The Untold Story of Texas and Lappland (Arknights)

Trips and Kisses

Lappland woke to the sound of water running. Yawning, she rubbed at her eyes, wiping the sleepiness away. Light filtered in through the curtains, a thin line of it cutting along the floor from underneath the shut bathroom door. What had been in her arms the night before was replaced by a pillow. The comfy quality of it was enjoyable, yet not what she wanted. Lappland huffed, sitting up as another yawn escaped her.

"Hmm, another day another chance." She hummed.

Lappland looked at the door thoughtfully. Would she mind? A part of her knew better, and yet she still had her feet being compelled to get up and go over to the door. There's no harm in asking she justified. The pajamas she wore were the slightest bit smaller compared to the norm, but the smell of Texas encompassing Lappland took out any discomfort she might've had if they belonged to anyone else.

And just as her hand was positioned to knock the door swung open. Unlike any of the scenarios to be conjured up in the short walk to the door, Texas was fully clothed. There would be no bare skin to ogle, nor sultry looks to get her howling with happiness. An expression of curiosity perked the corners of her lips. The only thing Lappland had gotten right from her machinations was the dampness of the other Lupo's hair. Her smell remained the same as ever: lovely. Arguably Lappland's favorite scent from her favorite person.

"I hope you weren't thinking of joining me." Texas murmured.

Lappland recovered quickly, dumbfounded expression shifting to a bored surprise as she retracted the hand positioned to knock to cover her opened mouth as another yawn threatened to burst free. Was it just her or had she gotten too used to coffee waking her up since her return to civilization?

"Oh no. What could've possibly given you that idea?"

Texas rolled her eyes, as if the response was completely expected. "Get dressed and meet me down in the lobby when you're done. I have some plans for us today and I'd rather us remain on schedule."

Us. She said us.

Her tail wagged.

It was such a small thing but it meant a lot.

"Well okay. But I don't know what you're expecting me to wear?" Last she'd seen her normal clothes were tossed in the laundry chute. The gray slatted paneling was latched shut since they got ready for bed, the location of her bloodied clothing a complete mystery in the building. Not to mention we haven't had breakfast yet her stomach complained with a groan of hunger.

Texas chuffed, reaching behind her to something on the counter. The bundle turned out to be her clothing, perfectly clean and warm. The detergent smell clinging to the material almost made her sneeze. Steam spilled from the bathroom as Texas set it into Lappland's open arms. Everything was there, even her socks and boots. The blood was gone from them completely, as was the lingering stench of death they'd carried since the Chernobog ruins. She couldn't remember the last time they'd been so clean.

But the smell was . . .

"I believe these should suffice." Texas smiled at her, pressing the bundle to her chest.

Lappland breathed in the scent. Detergent was a pungent thing, making her nose itch. She knew the scent from strangers, from people in cities. These weren't the hand washed details Gran would do with their laundry, nor the soothing honeysuckle lavender feel which made the material feel soft and lovely. Maybe she was just being nostalgic. The notes of warmth from those hand-folded garments got her to yearn the same way a home cooked meal might, or the crook of Texas's sleepy smile.

Who was she kidding. The last one was reigning champion.

"Thanks."

Texas looked at her thoughtfully. "Is something not right?"