Outsider

u-haul lesbians- 10

TW// very slight mention of ED

"Alright, come on." Elle shoulders my bag and I groan, standing up out of the car. She reaches out and holds onto my elbow and I frown.

"I didn't get shot in the leg, Elle. I can walk." My voice comes out slightly snappish and her face falls slightly. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have snapped."

"You're tired. It's no big deal." She says.

"Not an excuse for me to be a dick, Elle." I say, trying to convey my seriousness.

"You're not a dick."

"I-" I start to protest, trying to apologize again.

"If you were a dick I wouldn't be here right now, Soy."

"Soy? Like the milk?" I joke and she rolls her eyes.

"Shut up, Soy."

"Fine. You get a ridiculous nickname too." I think for a moment. "Okay, there's not really much you can do with the name Elle."

"Mmm. Good." She says. "Now come on, I'm hungry." She grabs her bag and we walk towards the elevator. Our footsteps echo through the parking garage, my crocs and Elle's heels. I'd been teased ruthlessly by Elle and Morgan for owning Crocs, but it was absolutely not my fault those were the ones Elle had chosen.

"Y'know, I'm kind of glad Rina didn't end up coming." I say as she presses the elevator button for my floor.

"Why's that?"

"I don't know. She'd have been...really intense. She doesn't like that my job is dangerous. As if her husband doesn't do, like, the same job. And she'd have interrogated you."

"What, you ashamed of me?" She asks, but her voice is light and joking.

"Absolutely not, Ellie." Her jaw drops.

"Ellie? Really?"

"Soy? Really?" I mimic and she huffs.

"Nevermind, you are a dick." She says, stepping out of the elevator. She avoids my attempt to grab her and unlocks my door.

"Smells dusty." I say.

"You were gone for three days. Dramatic." I giggle as she sets my bags down and turns around, pushing me gently up against the door.

"Hey." She traces my lips with her thumb and then leans in, our lips meeting. Elle is careful to avoid my injured arm, her hand slipping underneath my shirt. The warm skin of her hand is nice against my cold waist. Like always, my hands thread through her hair. I'm thoroughly enjoying myself when she pulls away suddenly, leaving me cold. I mock gasp and she laughs, flicking on the kitchen lights.

She starts pulling stuff out of the fridge and I slide behind her, resting my chin on her shoulder and wrapping my good arm around her waist.

"Whatcha doing?"

"Making you dinner."

"You don't have to do that."

"You'd starve if I didn't." She says.

"Uh, I am so totally capable of ordering takeout." I say, sliding down on one of the bar stools opposite from her.

"But would you?" I know exactly what she's hinting at and I look away. "We don't have to get far into it if you don't, but I do need you to know that I am always here if you need to talk about it."

"Thanks. It hasn't been bad in a long time." I say softly and she nods calmly, turning to fill a pot with water. She turns it on to boil and then looks back at me.