Welcome to the show, I guess I'm Elemental trash now.
Ember stepped onto the boat, filled with more love and appreciation for her family and upbringing than ever before. She didn't even know it was possible for her to feel even more tenderly toward her father, and yet here she was again, on the true verge of tears over her respect for the man who risked his whole life for her. As far as Ember was concerned, her father was the most incredible man in the world.
Of course, she wasn't going to cry, and she didn't let anyone know she'd even thought about it, so as she stepped onto the boat just mere steps behind her partner, she stoked herself with a deep inhale and headed off.
Ember much preferred the boat to the chaos of the inner-city transit. With most passengers already seated, she only had to keep herself contained to the aisle, rather than cautiously weaving her way through dozens of moving targets, people swaying to and fro and kids jumping all over the place. She still wasn't a big fan of crowded spaces (for obvious reasons), but she was getting used to being in them. The work in progress was getting used to being herself in them, but give her time, she'd get there eventually.
Carrying his bag in front of him, Wade reached his free hand behind his back and Ember knew that was her signal to grab it. The ever-empathetic Wade knew the rush of emotions he was experiencing paled in comparison to the ones Ember couldn't bring herself to articulate, but he always let her know he was there for her when she was ready to feel them regardless. The two of them silently made their way down to the other end of the boat, hand in hand. They received dozens of stares, as one might expect. Most surprised, some judgmental, and a few that glimmered in hope (those were their favorites). Wade gave one glance behind him, fearing just for a moment that like Orpheus and Eurydice, she might be gone if he checked for her survival. But there she was, glowing as always. He smiled, his heart as bubbly and warm as his hand. Finally, they made it to their seats.
Wade's mom had wanted to get them a private room on the boat, but Ember refused. She had already caved in to Brook paying for the boat ride rather than them taking the Eltrack train, and her instance that she pay for everything, while sweet and from a truly good place, made Ember feel like she wasn't always earning things for herself. Brook understood the pride though, and they had compromised on normal seats.
In the deluxe section of the boat.
With a curtain.
While Ember did want the whole "new world" experience, she still wanted the ability to avoid any potential disruptions to this time with Wade, and though they were used to the questioning glances of onlookers, sometimes they just needed some privacy. So yeah, the semi-privacy was a compromisable touch.
Wade double checked their tickets, matching them to the numbers above the seats. He looked at Ember, signaling her that this was the right place. The space was comprised of four spaces to sit, sleek aqua-colored two-seaters each facing each other with a small, similarly colored table in between. The two of them each put their bags on the racks above their heads and looked to take their seats. As Wade slid in on one side of the table, Ember began to move into the seat opposite him. Now facing each other, Wade pouted. Ember rolled her eyes and moved to his side, sliding in next to him. Wade eagerly bounced in his seat as she did, and then immediately grabbed her hand, interlocking their fingers in the process.
"I can feel you about to cry," Ember said without looking at Wade's face.
"…Nuh uh," Wade replied, lying through his tears. Ember giggled and glanced over at her boyfriend.
"It's okay, I get it. First times away from home can be scary." Wade sniffled and cocked his head.
"But, this isn't my first time away from home?"
"It isn't?"
"Don't you remember? My mom and I showed you the pictures from my semester in Rockland?"
"Oh. Right." Ember looked down.
"But…it's your first time away! That's something to celebrate!" Wade encouraged, shimmying up against her for effect.
Ember's smile twitched up in the corners, but promptly disappeared. "Yeah…definitely…" Wade looked on, concerned, his smile wavering. He squeezed her hand extra tight, creating a sizzle. Then he spoke gently.
"Ember…" She looked up. "You know…you know it's okay for you to be scared, right?"
"I'm not scared, Wade…"
Wade tilted his chin down at his girlfriend, his eyebrows practically pouring off his head as he raised them in disbelief.
"I mean…I wasn't scared…"
"'Wasn't?'"
Ember slouched. "I guess I…I kinda thought this was something we were going to do together…our first time away from home…a new adventure for both of us, that we'd get to experience with one another. The thought of doing something scary with you…it made it a little more comfortable, you know?" She closed her eyes. "But you've done this before, so…I guess I'm back to just me…"
Ember felt a tingle on her chin as Wade tilted her head up by the finger. She looked at him.
"You're never back to just you. It's you and me forever now."
"But you've still done this before."
"No I haven't."
"You just said-"
"I said I've been away from home before. But you and I aren't just leaving home for a few months." Wade reached around and grabbed Ember's other hand, now holding them both by the fingertips. "Do you know what we're doing?"
"We're moving out?"
"We're starting a life."
Ember grinned
"Together," he said. "And that's always scary. But it's a brand new experience we do get to have together. And now we're gonna do it every day."
Wade curled down and pressed his forehead to Ember's. All four eyes closed and they basked in the sensations. Oh how they each loved that feeling.
"Every day is an adventure with you, Ember Lumen. And I can't wait to have so many more firsts together, scary and all."
Ember leaned back to look at the second most incredible man in her life. His eyes glimmered. Hers sparkled.
"I love you so much, Wade Ripple." He grinned. "So, what should our first first be?" she asked.
"Well…" Wade began slyly, but before anything could even be implied, he extended his arm up to the racks above them and grabbed something out of his suitcase. "I think I need to refresh your memory on some photos!" He slammed a book on the table. "So here's my family photo album, and—"
"Wade, that album must be taking up half your bag! Why did you bring it?"
"So I could show you pictures! And obviously you need to be reminded of the Rockland trip, so clearly, it was a good bring. Anyway, here's the day that I first learned how paper was made, and boyyy is it horrifying."
"You're so lucky I love you." Ember laughed.
"Yeah." Wade smiled down at her. "I really am."
I dare you to guess my favorite stupid joke in this scene. I'm way too proud of it.
Y'all I got this movie added to this website for this trash. I am in WAY too deep.