Chapter 1: Tamarack
Chapter Text
“Are you alright?” MC glances at Tamarack, worried. While their first instinct might’ve been to lightly tease her, it was overrun by concern when they saw just how miserable she seemed to be.
She considered the question for a moment before nodding her head “no”, her braided hair swishing from side to side at the motion, as MC tracks its movement with their eyes.
She knew better than to lie to them. It was obvious, for one, and they had known each other for long enough for Tamarack to accept that, sometimes, it was just better to give up and accept that MC is going to take care of her even if Tamarack insists that she was fine.
Lying just meant that they’d be more worried.
MC quickly hand her a water bottle— the sole reason why they’d left the pool in the first place, and she readily accepts it, muttering a quiet “thank you” before opening the lid to take a sip. MC sits at the edge of the lounge chair she’s in, taking in the shade after a long day in the sun. Tamarack seems to brighten up a bit before having some water, but MC knows there’s no way it would help much with her current predicament— that is the fact that almost all surface of her skin that wasn’t protected by her one-piece swimsuit was currently bright pink, and undoubtedly, hot to the touch.
Well, MC knew that Tamarack didn’t tan in the sun, she burned.
When they first met, and she wasn’t nearly as shy and quiet and afraid to bother as she is now, it wasn’t uncommon to see her with red shoulders, burned by the sun, when she inevitably forgot to put sunscreen on to play outside.
As she grew up, she was much more diligent about it. Both to save herself the trouble of dealing with the aftermath and to preserve her health.
In fact, MC was absolutely sure Tamarack had applied it a few hours ago before they got in the pool.
MC was sure because they were the one who applied sunscreen to her back, and it took a lot of willpower on their part to absolutely not think about it and not make it a big deal because they were friends and it didn’t really mean anything, and they were deluding themselves into thinking that the pretty blush on her neck was related to them at all.
But then again… MC helped her apply it once but didn’t see it being reapplied, since they were so busy playing in the pool— Oh.
“Wanna go inside?” MC suggests, so Tamarack doesn’t have to ask them and spend too long overthinking about having been bothersome, even though MC always makes sure to reassure her that it’s fine, and they’d much rather do something they’re both having fun rather than something that only they’re enjoying. “You can shower first, and I can look for some Aloe gel we can use. I’m sure Mom has it in there somewhere.”
Mom was always very practical, and had a way of always staying on top of situations like these, there was no doubt in MC’s mind that she saw this coming and prepared for the likely chance that it happened.
Tamarack didn’t look convinced, looking over at MC with uncertainty.
“Are you sure? Don’t you want to swim for longer?”
She asks, and MC doesn’t think twice before nodding no.
“Nah, all that swimming made me a little tired.” They admit, with a smile. It was technically true, anyways. “I’m alright just chilling inside. Maybe we can play a board game or watch TV and eat ice cream!”
MC got up from the lounged chair there were perched at— their excitement over their new plans finally managing to convince Tamarack to give in.
“I’m okay with anything as long as we can spend more time together.” Tamarack says, and MC’s heart flutters at her words “...And we’re away from the sun.”
MC offered one of their hands to her, which she gratefully accepted. It’s a gesture that they’ve repeated many times throughout the years, her soft hand grabbing theirs to lead them away to the woods, on their way home, through the corridors of their school or just holding for the sake of holding because they were close and didn’t really need a reason to hold each other’s hand.
It didn’t need to mean much.
In fact, it shouldn’t mean anything at all, It was just like helping her with her sunscreen or spreading aloe on her back.
It’s a gesture that survived their childhood years— a sign of their closeness and strong bond and friendship. Nothing more.
There was nothing romantic about it.
Then why did such a simple, meaningless gesture mean so much to them?
Why did the heat of her palm make them dizzy? Why did their face flush? Why did they feel a sudden breathlessness they couldn’t explain away by the summer heat?
In truth, MC knew exactly why.
They had known it since the day Tamarack jumped out of a pile of leaves, giggling over having gotten the upper hand over the new kid, her hair glowing golden under the sunlight in a way that made her look so at home within the woods, MC could’ve sworn she was a fairy playing tricks on them.
Maybe they couldn’t name what they were feeling then, being too young to properly understand why the pretty girl that gave them affection so easily felt different from everyone else, but they were keenly aware of their feelings now when they seemed to get more overwhelming by the day.
One day, they would gather enough courage to say something.
But that day wouldn’t be today, as they gently guide her inside, looking back to admire how her face seemed to redden even more at their touch and how soft her features looked when their eyes met.
+ extra
It’s an hour later when they’re sitting on the couch, Tamarack’s short legs stretched over MC’s lap as they eat ice cream, the newest Ariana Grande music video playing on the TV in one of the rare occasions MC managed to catch MTV playing music.
MC should be paying attention, they really should. Tamarack seems really engrossed in a story about the new piece she’s been practising on her cello, and how rude one of the violin girls was about her getting a note wrong when her violin was entirely out of tune the entire time, but the only thing MC can really focus on is how Tamarack smells like Aloe Vera gel and how when she’s snarking about annoying violin players, she rolls her eyes with a disdain Qiu could only dream about channelling, and it’s so cute it makes them fall in love with her all over again.
Chapter 2: Qiu
Chapter Text
“Ugh, I’m so hot.”
Mc whines, trying to walk a little faster to keep up with Qiu’s pace.
It was a terribly hot and humid day in the middle of the summer— one of those days where MC, usually, wouldn’t really bother trying to do anything more than melting on their couch.
Unfortunately for them, they had promised a week beforehand to join Qiu in the next outdoor movie session, which just happened to fall on the hottest day of summer.
Fun.
Well, realistically, they could’ve cancelled.
Qiu wouldn’t have minded it too much. They knew about MC’s aversion to heat, after all, and would’ve probably offered a good alternative or simply called another friend, who would be less annoying about being hot and sweaty.
But… It was Qiu they were talking about.
Qiu asked for their company, and even if they tried to sound really nonchalant about it, MC could tell that Qiu was excited and that this movie night meant a lot to them.
So MC would suck it up and do it for them. Even if they were hot, and annoyed and could feel the sweat making their shirt cling to their body in a way they could only describe as uncomfortable.
“Love the confidence.”
Qiu says, without missing a beat, and MC doesn’t know if they should laugh or turn away and go home right now.
They end up deciding on rolling their eyes and hitting their arm playfully. Qiu laughs at their frustration, and it would be annoying if it the sound of their laugh wasn’t so endearing.
“Shut up.”
Mc says, but there’s no heat in it. They could never say it and mean it, and Qiu knows that.
Maybe that’s why they’re so smug all the time.
When they’re like this— walking together and teasing each other, Mc can almost pretend like they’re on a date.
That Qiu didn’t really mean to invite them to watch a movie as friends but as something more. That the way they looked at MC wasn’t just out of fondness for a close friend, but as someone, they loved in the way MC wanted to be loved.
But it’s not like they’d allow themselves to indulge too much in this fantasy. No. Qiu wouldn’t look at MC in the way they wanted Qiu, and it was too selfish to expect that of them.
Not when Qiu already didn’t rely on too many people. Their friend group was small and tight-knit and being included was a huge sign of their trust in MC.
Trust as a friend.
Best friend, maybe.
And MC was more than willing to pretend like it didn’t hurt them if it meant more days like this, where Qiu seemed so content and relaxed just by walking with MC in silence.
“We’re almost there.”
Qiu comments, breaking MC out of their reverie.
If they noticed MC staring at them, Qiu was merciful enough to not comment on it this time, which MC was immensely grateful for. They don’t know if they have the mental capacity of dealing with more of Qiu’s teasing today without becoming a blushing mess.
MC can just see the entrance of the park when they feel the first raindrops. They freeze and grab Qiu by the sleeve before they can take another step.
“Autumn… I think it’s going to rain.”
Their warning doesn’t come quickly enough. Qiu looks at the MC as they feel the rain growing in intensity, and can just manage to start running before it starts pouring.
Of course. Summer showers always seemed to happen when it was most inconvenient.
They’re soaking wet by the time they reach the park and manage to hide away in the closest structure with a roof— that being a bandstand, because of course, the universe would present MC with a perfect romance-movie scenario when they’re already stupidly in love with their best friend who definitely doesn’t reciprocate their feelings.
“You think they’ll still show the movie?”
MC asks, a little hopeful and all too willing to break the silence and any treacherous trains of thought about how Qiu still managed to look pretty like this.
And how close they were, and how it would be just so easy to reach out and kiss them.
“I don’t think so,” Qiu answers, obviously annoyed by it. “The equipment must be wet— and the grass will be too. They might postpone it to another day.”
Mc agrees with their assessment, and they stand in silence for another moment, just watching the rain fall.
“I’m sorry we’ll miss your movie. I know you were excited to watch it.”
MC says, after a moment, and Qiu just shrugs, like it’s no big deal and disappointment isn’t etched on their face.
“It’s fine.” When Qiu and Mc’s eyes meet the disappointment seems to melt away on Qiu’s face, and they smile. It’s small, almost imperceptive, but MC knows it’s there and that they had another idea. “I think we’ll be here for a while… And we still have the food we brought.”
They hold up the picnic basket they were holding, and MC immediately understands what they’re hinting at.
“Ever the problem solver, huh?”
MC teases, and Qiu considers it a yes to their unasked question. Between both of them, they quickly set up their impromptu picnic, determined to still have a good time together, even if it wasn’t quite like they’d imagined it.
+ Extra
“You know, I’ve seen romance movies that start like this,” Qiu comments, smiling teasingly in a way that makes MC think that they know too much. They flush, looking away, not quite knowing how to respond to Qiu’s implication, and they’re too happy at their inaction. “You’re too cute.”
God, Qiu is going to kill them one of these days.
TamarackFan88 (Guest) on Chapter 1 Thu 09 May 2024 11:05PM UTC
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otomes_and_tears on Chapter 1 Fri 10 May 2024 09:13PM UTC
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