look, and the dress featured more frills than she had ever seen on Lappland in a lifetime. Still standing by the bedside, Lappland’s white stocking-covered legs were on display from the knee down, the black Oripathy growth on her right calf showing through the sheer material. It matched the black Mary Janes that she wore to complete the look, and for Texas it was a sobering reminder that this - and Texas herself - were what she was choosing to spend her limited time on. Her gaze lingered on Lappland’s calf a little too long, and the latter took notice.
“Why aren’t you eating? Something wrong with my food?” she asked with a pout.
Texas took the chance to give Lappland a once-over again, and ran her fingers along her braids, down along the curves of her body up to her hips, before lightly caressing her chin, feeling her breath hitch as she went. “I am."
Knife and fork moved deftly as Texas tucked into Lappland’s homemade pancakes, which looked absolutely delectable - coated with the sheen of melted butter and topped with whipped cream, served alongside a mix of blueberries and raspberries, and accompanied by a syrup pitcher filled with golden maple syrup. Lappland sat at the foot of the bed, observing her intently for her reaction.
“It’s delicious. The pancakes are nice and fluffy, and you even thought to warm up the syrup too,” said Texas between mouthfuls.
“Of course! I take my cooking seriously y’know. I was making these since six.”
“And how long did you spend dolling up?”
“Ehehe… Uh, best not to ask about that.” While Lappland deflected the question, Texas was perceptive enough to notice that her eyebags were slightly more prominent than usual even under the makeup. Whatever the case, she was touched that Lappland went to such lengths for her. Her. She should get to taste her pancakes too.
“Do you want some too?” asked Texas, waving a pancake-laden fork in Lappland’s general direction. The latter had regained some of her composure, and was poised to ‘attack’ this time.
Looking down playfully at her hands and with some eyelid batting thrown in, she replied, “Well, I wouldn’t want to dirty these gloves, so…”
Texas sighed. I suppose it’s time to pay my dues, she thought. “Fine, fine. Come here.” Lappland eagerly scooched closer to Texas on the bed, leaning towards her with her eyes closed and mouth open, tail wagging behind her. Having eaten the forkful of pancakes while waiting for Lappland to position herself, Texas cut a new piece and fed it to her.
Lappland took the mouthful of syrup-soaked pancakes she was offered, making a show of chewing and savouring the morsel slowly before swallowing and then using her tongue to lick the syrup from the edges of her lips, letting her fangs peek out as she smiled back cheekily. That sight, coupled with the inviting tease of her servile attire, was too much for her partner to bear any longer, and she let out a surprised yelp as she suddenly found herself being pulled in for a tongue-y and syrupy kiss.
When their lips finally parted, it was Texas who spoke first. “Thank you for the birthday present, Lappland.”
“And I don’t just mean the food,” said Texas as she placed the tray of food on the bedside table.
“I mean you.”
“Eh?!” Lappland cried out in surprise, not so much from Texas’ words but from being pulled onto the bed by the latter, who held her in a tight hug as they lay down on the bed. Texas’ warm embrace contrasted with the cool sheets, and the surprise of being manhandled onto the bed quickly wore off, and Lappland quickly relaxed into it. A warm, and very familiar, embrace. Though as always, Texas may need to be reminded to squeeze a little less hard.
“H-hey you know you’re really strong right? Try… Not to crush my ribs…” Texas, previously overwhelmed with emotion, released her grip on her partner, who shifted her arms to return the cuddle now that she was able to. Texas ran one hand lightly over Lappland’s back, while the other gently stroked her head. The two continued to share the moment of peace and serenity in each other’s arms.
Again, it was Texas who broke the silence, speaking solemnly, “Stay with me, okay? I want you by my side. Always.”
“I will, Texas. And I’m a woman of my word.”
Ultimately, the maid dress didn’t stay on for much longer, and predictably, the pair spent the rest of the morning in the bedroom as well.
~ Fin ~