Chapter Text
Today has been so long, but it is worth it. Getting up extra early was hell. With two girls competing in the Derby from Athena and then Mystic, too, I wanted to make sure I gave each of them some one on one time before everything started.
“You don’t need to worry about us, Trainer.” Journey tells me as I check in with Orfevre. “You should go see Fenomeno.”
I know she wants me to catch that small smirk as she turns away from me to fix Orfe’s racing silks some more. Journey is calculated in everything she does.
“I’m checking in on everyone today.” I tell her stubbornly and ignore my warm face. “I can leave though, if you really are good.” I say this looking at Orfe directly this time as she watches in that intense way she regards everything around her.
The taller uma nods after a moment and I simply nod back as I make my way out. I can hear them talking quietly as I do so, but I cannot make out the words.
Sometimes I wish I had the hearing of an uma.
“Mystic?” I knock on the door across the hall from Orfe’s.
“Coach!” I can hear her yell from behind the door and it opens so fast that I fear it’ll come off the hinges. “Other Coaches are here, too!”
I can see Aoi talking with my brother behind her.
“Hey, dumbass. Not even gonna say hi?” I ask as I enter the room, pointing mock accusingly at him.
“You were busy!” He defends himself with a finger dramatically pointed back at me.
“You still coulda -“
“Hey! He is here now, Noahy.” Aoi shuts us down as if we were squabbling children.
I guess we are…
“Wait.” I turn to her. “Why didn’t you tell me?!”
“I only just came to see Mystic while you were with Orfevre, dear. I did not get a chance to tell you.” She points out and I sigh.
“Sorry.”
We chat for a while before my phone going off interrupts with a message from Fenomeno.
Boss. I need you.
“I’ll be ri- I have to go check on something.” I rush to tell them and step towards the door before any of them could move.
As a human, I may be much slower than an uma, but I run as fast as I can down the corridor, dodging the few people in there. A fellow trainer shouts after me and I ignore it.
Meno got a room a bit farther from the others in our group and I am breathing a little heavy by the time I reach it, knocking as carefully as I can in my small panic.
“Boss!” She grabs my hand and tugs me through the barely opened door, seeming very distressed.
“M-Meno, what’s wrong?” I ask and quickly look her over, praying she isn’t hurt.
She shoves something into my arms, something fabric and stiff.
“Your hat?” I ask as I look down at it, immediately noticing a big rip through the durable material on the top, making the separate ear holes one big hole now. “H-how did this even…?”
“I DON’T KNOW!” She yells and hangs her head as she tries to hide her silent sobs.
The hat was a gift from her father and I know it means the world to her. To see it so damaged and adding the fact she does not know how it ended up like this is hurting her a lot.
“Meno.” I set the hat down on the small dressing table and step closer to her.
The moment I am within reach, she pulls me to her and clings tightly.
“We can fix this. It can be repaired.” I whisper into her hair as she buries her face into my shoulder.
This cannot be comfortable for her, leaning down this far.
It shocks me to my very core to see her so upset. I’ve seen her sad because she scared the children again or the old ladies thought she was a thief. But this is from somewhere much deeper in her.
All I can do is pet her spiky hair and whisper calming words to her.
“Are you okay, sweetheart?” I ask when I feel her breathing calm.
She freezes for a second at the endearment and her ears swivel to fully alert. The one closer to me hits my head just above my own ear lightly as it moves forward before seeming to recoil back against her own head. Her tail gives a fuller swish before returning to the occasional agitated flick as she pulls herself back from my shoulder.
“Aoi is good with fixing things. She’ll be able to fix your hat, sweetheart.” I test the word again and it has a similar effect.
Guess she likes that one. I’ll file that away for later. More pressing issue needs attention first.
“She can repair it?” Meno asks in a small hopeful voice as she stares into my eyes.
“She should be able to. Finally use that emergency sewing kit she carries.” I chuckle at that and pull out my phone.
“Is everything okay?” The moment she picks up, I see Meno focus on the phone. “You rushed out of here.”
“No. We need your help down here.” I tell her and I can hear her starting to run, her footsteps echoing.
Was she already in the hall?
“Open the door.” She says as we hear hurried steps outside the room. Meno pulls the door open in time for her to slide in like a baseball player, popping up quickly and dusting off her clothes.
I love this woman.
I look over both of them and my heart feels warm and full, despite the problem at hand.
I love these women.
A shake of my head clears it as Meno shows Aoi her hat, fresh tears filling the edges of her eyes again.
“Oh, no. How did this happen, dear?” Aoi takes the hat from her and moves to sit on the couch in the corner. “We don’t have much time, but I should be able to get this temporarily closed.”
Not wasting more time, she pulls her small kit out of the hidden pocket in her vest.
You wouldn’t know it was in there if she didn’t show you. Somehow her vest still manages to lay flat.
“Will it hold?” Meno asks as she sits next to her and watches intently.
“It should until after the race.” Aoi assures as she works the thread through the thick material.
We can hear the announcers beginning their spiels and Meno looks scared again as we hear the other racers making their way to the tunnel.
“There!” Aoi stands and pulls Meno up with her, holding the repaired hat out to her. “I’ll give it a more permanent repair when we get home, dear. I promise.”
“THANK YOU, BOSSES!” Meno yells at nearly her full volume and I cringe just the tiniest bit.
It is immediately replaced with a fierce blush when Meno places a rushed, but solid kiss to Aoi’s cheek then one to mine.
My wife and I are both left speechless and red as we stare after her.