The Art of Loving

[38] Hey, Old Man

"Alright, Brian, do we have everything?" Ellie asked, picking up the list she had written over the course of the day.

"I think so. We'll get food when we have the car, right?" He asked, looking through his backpack again.

"Yeah, that makes more sense than buying it here and carrying it to Aberdeen on the train, don't you think?"

Brian hummed and nodded in agreement. "Yes, that's true. Fair point. Okay. Your brother has a camping cooker and everything, right?"

"Yes, yes, it's all in the van, don't worry. The important thing is that we have warm clothes and towels and all of that. Look, if we do forget something important we can come by here. We should be fine. I hope."

Brian nodded. "Alright, I'm ready to go. It's only for a couple of nights anyway. Is your dad dropping us off at the train station?"

"Aye, that's what he said," Ellie confirmed and reached for his hand. "Let's go downstairs if you've got everything. You brought batteries for the cameras and film, right?"

"Yes, I did, we're all set. And don't worry, I also packed the condoms," he added, making Ellie chuckle.

"Very good, I'm glad I don't have to remind you." She smiled at him and pecked his lips.

Hand in hand they walked downstairs with their little luggage and Ellie's father drove them to the train station, wishing them a good time. They didn't have to wait long for their train and they ended up finding an almost empty waggon and cuddled on one of the benches. It was very untypical for Ellie to be like this, she wasn't one to publicly display lots of affection, but she wanted to. And Brian wasn't going to stop her, because he was enjoying this a lot.

When they got to Aberdeen, Henry was waiting for them to pick them up at the train station so they wouldn't have to wait for a taxi to take them to Henry's flat.

"Hey old man," Ellie greeted her brother when she got in the car.

"Look at 'at, my lovely little sister. Remind me, why again am I doing ye this huge favour?" He asked, turning around in his seat.

Ellie smiled at him and shrugged. "Because you love me and we both know you're not actually an old man?"

"Fine. Hey, Brian," he greeted her boyfriend too who returned the greeting.

The drive to Henry's flat wasn't actually very far. He struggled to find a parking spot for a bit though, but eventually managed and they made their way inside. Betty, Henry's girlfriend was already waiting for them with dinner. The four of them had a cosy evening and Ellie surprised everyone by being very open about how great she thought Brian was. She kept complimenting him to the point where Brian began to be a little worried if everything was alright.

But Ellie wasn't aware of that. She offered to help Betty with cleaning the kitchen and doing the dishes while Brian and Henry were in the living room, watching TV and chatting. When the kitchen was clean, Ellie and Betty joined their men in the living room for a while before they decided it was time to get some sleep.

"Ye'll be fine sleeping on the air mattress, aye?" Henry asked when he was done inflating it.

"Aye, we'll be fine," Ellie confirmed as Brian nodded. "I'm going to be right back, okay?" She told them, getting a little worried when she could see her brother giving her boyfriend a serious look. It semed like poor Brian was in for yet another brotherly firm talk.

When she returned from the bathroom, ready for the night, she came back to Brian looking a tiny bit intimidated. Furrowing her eyebrows she looked at her brother, but Henry just smiled at her and kissed her cheek. "I'll see ye in the morning. Sleep well," he said before he went upstairs.