Tethered (Book Two of The Invisible String Series)

Airports and Slip-Ups

Once we're seated on the plane, I let myself relax into my seat and let out a light sigh as my mind wanders past the plans for the next few days and towards the plans for the next few months. Along with attending foster classes, the premiere for Wandavision is in a few weeks (and I'm totally excited for that, it's my first Marvel premiere!) and then it's straight into preparations for the band's tour, and then there's Valentine's Day and Lizzie's birthday is right around the corner from that- which also means I get to finally fucking propose, and then touring begins in March...

"What are you thinking about?"

Lizzie's voice pulls me out of my thoughts, and I give the older woman a small smile as I force myself to focus on my girlfriend and not the anxiousness that threatens to build inside me thinking about how busy our lives are going to get. "Just thinking about how everything is gonna get really super busy soon. I know the only reason these last few months have been so quiet is because of everything that happened, but I was genuinely enjoying the peace and quiet."

The brunette hums, her slim fingers reaching up to trace across the side of my cheek, leaving a tingling sensation in their wake. "I know. So was I. But we'll be okay. We managed to survive when I was filming and the band was working on the album. Although it will be a little odd to be the one staying home when you all leave for tour."

The thought of leaving for so long- five months to be exact if the tour dates still uphold, causes my stomach to knot uncomfortably. I'd been trying not to think about touring for as long as I could, but the second we come back the team has us officially announcing the tour and we'll begin the long process of attending interviews and doing press stunts for coverage. It'll be hard not to think about it, and it'll be even harder leaving once Lizzie and I are engaged.

I automatically let out a sigh, watching as Lizzie begins to dig through her bag for something. "Yeah, but like you said. We'll be okay. We've done this before. And at least you'll have something to occupy your time while I'm gone."

"I'm not filming anything until this coming fall, though?"

"No, I meant I assume you'll be busy planning our wed-,"

Realizing what I was about to say, I quickly force my mouth shut and silently curse my obvious tired brain for the slip-up, hoping that Lizzie hadn't been paying much attention to me. When the brunette instantly freezes and her eyes snap up to stare at me, though, I realize that she did indeed hear me and I just fucked everything up. "Planning our what?"

Clearing my throat, I force my attention away from my girlfriend and towards the window next to my seat, trying to act as nonchalant as I possibly could. "Nothing. What time is take off supposed to be again? I think we're running a little late."

Out of the corner of my eye I notice Lizzie discard her carryon bag into the floor at her feet, her green eyes still slightly wide as she stares over at me. "Take off is at seven, we still have three minutes. What were you going to say?"

"It was nothing. I was just...talking to myself mostly."

The brunette raises an eyebrow, an evil look forming on her features. "Really? Because I could have sworn that you started to say something along the lines of our wedding."

Laughing nervously, I quickly shake my head, tearing my gaze away from Lizzie's to pick an invisible piece of lint off my jeans. "Okay, no. You're obviously going crazy or something, Liz."

"Are you gonna propose?"

Knowing that, thanks to my big mouth, Lizzie isn't going to let this little slip up go, I let out a sigh before I turn and narrow my eyes at the brunette. "Not anymore."

Lizzie's smile is wide as she lets out a light laugh, leaning forward in her seat to grasp either side of my face in between her hands before peppering a few kisses across my skin. "It's about fucking time! Are you doing it this weekend? Is that the surprise?"

Squinting against the onslaught of kisses I received, I gently reach up to pull her hands away from my face, slightly amused. "No, that's not your surprise, Liz. I'm not telling you when I plan on doing it, either. That's now how this is supposed to work."

"Well it's obviously going to be before you leave on tour, so...Valentine's Day?"

I let out another sigh, but smile nonetheless as I take a hold of one of the brunette's hands in my own, all as she starts to list off possible days or moments that I could propose. It's adorable to see her so excited, but like hell I'm going to say anymore than I already have. "Lizzie, stop. I'm not going to tell you. You'll just have to wait and see, kind of like everyone does when their partner proposes."

I make sure to put a little emphasis on that last part, which only earns me an eye roll from the older woman. "When have we ever done anything normal though, Y/N?"

Chuckling, I bring the hand that I managed to catch up to my lips so I can place a light kiss on her knuckles. "I know. And I love that you're so obviously enthusiastic about the idea of us getting married, my love. I find it very cute and very sweet, but please let me do this one thing normally?"

Lizzie stares at me for a few moments before letting out a sigh and falling back into her seat (a little dramatically if you ask me). "Okay."

Ducking my head down, I wait until I catch the brunette's gaze before giving her a small smile, suddenly extremely thankful that I pushed for us to get seats in first class so that there's no risk someone will overhear this conversation. "You're gonna say yes when I ask, though, right?"

Lizzie smiles a little before she leans forward, resting her forehead against mine. "I'd say yes if you asked me right now, but yes. I will say yes when you do eventually, whenever that may be, ask me to marry you."

Smiling to myself, I eventually pull myself away when they begin the take-off procedures, but make sure to let my hand rest on Lizzie's thigh, knowing that I can't wait until I actually do propose.

This year is gonna be the best one yet.

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Hey, guys! I am soooooo sorry for how long this update took. I've been trying to work on all the other things I revealed I'd be writing this year, so that's kept me really busy. And my college classes just started back up, so that's also kept me super busy. But I'm hoping that now that I'm starting to get back into the swing of things that I'll be posting updates as usual.

This is a little short chapter, and I know I kinda skipped Christmas with Lizzie's family but I'm going to make up for it by writing like three or more chapters about New Year's and the stuff that's gonna happen while the girls are in Y/N's hometown. Again, with that, I'm basing stuff off of my own home, but you all are more than welcome to imagine things however you want to.

Until next time: stay safe. Eat some food. Drink some water. Take care of yourselves!

-C❤️