Journey Of Fate ~ mayakuro

•Sun Chips: Part 3•

The food court was just as packed as everywhere else at the zoo. All the tables were taken, but they were able to find a shady spot under the trees. Maya insisted on getting their meals, so Claudine staked out the place to make sure no other visitors would steal it before the brunette got back. Claudine settled onto the cement ledge surrounding the tree. She rested her chin on her hands as she watched Maya stand in the long line to grab them some hot dogs. When she had accidentally admitted that she loved Maya, she had expected their relationship to suddenly change, but so far, Maya had done nothing different. She hadn't become stiff around her or moved further away from her when she walked besides her. If anything, Claudine felt like the other woman was gravitating closer to her, but she was sure that was just her mind playing tricks on her. Regardless, she was beyond relieved. This was a good sign. Maybe Maya wouldn't kick her out the door if she confessed to her. Suddenly, a long cylindrical tin-foil tube was presented before her eyes. She glanced up to see Maya smiling down at her. She gingerly took the hot dog from Maya's out-stretched hand and unwrapped it as the brunette settled down beside her, so close that their knees almost brushed. Claudine caught a glimpse of an orange bag out of the corner of her eye.

"You not only bought two hot dogs for yourself, but you also bought more Sun Chips? Haven't you had enough of those in the car?" Claudine groaned.

"I've told you before. Sun Chips are fantastic," Maya remarked. "Besides, I know that you are inclined to agree with me. You ate the entire bag in less than a minute when we were driving to Chicago."

"Ugh! I already told you that was because I was about to die of starvation! Tomorrow, when it's your turn to drive, I'll eat them again and prove to you definitively that they are not good." Claudine declared. Maya simply grinned at her, eyes sparkling with amusement. Claudine scowled in response. How dare she think that she'd actually like disgusting Sun Chips?

"So, what animal should we visit next?" Maya asked as she took a bite out of her hot dog. Claudine hummed in thought.

"Well, I picked two already, so I think it's your turn," Claudine responded in between bites.

"I see," returned Maya as she unwrapped another hot dog from its tin-foil confinement. "I think I have an animal in mind then."

"I think I can guess what it is."

"Can you now?"

"Yes, if I had to guess," Claudine brought her hand to her chin in faux thought, "It'd be the swans." Maya fixed her with a thoughtful look, a smile lining her lips. Claudine's heart just about melted.

"You'd be correct," she replied gently, seemingly lost in thought about something. Claudine watched her transfixed. This moment, these moments, were so dear to her. Never in her entire life had she felt so at ease. Not even when they were holding each other on stage or in practice had she felt so happy. To be able to simply spend time together sight-seeing, doing mundane tasks such as driving, was a dream come true. She wanted to stay here forever. She didn't want to reach San Francisco anymore. She didn't want their road trip to ever come to an end, if she could just keep living out warm moments like these. The moment did come to an end, however, when Maya stood up abruptly to throw away her trash. Claudine blinked as she was taken out of her reverie. She was about to stand up herself, but was offered a blue gloved hand.

"Want to go see the swans?" Maya asked her, same serene smile lighting her face. Claudine grinned back, intertwining their gloved hands.

"Oui."