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“When should you tell someone that you love them?”
“Well, what do you think, Miss Sky?”
“I have no clue Harry. That’s why I’m here.”
Most people say that you should tell them when you’re ready, which is fair. But what if you were always ready? Always ready to stay up for them, always ready to pick them up at the tarmac with a warm cup of coffee and an even warmer smile, always ready to put your life on the line, always ready to trade your life for hers?
“What the hell? Can you please put that clipboard away?”
“Clipboard? You mean this? It’s just for me to take notes so I can help you better.”
“Not gonna lie, it’s kinda intimidating, Six.”
“I’ll write that down, but please, continue.”
The question rumbled about in Thunderbird’s head for a long while, and no amount of talking to her friends and colleagues really helped. She had gone to Flores and Zofia for their help, but both of them had shockingly similar answers. A smile, and a shrug. You’ll know it when you see it.
“They’re right, you know? You can never put a quantifier on emotions like this.”
Problem is, she sees it, but she doesn’t. Painfully so, on this godforsaken day.
“Valentine’s Day?”
Stupid Valentine’s Day. A capitalist holiday made purely to peddle candies and flowers, expensive gifts and dinners. Mina hated it, but for some reason, Sanaa seemed to disagree. She loved to make the day a momentous occasion, buying gifts from all over the globe just to give to her closest companions. Of course, dear Thunderbird was not exempt. They’d agreed over a nice hike and a stop at Nomad’s favourite tea shop for a snack before heading back to base. Simple, really. Go up a mountain or something, talk shop with a very pretty girl that makes your heart flutter, climb down previously aforementioned mountain or whatever, go to a fancy tea shop, stand there while being completely out of your league, watch a girl be fancy and cute for about 30 minutes, and then go home. Easy. About as easy as piloting a rocket, maybe.
So there she stood, 7am, like a ghost, leaning against her pickup as she breathed in the frigid February air of the British Isles, sharing a few glances at the recruit stuck with patrol duty.
“Thunderbird, Mina!” Sanaa called out, running out onto the parking lot, dressed in a modestly warm parka and a wooly sweater, her hair done up in a messy braid while she held up two flasks. Has she always looked this flawless?
“Morning, Nomad.” Play it calm. Cool and collected. Smoothest guy around.
“Morning, sweetie.” Sanaa pressed a quick kiss to Mina’s cheek, giving her one of the warmest smiles Thunderbird has ever seen. “Give me a moment darling. I’ll be right back.” She opens up the passenger side door, putting the two flasks on her seat before running off towards the recruit, stopping him before passing over another smaller flask. The recruit stood there, stunned, before saluting and tripping over his thanks. Nomad only waved him off, patting him on the shoulder, before making her way back to Thunderbird.
“What’s that about?” Mina looked over at Sanaa, sitting in the driver’s seat and starting up the car, watching the other woman put on her safety belt.
“Oh, nothing. It’s a cold day today, so I’d thought I’d cook a little more soup for him.” The belt clicked in place, as the gates of Hereford opened up, the recruit opting for a friendly wave instead of the usual salute as they drove past.
“Looks like he likes it.” Thunderbird smiled at Nomad, turning onto the main road, the humming of the engine calming her down a little.
“My cooking’s alright.” Sanaa chuckled, resting her head on the window, looking at the trees passing her by. “Left turn.”
Mina nodded, making a slight turn, looking at the mirror, glancing at Sanaa for a moment. “You know, you’re one of the kindest people I know. And well,” She clears her throat, focusing on the road ahead. “I’ve seen many people.”
“Aw, so you like me?” Sanaa looked in the mirror back at Mina, watching the flush bloom on her face.
“I- I’m sure everyone does, El Maktoub.” Mina cleared her throat even harder this time, averting her gaze.
“You’re the boss.” Nomad replied with a hint of a smirk on her face, putting a hand on her shoulder as if on purpose. “Pull up here?”
The truck turns into a pretty empty parking lot, a few camper vans and SUVs taking up the lots; looks like not everyone is keen to have a go at nature during the winter. Sanaa exited the truck first, going around the back to pick up her equipment. Mina on the other hand stayed inside the truck for a while longer.
Mina on the other hand, needed a fucking moment.
She pulled the key out of the ignition, dropping it in her lap as she rested her forehead against the steering wheel, groaning at herself. The hell happened to assertive motherfucker Mina Sky? Some girl? Goddamn. Get a grip. Just say you like her, what the hell.
Thunderbird took a breath, steadying herself, swinging the door open and stepping out of the car.
“Ah, there you are. Was starting to think you got cold feet!” Nomad greeted her with a grin, tossing her a bag, which she caught by the strap, smoothly transferring it to her shoulder. Good. That’s at least some semblance of a grip.
“And leave you out in the cold alone again? No way.” Thunderbird shot a cheeky grin of her own back at her, Sanaa holding a hand over her heart in feigned shock.
“Touché, Mina.” She punched Mina’s arm lightly, the two of them chuckling as they started their hike.
Their climb started like any other, a slight incline slowly working up to a challenging slope, made even more so by the melting frost of late winter frozen over through the night. The walk was relaxing, the air cooling their lungs as looks were exchanged, followed by gentle laughter. It was never awkward, though there was some sort of tension between the two women that Mina couldn’t really put her finger on.
The trek to the summit didn’t take long, and the both of them found themselves sitting on a rock, eating spoonfuls of the stew that Sanaa made, their small talk seemingly more delicate, dancing around an unknown something between them.
“Is Twitch still upset at Cav?” Mina looked over at Sanaa, who shrugged.
“For her injury? Probably. It’s not the first time she’s run off and done something stupid.” She took another spoonful of potato and beef, sitting silently for a moment. “They’re good for each other. Taina would kill for Emmanuelle, and honestly, I think Emmanuelle would kill for Taina too, if it came to it.”
“Whoa, straight to killing? Goddamn.” Thunderbird grinned at Nomad, slurping up the last of her stew, packing the thermos away.
“Caveira is the leader of Ghosteyes for a reason. Everyone in that squad needs some sort of therapy, if we’re being honest.”
“Everyone except Flores.” Mina put a finger up. “Santiago is probably the one they all go to. Nothing heals better than homemade cooking. Thanks, by the way, the stew was delicious.”
“Homemade cooking is best, after all.” Sanaa put the flasks together, packing them in her bag, as she felt a cold, dull thump against her back. “Hey, uh, did you feel that?”
Thunderbird looked up in response, gasping slightly as she shielded her face. “Shit, hailstorm’s rolling in. We need to get some shelter-”
“I swear I checked the right forecast!” Nomad groaned, before following Thunderbird’s gaze. “...Is that even legal?”
“Well, if we keep quiet about it, anything’s legal.” Mina retorted, before pulling Sanaa along with her, pushing an old wooden door open as the both of them squeezed into a small old cabin, something that was most certainly an outhouse at some point of time. The zinc roof above them echoed the loud pattering of hailstones, as Nomad let out a relieved sigh, followed by a laugh.
“Look at you. Saved me again.” She leaned in close, the darkness of the cabin the only saving grace for Thunderbird’s creeping blush. “My hero.”
Then it hit.
Oh wow. Wow she’s close.
“That’s uh- that’s my job!” Mina stuttered, a lopsided grin on her face as she pressed up comically against the wall behind her, her breath hitching.
“Well, you’re really good at your job. And I’m forever grateful to you.” Sanaa held Mina’s hands, their gazes not quite meeting as Nomad tried to hide her own blush. “Though it would be better if we didn’t have to wait out the storm in a place that still smells a bit of piss.”
“Wha- don’t be silly, just because it’s an old outhouse doesn’t mean it smells like piss.” Mina decidedly didn’t let Sanaa’s hand go, instead squeezing them, idly running her thumbs over the back of Nomad’s hands.
“Maybe you’re distracted.” Nomad raised an eyebrow, smiling at Thunderbird.
Mina swallowed a mouthful of nothing, her voice cracking just slightly. “Funny you say that, uh, I have something to tell you.” It has to be now. Middle of an old and rotting shack that may or may not smell a bit like piss. Hail beating on the roof, their words almost barely audible. Because fuck it, right?
“I think I kinda like-”
“I know.”
“-you. Huh?” Thunderbird’s idle stroking stops suddenly, meeting Nomad’s gaze squarely for the first time since they shared the space.
“I said I know, Mina.” Nomad pulled her hands up to her face, placing gentle kisses on her fingers.
“That obvious, huh?” Thunderbird sighed heavily in relief, a gentle smile following her groan.
“You fall hard for what you know. Harder for what you don’t.”
“Is that a quote?”
“Fire of Love.” Sanaa smiled, leaning in just a little.
“And you don’t know me?” Mina indulged in a little of her space, Thunderbird’s hands gently cradling Nomad’s face.
“Which explorer worth their salt would truly think they know anything? I thought I knew the Canadian wilderness, and my punishment was meeting you. The woman who came, saved my life and disappeared again like a passing storm cloud. You’re magnificently elusive, mon cheri, and I would have it no other way.”
“I hope this isn’t much of a punishment now, but… it feels good to be rooted somewhere other than home for a change.”
“Lightning rods can be found anywhere. You just need to search.” Nomad whispered for a moment, her words punctuated by dull thumps from outside, as she closed the gap between them, pulling Thunderbird in for a soft kiss, apprehensive at first, before they grew more daring, needy, even. They pull away with a gasp and a healthy chuckle, catching their breath.
“Not the best place to have a first kiss, but I’ve done worse!” Mina said, her voice giddy. Never in her life did she think she would meet Nomad again, much less kiss her. Dreams really can come true.
“And… you said it to her, no?”
“I did but… not in that way yet.”
“So what’s stopping you this time? She clearly likes you. The attraction is already mutual.”
“I’m just afraid, Six. What if she says no?”
“Take a page from her book, Mina. Take the next step. Learn to love the unknown, and it will embrace you in return. Tell Nomad you love her.” Harry finally put his clipboard away. “Also who’s to say I haven’t already had this talk with Nomad herself?”
“Motherfucker.”
“Language!”