The Time Traveler's Wife

The Freak-Out

March 2018

Carmilla appears in a brisk autumn afternoon, and it takes her a few seconds for her mind to adjust from kissing Laura to realize she's standing on someone's front porch.

"Dammit," Carmilla curses.

"You look cold," a slightly familiar voice says from a doorway behind her. "Wanna come in before we get arrested for public indecency? Again?"

Carmilla turns to find a future version of herself smirking at her. She quickly runs past her through the front door and into a warm household.

"Laura, can you throw down a set of my finest pajamas?" Future Carmilla calls out.

There's a pause before footsteps are heard and an older Laura descends from upstairs. "How lazy do you have to be to go downstairs naked and then--"

Future Laura stops and stares at the two Carmillas before her.

"Oh. Oops."

She hands a pile of clothes to Carmilla with a nervous laugh.

"Couldn't have given me a heads up?" she growls at Future Carmilla.

"Ah, but where would be the fun in that? We would've missed out on the blush and everything."

Future Laura rolls her eyes. "You suck."

"What's the big deal? You were on your way down, anyway."

Carmilla watches them bicker as she puts on her clothes.

"So, you're in March 2018. When are you from?" Future Laura asks with a yawn as she heads to the kitchen.

"2012," Carmilla answers, following the couple.

Future Laura frowns as she hands her a mug filled with coffee, already made by Future Carmilla. "What part of 2012?"

Carmilla fidgets nervously and starts sipping her coffee. "We just went to the frat party..."

"Ah, the first time I stuck my tongue in your mouth," Future Carmilla says when Laura hands her her mug.

Carmilla chokes on hers and mumbles a "thank you" when Future Laura laughs and hands her a napkin.

"For the record, this is what you have to look forward to in five years," Future Laura grumbles as she pours herself coffee in a third cup.

Carmilla's eyes widen. "So... in six years... we're still together?"

Future Laura hums and nods as she takes a sip. "Yeah, uh, I'm not really going anywhere, Carm. I'm by your side for good." She shrugs. "Can't scare me away with all your brooding and snarkiness."

Carmilla swallows hard and doesn't reply.

Future Carmilla chuckles. "Calm down, Hollis. Let a girl finish basking in a first kiss."

Laura grins and playfully nudges Future Carmilla. "It was a pretty awesome kiss, wasn't it?"

Future Carmilla rolls her eyes. "Smug."

Future Laura gasps, offended. "Hypocritical."

"Superior," Future Carmilla fires back.

"Delusional," Future Laura replies.

Future Carmilla looks at her past self. "See what you have to look forward to?"

Future Laura lightly smacks her on the arm. "You love me."

"Yeah, spaz. But you love me, too. So, who's the real winner here?"

"You are," Future Laura replies with a smirk.