Runaways

[Lucy Serrano-Blaise]

10th January, 2015

As Lucy made her way to the airport in Burlington that night, she knew she was in for an eccentric reunion with her sister. There was a part of her that was probably in trouble for not finding her way back home for the holidays like she said she would. There was little she could have done for the fact either way, but she had to wonder if her sister would have gone in the first place if she knew Lucy would be staying behind. So she kept it to herself for as long as she could.

It was noble, she thought. Stupid, but still noble.

The length of the flight back from Australia wasn't distressing, but standing alone at the end of a security gate was in its own way. They'd talked briefly during her few layovers, but not enough to really let the inevitable reconciliation sink in. Sifting her hands apart, the ink manipulator adjusted the beanie she wore. Shifting finger through the line of her hair to ensure it was all still how it had been a minute ago when she'd done the same thing.

Fingers curled to the sleeves of her jacket, and she idly pulled on them. Anything to keep moving until she saw a familiar face sifting through the flight's crowd.

[Nica Serrano]

As always, the flight back to Hammel from Australia was long. It dragged on with the layovers and hours between flights. So much time to kill; something Nica was acutely aware of at almost all times. She was glad that it was only once or twice a year she made the trek, because it was long and unbearable, especially without company.

She shouldn't have been making the trip back alone.

Nica did her best to pass the time, by messaging her sister and checking her social media sites and reading e-books. Anything to fill the empty space. Had Lucy been by her side, she wouldn't be complaining. The older Serrano was suppose to catch a later flight; to meet up with the rest of the family back home. That didn't happen. Everyone was upset, especially Nica who had been counting on her to come. Despite all of the family gathered around during Christmas dinner, it felt empty without her there.

The plane had landed a few minutes ago, the once sleeping Nica now awake and ready to see Lucy. She waited, a bit impatiently, as passengers began to disembark from the plane. She followed the crowd, the strap of her carry-on backpack slung on a shoulder. Green eyes began searching for her among the crowd of waiting people.

[Lucy Serrano-Blaise]

Lucy knew well enough how long it took to get through security. She knew it was difficult when everyone else was eager to get through as quickly as they could and so she tried her best to find patience, but still struggled. Patience was never a virtue Lucy learned how to wear; it was completely ill fitting, especially when she was this excited.

She couldn't even tear her gaze away to check the phone in her pocket, despite the way it rung out to inform her she'd gotten another message.

Stepping past the people who were already rekindling and hugging around her, she found easy frustration in how long it felt like this was taking. Had it always taken this long? Was she waiting on purpose just to drag the moment out even more? An obvious crinkle formed at her nose at the very thought, either from worry or stress or an interesting combination of the two.

It all eased away when she was sure she saw a familiar set of green eyes collide with her own. Raising her hand, she held it as high as she could in order to wave her over. But in the same motion, she was already bypassing people with a broad smile on her face in order to head towards her.

[Nica Serrano]

Following the crowd, Nica felt the post-sleep haze hit her. She yawned, covering her mouth with the back of a hand. She kept to the back of the crowd where it was safer. Although she was eager to see Lucy again, the younger Serrano never saw the point in pushing her way through when they all had to gather around the carousal for their respective luggage.

She maneuvered her way through parents and children and couples like an expert. Where was Lucy? A flash of irritation crossed Nica's face, quickly wiped away as they met with a pair of hazel eyes. Not just any eyes. Her features lit up; bright eyes that crinkled at the corners and a beaming smile. She didn't need confirmation, but a hand rose over the crowd. Nica matched the motion, beginning to pick up speed. Nothing else mattered. Nobody.

It took Nica a few more seconds to edge her way past people and finally, there she was. "Oh Lucy." She breathed out, throwing her arms around her sister, in a tight embrace. The younger Serrano wasn't even mad about her not coming to Australia at the moment. It was good to see Lucy again, and that was all that mattered.

[Lucy Serrano-Blaise]

Those momentary delays were long since forgotten under the belief that she'd seen the right person. Catching sight of someone so familiar was instant; the way it forced her heartbeat into her throat was proof enough of that.

It wasn't long before she finally managed to meet her, and all anxious connotations slipped away without a second thought. Familiar arms wrapped around her and dragged her in, and Lucy complied like it was the easiest thing in the world. Hardly ever one to really be so physical in public comfortably, there were certain things exceptions were always made for. In that moment, she couldn't help but abandon any usual strains of an uncomfortable regiment.

She offered an obvious squeeze with her arms; something to cement in her head that she was actually back again. A slight tilt of her head and she pressed her lips against her hair, three times in rapid succession before she exhaled on a definite laugh.

[Nica Serrano]

It had been too long, was what Nica concluded. A month, give or take a few days, since she last saw her older sister in living flesh. There were phone calls and text messages but otherwise, nothing. A whole month during the time of year where it was expected that families got together.

Now wasn't the time to hold it against her. She was still reeling in the excitement, a wide grin on her face. Hugs may not have been a thing for Lucy, but Nica knew that there were exceptions. Most of them involving her. Familiar arms matched her own action, and offering a squeeze. The younger Serrano squeezed in return, not wanting to let go.

"I missed you." Nica breathed out, her gaze fixing on Lucy's. "So much." It was too long; she'd done it before but now was different. She was use to seeing her sister; a staple in her life since coming to the States. 

[Lucy Serrano-Blaise]

Another squeeze and Lucy felt that unfamiliar void filled by pressure. How it reminded her of the things she missed in the near-month they'd been apart. As far as family connections went, Lucy's were slightly frayed. The distance was, in part, a selfish decision of hers. As much as she'd been selfless, she'd also made the call for her own obvious wants.

"Me too." Lucy replied, catching green eyes within the created distance. "I missed you too, I mean."

Were nerves to speak remotely obvious? She felt the draw; the need to keep it all to herself. To wait until they were in a different place, at a different time. Any moment would have been better than this moment, but she'd opened her mouth before her mind could stop her. "I didn't mean to leave you in the dark like that." She admitted, shaking her head at the fact.

[Nica Serrano]

Nica knew that Lucy missed her as well, but to hear it from her lips meant something else. There was something more meaningful about it. Not that she would ever doubt her older sister's love. It was just nice to hear after being separated for so long.

A smile tugged on her lips, as hazel eyes met her own. The silence that followed wasn't uncomfortable, their arms still entwined. Nica let out a small, content sigh.

And then the inevitable was brought up; the fact that she was was absent during the holiday season. The smile was wiped off of her lips. "It's.. alright." Nica started, even though it was kind of the opposite. She didn't ask for much and the fact that Lucy bailed sort of... annoyed her. "But why didn't you tell me? You could have, you know."

[Lucy Serrano-Blaise]

Lucy took many wrong steps in many conversations. She jumped when she shouldn't have. She pushed when she should have let be. She did so time and time again despite daring to learn from her failures. Sometimes it was easier to just bite the bullet over waiting to be shot. So she did. She brought it up. In the middle of an airport, not too far from where she'd been shot by a marriage proposal almost a month ago.

And she was being generous with her question. Like there was a fire somewhere in the back of her throat she was trying to keep at bay. It clearly wasn't alright, and the ink manipulator wasn't going to fight that.

"You woulda felt like you should stay." Lucy replied. She knew far too well how much her sister wanted to go home for the holidays. "I didn't want you to do that for me." Freeing a hand, she pressed it to the side of her face lightly, crinkling her nose at an impending amendment; "I didn't want you to feel like you should've."

[Nica Serrano]

Usually, the younger Serrano sister had a calm temperament. It was hard to stir the waves inside of her to get a reaction. This was a rare exception, and Nica knew brushing it off was pointless. Because Lucy would know; sometimes, she was sure her sister knew her better than she did. Her thinly veiled attempt fell short, as eyebrows narrowed together in thought.

Upset. A little hurt and betrayed. But she tried to hide it, still.

Nica pulled back slightly, only to look up at her sister as a palm was pressed against her cheek. She opened her mouth to defend herself; to deny what Lucy said, but that'd be a lie. If she had known, she would've stayed back. "We could have had our own little holiday thing here." Nica frowned. As much as she enjoyed going back to Australia for the holidays and seeing everyone, there was a definite hole where the older Serrano should have been.

"I wouldn't have felt like I had to. I would have wanted to." Nica felt the need to correct. Letting out a short breath, she worked to compose the heat inside that threatened to burn over. To break composure. "Did something happen?"

[Lucy Serrano-Blaise]

The thought to ease away some of the negativity on her sister's face was far too pressing. It quickly became an over-aching need, and so as Lucy rested a hand against the side of her face, she brushed her thumb across the line of her cheek lightly. Because of course she would say that. Of course she would suggest a repeat of last year, and of course she would frown about it.

Concern coloured her dark eyes; a depth far too few were ever privy to when it came to the eldest Serrano and her penchant for worrying.

And just as it was for her, Lucy felt the struggle that coincided with the prospect of lying. Something might have happened, but she didn't want to set any altered feelings on course. "Couldn't get the money together, that's all." She replied in time, because at least there was some kind of truth to that, "There was some other stuff, too, but we can talk about it later." After all, it wasn't exactly a short ride back to the school they both lived in.

[Nica Serrano]

Green eyes squeezed shut as the feather light movement drew across her cheek. Taking a moment to settle down the stirred up emotions. Nica didn't mean to come across as angry because the decision was entirely up to Lucy; she had no place in dictating what her older sister chose to do. Her eyes opened a few seconds later, eyebrows narrowing at the sight in front of her. Worried. But saying nothing.

They could have had fun. Last year was fun, in her opinion.

Allowing the subject to drop, Nica nodded. Money was always an issue. Round trip flights from the States to Australia and in return weren't cheap. Then, for Lucy, she had to book time off of work, a luxury the younger Serrano didn't have to worry about. Because her sister helped her out when needed; something Nica was grateful for. "We could have found a way, you know. I could look for something too so next summer, or something." She glanced around the airport setting. The crowds had dispersed, people with their families and loved ones now going home. She still needed to grab her bags. "Okay." Nica relented, with a singular nod.

[Lucy Serrano-Blaise]

Like clockwork, the simple movement across her sister's cheek seemed to ease away a portion of her potentially ill feelings. Still, the slightly stressed notions of Lucy's expression were difficult to erase. She didn't likely making her sister feel even remotely negative connotations from the decision she'd made. That was hardly the point behind it.

Finally, she dropped her hand long enough to reach for her hand instead. Before they could go they had luggage to pick up. A small tug on her hand and the ink manipulator led her in the right direction. "You don't need a job," Lucy finally reasoned, "At least, not some shit you don't wanna do." Then again, not everyone could be as lucky as the tatted-up meta who tattooed people for a living.

Lucy only let her hand go when they reached the carousel, dark eyes glancing out for the baggage she owned. She folded her arms.

"So, I gotta tell you something." Lucy started as she moved, declaring that it was the easiest way to start something this pertinent, "I don't want you to freak out or anything, but I reckon you're gonna freak out."

[Nica Serrano]

Nica didn't flinch or think twice when her sister took hold of her hand and led the way. She allowed for the physical contact, not wanting to spend another moment separated from her if at all possible. It was comforting, to find that sense of familiarity in her grasp.

"I could find something I'd like." She argued back. "Like, I bet I would be a wickedly good barista." The only problem was the younger Serrano had a hard time committing to anything as her interests were constantly changing.

The loss of the connection between them led to a frown on Nica's face; brief, but there, nonetheless. Her gaze was on the rotating carousal, keeping an eye out for her luggage. She listened to her sister, despite the lack of eye contact. Raising an eyebrow, she nodded. "Okay. I doubt I'll freak out. You know you can tell me anything, right?"

[Lucy Serrano-Blaise]

"Only if you actually like it." Lucy replied instantly. She had no idea what her sister wanted to do with her life - she doubted she'd given it all that much thought - but in the eyes of the Australian, taking a job for the sake of working just wasn't an option. It wasn't right.

Momentarily, Lucy glanced back at Nica to watch her announce that she didn't think she'd freak out. Her mouth quickly formed an amused grin; as if she even knew.

"I'm-" Lucy started, but the second word she needed to offer faltered in her mouth before it passed her lips. She crinkled her nose at the fact; "This girl and me," She started. Despite the fact that her sister had never met Penny, she at least knew who she was. She at least knew she was a someone to the ink manipulator "We're..." Another word came to mind, and even then she couldn't do it.

Eyes scanned the conveyor for a familiar bag. Something to keep her focus as she ran her tongue across her lower lip and turned her head away, "She asked me to marry her." There. First in the family to know, "I said yes."