Beach trip
The heat of the Barcelona day was almost unbearable, but neither Ingrid nor Mapi seemed to care much. The beach was their little haven away from the chaos of football training and schedules. The sound of waves crashing against the shore and the distant hum of chatter from other beachgoers filled the air, but for Ingrid and Mapi, the world felt smaller, quieter.
Mapi was sprawled on her back on a beach towel, the sun kissing her bare skin as she stretched lazily. Her bikini bottoms, pink in colour, clung low on her hips. She wore nothing else, as was the norm for her on beach days. A faded black bucket hat was pulled over her face to shield her eyes from the harsh rays.
Ingrid, more modest in her choice of a navy bikini that promised minimal tan lines, lay perpendicular to her, her head resting comfortably on Mapi’s stomach. Mapi’s skin was warm against the back of her neck, the steady rise and fall of her breathing lulling Ingrid into a calm stupor.
With one hand, Mapi idly combed her fingers through Ingrid’s thick dark hair, occasionally twirling a strand between her fingers. Ingrid sighed contentedly, scrolling through her phone with her free hand, occasionally pausing to read something aloud or chuckle softly.
“Qué pasa?” Mapi asked, voice muffled from beneath her hat.
“Just something funny Keira sent,” Ingrid murmured.
Mapi hummed in response, not bothering to open her eyes. Ingrid rolled her eyes fondly as her eyes flickered over to Mapi’s face, mostly obscured by the hat. “Comfortable?”
“Hmm,” Mapi murmured, her fingers still gently tugging at Ingrid’s hair. “Sí. Tú?”
Ingrid smiled, shifting slightly so she could lay her head more securely on Mapi’s stomach. “I’m good,” she said softly. “Just perfect, actually.”
They stayed like that for a long while, neither feeling the need to fill the space with too much talking. Mapi’s hand continued its slow, affectionate movements in Ingrid’s hair, and Ingrid’s head grew heavier against her stomach as her own eyes fluttered shut.
Eventually, Ingrid sat up, stretching her arms above her head. She glanced over at Mapi, who was still sprawled out, her hat barely clinging to her face.
“Let’s go to the water,” Ingrid said as she nudged Mapi’s with her foot.
“No,” Mapi replied instantly, not moving an inch.
“Come on,” Ingrid coaxed, leaning over Mapi with an arm either side of the Spaniards head.
“It’s too cold,” Mapi whined, finally lifting the hat off her face to squint up at Ingrid. Ingrid adjusted herself slightly so she was blocking the sun from her face, lips quirking up into a smile when Mapi’s hands come to rest on each of her sides, squeezing softly before trailing up and down.
“You don’t even know,” Ingrid pointed out, leaning down to press a kiss to Mapi’s lips before sitting back on her knees and running her hands through her hair.
Mapi groaned, sitting up reluctantly. “I know,” she said with mock seriousness. “It is always cold.”
Ingrid smirked as she stands, grabbing Mapi’s hand and pulling her to her feet too. “You’ll survive.”
Mapi grumbled under her breath in Spanish as they made their way to the water’s edge. The sand was hot beneath their feet, but the sight of the clear blue waves crashing against the shore made it worth it.
Ingrid dipped a foot into the water, gasping at the chill. “Okay, maybe it is a little cold,” she admitted, glancing over at Mapi, who stood with her arms crossed, looking smug.
“Te lo dije,” Mapi said, a small smile playing on her lips.
“Hush,” Ingrid said, stepping further into the water despite the chill. “Come on. Let’s get it over with.”
Mapi rolled her eyes but followed, her hands brushing against Ingrid’s as the water climbed higher up their legs.
“It’s freezing!” Mapi yelped, shivering slightly as a wave splashed against her thighs.
“It’s not that bad,” Ingrid said, though her own goosebumps betrayed her.
Mapi glared playfully at her. “You’re loca,” she said again, stepping closer to Ingrid.
“Maybe,” Ingrid replied, smiling as she splashed a handful of water at Mapi. It hits her directly in her face.
Mapi gasped, her eyes wide as she wiped the water away with a laugh of disbelief. “Te vas a arrepentir de eso.” She lunged towards her.
Ingrid instinctively squealed, stepping back into the deeper water as Mapi attempted to splash her in return. They chased each other as best they could in the water, their laughter echoing loudly.
Eventually, Mapi caught up to Ingrid, her arms hooking around her waist and pulling her close. Ingrid let out a startled laugh, her hands instinctively going to Mapi’s shoulders for balance.
“Got you,” Mapi said breathlessly.
“You did,” Ingrid replied, her voice softer now that they were so close.
The water was up to Ingrid’s chest and Mapi’s shoulders, their bodies pressed together as they caught their breath. Mapi’s bare torso and chest were warm against Ingrid’s cooler skin, Ingrid’s arms sliding up around Mapi’s neck, fingers finding the baby hairs that had escaped Mapi’s messy bun. She toyed with them absently, her eyes locked on Mapi’s face.
“Princesa,” Mapi murmured, her voice quieter now.
Ingrid tilted her head to the side. “What?” Her lips curve into a small smile.
“Nothing,” Mapi said, shaking her head slightly. “Just… eres bonita.”
Ingrid felt her cheeks flush, her fingers pausing in Mapi’s hair. “You’re just saying that.” she teased.
“No,” Mapi said firmly, her hands resting just above the curve of Ingrid’s behind. She pulled her even closer, if that was even possible, fingers skimming the edge of her bikini bottoms. “I mean it.”
Ingrid’s smile softened, her fingers resuming their gentle movements in Mapi’s hair. “So are you,” she said quietly.
They stayed like that for a moment, the world around them fading away. The sound of the waves and the chatter of other beachgoers seemed distant, almost unimportant.
“I love you, you know,” Mapi said suddenly, her voice so soft that Ingrid almost didn’t hear it.
“I know,” Ingrid replied, he eyes meeting Mapi’s ones. “I love you too. More than anything.”
Mapi grinned, leaning forward to press a quick, playful kiss to Ingrid’s nose. “Good,” she said, her voice full of affection.
Ingrid laughed, her arms tightening around Mapi’s neck. “Good,” she echoed, her voice just as warm.