Milkshake Hearts

Chapter 28: Three Separate Times

A/N: As previously stated, any named or identified fans in this fic are not connected to any actual people whatsoever. The names were randomly chosen, and I don't actually know who all the meme accounts are in this fandom because I don't do that type of fandom interaction at all.

————————————————

"Hey hey you two," Ian greets them cheerfully when they step out of their room to check out and meet the others in the lobby at the same time he does, and they give cheerful hellos in response.

"Escaped the hangover somehow?" Shayne laughs, and Ian shrugs.

"I guess so, I only have a patchy memory of actually getting back here last night though," he laughs, "that's the only vague part though, so I guess it's a good night."

"It was nice to go out with everyone and just relax and spend some entirely non-work time together," Courtney comments, as they step into the elevator, greeting two of their crew who were staying on a higher floor and were already heading down. The others agree with her before they fall into silence for the brief trip down to the lobby. Ian and Shayne wander over to the front desk to hand over the keys to their respective rooms, while Courtney wanders over to slide into a conversation with Olivia and some of the others already waiting.

"Hey girl, how you going this morning?" Olivia turns to her, and Courtney smiles.

"Good, yeah. How are you? You're tiny, you drank way more than me last night," she grins.

"I'm good, I'm good, I'm used to it. Sam and I are still wine baes, although I'm pretty sure I pissed Sarah off by calling him and being a sappy bitch after we got home," Olivia shrugs, and Courtney laughs.

"Cute. Where is Sarah? And Damien, for that matter?" Courtney asks, glancing around to cross-reference the group.

"I am right here," Damien answers, walking up beside her, Ian and Shayne returning to the group at the same time. "Also, you guys been on your phones this morning since your little post?"

"Nope," Courtney laughs, "also thank you, I love those pictures."

"The internet loves the one you posted, too," Damien grins.

"Are we talking about the fact your ship name is trending on Twitter right now? Because it is," Sarah jumps into their conversation, appearing from behind them. Shayne and Courtney glance at each other in response, eyes searching for a confirmation of what their mutual feelings on this development should be.

"Well- I think I prefer that to it being questioned," Shayne admits, after a while.

"We knew what we were doing posting that picture," Courtney confirms, and he nods, arm sliding around her waist as she moves closer to his side, "I mean, you never know what the internet is going to do, but – my phone is off because I expected notification hell."

"Mine is not off and it is just going off constantly," Shayne adds, pulling it out of his pocket and flipping it around in demonstration. "Oh, the parents are texting me, I should actually answer that one."

"You guys are staying in Washington after we finish, yeah?" Olivia asks, conversationally, as they all start trudging out to the shuttle back to the airport.

"Yeah, I finally get to meet Chris' wife and kids," Courtney enthuses in response, her own arm sliding around Shayne's waist to lead him outside as he types out a text to his parents. "Shayne's parents are going to be there too, and Brian, doing a bit of an early Topp Christmas thing."

"That's cool, are you heading over to Utah at all this year, or nah?" Olivia follows up, Courtney nodding in response.

"We're spending actual-Christmas there. I finally get to meet the other parent," Shayne answers her a moment later, stuffing his phone back in his pocket, "but as long as I have Kari on-side I think I'm good."