Just Add Ice

Nowhere Else To Go

Laura brings her TARDIS mug out into the living room. Danny had gone with her the night before to buy some tea bags and honey to help sooth her throat.

After Danny walked her home, she glared at her tiny teammate. "You're just gonna drink hot chocolate anyway, aren't you?"

Laura grinned sheepishly and laughed when Danny gave an exasperated sigh.

"You have a serious problem, Hollis."

She, Kirsch, LaF, and Perry had offered to have a sleepover and keep Laura company, but Laura gently refused and thanked them. She settles onto her couch and turns on the television, channel surfing until she lands on some chick flick and the doorbell rings.

She gets up and opens the front door.

It's Carmilla.

She looks like she's been crying.

"Hey, cutie," she croaks out with a sad smile.

"Oh my god, Carm," Laura says, ushering her in. "What's the matter? What happened?" She leads her to the couch and sits her down, handing her a box of tissues.

Carmilla sniffles and takes a tissue but keeps it in her lap. "Apparently the guy I chased off tonight reported back to my mother. When I woke up today, she was furious."

"Oh, no."

"Oh, yes," Carmilla retorts. "She told me to make sure I get back on the team and screw up the finals for you guys." She scoffs. "I told her what we were doing was stupid and wrong, and obviously pointless since you guys made it this far, anyway."

"We made it this far," Laura corrects.

This makes Carmilla laugh. "You're ridiculous."

Laura giggles, but it agitates her throat and she winds up having a minor coughing fit.

Carmilla frowns and hands her the mug on the table. Laura takes it and takes a sip, while Carmilla goes to stand up. "I'm sorry, I forgot you'd been through enough last night. I shouldn't be here bothering you."

Laura grabs her wrist. "You're not bothering me," she says firmly.

Carmilla sits back down.

"Keeping in mind that you're not bothering me... I'm going to ask why you're here."

Carmilla huffs. "After I told her off, she told me I was ungrateful and yadda, yadda, yadda..." She swallows hard. "And then she kicked me out of the house."

Laura's mouth drops open.

"She told me I wasn't welcome there anymore and that since I'm eighteen, she no longer has to take care of me."

Laura lunges forward and gives Carmilla a warm hug. Carmilla seems startled at first, but then melts into it and hugs her back.

"I didn't know where else to go," Carmilla admits quietly.

Laura squeezes her tighter. "You came to the right place."

Laura lets go and pulls away. "Mostly because I'm here, but also because Danny bought me the city's entire supply of tea and honey." She bounces up. "Good for post-strangulation sore throats? Sure. But also good for people who need some cheering up. I also always have hot chocolate."

"Surprise me," Carmilla chuckles and uses the tissue to dab at her eyes. Laura goes to the kitchen and returns a few minutes later with a mug of hot chocolate, filled to the brim with marshmallows and whipped cream. She hands Carmilla a spoon. "Go crazy, Carm."

Laura starts flipping through channels again and stops at some channel showing a music video countdown.

They're both sitting sideways with Laura's legs on top of Carmilla's.

"Carm?"

"Hmm?" She's sipping from the mug.

"This goes without saying, but you're welcome to stay here for as long as you need, okay?"

Carmilla looks like she's about to cry again, but smiles. "I don't know what I ever did to meet someone like you."

"Oh, you hit Natalie and took her stick," Laura deadpans. Carmilla laughs and kicks her.

"No more hot chocolate for you, young lady," Laura quips.

Carmilla chuckles.

They watch music videos for a bit before Laura shifts so her legs are bent, her feet facing away from Carmilla.

"How's your throat?" Carmilla asks. There's a mean bruise forming, and it looks like it will only get worse.

Laura shrugs. "It feels like a huge hockey player tried to crush it last night," she replies with a wink before going back to watching the music video.

Carmilla shifts so that she's now closer to Laura, her legs bent similarly. "Laura?"

Laura turns her attention from the television. "Yeah?"

"Are we okay?" Carmilla bites her lip.

Laura smiles. "What, you mean, just because you lied to me for months? Pfft."

Carmilla rolls her eyes and narrows her eyes. "Can you be serious?"

"Yes, Carm, we're fine," Laura answers.

Carmilla nods but still looks like she could cry at any second.

"Hey," Laura says softly. "Come here."

She moves so her back is against the couch, and gestures for Carmilla to lean her back against Laura. Carmilla does it hesitantly, but soon she's nestled into Laura's front, and they're lying on the couch horizontally. Laura leans her head against the couch, and Carmilla gently rests her head against Laura's chest.

"Is this okay?" Laura asks, wrapping her arm over Carmilla's waist.

"Yes," Carmilla responds. "It's fine."

They watch a few music videos in silence before Carmilla interlaces their fingers together.

"Carm?"

"Yeah?"

"Your mother is a butthead."

Carmilla laughs and brings Laura's hand to her lips and presses a kiss to it. "Thank you, Laura." She takes a shaky breath. "Thank you for everything."

Laura kisses Carmilla's head lightly.

They stay like this until both of their breathing evens out, and eventually they doze off.