Love and the Lachlan - Lachlan X Reader

2.

( Recap: Your dad helps lift the suitcases into the trunk of the car and then sits in the driver's seat. You hate sitting in the back, especially next to Callie, but there's no arguing with your mom to see who gets shotgun. Oh well, the airport is only a few miles away. You endure the bad music your parents put on until you get there.)

After you reach the airport and check in your bags, Callie comes up to you. "If you see any cute guys, go after them. And if you happen to see a youtuber... tons of selfies, ok?"

"Ok," you sigh. You're going to miss her, but sometimes she gets a little obsessed with the things she likes. Like youtube. You mess up her blonde ponytail, just to make her a little irritated, and walk to your parents.

"So, we haven't told you yet, but next month there's a small video conference in Sydney. We're paying for Callie to come," says your dad. You look at him with surprise, gratitude, and regret. "She'll be staying in your apartment for a week and a half. And I'm coming with. There happens to be a business conference that same week in Melbourne, and I offered to represent our company. I know this is a lot, but I figured it would be nice to see some family, since you'll be all alone."

You're having mixed emotions. Yeah, it will be nice to see family, but that's a big burden to have Callie over. You'll be working on research the whole time, and you know that she likes attention. You decide to be positive. "Cool, Dad. Thanks. It'll be fun." You look at the screen with the flight times on it. Yours leaves at 6:30, and the time is 4:45. You still need to get through security, find your gate, and eat dinner, so you quickly pick up Callie (she hates when you do this) and tousle her hair. Then you set her down and turn to your parents again. "I'll miss you guys. Don't let this one" -you point to Callie- "get too out of hand." She giggles in the background. Maybe she'll miss you too. You quickly hug your parents and keep in a tear. Then you run off to security to check in your bags, and think about what is to come.

Time Skip: On the plane

You're happy you got a window seat, because everyone knows that that's the best seat. You open your carry-on backpack, which is stuffed full with books and electronics. You pull out your phone and earbuds, turn on airplane mode, and start listening to some CHVRCHES, one of your favorite bands. You're jamming to your song when a young man, about your age, hoists his baggage into the overhead compartment and sits down with his backpack in the aisle seat. There is only one seat between you and him, and it's unoccupied, so you can get a good look at him. You always liked people-watching. That's why you liked the airport, because there were so many interesting people to look at.

The guy is pretty tall, with slightly tanned skin and an angled face. He has blonde hair swept to the right side, and he looks down at his phone with bright blue eyes. He is pretty good looking, you have to admit. Then you wonder if you had accidentally been staring and you look down at your own smartphone. You sneak a glance at his screen and see the Minecraft forum, on the banners page. Only a noob doesn't know how to craft a banner, you think.

One of the flight attendants comes on the speakerphone, and you take out your earbuds. The guy looks up at the seat in front of him, and then at you. He is definitely good looking, especially now that he gives you a little smile. You smile back. The last time you met this cute of a guy was your ex.

"Welcome to Delta Airlines flight 6977 to Sydney, Australia. Our flight seems so far on time to arrive at 11:00 am Australian time. Please let us know if you need anything during your flight. Restrooms are in the back of the plane. Please view the following safety video to..."

You don't watch the safety video. You doubt there would be a terrorist on a plane with 20 people on it. Instead, you muster the courage to speak with the guy next to you. "You know, banners are really pretty simple. I don't use them all that much though."

The guy looks back at you with his baby blue eyes. "I don't either usually, but I was stuck on a puzzle map the other day. I'd like to know more about them," he explains with an Australian accent. That's the best kind of accent in your opinion. "Lachlan," he says, and awkwardly holds out his hand. You take it. It's slightly sweaty, as if he's nervous. "Y/N," you say back, feeling yourself blush a little. "You might want to turn on airplane mode," you add. You don't want him getting kicked off the plane, or something crazy like that. Stuck next to this guy for 20 hours? Better than sharing a room with Callie, you think.

"Oh yeah, thanks." He opens the settings on his phone just as the plane pulls away from the dock. Then he sits back and puts his own earbuds in, and you do the same. You can taste the cheap Thai food on your breath from dinner and wish you had packed some mints. Then you remember you have gum to help with the ear aches you always get while flying, and start chewing a piece. You offer some to Lachlan, who politely accepts and takes two. Maybe he gets ear aches too.

Time Skip: Arriving at the airport

Throughout the flight you learned, through awkward conversation, that Lachlan lives in Brisbane. You're moving to Brisbane, which is a nice city on the coast with a good marine biology center. This is where you'll be doing your research on the diverse sea life of Australia. During the second half of your stay you'll be researching koalas and kangaroos in the outback.

Lachlan was visiting some friends in Canada and came to Michigan for a video conference. He must like youtube as much as Callie, you think. It must have been the same video conference that she went to last week. Now he is flying back home to his family. He lives at home, which you think is rather weird for a 20-year-old guy like Lachlan. You wonder what he does for a job, if he has one.

You also learned that he is on the same flight as yours from Sydney to Brisbane, but in different parts of the plane. You probably won't see him again, which makes you sad. You really like him, and he's a very nice guy. You can tell he eats quite a lot for a skinny guy, because he ordered four different meals, plus two snacks, on the flight. You wonder how someone can stay that thin if you're eating practically five meals a day.

You walk with Lachlan to the baggage claim, and then to the flight gate. You talk about life in Australia, and he gives you some tips. He also references something called Vegemite.

You: "What's Vegemite?"

Lachlan: (laughs, which is really cute) "Something that Americans don't tend to like. I don't fancy it that much either."

You: "I'll stay away from it then."

Lachlan: (looks to the side at a quick-stop food mart in the airport) "Oh look, there's some now!" (Buys small can of Vegemite, which looks like gross Nutella to you)

You: "Oh God, you're not going to make me try that, are you?"

Lachlan: (Grins) "Yeah. Come on."

You've reached the flight gate, so the two of you sit and Lachlan pops open the Vegemite. It smells like overcooked carrots. "Do I really have to do this?" you ask, unsure of wether or not you can trust him.

"Yep. Here you go." He hands you a piece of toast from the breakfast restaurant smothered in the Vegemite, and you slowly take a bite. You gag and force yourself to swallow. It tastes disgusting, just like Lachlan told you it would. "Ew! That is definitely worse than Nutella! Ugh!" You gag again. Lachlan just sits next to you and laughs. Then the flight attendant calls all business class passengers into the airplane, and you both stand up to throw out the toast and Vegemite. Then you board the plane, and as you move to the back, you both decide to meet up again after the flight next to the gate.

Time Skip: After the flight

You stand with Lachlan by the baggage claim, waiting for your bags, when he offers to drive you to your apartment. You gladly accept his offer, wanting to stretch out your time with him as much as possible. You've made a good friend, and you don't want to lose him. Once all of your bags are gathered, you both head out to the parking garage attached to the airport, and you find his car. It's a very nice, luxury car, which makes you wonder again what it is that he does for a living. The license plate reads LilLach. On the way to the apartment, you talk about Minecraft and living in Australia some more as you take in the beautiful scenery of your new home.