#Okaaayyyy Spa Dayyyy

[bowsnstrings]

Mikasa and Milana cruised down the highway, the early afternoon sun casting a soft, golden glow over the landscape as they went inland to the city. They’d been talking about this spa day for weeks, a long overdue escape from their hectic lives. The stresses of school, work, family, and all the unnecessary fighting had built up in ways they hadn’t even fully realized until now.

“Do you think they’ll actually be able to fix my back?” Mikasa asked, wincing as she shifted in the passenger seat. The knot in her shoulders had been there for days, maybe weeks, and nothing seemed to help.

“If anyone can, it’s this place,” Milana replied, glancing at her friend as she applied a coat of oil to her puckered lips. “My Grandma swears by it. She says they do more than just massages- they’re practically miracle workers.”

Mikasa chuckled, shaking her head. “Well, I’m up for a miracle. I feel like I’m about to collapse into a pile of bones every time I walk. I can't believe it's been so long since we had a real girls day.” She said, a smile tugging at her lips as she exited, pulling her sunglasses back to see the street ahead.

“I know!” Milana agreed, looking through the window with a content humm. “We both need this. I’m so ready to forget about everything. Just relax.”

Mikasa shot her a side glance, her hands steady on the wheel. “Especially after everything you've been dealing with, right?” Milana’s gaze softened, and she nodded. She appreciated Mikasa’s understanding, how she never pushed her to talk, but also how she was always ready to listen when Milana was ready to share.

The last few days had been better, especially after talking things out with Ony. Milana’s mind briefly wandered back to that evening at the party, but now she could only blush as everything circled back to what happened afterwards. Getting through everything made things so much better between them, and now all they’d been doing was being honest and open with each other while making up for all the hurt. The spa today was his idea too, a way to feel better physically and mentally, convincing her quickly as he kissed her cheek sweetly.

She was happy to take his advice, the car humming steadily as they navigated their way through the sleek, modern district. Tall glass buildings glittered in the fading sunlight, and the streets bustled with the usual evening rush. After a few turns, they arrived at the spa; a contemporary, minimalist space that promised luxury and tranquility, with its large glass windows and welcoming wooden doors. Milana sighed as they stepped out of her friend's vehicle, stretching her arms above her head as her purse dangled over her shoulder.

Inside the building, the air was warm and lightly scented with lavender. The receptionist, a woman with long blonde hair and a soft smile, greeted them immediately. “Welcome! How can we help you today?” Mikasa explained that they had reservations, and she perked up even further. “We’ve been expecting you. Your rooms are ready. Follow me, please.” Milana followed Mikasa through the elegantly decorated hall, with the sound of soft music floating from hidden speakers.

Everything was designed to induce a sense of peace. There were no phones, no distractions, only the promise of relaxation. She felt herself unwinding with every step. As they passed through the last hallway and toward the treatment area, Milana noticed a wooden door at the end of the corridor, slightly ajar. She curiously watched it open, wanting to see if that was the changing area when her eyes met the last person she expected—Sasha.

The two locked eyes, and an awkward silence stretched between them. Milana's throat tightened, the weight of their recent fight still lingering in the back of her mind. Sasha cleared her throat, a half-smile tugging at her lips. “Hey, Milana,” She greeted, her voice soft but unsure. Her brown hair wrapped up in a bun, the robe on her showing that she was here for the spa as well.

Milana forced a smile, trying to suppress the uncomfortable tension rising in her chest. “Oh… hey, Sasha. Didn't expect to see you here.” She tried not to seem like she wasn’t happy to see her friend, of course she was, but things were just a little tense right now.

Sasha shifted, clearly just as unsure about the situation. “Oh… Mikasa said you’d be excited.” Both of them turned towards Mikasa, looking less than impressed at her little scheme as she only shrugged, looking unusually calm for someone who knew about the rift between her two friends.

Milana frowned, trying to process the underlying meaning behind Sasha's words. “So, Mikasa… knew you'd be here?” She asked, her voice a little sharper than she intended.

Sasha shrugged, glancing back at Mikasa. “I guess she’s been keeping an eye on things.” Her tone was neutral, but there was a hint of something else, maybe frustration, maybe a trace of guilt, Milana couldn’t quite tell.

“Right,” She mumbled quietly, the hurt from their last argument still echoing in her chest. She had hoped that things would smooth over by now, but it was clear that the damage had stuck, even if they had made up. Sasha hesitated, her lips parting as if she wanted to say more but wasn’t sure how. They both shifted to Mikasa, who hadn’t moved, but there was an unreadable expression on her face.

“I guess we'll go get relaxed, then.” Mikasa said cheerfully, the tone a lot happier than what either of them would expect. Milana decided to just follow after her, entering the room Sasha came out of as her mind swirled with the thought of what came next.

The door sounded softly as it closed behind them. The familiar, soothing scent of calming essential oils in the air, but it did little to calm the uneasy knot in her stomach. She moved toward an open locker, her mind elsewhere, focused on the discomfort that still lingered between her and Sasha.

As she began to change into her robe, she couldn’t help but replay the events of the past few days. Her fingers fumbled with the fabric as the weight of their disagreement weighed heavy. She hadn’t expected to find herself here, stuck in this awkward limbo with her best friend, not after everything they’d been through.

Sasha had always been the person Milana could talk to about anything. They went through it all together growing up in school, they shared the ups and downs, the fights, and the laughter. But now they were out of step, and all because her friend couldn’t see how good her boyfriend was to her. It felt like a wall had gone up between them, and no matter how much they tried to patch things up, it was still there, making every interaction strained and awkward. Even though neither of them wanted to acknowledge that.

Milana tugged the robe tighter around her body, her eyes unfocused as she looked at her reflection in the locker room mirror, her expression a mix of frustration and confusion. Mikasa was beside her, calmly folding her clothes, unaffected by the tension that had been growing in the air.

“Why didn’t you tell me Sasha was coming?” Milana’s voice was annoyed, though she tried to keep it low, aware of the other guests around them. “I mean, you don’t even agree with her, and you didn’t think I deserved a heads-up?”

Mikasa paused for a moment, her back still turned as she organized her things. She exhaled softly before responding in her usual steady, calm tone. “Because you would’ve acted way more awkward about it, Lana.” She said simply put, not meeting Milana's gaze. “I don’t want to force you into making up, but I think it’s for the best.”

Milana’s eyes narrowed, her hands resting on her hips. “But you knew how weird it would be. I barely made up with her the first time, and now I’m stuck trying to act like everything’s fine when it’s not?”

Mikasa finally turned to face her, her expression unwavering. “I know it’s not easy,” She said, her voice steady but not apologetic. “But if you’re upset with her then talk it out. No more of this, ‘I’ll just hide until the problem is solved’ mentality. No one can fix things for you, Milana. You need to confront it yourself.” She glanced toward the door, her eyes softening just slightly. “I didn’t want to put you in an uncomfortable situation, but now that she’s here, just talk to her.”

The words hit Milana harder than she expected. There was a sting of truth in them, and like always Mikasa wasn’t wrong. She did need to face Sasha, no matter how uncomfortable it was. This wasn’t something anyone else could fix for her, and avoiding it wasn’t an option. “Ugh,” Milana muttered, leaning against the locker. “I guess you’re right, but it still doesn’t make it easier.”

Mikasa gave her a small, encouraging smile. “You’ll be fine. Don’t stress about it, we’re at a spa for God’s sake.” Milana exhaled, feeling a little more grounded now. She wasn’t sure what would come next with Sasha, but Mikasa had made one thing clear: it was her turn to take the step.

If she truly wanted to make things right, it had to come from her, no one else. With a final, lingering look at Mikasa, Milana grabbed her towel, determined to face the next challenge, whatever that might be.

During the mud wraps, the silence between them was deafening. The spa attendants spread the thick, cool sludge over their bodies, massaging it gently as the relaxing music played in the background. Mikasa was lying next to Milana, but every time she glanced at Sasha from two beds over she could see the same careful distance, the same hesitation.

Milana kept her eyes closed, breathing deeply to focus on the calming noises and sensations happening, trying her best to lose herself in the experience. Her mind wandered, thinking of the most random things to stop trying to focus on what she should say to Sasha. Her fingers tapped against the side of the chair and she felt her friends looking towards her, trying to at least enjoy this experience for just a few minutes longer.

When the mud was finally washed away and they were wrapped in soft towels, Milana’s mind was still racing. Sasha’s quiet presence felt like a heavy weight in the room, and she was doing everything in her power to ignore it. But Mikasa was watching, and she wasn’t about to let her friends wallow in her avoidance for much longer.

Milana reached for the treatment plan list left on the side table next to her, reading through some of the things they offered. One particularly caught her eye, especially since she had an obsession with keeping her skin smooth and silky. “Should I get a wax?” She asked aloud, thinking momentarily about how she’d look completely bare.

She had a has a wax pot at home for her underarms and legs, but usually she shaved downstairs. That hadn’t been done in some weeks though, and she was getting tired of how hard she had to work between her legs. Mikasa had laughed softly, breaking her from her train of thought and smiled at her.

“Do it, your boyfriend might not want anything between him and his meal.” Milana rolled her eyes, pushing her away as Mikasa leaned in, wiggling her tongue at her annoyingly. She told her to shut up, before falling back into silence, noticing Sasha was about to speak up.

She cleared her throat, trying to keep her voice casual. “Do you really think he cares about stuff like that?” Sasha’s voice felt tight, like the words were too big to come out as easily as she wanted.

Milana blinked, the sudden shift in the conversation not lost on her. “What do you mean?” She set the paper aside, now giving Sasha her full attention.

Sasha shifted uncomfortably in her chair, rubbing the back of her neck. She wanted to say something, to explain that she wasn’t trying to be judgmental, but the words kept slipping away. “I just… I don’t know. Is he being superficial about that?” She muttered, looking down at her hands.

“No. He hasn’t even seen me down there to know what’s going on.” She tried to be playful about it like they used to, but it didn’t go with the moment, Sasha just sighing and fiddling with her hair.

“Good that’s good.” It didn’t sound good, not when the words hung in the air, heavier than she had intended. Milana huffed, turning to face her friend, expression filled with hurt and frustration too. The distance between them had only grown since that last argument, and Sasha knew it.

“Look,” She exhaled slowly, her voice calmer than before. “Sasha, I know you’re not a fan of Ony. But I want you to understand… he’s not like that. He’s not gonna hurt me or anything, he just wants to take care of me. I know you probably heard the worst of him when he was running around with Eren, but he’s a good person.” Milana met her gaze, and for a moment, Sasha felt the weight of their unresolved conflict. “I care about him, and I just want you to see that.”

Sasha’s heart squeezed, wanting to believe her friend, really, she did. But there was still a part of her that saw Ony, especially since Connie told her all about him. He grew up in the Graves for crying out loud, the birthplace of thugs, killers, and worse. With his occupation too, it was only making her more fearful. The thought of losing her best friend over this was terrifying, but Sasha didn’t want to sit back and stay silent, either.

“I know you care about him, Milana,” Sasha said, her voice quieter now. “But sometimes I feel like he’s just… he’s not the best for you. I just want you to be happy and safe, you know?”

There it was, the elephant in the room, the thing Sasha had been trying to say for weeks. The thing that had driven a wedge between them. Milana exhaled softly, then stood up and walked over to Sasha. There was no anger in her expression, no defensiveness. Instead, Milana sat down next to her friend, looking her in the eyes.

“I know you’re worried,” Milana said, her voice gentle now. “And I know I’ve been stubborn about this. But, Sasha… I value your opinion more than you know. You’ve always been there for me. I don’t want to lose you over this, and I know I’ve been kind of… pushing you away with all the Ony talk.”

Sasha’s breath caught in her throat, and she had to blink a few times to clear the sudden lump in her throat. “You’re my best friend, Milana,” She whispered truthfully, her emotions getting the better of her. “I just want to make sure you’re not being… hurt.”

Milana’s eyes softened, and she gave Sasha a small, appreciative smile. “I get it, and I hear you. I’ll be mindful of that. But I promise you, I’m happy with Ony. I know he’d never do anything besides keep me safe and happy. I just… I need you to trust me on that.”

Sasha felt the tension in her chest slowly begin to loosen. The fear, the anxiety about losing Milana, started to dissolve with every word. “I trust you, Lana,” She replied, her voice finally steady again. “I just want you to be sure. You’re my best friend. I’ll always have your back.”

Milana reached out and gave Sasha a hug, one that felt like a quiet promise. “And I’ll always have yours,” She whispered right to her, squeezing tight.

Mikasa, who had been sitting quietly through the exchange, finally spoke up with a playful grin. “Okay, okay. Enough emotional bonding for today, ladies. We’re at the spa, remember? Who’s getting a massage, and who’s getting their wax?”

Sasha chuckled, the tension now fully lifted. “I think I’ll stick with the massage,” She said, nudging Milana gently. “But you should definitely go for the wax, Milana, I wanna see how cute it’ll look.”

Milana rolled her eyes but grinned. “In your dreams heifer.” She stuck her tongue out, jumping back when Sasha leaned in trying to give her a kiss in retaliation. “Stop, I liked you better when you were trying to kiss Connie, not me.” That had all of them laughing, enjoying the rest of their relaxing time, at least until an hour later.

Sasha, Milana, and Mikasa all shuffled out of their respective rooms, moving toward different corners of the locker room mirrors, still feeling the after effects of their treatments. Milana was the first to take a peek down her robe, her face flushed and a little sheepish but clearly proud. Her movements slow and deliberate as she walks with an exaggerated waddle, clearly aware of the tender skin beneath.

Mikasa followed suit, adjusting her robe with a mischievous grin. “I swear, with the way we’re walking right now, we look like those women beat our asses.” She joked, glancing over at Milana.

Sasha, releasing the tension of their earlier conversation, couldn’t help but laugh at the sight of the three of them waddling side by side. “Honestly, I never thought I'd be admiring a bare cooch, but here we are.”

Milana shot Sasha a playful glance. “You’re telling me you don’t love this right now?” She teased, raising an eyebrow and turning slightly as if to show off her fresh wax.

Sasha raised her hands in mock surrender. “I’m just glad I didn’t have to go through what you did. I’m still sore just watching you!”

“Well, it's worth it!” Milana exclaimed with a wink. “You have no idea how satisfying it feels to be completely bare. I’m going to glide through the rest of my day… like a dolphin.”

The three of them reached the row of full-length benches near the lounge area, and they all paused to relax after the pain. Sasha turned to Mikasa. "So, Mika, how’s your skin? Feel like a new woman?"

Mikasa looked back down her robe before, snickering at what she saw. “You know what? Not bad. Not bad at all. I might actually enjoy being this smooth, and I think girls will like it too.”

Milana, grinning, sidled up next to Mikasa as she checked out her own reflection. “It’s like I’m a different person. I feel so sleek, you guys.” She gave her skin a little tap, as if admiring the baby-soft texture.

Sasha shot her a playful look. “Yeah, you feel different ‘cause that lady ripped off skin.”

“And cobwebs.” Mikasa added in as they both giggled, leaning into each other.

“Ha, Ha.” Milana mock-scowled, but then couldn’t help bursting out laughing. “Do not start though, I might’ve had cobwebs, but y’all each had about ten pounds of hair to shed.”

Mikasa, always the neutral party, just grinned as she ran a hand over her own skin. “At least we look like a bunch of models now. But seriously, it’s like we’ve all been reborn. Smooth skin, refreshed souls, good vibes. Spa days for the win.”

Sasha scooted back a little, still smiling, wanting to see her other friend too as she spoke. “I’m glad we did this together,” She said, glancing between Milana and Mikasa. “Even if I’ll never go through the pain again, it feels nice to just… enjoy each other’s company.”

Milana turned to her, her expression softening. “Yeah, I’m glad we’re all here, too. I know things have been a little weird with us, but this—today—feels good, right? Just us three. No drama, no stress.”

Sasha nodded, feeling the weight of their earlier conversation but also the warmth of the friendship that had never truly gone away. “Yeah, it feels really good.” The three of them sat there for a moment, admiring their smooth skin in the mirrors, the awkwardness of the past slowly slipping away as they focused on what mattered most, finding ice packs for their coochies.

Ony stepped through the spa’s glass doors, scanning the room for Milana, looking a bit out of place with his imposing figure. People were walking around him, trying to avoid his hardened gaze as he stood waiting. It wasn’t hard to spot her, as she came from a back room, her expression a little more relaxed than it had been earlier. As soon as their eyes met, her face softened into a smile, liting up as a sense of comfort returned to her.

“Hey,” She greeted him with a long hug, her voice light and filled with warmth after all the relaxation she endured. “Thanks for picking me up.”

Ony grinned, his tall frame swaying them slightly, rocking them back and forth as he held her for a moment, his arms wrapping around her in that familiar, loving way. “Hey, beautiful,” He whispered, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. The gentleness of his embrace felt like the perfect antidote to soothe her soreness away.

As he pulled back, his eyes shifted to the two girls standing a little further off, Sasha and Mikasa. He couldn’t help but notice Sasha immediately stiffening at his presence. Her smile was tight, polite, but there was a clear tension in her posture, as though she didn’t know how to act around him after their earlier exchanges.

Milana noticed, too, but she gave Sasha an apologetic look before turning back to Ony. “How was the spa day?” His tone easy as he directed it over to the two, watching them linger awkwardly, exchanging glances.

Sasha’s expression faltered slightly at the sight of Ony, and she shifted on her feet, her usual ease with him slipping into something more uncomfortable. “Uh, hey, Ony,” She coughed out, a little too casually, as though unsure how to act after everything that had happened between them. “It was good.”

Ony noticed the awkwardness immediately, raising an eyebrow. He didn’t mention it, though, just giving Sasha a friendly nod. As he let go of Milana, he leaned down to give her a kiss to her lips, pecking softly, mindful of the fact that she was around her friends before walking towards the reception desk.

“Hey, how much?” He casually pulled out his wallet, his movements smooth and unhurried, and handed the spa receptionist his card.

“For her, just-”

“Nah, sorry. For all three.” That had everyone in the room perking up, especially considering the amount he had to pay to cover their entire day. Milana’s eyes widened in surprise. “Ony, you don’t have to-”

“It’s my pleasure, Ma.” Ony threw her a casual smile, happy seeing the way Sasha was beaming too. “Consider it a small gesture. You’re Milana’s friends, and I’m all for showing appreciation.” His voice had a playful but sincere tone as he glanced at Sasha, his smile not wavering.

Sasha’s awkwardness deepened, but she couldn’t help but smile back at his charm. “You’re sure?” She asked, still a little hesitant. “You know Connie doesn’t mind the extra charge on his card.” That at least got them to laugh things off a little.

“Positive,” Ony replied smoothly. “Just happy you’ve all been there for Milana, and that's worth something.” His eyes softened as he looked at his girl, watching her practically melt at his sweetness. Mikasa, who had been quietly observing, spoke up with a quiet but appreciative smile.

“Well, I can’t turn down a free spa day. That’s really kind of you, Ony.”

“It’s nothing,” He said it with a light shrug, swiping his card with no hesitation. “Glad you guys had fun.”

Sasha, still a bit unsure, relaxed slightly, her tension easing just enough to give Ony a grateful nod. “Well, if you insist… I guess we can’t say no.”

Milana, watching the interaction, felt a surge of gratitude for Ony’s generosity. The tension from earlier seemed to dissipate, replaced by a more comfortable atmosphere, though a sense of unease still lingered just beneath the surface, especially for Sasha.

“You’re amazing,” Milana said quietly to Ony, reaching to grasp his hand, the warmth of his gesture making her feel lighter. He held her back, pulling her into him to sling his arm around her, smiling all teasingly.

“Anything for you,” He replied, sincere with his radiant smile beaming down at her, then he turned back toward the door. “Alright, let’s get out of here. If you smile any wider I’ll start paying for other people’s massages.”

The girls nodded, laughing at his joke as they all waddled slightly behind him. It wasn’t all resolved, but with Ony’s thoughtful gesture, the heavy atmosphere was beginning to shift toward something a little more comfortable. And as they left the spa together, Milana couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief, even if the lingering tension with Sasha hadn’t disappeared completely. At least, for now, they were all in a better place.