TNN ONESHOTS

Roadtrip - SS & VC

The hum of the tires on the road was a constant, familiar drone as Vivian navigated the long stretch of motorway.

Beside her, Siobhan was settled – or at least, trying to settle – into her usual road-trip position: one leg bent and propped up on the seat, a posture that always made Viv slightly nervous but was apparently essential for Siobhan's comfort.

Usually, she'd be happily singing along to the radio, but today she seemed restless, shifting and fidgeting in her seat.

Viv glanced over, her brow furrowing with concern. "Darling, are you okay?" she questioned quietly, her voice barely above a whisper as she noticed her partner squirming around more than normal. "You seem a bit uncomfortable."

Siobhan sighed, the sound heavier than she intended, before quickly averting her gaze, a blush creeping up her neck. "I'm fine, darling." she replied, her voice a little too enthusiastic, a little too forced to be truly convincing.

Vivian's eyes narrowed, a knowing glint in them. She knew the blonde too well to be fooled by the bright facade.

"You forget how well I know you," Viv hushed, her voice soft but firm. She reached over, her hand finding Siobhan's, her fingers gently intertwining. The simple gesture was grounding, a silent reassurance. "Bon, talk to me," Viv whispered, her thumb tracing soothing circles on the back of Siobhan's hand. "We're in this together, always. What's going on in that beautiful head of yours?"

The younger woman sighed again, a small, almost imperceptible sound, before shifting in her seat once more. "I'm fine," she mumbled, the words barely audible above the quiet hum of the road. Vivian hummed in response, a noncommittal sound that conveyed both understanding and a gentle prompting for more.

Instead of pressing further while driving, Viv made a decision. She signaled, smoothly steered the car off the main road, and pulled into a quiet lay-by.

The sudden deceleration and the crunch of gravel under the tires brought them to a halt. She killed the engine, plunging the car into near silence, before turning in her seat to face her partner fully. The quiet intimacy of the small space amplified the unspoken tension between them.

The look Viv gave her was gentle but unwavering, full of love and understanding, and it was enough to crack the carefully constructed facade Siobhan had been trying to maintain. "You driving turns me on," Siobhan whispered, the confession tumbling out in a rush, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "It's just the way you move and everything." She quickly moved to sit normally in her seat, her leg no longer propped up on the seat, as if the change in position could somehow alleviate her discomfort.

A soft smile played on Vivian's lips as she listened. "So thats why you're fidgeting then?" Viv questioned softly, her voice laced with amusement and affection. "That's why you can't keep still?" She reached out and gently tucked a strand of hair behind Siobhan's ear, her touch lingering on her cheek.

The blonde's face reddened, the blush spreading from her cheeks to the tips of her ears. She looked away quickly, unable to meet her partners gaze, before offering a slight, almost imperceptible nod. The small movement was an admission, a surrender to the truth of her feelings.

"Darling, it's okay. You're okay," The dark haired woman hushed, her voice a soothing balm to Siobhan's rising anxiety. She leaned over the center console, closing the distance between them, and wrapped her arms around her partner, pulling her close. "I've got you, it's okay. I'm not mad at you, baby," Viv whispered, her breath warm against Siobhan's hair. "It's okay to want me, it's okay to be turned on. You're beautiful, and I love that you feel that way."

Vivian knew about Siobhan's past relationship, the one that had left her with scars both visible and unseen. She knew about the way her ex had belittled her desires, had made her feel ashamed for wanting affection and intimacy.