Chapter Text
There weren't many umamusume at Tracen Academy that were fond of Agnes Tachyon. She knew this to be a fact. Not that it bothered her, though. She'd much rather continue in her ways, gathering data and continuing to further her research. What little sympathy she'd gained when she'd injured herself had drained away like the tide, only this wave was very unlikely to return.
Especially since she was beginning her journey to return to the racetrack.
Her close companions were delighted by the news. Cafe had given her a knowing look, one she promptly ignored, while the rest were well wishes and offers to help her train. Well, besides Jungle Pocket. Her favourite guinea pig had tackled her with a hug, nearly knocking over not only them but also half of Tachyon's lab equipment. Then came the excited rambling, the bay Uma practically vibrating from joy and excitement.
Tachyon had gotten some valuable data about her own emotions that day. Unfortunately, she hadn't the foresight to hook dear Jungle Bucket up to record her reaction. She'd just have to remember to bring it up the next time.
Returning to racing wasn't the only change in her life. Tachyon hadn't ever seen herself becoming a sort of 'romantic'; in fact, she'd expressed disgust at the concept as a child. However, she was learning that there were many, many benefits to having a significant other, especially one as spectacular as her Pokke-kun.
Their relationship had, so far, produced amazingly positive results. She'd been getting more sleep through napping with Pokke on the spare room's couch. Her girlfriend made for a delightful weighted blanket, one that could soothe her spinning mind with ear rubs and soft kisses. Pokke was the only one who could convince her to leave her research in order to eat. And oh, she adored how Pokke would grin absently after a kiss, like Tachyon had wiped her brain clean with a simple touch.
Did she mention she loved kissing her? It was worth repeating, anyhow.
With how new it all was, Tachyon had yet to explore how their coupling affected her research. She wasn't yet at the point where she was running in official races herself yet, which left her with one option. Luckily for her, Jungle Pocket was her favourite guinea pig. One who was growing more and more willing to participate in her experiments.
The idea came to her while, believe it or not, they were kissing. Tachyon had been working on a new stamina boosting mixture when her girlfriend blew into the abandoned classroom/lab like she belonged there. She knew she did. In a flash, her chair spun around and there was a very delighted Pokke-kun sitting on her thighs.
"To what do I owe the pleasure, Jungle Bucket~?" She'd purred, hands splaying over the shorter Uma's sides. Her thumbs rubbed slow circles there as firmer, warm hands cupped her face. "You must know that I am quite busy-"
Pokke squished her cheeks, cutting off her words. Golden eyes were lit up in pure delight. Tachyon could feel the other's tail swishing against her legs excitedly, whipping as fast as she ran. "Nope. No talking." She pressed their lips together firmly and both of them melted into it. "I don't wanna waste time I could be using better."
No arguments there. Tachyon leaned in this time, for a more proper kiss. All thoughts of her concoction left her mind like a waterfall as Pokke let out a pleased hum. Her ears pressed against her head, her face growing warm as one kiss became two, became three, became thirteen, became-
Eventually, she couldn't take much more, and she tucked her head into her girlfriend's shoulder. Both were breathing hard, and Tachyon bit back an embarrassing whine as Pokke pressed kisses to her sensitive ears. "I-I believe you enjoy this a little too much, Pokke-kun,"
"You aren't stopping me, Tachi." She sounded all too pleased with herself, knowing that Tachyon wouldn't tell her to stop. Not when they both knew they were both overly eager for it. Hm. Actually, perhaps she could use this...
"WHAT?!"
Tachyon grinned, sure it came across malicious, as Jungle Pocket stood before her. It was a week later, and she'd devised her greatest experiment yet. "I thought I was perfectly clear, my exquisite guinea pig."
"But- but-" stuttering like a broken record, Pokke floundered. She'd always been so physically expressive, and it was quite adorable. Ears pinned, tail flicking. "You're seriously saying you won't kiss me for a whole week? What the fuck, Tachyon?"
She chuckled darkly, tapping her fingers together. "I am." Her partner's expression fell so quickly it almost made her feel bad. "You see, I believe this will be a wonderful factor to increasing your performance in your upcoming race. I will be withholding your precious kisses from you until you win."
"I can't- you- are you kidding me?!" Stomping like a toddler mid tantrum, Jungle Pocket dug her hands into her hair and let out one of her signature roars. Tachyon felt so much affection for this girl. "How would that even work?"
And she explained it. The idea of making Pokke simmer and boil before the race, knowing she'd finally get what she wanted most if she won. To drive her further beyond, using her cravings for Tachyon herself against her. "And the prize will be all the sweeter, won't it? You'll get to kiss me for as long as you want should you win. Tempting, no?"
"I don't know, Tachi," slumping against the counter, Pocket pouted. It was incredibly adorable. Tachyon considered laughing her test off as a joke and kissing it off her face right there, but no, this would be such valuable data for the Pokke Variable. "A whole week? That's too long! I'll dry up and die after three days,"
She had to roll her eyes at that. "Have more faith in yourself. You sound like an addict, Jungle Bucket."
"Fine, fine, let's give it a try." Pocket pointed at her, taking up a challenging, firm stance. Golden eyes burned into red. "But! When I win, be prepared to get the shit kissed out of you!" ... "No wait forget I said that- I'm gonna rock your world, Agnes Tachyon!"
A week later, Jungle Pocket won by four lengths. She set a personal record speed at that distance, and rushed through the interviews and greeting her fans to hurry back to the dressing room. Still sweaty from running when she burst in. Zeroed in on Tachyon, already waiting for her on the couch. Locking the door, Jungle Pocket pounced.
Tachyon considered this experiment a groundbreaking success. Even if she couldn't think straight for hours due to how eagerly her Pokke-kun claimed her reward.