Work Text:
Susan unlocked the door of their flat and dropped her keys on the counter. She quickly kicked off her shoes and put her bag down.
“Hello! I’m back!” she announced just in case, not necessarily expecting anyone to be home.
A vague noise of acknowledgment came from the living room. She hung her coat and scarf and made her way into the flat. Abby was laying on the coach, stacks of papers scattered on the floor around her, a book about emergency medicine on her face.
“Hard study session?” Susan chuckled.
“Those finals are going to kill me, I swear.” Abby answered from under the book.
“Scoot over,” Susan said as she tried to sit on the couch. “Gosh, you really went all the way,” she marvelled as she picked up a study sheet all coloured in and very neat.
“Hardly. It’s like the bare minimum,” Abby answered in a defeated tone as she sat up, putting the book down.
“Believe me, this is way more. Do you see me write such neat study sheets?”
“It’s not the same! You have an alien brain that doesn’t need to study anything to retain information,” Abby whined.
“Yeah, as if! It’s just that I’m always studying with Kerry, and she has an alien brain. I merely learn by osmosis,” Susan laughed.
“Gosh, I wish I was the same year as you. I would love to learn by osmosis with Kerry, too. Instead, I’m stuck with Carter and Luka who are even more of a disaster than I am.”
“Why don’t you study with Neela?”
“Would you study with Elizabeth?”
“Gosh no! The British have such a weird way to learn things. Besides, she’s not doing the same exams as us.”
“Exactly. Well, at least on the British part.”
Susan looked at Abby and smiled apologetically.
Abby sighed. “Go on, shoo! Study in your room or listen to some music or whatever. I need to get some work done, and we are the least efficient students when we’re together.”
Susan got up, knowing perfectly well the truth of those words. She gave a quick but tender kiss to Abby and escaped to their room, getting her study sheets out (as neat as Abby’s, no matter what she told herself).
A couple hours later, as night had fallen outside, Abby finally closed her textbook for the night. She looked at her watch: 9pm. “This is too late to be healthy. You’d think being a medical student I’d know better” she thought, shaking her head. Famished, she went into the kitchen and put water to boil to make a pasta dish. She then went to see if Susan was still studying. She gently knocked on the door and entered. Susan was leaning on her desk, focused on a practice test, writing rapidly. She didn’t even hear Abby enter and the latter took this opportunity to watch her girlfriend study. The desk light was softly shining in her blonde hair, and she was unconsciously sticking her tongue out. “This is the cutest thing ever,” Abby thought. She cleared her throat, drawing Susan’s attention to her.
“Are you hungry? I’m making pasta with mushrooms and cream.”
“No, I need to study for this practice test first. I’m almost done.”
“That wasn’t my question. I asked if you’re hungry.” Abby smiled.
Susan looked at her. “I am but I can’t eat yet. Thanks for the cooking though.”
Abby was not having it. “Susan, it’s past 9pm, you should stop now. You can always pick this up tomorrow morning. It’s too late to work.”
“It might be too late to work for you but not for me. You’re merely a weak 2 nd year student. I’m not.” Susan teased.
“Oh, yeah, I’m weak?” Abby asked, raising her eyebrows playfully and advancing toward Susan.
“Oh yeah! You don’t have the stamina and strength that we, the wise 3 rd years have.” Susan smiled broadly, already knowing she had lost the fight but willing to play a little longer.
“I’ll show you my strength and stamina” Abby exclaimed, launching herself at Susan. She started tickling her girlfriend, but Susan escaped on the bed. Abby chased her and pinned her to the mattress. They started a tickling fight which rapidly ended up in a making out session. Susan kissed Abby first, and then Abby, and then Susan again. But when Abby least expected it, Susan started tickling her again.
“Oh my god, you traitor!” she laughed, trying to get away.
“You started it!”
Abby shook her head vehemently in denegation. Susan kept tickling, relishing the sound of Abby’s laugh. She marvelled at how beautiful her girlfriend was, so carefree and relaxed. Her hair was spread around her, and she had the largest smile and laugh. Susan kissed Abby again, overpowered by love. Abby happily returned the kiss, still laughing.
Suddenly, she sat up and nearly threw Susan off the bed.
“The water! I forgot the water!”
She ran to the kitchen, but the damage was already done. Water had overflowed everywhere and turned off the heat. Susan followed closely, laughing hard. Abby huffed.
“Stop it, it’s not funny. Help me clean it.”
“How is this not funny?”
Abby smiled. “For the record, this is entirely your fault!”
Susan let out an offended cry. “In what world is this my fault!? You attacked me first!”
“Only because you didn’t want to stop working, as always,” Abby answered.
“Right, sure. Let’s pin this down to my lack of self care as a student.” Susan said, pretending to be sarcastic but it came across that she was upset.
“Oh, no, I’m sorry baby.” Abby looked at Susan, “I didn’t mean to offend you. I just don’t want you to ruin your mental health by keeping yourself cooped up studying all the time and never taking any time for you. I’m sorry.”
Susan looked at Abby, touched by her concern.
“It’s okay, I know you didn’t mean it. And for what it’s worth, you can’t really talk either, can you? I mean how many hours have you studied today? I may have finished at 9pm but at least I went out with Mark today. You stayed in all day, and you also finished at 9pm.” Susan gently told Abby off.
Abby smiled sheepishly.
“Let’s say we’re both rubbish at balancing school time and me-time,” she smiled, before shaking her head and correcting herself. “ Us -time.”
“Well, at least we’ll never be as rubbish as Kerry. I mean, I practically had to drag her to do a 5min errand yesterday. I worry she’ll burn out before the end of the finals.”
“It’s very likely. Maybe we’ll make her pasta if she does.” Abby laughed.
“If we remember to check on the water.” Susan smiled.
“Yeah, exactly.” Abby chuckled.
“I love you.” Susan said, leaning forward to kiss Abby.
“Love you too” she answered before their lips touched.
This time, at least, they were right beside the boiling water.