Work Text:
“Your knee, darling,” Patsy says on instinct, helping Delia up over the front step of the cozy inn. Neither of them are frail in their sixties; they’ve lived healthy, active lives and continue to travel with little trouble. But there’s always room for fussing, Patsy supposes, especially when Delia looks so cute in her sun visor.
Delia tuts back at her. “Don’t you worry about my knee. She’s holding up just fine.” She digs into her pocketbook as they approach the front desk.
The front clerks abroad are always so cheerful, and this young lady is no exception. She’s got a shock of curly dark hair and a pink tee shirt proclaiming The Best B&B in Vermont.
“Good afternoon, ladies! Are we checking in?”
“Yes, love,” Delia says. “We’ve booked a room.” She lowers her voice. “One double bed.”
The clerk doesn’t flinch or hesitate, and it makes something warm bloom in Patsy’s chest. Here, in this little American town so far from home, so far from when they first met…it just doesn’t matter anymore. There are safe spaces all over, if they know where to look. No lying required.
“Of course. Here’s your key. Are we celebrating anything special this weekend?” The clerk leads them to the lift.
Patsy finds Delia’s hand, twining their fingers, something she never dreamed of so many years ago. “Just us, I suppose.”
Delia smiles shyly. And what a thing to celebrate, Patsy thinks, smiling down at the love of her life.