Nico handed her oldest daughter the jar of night cream. She'd used the same brand since her teen idol days. This was their Thursday night tradition, Nico and Dia, sitting next to each other, putting on their cucumber masks together, and talking about any worries either might have.
"Mom?" Dia turned to the smaller woman, green eyes concerned.
"Yes, Dia?"
"Is Ruby going to be all right?"
Nico put down the container of fresh cut cucumbers and rested her hand on Dia's, "She'll be fine. She's excited. She has her friends." Nico's eyes sparkled, "Plus, she's got a double dose of top School Idol in her blood." And a double dose of stubborn, Nico thought to herself, remembering her youngest daughter's determined mood when she told her parents she was taking the trip. Nico knew that particular set of the jaw well. Ruby was a bit too similar to her Mama sometimes, although completely lacking the redhead's flares of temper. But with three times the shyness.
Maki was sitting up in bed, eavesdropping over a book, watching over her wife and daughter finish their routine. Cucumber slices on cheeks, forehead, nose…exact same gestures, exact same sequence. Still fascinating to watch after all these years. Nico hugged Dia, reassuring her that Ruby would be fine, then smiled as Maki said good night and air kissed their daughter on the cheek.
Nico remained seated on the bench in front of her vanity, facing Maki, "Ruby will be all right, won't she?"
Maki put her book aside. "Of course she will. One, You is going and You is the most reliable young person I've met after Kanan and Dia." Maki leaned back against the headboard, hands tucked behind her head, nose tilted smugly in the air, "And two, we went on our first training camp when I was Ruby's age and I even hosted."
Nico quirked an eyebrow at her gloating wife, remembering the tempestuous 15 year old with the personality so magnetic she was still in Nico's bed after all these years, the trials and the triumphs. Then Nico snorted.
"W…what?" Maki frowned.
"If Ruby was anything like you were around cute girls at that age, I'd be chaperoning the trip myself."
Maki pouted, lavender eyes narrowing, "And what do you mean by that, Nico-chan?"
Nico turned to shut off the lights illuminating her makeup mirror, "I mean, my darling love, that her senpais wouldn't know what they were in for."
Nico stood, but before she could take a step toward the bed, she tasted, once again, the fine flavor of high thread count linen pillowcase in her mouth, the force of the pillow knocking her back to the bench. Cucumbers flew everywhere. With a growl, she swept up the pillow, charging the bed, red eyes flaring with mischief. "Hey, you!"
Maki doubled over with laughter, grabbing a pillow to defend herself as if 25 years ago was still now. She only hoped Ruby had this much fun some day.