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Shelby stepped off the plane feeling a little off balance, and a little sick to their stomach. Or, maybe she was just hungry. Airplane hospitality obviously didn’t offer blood, and it wasn’t something Shelby wanted to risk bringing through security, so she decided to just tough it out.
That, and they were itching for something familiar. Apparently even the taste of animal blood differed abroad. Not that it had tasted bad, just distinctly different. Shelby mused that it was due to different diets.
She dragged her luggage behind her, the one thing stopping them from flying around herself. Well, that and the twelve hour total flight time. At least it was a cute suitcase.
A chime sounded from their pocket, and Shelby pulled it out to see a message from Abolish.
Stalker (affectionate):
let me know when you’ve landed.
Shelby:
Just now! (^- ^)
Typing the face one-handed on a phone was difficult, but entirely necessary for the effect Shelby wanted in her texts.
Stalker (affectionate):
I’ll start driving
Shelby sent off a quick ‘see you soon!’ before pocketing their phone. She wondered what she’d do while they waited. If Abolish was just leaving, it would be a bit before he’d arrive.
She wished Drift could have been the one to pick her up, but her motorcycle wouldn’t accommodate Shelby’s luggage. Scott couldn’t drive, or rather, refused to learn how, which left Abolish as the only one who could pick them up.
It wasn’t a problem of course. Shelby liked Abolish, especially after all the time they’d spent together since the events of Oakhurst. She just… missed her girlfriend a bit.
Okay, a lot.
They tried not to acknowledge it too often on her trip because she knew it would just make them sad. And it was a good trip! They saw so many amazing sights and filled half a journal with ideas for her next book–which was the reason they’d gone on the trip in the first place–but half of what she saw inevitably reminded her of Drift.
Shelby stuffed down the feeling and smiled at the airport workers as she passed through the final security point into the main airport. Now all she had to do was wait for Abolish to… already be there?
For someone whose line of work relied on stealth, his shock of half black half white hair was incredibly easy to spot. And Scott was there with him!
Shelby felt her mental exhaustion melt into joy at seeing her friends. Even though their mind whispered that Abolish had technically lied in his message, it was a harmless one. The surprise was welcome enough that she could forgive it.
They made a beeline through the scattering of people to meet them.
Abolish wrapped her up in a hug, and Shelby caught Scott giving him a dirty look from their place tucked over his shoulder. He probably wanted to hug her first, though he’d likely never admit it.
As soon as Abolish’s arms had left them, Scott’s were firmly crushing her into his chest.
“Welcome back, Shelby,” Scott said, relief obvious in his voice.
“Glad to be back!” Shelby pulled back and smiled brightly at her roommate. “Did you miss me?”
Scott crossed his arms and grinned back. “Obviously. There’s nothing to do in our apartment without you around to pester.”
“That’s why I keep telling you to get out more!”
“And I keep telling you ‘what’s the point in going out by myself?’”
“Ready to go?” Abolish asked.
“Oh–yeah.”
When Shelby reached for her suitcase, she found that Abolish had already started walking ahead with it. Knowing it wasn’t a slight at her abilities, and honestly glad to be rid of the thing, Shelby let him in favor of taking Scott’s hand and lacing their fingers together.
Their linked hands swung back and forth as they followed Abolish who walked like a man on a mission. Then again, he usually was. The angle was a bit awkward due to their height difference, but like that would stop them.
“You’re still too short for this,” Scott said.
“Actually you’re too tall–and get out of my head! I was literally about to mention that.”
“No can do. The moment you landed our minds just linked.”
“Whatever did you do without me?”
Scott shrugged with one shoulder. “Mostly what I usually do, though I stared at the wall a bit more. How was the trip?”
“It was good! All the walking around sparked a lot of ideas. I think I might have enough to actually start writing this new book.”
“Oh? Did it give you any ideas for wrapping up that fanfiction as well?”
“Scott!” Shelby laughed, shoving him with her shoulder. “I told you already, you can’t rush good fanfiction. I’ll update it eventually.”
Scott groaned. “But you’re killing me Shelby! They’ve been about to kiss for ages, can’t a guy want to read about two fictional men kissing?”
“You can, you just have to be patient.”
“I hate being patient.”
Scott pouted as he let go of Shelby’s hand to climb into the back seat of the car, letting her have shotgun. It was a kind gesture, considering he typically didn’t even ask before taking it himself. Abolish loaded their luggage in the trunk and got in the driver’s seat, then opened the glove box, revealing a few bottles of crimson.
Shelby immediately caught themself salivating.
“Figured you might be hungry when you landed.”
Shelby swallowed. “Awww, you really didn’t have to, but thanks Abolish.”
Shelby took one and shut the glove box. When the dark liquid hit her tongue, it tasted like home.
“So, anything in particular you’d like to do now that you’re back?” Scott asked.
“Honestly? I think I’m going to sleep for a thousand years.”
Scott laughed and Shelby caught a smile from Abolish. Though, she wasn’t exactly kidding. The trip was fun, but it was also absolutely exhausting. At the moment, they wanted nothing more than to collapse on top of Drift and stay there for the foreseeable future.
“Personally, I’ve already done that and I don’t recommend it,” Scott said.
“Thanks for the advice. I’ll consider setting an alarm for a hundred years instead.”
–
When they got home, Shelby finally texted Drift.
Shelby:
back home and in one piece!
Drifty ♡:
That’s wonderful!
When can I come over?
Shelby smiled down at her phone. Drift should know by now that she was welcome in Shelby and Scott’s apartment anytime. She didn’t need to ask.
Shelby:
anytime is fine!
as long as you don’t mind chilling with me while I unpack (^- ^)
Shelby wanted to see Drift so badly, but they knew if they didn’t finish unpacking first, it would never get done.
Drifty ♡:
That’s okay!
Just text me when you’re done <3
Shelby sighed and put her phone down. Time to get to it.
–
Getting unpacked was easier said and done. While Drift intentionally gave them space, Scott was more clingy than ever.
Now, he wasn’t a nuisance per say–he did help–but Shelby got so distracted talking with her roommate who she hadn’t seen in weeks that it ended up taking way longer than it should have. When they finally finished sorting things and putting them away, Shelby shooed him away so she could at least shower in peace.
They sat on the floor, the bed reserved for after she washed off the icky feeling of traveling for almost twenty four hours straight.
While they were queuing up a shower playlist, a notification popped up at the top of her screen.
Drifty ♡:
It’s getting kind of late, are you almost finished?
Shoot. She hadn’t been checking the time, and already a couple hours had passed. They immediately felt bad that she’d been home for hours and already managed to neglect her girlfriend.
Shelby:
almost!!!
I was just about to get in the shower, but that’s the last thing I need to do <3
Shelby quickly plugged in their phone and grabbed her designated shower claw clip and a towel. If there was anything she really missed about their own apartment, it was being able to sing her heart out in the shower. It was an instant mood brightener every time.
They slowly shifted to singing along on autopilot as her overactive mind inevitably wandered. They’d gotten so many story ideas on the trip that were just coming together. She felt so relieved to finally be home and be able to lay down on her own bed. And most of all, they couldn’t wait to see Drift again.
Safe to say, Shelby was feeling really good when they got out of the shower. Most of the guilt over taking so long was washed away by the anticipation of seeing her girlfriend.
She wrapped their towel around their chest and grabbed her pile of clothes, crossing the hall to her room. They’d text Drift, change, then get their second ‘welcome home.’ No offense to Scott and Abolish, but she had a feeling it would be the better one.
She juggled her clothes with the doorknob, then pushed inside, dropping them in the hamper. Half a step later, she locked eyes with Drift.
Warmth filled Shelby’s chest as they slowly processed the fact that Drift was there, smiling at her from their bed.
“Hey,” Drift said, raising her and in an almost wave.
“It’s you,” Shelby said. An uncontrollable smile spread across their face. “What are you doing here!”
Shelby stepped forward as Drift got off the bed, and their lips connected like they had hundreds, if not thousands of times before. Except, these were the best kisses Shelby thought she’d ever had.
Each one was softer, sweeter than the last. And normally Shelby wasn’t so eager for so many in a row, but kissing drift and being held in her arms then just felt so perfect.
Shelby threw their head back, eyes closed, as Drift planted kisses on her neck, her shoulders, their chest, any skin that was available. Each one felt like an ‘I love you.’ Shelby giggled as she was showered in kisses, running their hand through the hair at the base of Drift’s neck.
They caught their towel as it was about to slip. Not that Drift hadn’t seen all of her before, she just didn’t want anything about this perfect moment to change.
Drift came back up and cupped her cheek. They shared a few more slower kisses until Shelby couldn’t help but smile again.
Drift’s eyes crinkled as she stopped to avoid just kissing Shelby's teeth. “Come on, let me kiss you.”
Shelby pecked her lips before going back to smiling too big for kisses. “I can’t help it. I’m really happy right now.”
Drift pressed a kiss into Shelby’s cheek and loosened her grip enough for them to see each other properly. “Me too. Welcome home, Shelby.”
“Yeah, I’m home.” She leaned into Drift again and pressed their foreheads together.
She still needed to get dressed, so she kissed Drift one more time before wiggling out of her grip. They changed facing away, probably to Drift’s disappointment where she was sitting again on the bed.
She knew Drift loved her body, and she did too, but they were more comfortable this way. She was more comfortable covered. Like, minimum underwear and bra. Drift knew, and she was okay with it.
When they went to the closet for pajamas though, Drift made a pouting sound.
“No, c’mere… please?”
Shelby considered the pajamas again, but ultimately indulged Drift’s request. She shut the closet and climbed into her girlfriend’s lap. Drift’s hands landed on Shelby’s lower back to steady them until she was settled, then slid down to gently massage their thighs. They had to admit, she did love feeling Drift’s hands on her.
Shelby wrapped their arms around Drift’s neck, staring into her hazel brown eyes. The red was pretty too, but the brown was her favorite.
It just then caught up to her that their whole experience since getting out of the shower was great inspiration for writing romantic scenes in her book. Normally, she casually noted their feelings and positions as they shared affection, but this time she was so caught up in the moment that their writer-thoughts got delayed.
They’d gone on a whole trip to find inspiration, she'd almost forgotten that her greatest muse was right here.
Shelby tucked Drift’s hair behind her pointed ear and melted into another kiss. It tasted way sweeter than blood.