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Cleo hates airports.
It’s just something about the stuffy air, the chatter of people, and the terrible food that gets on their nerves. It’s not like Cleo doesn’t like traveling to new areas, they love it, in fact! Though there certainly has to be a better way getting there other than crowded airports and long waits.
Today is no different.
Cleo slumps in her seat, a migraine buzzing in her head. Today has been a long day, scrambling around for missing passports and rushing around and carrying heavy luggage all the while. If she sees another white marble tile, she might as well throw up. Now that Cleo thinks about it, this is probably the only time she’s been able to sit down ever since the car ride here. They squeeze their eyes tight, praying that the tight walls of the airport would magically fall down and that they would be back in the comforts of home.
Home. It smells like fresh flowers and bubblegum body wash and dog hair, courtesy of Pearl. Potted plants and flowers decorate all of the nooks and crannies of the house. Sunshine flows through the bright yellow curtains, casting a bright glow on the birch floor. Light music plays in the background, probably Chappell Roan, or some other artist that Gem has been obsessing over. Their shared bedroom is light and dreamy, scattered socks left on the floor. Three toothbrushes sit in a cup. Cleo feels her headache slowly start to subside as she daydreams some more about their house.
“Cleo?” A voice calls, making Cleo’s eyes snap open and head lift. Bright orange locks greet them, emerald green eyes crinkled in a concerned smile that just makes Cleo want to kiss it off. Gem sits to the right of them, wearing a plain, white tank top and denim shorts. Her right hand grips a plastic water bottle, half full. “Everything okay?”
Cleo sighs through their nostrils, leaning back into their chair. They wave their hand dismissively, “I’m fine. Don’t worry about me.”
“Who are we not worrying about?” A voice speaks into Cleo’s ear suddenly, making them jump out of their skin and almost break their back turning around. Pearl giggles as she sits down to the left of Cleo, high ponytail waving around in the air. Pearl is dressed in a simple black graphic T-shirt (now that Cleo is looking at it more closely, isn’t that theirs?) and sweatpants. A black cap sits comfortably on her head, brown and blonde locks brushing against the fabric. Her sky blue eyes shine in the dullness of the airport, and her freckles pop out on her face.
Cleo could probably look at her face forever.
“Pearl!” Gem scolds gently, although there’s no doubt in the world that there’s a tone of fondness in her voice. “The last thing Cleo needs right now is to go deaf!” She directs her attention back to Cleo, softly brushing a stray strand of hair behind their ear. “We know you better than that, Cleo, you can tell us what’s wrong.”
Cleo slightly stiffens, wrapping their arms around themselves. They fight back the urge to not bite their fingernails, instead settling for longingly staring at them as they lower their head. Not liking airports is such a small, stupid thing. She shouldn’t drag her girlfriends down with her in this dilemma. They could handle it on their own. “I’m fine, really.”
Cleo could almost feel the frown that Gem has, and it’s all thanks to Cleo. Their grip on their arm grows tighter. Cleo opens her mouth to reassure Gem, to let her know that it’s all okay, before Pearl squats down in front of her. Sky blue eyes stare at her comfortingly as Pearl reaches to raise her cap so she could see Cleo better. Pearl takes their hands in her own and squeezes them softly. “I’m not going to force you to tell us what’s wrong,” she starts, “but I think it would really help me and Gem-Gem if you told us if you’re uncomfortable with anything so we can help.” Pearl offers Cleo a bright smile, teeth and all.
Cleo swallows. A few seconds of silence tick between the trio while the hustle and bustle of the airport moves around them. “I hate airports,” Cleo blurts out suddenly, gripping Pearl’s hand tighter. “It’s too noisy and stuffy and all of the staff are so rude and the food sucks. But I don’t want to be too much of a bother because it’s such a stupid thing. I don’t want to ruin your fun,” she ends quietly.
Gem takes Cleo’s other hand, leaning into Cleo’s frame of vision. “Oh, Cleo,” she says softly, rubbing reassuring patterns into the other’s hand. “It’s not a stupid thing. In fact, that’s totally understandable. If you’d like, we can take out the headphones that we brought along? Would that help with the noise?”
Pearl nods alongside her. “Yeah! Next time we can pack things so that you’re more comfortable, but we can make do with what we have.”
Cleo begins to shake their head, “You… really don’t, I don’t want to be a bother—”
“Cleo,” Gem interrupts sternly, but nevertheless gentle. “You’re not a bother. Never. We care about you so much, okay? We’ll do anything that makes you feel safe, because we love you.”
“Mhm!” Pearl chirps, squeezing Cleo’s hand. “I love you, Cleo, we love you. And I’ll say it again and again if needed! Hear that world? I love my partners!”
Cleo could feel tears starting to well up in her eyes. “Thank you,” they choke out. “Thank you so much.”
Gem wraps her arms around Cleo, resting her head gently on the other’s shoulder. “Anytime, love.” Cleo sniffles, letting herself gently cry into Gem’s ginger locks, sniffing in the scent of bubblegum body wash as she hugs her back.
Pearl quickly joins in, muttering a playful, “What’s this, hugging without me?” as she wraps her arms around her partners. The three of them rest there for a while, in each other’s embrace, not caring if others stare or glance weirdly at them. Finally, Cleo sniffles, “I love you too. So much.”
Cleo could feel Gem’s lips break out into a smile as she kisses Cleo’s cheek. The group hug slowly starts to unravel, leaving Gem and Pearl standing up while Cleo remains on the chair. Pearl checks her watch as she fixes her hat. “Hey, it’s getting pretty late, right? How ‘bout some dinner?” Before Cleo has the chance to grimace, Pearl shuffles through her backpack and brings out a sandwich in a plastic bag triumphantly. “Yes, I knew I packed one!” Pearl hands the bag to Cleo, who takes it, surprised. “Me and Gem could go order some food while you can eat that. I know it’s not the freshest, but I’ll make sure to pack your favorite on the way back, how about that?”
Cleo is so close to bursting into happy tears again as they quickly nod. “Thank you, Pearl,” she says gratefully, standing up next to her girlfriends.
Pearl grins at her before turning back to Gem. “So… what are we thinking? Panda Express? Because I have been craving orange chicken ever since we got here—”
Cleo watches the two bicker amongst themselves while holding the sandwich close to her chest. They smile at their partners. Gem, who’s kind and gentle and touches are as soft as a feather. Pearl, who’s humorous and fun to be around, always knows the right thing to say. Both of them, who love and care for Cleo so much and will do anything if that means that she’s comfortable.
Cleo loves them so much.