The scent of fresh coffee and warm croissants greeted them as they stepped through the door into first class. The gentle lighting created a relaxed atmosphere that helped Taylor dampen her nerves. The flight attendants welcomed her with friendly smiles and helped her find their two seats.

"Wow," murmured Taylor as she gazed at the spacious, luxurious seats. "This is incredible."

Colby grinned and let go of her hand so she could sit down. "Welcome to first class."

"Make yourself comfortable," said the stewardess. She probably thought Taylor was talking to her.

Together with Colby, she sank into the seats, feeling the soft padding embrace her. The seat was wide and could be reclined almost flat. In front of her was a large screen where she could choose movies and shows.

A glass of champagne was brought to her immediately, which Taylor gratefully accepted. She smiled slightly and took a sip.

Colby rubbed the back of her hand and chuckled softly. "Enjoy it. We deserve this flight."

But as the moment of takeoff approached, Taylor grew more restless. Memories of previous flights, turbulence, and the feeling of helplessness all began to circle in her mind. She felt her hands becoming clammy and her breathing quickening. Her gaze nervously wandered around the cabin, and the soothing ambiance suddenly seemed less effective.

Colby noticed her tension immediately. "Hey, everything okay?"

"I... I don't know. I thought I was ready, but now..." Taylor struggled to catch her breath, feeling panic rising within her.

Colby firmly took her hand in his and looked deeply into her eyes. "Taylor, take deep breaths. You're not alone, I'm here with you. We'll get through this together."

She tried to follow his voice and took deep breaths, but the roar of the engines, now making its presence felt, only heightened her fear. The captain announced the impending takeoff over the speakers, and Taylor soon felt the plane slowly beginning to move.

"Colby, I don't know if I can do this," she whispered desperately.

Colby now pressed his second hand onto hers as well. "Look at me, Taylor. Just me. Think about the wonderful things waiting for us in Hawaii. The beach, the sun, our adventures together."

Taylor focused on Colby's reassuring words and his familiar face. He continued speaking in a calm, steady tone, telling her about their plans for the trip, the things they would experience together. Slowly, her breathing began to calm down, and she felt the panic gradually subsiding.

The plane accelerated down the runway, and in the moment it lifted off, Taylor closed her eyes and focused on Colby's voice. "I'm here, Taylor. Everything will be fine. We're just flying to our dream vacation. All good."

With a deep breath, Taylor opened her eyes again and watched as the world below them grew smaller. The city lights faded, and they ascended higher into the clear night sky. A sense of relief washed over her as she realized she had overcome the worst part.

"Thank you, Colby," she whispered, leaning back in her seat. "I couldn't have done this without you."

He smiled and gently squeezed her hand. "You did great, Taylor. Now relax and enjoy the flight. Hawaii is waiting for us."

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

They spent the first few hours watching Lilo & Stitch on the TV in front of them. Charlie was right, this was totally Colby's jam.

"Kinda like us, huh?" he grinned after the second movie.

"What?" Taylor asked, probably a bit too loudly, drawing confused glances from other passengers.

"You know, all-powerful being and an awesome gal keeping me grounded," he winked, and Taylor shook her head with a smile. "Admit it, you love being my Lilo."

"Maybe I do. Just a bit."

Hours passed, and the plane glided peacefully through the night. Taylor and Colby talked, watched movies, and enjoyed the first-class treatment. The tension Taylor had felt at the beginning of the flight had almost completely dissipated.

During a particularly calm moment, with the cabin bathed in soft, muted light, they lay head to head. Taylor played with the cowrie shell bracelet on Colby's unusually muscular hand. Well, he was always muscular, but not that muscular. Was he seriously flexing just to show off now?

"Did you seriously call this thing coochie bracelet back then? I didn't mishear that, right?" she whispered softly, careful not to wake the other passengers.

"Yup." He pointed to one of the cowrie shells. "With a bit of imagination, these shells kinda look like coochies, don't they?" He grinned. "Shells, pussies—let me be funny. Yep, that's my coochie bracelet." He tapped her nose, and they both chuckled. "Got a problem with that? Or maybe you're jealous?"

Taylor shook her head, now resting it on Colby's shoulder. "Nope, not at all. It's cute. Somehow. Don't know why."

Colby smiled and gently stroked her hair. "I know you love my sense of humor."

Taylor nudged him lightly with her elbow. "Yeah, yeah, keep it cool, Mr. Coochie-wearer."

Colby burst into laughter now. At least he had the advantage that no one could hear him except Taylor. He could scream and laugh as he pleased. "Coochie-wearer. That's awesome, gotta remember that."

"I'm actually surprised you say 'shell' and not 'mupfel'. You always struck me as a 'mupfel' kind of guy."

"Why the fuck would I say mupfel when I can say coochie? Such a wonderful word. Coochie. Pussy." Taylor's cheeks turned red, and of course Ghost Boy noticed immediately. "Embarrassed by me, huh?" He grinned and took a deep breath. "Pussy!" he shouted across the entire cabin.

"You're lucky no one can hear you, buddy. And that I'm too in love right now to not hit you," she teased.

"Pussy!" he shouted again, even louder this time. "Puuuussssyyyyy! Cooochie! Coocooocoochie!"

"You really have no shame, do you?" Taylor whispered with an amused tone.

"Shame? Nah." He thought for a moment, grinned, bit his lip, then said it anyway. "Well, I do have pubic hair," he joked.

That was enough, and Taylor forcefully pulled his cap over his face. "You cheeky bastard, you cheeky one."

"And trust me, I'd shout it even if people could see me."

"No doubt. And no doubt we'd be kicked out on our asses."

He took his cap off, ran his hand through his hair, put it back on, and crossed his arm behind his head. "Where to? Out the window? Mid-flight?"

"You know what I mean."

He grinned mischievously. "Nope." Then there was a popping sound that Taylor always found annoying. "Please elaborate."

Taylor shook her head, suppressing a laugh. "You're impossible, you know that?"

Colby shrugged and settled back into his seat. "You say that a lot. But you still like me, right?"

"Yeah, seems like it, huh?" Taylor replied with an eye roll but a loving smile.

"Me too. And first thing, I'm hitting the ocean."

"No, first thing, check in and rest. You can splash around in the ocean as much as you want tomorrow."

Colby sighed dramatically. "Fine. But you're coming with me tomorrow, right?"

Taylor chuckled softly. "Of course I'm coming. Someone's gotta save you from sharks if you swim too far out."

"Oh come on, I could slay a shark in my sleep," Colby bragged with a broad grin.

Taylor shook her head, but the smile on her face revealed she enjoyed his nonsense.

"They better watch out. So, Hawaii."

"What?"

"Because Hawaii, here comes Colby."

Taylor kissed him lightly on the cheek. "They're probably scared already."

Then she leaned back, closed her eyes for a moment, and let the gentle movement of the plane lull her. Thoughts of the upcoming trip filled her with excitement. Hawaii, paradise on earth, awaited their discovery. It was going to be an unforgettable time, Taylor was sure of it.

Colby watched her quietly for a moment before leaning back in his seat and closing his eyes too. The darkness of the night outside was mirrored in their minds as they prepared for the adventure that awaited them.

Time passed as the plane glided smoothly through the night sky. Their thoughts shifted between excitement and relaxation, and slowly, fatigue began to overwhelm them. Soon they would arrive, and the real adventure would begin.