Drunken antics.
The door creaked open, and Ingrid, who was curled up on the couch, glanced up to see Mapi stumble into the flat. Her hair was a little dishevelled, and her cheeks were flushed with the unmistakable warmth of alcohol. She was grinning, though, a soft giggle bubbling up as she leaned heavily against the wall to toe off her shoes.
“María,” Ingrid said softly, setting her book aside and standing. Her green eyes flicked over her girlfriend, assessing her state. “How much did you drink?”
Mapi swayed slightly before holding up three fingers. “Tres cervezas,” she said proudly, before hiccupping and adding, “Y… un chupito.”
Ingrid sighed, though there was an amused curve to her lips as she walked over and steadied her girlfriend with gentle hands on her shoulders. “Tres cervezas and one shot, hmm?”
“Sí,” Mapi replied, tilting her head back to look at Ingrid with big, glassy brown eyes. “I missed you, Princesa.”
“I missed you too,” Ingrid said softly as she brushed a stray strand of hair from Mapi’s face. “Come on, let’s get you to bed.”
Mapi groaned in protest but didn’t resist as Ingrid guided her to the bedroom. She practically melted into Ingrid’s touch, leaning heavily against her side and wrapping an arm around her waist.
Once in the bedroom, Ingrid turned to face her. “Baby, you need to change,” she said, reaching for Mapi’s shirt.
Mapi pouted, her hands moving to clutch at the hem. “No quiero.”
“María,” Ingrid said patiently, her green eyes soft but firm. “You can’t sleep in these clothes. They smell like… like a bar.”
Mapi giggled at that, but when Ingrid began tugging at the shirt again, she finally relented, lifting her arms so Ingrid could pull it off. Ingrid grabbed a loose-fitting top and a pair of shorts from the dresser, helping Mapi into them like she’d done many times before.
“There,” Ingrid said, smoothing the fabric over Mapi’s shoulders. “Much better.”
Mapi hummed in agreement, already beginning to sway again. Ingrid caught her before she could stumble and placed a hand under her chin, tilting her face up. “Teeth,” Ingrid said simply.
Mapi frowned, her brow furrowing in confusion. “¿Qué?”
“Your teeth,” Ingrid repeated, her thumb brushing along Mapi’s jaw. “You need to brush them.”
Mapi groaned, leaning forward to bury her face in Ingrid’s chest. “No quiero.”
“María,” Ingrid murmured, wrapping her arms around Mapi and swaying with her slightly. “If you brush your teeth, I’ll give you a kiss.”
Mapi tilted her head back, a lopsided smile spreading across her face. “Un beso?”
Ingrid chuckled, nodding. “Yes, un beso. But only after you brush your teeth.”
That was all the motivation Mapi needed. She allowed Ingrid to guide her to the bathroom, where she handed her a toothbrush already prepared with toothpaste. Mapi brushed her teeth haphazardly, her movements clumsy but enthusiastic.
“Done!” Mapi declared, turning to Ingrid with her mouth still full of foam.
Ingrid laughed, shaking her head. “Rinse, my love. You can’t swallow that.”
Mapi complied, albeit with a dramatic sigh, before rinsing her mouth and turning to Ingrid with an expectant look. “Ahora, el beso.”
“Okay, okay,” Ingrid said, cupping Mapi’s face and pressing a soft kiss to her lips. Mapi hummed contentedly, her hands coming up to rest on Ingrid’s waist.
“Eres la mejor,” Mapi whispered against her lips, her voice thick with affection.
“And you’re drunk,” Ingrid teased, pulling back slightly. “Come on, time for bed.”
Back in the bedroom, Ingrid tucked Mapi under the duvet, smoothing it over her as Mapi curled up on her side. She seemed content for a moment, her brown eyes fluttering shut, but then she suddenly bolted upright as Ingrid once again inched towards the bathroom doorway with the intention of getting herself ready for bed.
“Please don’t leave me!” Mapi exclaimed, her voice high-pitched and panicked.
Ingrid blinked, startled, as she made her way back over to the drunk Spaniard. “Baby, I’m not leaving.”
Mapi grabbed Ingrid’s wrist, her grip surprisingly strong. “Promise?”
“I promise,” Ingrid said gently, brushing her thumb over Mapi’s knuckles. “I’m just going to the toilet.”
Mapi’s eyes widened. “Can I come with you?”
Ingrid bit back a laugh, shaking her head. “No, you cannot come with me to the toilet.”
“But what if you don’t come back?” Mapi asked, her voice wobbling slightly as she gave Ingrid the most pitiful look.
“María,” Ingrid said softly, sitting on the edge of the bed and leaning in close. “I’m not going anywhere, okay? I’ll be back in two minutes.”
Mapi seemed to consider this for a moment before finally nodding. “Two minutes,” she repeated, holding up two fingers.
“Two minutes,” Ingrid confirmed, leaning down to press a kiss to her forehead. “Stay here. I’ll be right back.”
When Ingrid returned a few minutes later, Mapi was still sitting upright, her head nodding as she fought to stay awake.
“I told you I’d be back,” Ingrid said, slipping under the covers and pulling Mapi down with her.
Mapi sighed in relief, immediately burrowing into Ingrid’s side. “Te amo, Princesa,” she mumbled, her words slurred but full of sincerity.
“I love you too, baby,” Ingrid murmured, her hand coming up to comb through her girlfriend’s hair.
Within minutes, Mapi was fast asleep, her breathing even and steady as she clung to Ingrid like a lifeline. Ingrid smiled to herself, pressing a soft kiss to Mapi’s temple before closing her eyes.