Never too busy
Ingrid’s barely stepped through the door when she hears the unmistakable sound of Mapi grumbling from the couch. It’s been a long day -training, errands, sorting through the mess in the kitchen Mapi had insisted wasn’t hers (even though Ingrid had watched her make it). Now all she wants is a quiet evening, maybe an hour of peace before they have to start the whole thing again tomorrow.
But Mapi is clearly in one of those moods.
She toes off her trainers, leaving them by the door, and rounds the corner into the living room. Sure enough, Mapi is sprawled out on the couch, arms crossed over her chest, her injured leg propped up on a pillow.
“Hola, mi amor,” Ingrid greets, forcing a small smile as she drops her bag onto the floor.
Mapi doesn’t even look at her.
Great.
Ingrid sighs, walking over and leaning down to press a quick kiss to Mapi’s temple. “What’s wrong?”
“Estoy aburrida,” Mapi mutters.
Ingrid nods. “I know.”
“Y triste.”
“I know.”
“Y fea.”
Ingrid blinks. “You’re not ugly.”
Mapi scowls. “Tengo pelo sucio.”
Ingrid rolls her eyes. “Your hair is fine.”
Mapi groans dramatically, throwing her good arm over her face. “No lo es.”
Ingrid huffs a quiet laugh. “Do you want me to wash it for you later?”
Mapi peeks out from under her arm. “Sí.”
“Then I will.” Ingrid smiles, but her eyes flick toward the kitchen, toward the dishes piled in the sink, toward the laundry basket still overflowing from two days ago. There’s so much to do. Too much to do.
Mapi watches her, eyes tracking the way Ingrid’s shoulders sink ever so slightly.
“Princesa,” she murmurs.
Ingrid hums in response, already moving toward the kitchen.
Mapi hesitates. She wants to ask -wants to tell Ingrid to just sit down for five minutes, to hold her, to let her be close- but she doesn’t.
Ingrid’s already doing so much. She doesn’t want to be another thing on the list. So instead, she just watches as Ingrid disappears into the kitchen, and she stays on the couch, feeling miserable.
Later, Alexia stops by.
She doesn’t stay long, just long enough to bring Mapi some snacks, sit with her for a bit and keep her company. And maybe it’s because Alexia is warm, or because her voice is soft, or because she smells like something familiar -but before Mapi knows it, her eyes are closing, and she’s sinking into her friend’s shoulder, and then-
She’s asleep.
When Ingrid finally emerges from the kitchen, wiping her damp hands on a towel, she stops dead in her tracks.
Her first instinct is to be amused. Because Mapi is tactile with her friends, always throwing an arm around someone, pulling them into a hug, curling up beside them on the bus.
But falling asleep on them?
That’s new.
And something about it makes Ingrid’s chest tighten.
Alexia glances up, notices Ingrid’s expression, and smirks. “No te preocupes. No voy a robártela.”
Ingrid blinks, snapping out of it, forcing a chuckle. “I wasn’t worried.”
Alexia hums. “Mhm.”
Ingrid walks over, eyes still locked on Mapi’s face. She looks peaceful, lips slightly parted, brow smooth in a way it hasn’t been for days. Ingrid exhales quietly, reaching down to brush a stray strand of hair away from Mapi’s forehead.
“She’s been like this long?” she asks.
Alexia shrugs. “Cinco minutos.”
Ingrid nods. Her fingers linger against Mapi’s temple, tracing small, absentminded circles.
Alexia tilts her head, watching. “Está triste, sabes.”
“I know,” Ingrid murmurs.
Alexia raises an eyebrow. “¿Y?”
Ingrid hesitates. She knows. Of course she knows. But she hadn’t really seen it until now.
She sighs, shaking her head. “I’ve just been so-“ she gestures vaguely, “-busy.”
Alexia nods. “Lo sé.”
Ingrid stares down at Mapi for another long moment before finally sighing, straightening up. “Okay. You can go now.”
Alexia snorts. “¿Me estás echando?”
“Yes.” Ingrid bends down, sliding her arms carefully under Mapi, lifting her without disturbing her sleep. “Thank you for your services.”
Alexia rolls her eyes but stands, grabbing her bag. “Buena suerte.”
Ingrid just nods, already heading toward their bedroom. She settles Mapi down onto the bed, pulling the blankets over her, then slips in beside her.
Mapi stirs as soon as Ingrid wraps an arm around her waist, blinking sleepily. “Princesa?”
“Shh,” Ingrid whispers, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “Go back to sleep.”
Mapi hums, curling into her, nuzzling her nose against the underside of Ingrid’s jaw. “Te amo.”
“I love you too,” Ingrid murmurs. “I’ll hold you as long as you want.”
Mapi smiles against her skin, already drifting off again.