Work Text:
"Okay, I think this is the last one!" Ellie shouted through the open door to the flat, tossing a huge carton box on the floor. Gabby immediately followed up, jumping over a few steps of the stairs. Her tote bag moved along with her body, the things she kept inside bumping into each other, creating a sonorous sound.
"Wohooo, finally! There is so much space in here!" The brunette exclaimed, spreading her hands to the sides and spinning around in circles. Ellie chuckled and lightened up, Gabby's positive attitude was undoubtedly contagious.
"Once we put everything into its place there won't be much left" Ellie grabbed Gabby's shoulders when she finally stopped spinning so that she wouldn't fall over or hurt herself in any other way. She smiled at her girlfriend when their eyes met and gave Gabby a short peck on the lips "Come on, let's get to work"
"On it!"
Once Disventure Camp finished, Ellie had to come back to the sad reality of unpaid bills and working overtime not to starve. The fact that people, specifically Jake, resented her for her actions didn't help. Apparently, most of the viewers supported him over Ellie and she would receive constant criticism, both on the internet and at work, sometimes even death threats. As much as she didn't care for those, it bothered her how fast others were to judge. They were never in her shoes to begin with. She's been struggling financially ever since she could remember, winning a whole million dollars would fix, well, pretty much everything. She was not the type of person who said money buys happiness, but it certainly enables you to follow your dreams. So yes, her actions were questionable and she was aware of it, but sometimes the thought of getting yourself to the point you've been working so hard to achieve could easily blind your morality.
But even after everything she'd done, Ellie lost. Third place, so close yet so far. It was tough to swallow, especially considering the fact one of the main reasons behind her elimination was showing empathy and morals she was accused of leaving behind. Ironic, really ironic. Who would've thought Miriam was going to use her kindness?
Not Ellie, not in that moment. Maybe it was stupid of her to hesitate and stop thinking about the prize for once, or maybe it was stupid to sabotage your only friendship to get it in the first place. She couldn't tell, because seconds later her competitors passed the line and she was officially out of the game.
It felt like getting dragged through a tough ground. So many sacrifices, stupid decisions, questionable actions, all for nothing. Her life would be the same, grey and tiring, without the hope for a better tomorrow.
Or maybe it would, if she didn't have Gabby.
Gabby, oh Gabby. A literal walking sunshine, her light in the tunnel, the brightest star out of those in the sky. She stuck with Ellie from the very beginning till the end, not doubting her even once. It melted Ellie's heart, just at the thought of it. How vulnerable and loyal Gabby was, how happy she would get when they bumped into each other in the woods, and how her eyes lit up when Ellie got transferred to her team. How much effort she put into their relationship, the amount of devotion to keep it going even after they got separated. Not to mention the fact she used her totem to save Ellie! It was impossible not to fall in love with this girl, her melodic voice, beautiful smile, and soft, plump lips. She couldn't describe the amount of happiness that appeared in her body when they finally reunited in the finale, their feelings still as strong as the day Gabby kissed her at the bus stop, Ellie lost in the depth of the brunette's eyes, the delicate grab of her hands on her shoulders, sending shivers down her spine, blush rushing towards her face. It was truly magical, she could swear that with Gabby by her side, everything would be possible, even coming back to her job after semi-humiliating herself on national TV.
That was Gabby's charm, one could say.
It took quite a while for them to save up the money for the apartment, but after months of hard work, extra shifts, and sleepless nights, they finally had enough to cover monthly rent. And there they were, in a tiny flat, way too small for two people, barely any furniture scattered around it, walls grey from the dust, windows dirty, doors withered, panels creaking under their feet, and baseboards loose. But it didn't matter, because it was theirs. They worked for it and no one would take it away from them.
Ellie opened up one of the biggest boxes, taking out the kitchen equipment she took from her home. It wasn't much - a couple of mugs, glasses, four plates, four spoons, five knives, six forks. At the bottom of it lied a brand new kittle she bought from her recent paycheck, it wasn't the best model on the market but everything is better than heating water in the microwave. She carefully placed everything on the counter, opened up the fridge, and checked the inside - it wasn't big, but surely big enough for both of them. The electricity seemed to work just fine, which was what mattered to Ellie the most. Gabby was on the other side of the flat, only a couple of inches away since it was, seriously, tiny, opening up the boxes that contained her clothes, almost the entirety of them thrifted, handmade, or a present from Ellie. Luckily, the flat was already filled with basic furniture, so they had a closet they could stuff their belongings in.
"Not gonna lie, I thought it would be worse. But everything seems to work just fine" Ellie confessed, walking around the thin corridor, separating the bedroom from the kitchen "We gotta dust it out tho"
"I'm so happy, I love cleaning!" Gabby cheered, getting up from her knees and running up to her girlfriend "I can't believe we are finally living together! A total dream come true! I'm sad we can't keep animals here, I'll miss my friends, but you're the one that matters the most Ellie! Once you get into fashion school and become a super duper famous designer we will have a beautiful mansion full of plants and my fluffy friends!"
Ellie listened to Gabby's chatter, her energetic voice easing up the stress this move gathered in her.
She was so grateful for her girlfriend's unfailing enthusiasm. How could she not fall in love with her, this embodiment of positivity, her only motivation to get up every day and repeat the same schedule, just for Gabby's well-being? So that they could later on sit on the couch, lights off, snacking on popcorn and dried fruits, watching stupid romcoms airing on TV, Ellie's head resting on Gabby's lap, telling her about the day, judging the customers, and cracking jokes? Maybe the reality she had to come back to after the show wasn't ideal, but she wouldn't change anything.
"Of course we will. Help me set up this table, Gabs" Ellie opened another box, much heavier than the rest, and took out single parts of a plastic table they planned on putting in the dining room, and by dining room, they meant living room combined with kitchen.
It took them a while to set everything up, but there was no need to hurry. It was Friday, and Ellie took a day off - for the first time in years - so that they could spend the entire day with each other. The ginger was now flicking through her sketchbooks full of designs she planned on including in her portfolio one day. Gabby was putting out all of her stuffed plushies on one of the dressers. Their bedroom was by far the most empty place - only a closet and a single, thin mattress wrapped up in a pink blanket Gabby crocheted a few months before.
"We need to buy ourselves a bed once we're settled" Ellie commented, entering the bedroom, Gabby right beside her, a stuffed duck tucked under her arm.
"But the mattress is fine! For now, I mean. We're like Daisy and Benjamin" Gabby laughed as Ellie located her hands on the brunette's waist, pulling her closer.
"Totally. Let's just pray I won't turn into a kid once you retire"
"I hope you won't, kids don't really like me" Gabby admitted, making Ellie frown with confusion.
"Impossible, I'm sure they love you. Not as much as I do, of course"
Gabby laughed and joined their foreheads together, looking into Ellie's aquamarine eyes, their shape perfectly framing her face, nose covered in light freckles. She was the most beautiful person Gabby had ever seen, how lucky she was to have her as her girlfriend?
Ellie quickly closed the distance between them with a gentle kiss, their lips warm, Gabby's hand brushing through Ellie's hair. It took them a second to find a good rhythm, but a moment later Gabby was pulling her girlfriend closer, closing the distance that remained, while Ellie cupped the other's cheeks with her palms, gently rubbing them with fingers, her nails freshly painted by Gabby. Another few seconds passed and Gabby was now embracing Ellie with her legs, which led to the freckled lifting her, taking a few steps back and placing her on the dresser. A few of the plushies fell on the floor, a squeak coming out of one, Gabby quickly parted from Ellie to see if everything was fine with them. Once she was sure, she leaned in, connecting their lips again. This time the kiss was more tender and passionate, Ellie felt a strangely pleasant sensation in her stomach. She put her hands on both sides of Gabby's legs, standing on her toes, deepening the kiss. Gabby hummed with joy, tracking Ellie's jawline with her finger, making the other one laugh, her lips slightly parted. They were slowly getting out of breath, both trembling with sensation and the warmth of their bodies. Ellie was the first one to move away, looking directly into Gabby's eyes, mouth crooked into a smile, she put a finger on the brunette's lips and slightly pressed them.
"How about we finish unpacking and then we can continue?"
"Absolutely" Gabby exclaimed, jumping onto the floor and running toward the corridor to empty the remaining boxes. Ellie laughed quietly, her cheeks and ears still tinted with blush, breath recovering from the moment she and Gabby shared.
Truly, in that moment, Ellie could announce to the world that she felt at home. And no matter where they are going to be in a few days, months, or years, with Gabby by her side, every place would be perfect.