Roaring rivers

“A-are you sure?” Mushroom stammered, double-checking with Lighthouse about her decision.

Lighthouse nodded. “With you,” she growled out, although to Mushroom, it sounded less frightening and more… gentle. Cute, even?

Mushroom’s face flushed a little brighter at the thought.

A part of her was thrilled at having Lighthouse sit next to her. Still… “Won’t you feel stuffed? It might be tight for someone like… someone of your size? The- the other carriage is bigger.”

Lighthouse grunted, shaking her head. “Fine,” she insisted.

With Lighthouse’s insistence, Mushroom let Lighthouse sit next to her on the boat. It meant that the other had to curl up a little, sitting in a position that looked uncomfortable. Still, she made no noise or movement to get out, so Mushroom reluctantly started driving slowly, ready to take Lighthouse to sightsee some of her favourite places.

As the boat slowly drifted across the water, Mushroom couldn’t help but want to tell Lighthouse about… well, a lot of things. Still, she didn’t know how to start up a conversation like this… it would be too embarrassing if she said the wrong thing! They’ve been talking comfortably for a long time already, but still… something about this just felt… different.

…like a date…

Mushroom had to resist hitting herself as a bright flush spread across her face. She wouldn’t be able to answer if Lighthouse questioned her on it, and she didn’t want that to happen.

While she wasn’t afraid of Lighthouse harming her anymore, she was still afraid of being… well, shunned. Even though she knew that Lighthouse would never…

If Lighthouse was weirded out by it, she didn’t show it, occasionally grunting as a means of pushing her to speak. Mushroom wanted to start talking, she really did, it’s just-!

Luckily, an opportunity soon came along.

They started passing by one of Mushroom’s favourite spots: a calmly flowing waterfall, ethereal and sweet-smelling mist drifting from the bottom and clouding up the area. Lily-like flowers were blooming on tiny lily pads, and she could see the occasional frog hop from one pad to another.

All in all, it was a calming sight.

And one that Lighthouse was interested in, if the way her growl had a curious tone to it said anything.

Mushroom quickly grabbed onto the chance to begin speaking. “This was one of the first places that I found while- while I was exploring! I still don’t know where the mist- where it comes from, but it’s not harmful… s-so you can stick your head out if you want! If… if it would fit…?”

The window did fit Lighthouse’s head through, although she could see it was a struggle to get it in and out. Still, Mushroom felt pleased at the smile she could see on Lighthouse’s face.

They had to leave to go sightsee other places, but Mushroom made a note to take a detour to pass by here on the way back. Lighthouse liked the place, after all, and who knew when they would be able to go sightseeing again?

They passed by a few other places with little fanfare, other than Lighthouse’s interested looks and Mushroom’s chatter. She found herself talking with more and more ease as their boat ride went on, talking about her favourite parts of the places they can see, and occasionally conversing with Lighthouse when the time was right.

Even though those times left her blushing and confused more often than not, especially when Lighthouse would make a remark that seemed a little… a little…

Mushroom blushed even more. She thought she’d heard a light chuckle from Lighthouse at her state, but when she turned over, the other was just staring outside again, looking more fascinated than she’d seen her before.

They were passing by an admittedly beautiful place: vines hung from crystal-like swamp trees, and even the swamp itself was a light purplish colour, with fireflies gently floating around and tall, pastel flowers swaying gently to a light breeze. All in all, it gave off a soft and comfortable atmosphere.

“Pretty,” Lighthouse rumbled out, gazing at her softly. Mushroom nodded, enthusiastically starting an explanation about this place, going into perhaps more detail and dragging it on for longer than necessary. After all, her friend found it pretty, which should mean that she liked it, right?

They continued along the path that Mushroom had set out, before eventually, they started turning back.

“You’ll be able to, um, to see some of the places we saw before again,” Mushroom told her. “An-and then we’ll head back! Hopefully you won’t be too sore after… after all this.”

Lighthouse grunted in agreement.

Eventually, they reached back onto shore. Mushroom hopped out first, before helping Lighthouse get out.

“Are… are you okay?” Mushroom asked nervously, watching Lighthouse stretch out her sore muscles. “

Lighthouse growled, and Mushroom paused in her rambling.

“…fine,” Lighthouse stated. “It’s okay.”

“Really?”

Lighthouse nodded. Mushroom breathed out a sigh of relief.

“W-well, you should take a rest for a bit! Just in case!” she quickly said. “And, um… did- did you enjoy it? The whole thing?”

“Enjoyed,” Lighthouse said, voice unusually soft. Mushroom smiled up at her shyly.

“Um… if- if you want,” she mumbled. “We could… do this again? Another time?”

From the almost purr-like growl that Lighthouse let out, and the smile on her face as she nodded, Mushroom could tell what her answer was.

Her smile brightened. She couldn’t wait to do this with Lighthouse again.