Archive of Our Own ^beta

It's two in the morning and you're stranded at a highway truck stop. You drove New York's highways for half a day trying to get back to the Lalondes' house before the car's spare tire went flat. It felt like the car would shatter into pieces when you pulled in to park, but you are not that unfortunate.

You do, however, have to wait a while for Rose to come pick you and Roxy up. She has been marking up the map for hours (one of those awful ones that spread themselves through a book, and fold out to twice their size), saying that she's going to take you on a proper road trip.

You take the opportunity to spread out in the backseat and stretch your legs (and get in a nap). You wake up when Roxy climbs into the back with you, legs flailing and maps rippling. The distinct smell of wine coolers accompanies her.

"Roxy, what are you dooooooiiiiiiiiiing."

"Sorry! I got bored up there. Bored and cold. I need you."

"Bluh." You rub at your eyes and reconfigure yourself so you're resting your head on Roxy's thighs. "Fine, but you're my pillow now. Just so you know!"

"Hahaha for how long?"

"Until Rose comes."

"What!"

"You heard me." You grin up at her.

"Jaaade omg." Roxy grabs your hands in both of hers. "But what if she gets stranded, too. Are you prepared to spend the rest of your life with me at this truck stop?"

"That depends. How much change do you have for the vending machines?" You squeeze her fingers.

"I think I have like... three dollars."

"Ahhhh. That could be a problem."

Roxy heaves a sigh. "Yeahhh..."

"Alternatively!" You sit up and stretch your arms across Roxy's lap. "Who says we have to stay here? We have a map and the time, so we can have like a wilderness hike! Except this is not exactly the wilderness."

"Lol, only if you wanna carry me cuz there ain't no way I'm gonna be able to walk fer a while."

You wink in response.

"Ya know. We could jus' stay here." Roxy wraps her arms around your waist and props her chin on your shoulder.

You concentrate on your knees. "Y-yeah, heheh. We could do that too." She's tracing hearts under your shirt. Feels warm and soft. "We should have a pretty good view-"

Her lips feel warm and soft, too. Even more when you both smile into each other.

"...Jade. Oh shit. Jade."

"What's wrong?"

"I haven't shown you my map of how I'm gonna like, basically take you all over the world."

"Swoon~"

(You wake up a second time, covered by Roxy and maps. And you resolve to get stranded at truck stops more often.)