Chapter Text
You’re the one who knows these two women best. Or, at least, you’ve known them each longer than anyone else has - you’re starting to see that maybe they now know each other better than you ever could. There was a time that thought made you jealous; from the first word Holtzmann spoke to Erin, you could see the attraction. Erin had already burned you once, and your mind didn’t take long to conjure up images of Holtz following her lead, abandoning you in favor of the first person who’d abandoned you.
Even once you’d all saved the world and one another, and you felt certain that it was a true team that wasn’t going to just disappear one sunny afternoon, your doubts lingered. Your friendship with Erin was on its way to being repaired; your connection with Holtzmann hadn’t been severed. But watching them interact was a whole new level; they’d known each other such a short time, but the trust and tenderness was so clear. It had taken months for Holtz to accept so much as a hug from you, and yet she didn’t hold back from physical affection with Erin. Jealousy had burned deep in your gut, but at the same time, a strange feeling of hope had taken root in your soul. The wildly different emotions had warred within you for quite some time, until one day you looked up at the sound of chaotic laughter from Holtzmann, Erin standing in front of her looking indignant. The physicist had flailed wildly, made a loud reference to some joke you weren’t part of, and Holtz had laughed even harder. And when the small smile had spread across Erin’s face, you’d prepared for the twist of jealousy to hit.
And it never did.
Instead, as you watched them make each other happy, you experienced a rush of joy you hadn’t expected. Patty had given you a weird look as you abruptly excused yourself, and you hoped she didn’t get the wrong impression. But the feeling had hit like a freight train, and you knew you could never even begin to explain it until you were able to process it yourself, so running was the best option. At least temporarily.
You’d taken refuge in the bathroom, studying yourself critically in the mirror. Yes, definitely happy for them; no, actually not jealous at all. You’d seen with your own eyes the ways in which they were making their slow path towards each other. And it was why you couldn’t just go around crying happy tears at the realization; they weren’t there quite yet, Erin didn’t like attention, and Holtz didn’t do well with emotions. It would make their trek that much longer, of that you had been certain.
Once you were collected, you’d opened the door to find Erin waiting in the hall. She’d looked at you with such concern, it made your stupid heart swell again.
“You ok? You kinda ran off, and Patty said she had no clue why…”
“Can I be weird for a second?” At her uncertain nod, you’d smiled and continued. “I’m just really glad to have you back in my life, and to see you happier than you ever were the first time. And I’m glad Holtz and Patty are part of it, and Kevin too in his own way. It all just hit me at once.”
“So... you were so happy you ran to the bathroom?” And there was no stopping your laughter at the baffled expression on her face.
“I’m not ready to go full Holtzmann and randomly bare my soul to everyone.” Her eyes had lit with understanding, and without another word she’d wrapped you in a hug, squeezing like she’d still been making up for lost time. You, of course, had hugged her back just as tightly, satisfied with your answer. It hadn’t been the full truth, but it had hit the crux of it and that would have to do.
Now, a couple months removed from that moment of clarity, you find yourself watching again as they interact in small, private ways. The loud laughter and and wild movements of the last moment have been replaced by whispered words, soft smiles, and tender touches. They’re working on an upgrade for a trap, Holtzmann wanting Erin’s expertise on equations to guide the power boost. They’re not there yet - on either the project or the next step in their relationship - but as you observe the ease with which they move together, you find yourself optimistic that it’s not far off.
And this time, at least, you don’t feel compelled to hide your smile.