(Karl POV)
"You good?" I ask.
Alex resettles himself in the plane seat for the fifth time. "I swear there's something poking my ass."
I give him a deadpan look. "Check your pockets."
He pats his butt pockets and smiles bashfully. "I had something in my pocket."
I roll my eyes playfully. "Figures."
He sits down with a sigh, but immediately starts rearranging the things at his feet and around him. His bag, his earbuds, his phone charger, his homework, everything.
"You remind me of Dream when he hasn't taken his ADHD meds," I remark. "I've only seen it a few times, but it was kind of off the rails."
He chuckles awkwardly, righting himself immediately. "Sorry, I'm nervous," he admits.
"What for?" I ask.
"I'm still convinced Nick will murder me."
I roll my eyes for literally the 27th time today. I'm not even kidding. Alex has been suuuuuper fidgety and nervous all day.
"You have nothing to worry about," I promise, reaching over to link our fingers. "My friends will love you, and he won't have it in him to hate something they love."
His face heats up and he smiles thankfully. "Alright," he says. "I guess I believe you."
I scoff. "You guess."
"I guess."
"I hate you," I mutter, pulling my hand away.
He smiles, leaning towards me. "No you don't."
I narrow my eyes at him. "Maybe I do."
He hums, giving me a knowing smile.
I push his face away, turning so he can't see the rising heat in my cheeks.
Oh god, wait, how will he react to Nick and I interacting? I mean, obviously we're gonna kiss when we see each other again... what would he be thinking? He only just said he'd try going out with me, like, a month ago. Barely.
Whatever. He has to know it'll happen, right?
The safety video plays, we start taxiing, then we're off. I lean against the window as we climb higher in the sky. I smile to myself; I'm gonna see my friends again.
Alex nudges my shoulder. "Wanna watch a movie together?" he asks.
"I don't want to spend two hours leaning over your shoulder," I say. "No offense."
He giggles. "No, I mean we watch the same movie on our own screens, as in sync as we can get."
"Oh, okay," I reply, grinning. "Sure. Which movie?"
We agree on a movie, and he makes sure we're synced before we start watching it. I smile over at him to see he's already looking at me. He looks away, cheeks turning pink. I look back at the screen. This trip will be fun.
(Nick POV)
This must be a stange sight.
Eight teenagers, standing in the middle of the airport, no bags, no signs, no nothing. Bickering.
Dream and I stand back and watch as everyone else bickers over literally nothing of value. Like, seriously. I have no idea what they're arguing about.
But Karl's flight should have landed by now, so we should try to go find him.
Not that anyone would care if I spoke up.
"Time?" I ask.
"Literally thirty seconds have passed," Dream says. "You're fine. We won't be late. He probably hasn't even gotten off the plane."
I hum, tapping my heel on the ground.
"Besides, he said he'd text you, right?"
I look up at him. I look back at our friends. "Yeah," I say. "But still. I'm anxious to see him."
He chuckles and rests his elbow on my shoulder. "Four months away from your boyfriend can do that."
I smile to myself, knowing it hasn't technically been four months.
My phone buzzes and I'm quick to check it.
Mom: Let me know when you're on your way back! <3
I groan. "First, Discord," I say. "Then, an email. Now my own mother!"
Dream laughs. "Not the notifications you want to see?"
"Obviously not," I grunt, opening me and Karl's messages. Nothing new.
He giggles. "He'll text, don't you worry."
We go silent, watching the others keep fighting. A few minutes later, George steps forward like he's about to start throwing hands, and even though we both know he wouldn't do shit, Dream and I are quick to step in.
"Okay, okay," I say, pushing them all away from each other. "Jesus fuck, what is happening?"
No one replies.
"What were we fighting about?" Bad asks.
Skeppy bursts out laughing.
Ranboo frowns. "I mean, we were fighting about something, I guess we got side-tracked."
"Thanks, genius," George mutters, looping an arm around Dream's waist.
"Wasn't it over a video game?" Tubbo asks. "Most of our arguements were before we met you guys."
"Tubbo, we haven't really played anything with them yet," Tommy points out.
It's true. We haven't yet, and I'm not sure why.
"Monopoly!" Ranboo exclaims.
"Cowabunga," Dream mutters, rolling his eyes.
We all explode into a fit of giggles.
My phone buzzes again, and I almost don't check it, but I still do.
Karl: got our bags, where are you?
"Guys, they're already at baggage claim!" I exclaim. "We gotta go!"
Me: whoops
Me: on our way now!!
We speed-shuffle towards baggage claim, which isn't too far away, thankfully. Karl tells me they'll be at the entrance and that's where we find them. Or... where I find them. Because the second I see them, I take off running.
Alex sees me and elbows Karl, who immediately glances up. Upon seeing me, a wide smile breaks out on his face, and he pockets his phone just in time for me to throw my arms around him in a crushing hug.
"Hi," I breath, panting.
"Hey," he murmurs, burying his face in my shoulder. "I've missed you."
I giggle and pull away. Out of the corner of my eye, Alex looks at the floor, face burning. I take it as my chance to press a quick kiss to Karl's lips, which he quickly reciprocates.
"Karl!"
We pull away, and our friends hurry over. Karl hugs everyone individually, even the children -- without introduction. I've missed you guys, he signs.
"We've missed you too," Bad says. "You have to tell us everything!"
Karl smiles. Oh, this is my room mate, Alex, he signs, shoving Alex into the mix. He smiles nervously, and gives us a wave.
"Hey," he says.
Bad immediately gives him a hug, forever being the parent figure. Everyone follows suit, including me.
"Hello again, Alex," I say.
"Hi," he says, giggling.
He seems to bond with Tommy pretty quick, too. Karl, however, seems to glue himself to my side, which earns him a few disappointed looks from Alex. I almost want to give him a smug look or something, but I don't.
"I guess we have to teach you guys ASL now, don't we?" Skeppy asks the children. "Karl is selectivley mute, uses ASL."
The three of them exchange looks, then Tubbo and Ranboo look expectantly at Tommy. He looks ashamed before signing I've been learning ASL since moving here in Year 2.
"TOMMY?" George exclaims. "Mr Simons, literal gremlin child, knows ASL?"
"No need to be rude, George," Bad chides as Dream starts laughing.
Karl presses his face into my shoulder and giggles. He leans his cheek against the same spot, facing the other direction -- which must hurt -- and whispers "can we go? I want to see Betty again."
I smile. "Hey guys, let's maybe not crowd the entrance to the baggage claim," I say. "We should get going."
There's a unanimous agreement, and Karl and Alex grab their bags. Karl throws his large duffel strap over his shoulder to hold my hand, and link arms with Alex on the other side. They chat a bit, quietly, only when none of the others can hear or are looking.
I drove by myself, while Dream drove the others (Tommy was on the floor, do not do that). Now, we pile their bags in the back, and Karl takes the passenger's seat while Alex sits in the backseat. As soon as the doors shut behind them, Karl whips around to smile at Alex.
"Sooo?" he asks. "First impressions?"
He shoves his hands in between his knees, smiling. "I think I'm gonna love this trip."
Word Count 1315
~A/N~
i realize im probably rushing this and for that i apologize. im just not in college and dont understand the flow there, for one. secondly, i feel like this is taking a lot of time, idk why. third, i have no ideas for filler chapters so.. idk
;-;
anyways, alex has met the guys! he's there! wowie :D
my dteam mystery bag thing was supposed to get here today but weather delayed it ;-; damn
love you <3