"Are you nervous?" Nick asked softly. This tone was a huge comparison to when he missioned over to their house (by biking, not to mention; although they did live fairly close but keep in mind that Nick still didn't have a car) and yelled "5 AM, wake up!" This woke El up from her 2 hour nap on the couch and resulted in Tan in whipping him with a wet towel, previously on her neck. Tan hadn't slept because she was cleaning up and followed with a shower.
"A little," El replied, she loved to fly but it always made her a little uneasy. Her hands were in Tan's hair, petting and stroking the soft, curly strands. Tan's beanie that always adorned her hair (or at least, it was there whenever it was a 'messy' or 'lazy' day) was in her own lap. She was in deep sleep, her head resting in El's lap. Tan could go days without sleeping, but at the first opportunity to rest, it would seem as if she was half-dead. El, on the other side, got tired easily but was a light sleeper. That's how the slightest bump had jotted her awake, and started to speak Nick.
"Did you tell your parents about... Tan yet?"
El leaned her head back, and sighed. "No." Nick didn't reply, and El continued, "I always felt horrible about that. I need to tell them soon, I know that. Especially because I told them that America would be a more permanent residence, as opposed to Australia. They still think that my frequent travelling is because of work. And they're happy because I was coming back, but I feel like shit for not telling them the real reason why. Or about who had gotten me - us - back."
"What are you going to do? You can't keep this up." And he was right. It exhausted El and hurt Tan, even though the latter would never admit it to her face.
"I would have to tell them I'm dating someone first. Although they are suspecting that I was dating. Not sure how to tell them that it's a girl though. You know what happened to Tan when she came out. It's not going to be very easy for me either, being Indian and all."
"God. I feel so bad for you guys."
"You would think it would be easier for you to find a girlfriend, being straight and all."
"Alright, alright, leave me alone now," Nick rolled his eyes.
"You're already lonely enough," El teased.
"Will!" he whined and El chuckled.
"Honestly. Stop being a fuckboy and settle down with someone. You're getting old. Learn how to get into a serious relationship."
"I'm 24!"
"Nonetheless, I want to see you with someone the next time we come back." Nick deserved to be happy with someone. He has been complaining about his single status.
"I hope so too." A moment of silence later, he spoke, "You know I'll miss you... You and Tan." He paused, and just when El was about to reply, he continued, "When will you guys be back?"
"We're not even at the airport and you're asking when we'll be back?" she chuckled, then proceeded to reply his previous statement."And I know. I'll miss you too. You and your strange combination of Aussie accent and lisp." A smile played on her lips. "But I'm sure you won't miss us too much, now that you've got Tan's car. It'll remind you of us, always, right? Or at least until we come back God-knows when."
"You're always making fun of me. Why do I like you again?"
El paused and freaked out for a minute because he surely hadn't mean it in a romantic way, did he? "Because I'm an awesome person," she replied easily. When he attempted to run a yellow light, she continued, "Also, don't crash the car please. I would like to see it when we come back."
Nick shook his head chuckling. "Of course, of course," he said under his breath.
"All jokes aside. Thank you for everything, Nick. For always taking care of me, even though you are not at all responsible. For everything that you've done for us."
"Why do you sound like you're going to die?" He was only joking, and actually really appreciated El's appreciation for him.
"Don't jinx it right before we get on the plane, you asshole!"
"Oh shit, sorry." Sudden realization dawned on him and he chuckled. "Have a safe flight."
"Thank you. Love you, Nick."
"Love you, too."
"Ok, now let me sleep."
