rodrikstark's headcanons (part 3)

n. vaughan + singing in the car

you blink awake at the cheery chords pounding into the piano, at nick tapping the rhythm into the steering wheel. your journey must have taken you far from the city—or any city, really—for it to be so dark outside. shit. a quick look at the navigation on nick's phone confirms your suspicions.

"saturday!"

"nick—?"

"in the park—"

oh my god.

"i think it was the—"

"nick."

he lowers the volume. "hey, sleepyhead, what's up?"

his fingers still drum along with the song, and with his blushy cheeks, he's so cute that you almost consider dropping it. a sigh. "um, i'm nervous."

he finds your thigh, stroking it reassuringly. "about what?"

you take his hand, curling and uncurling it in your lap. "i'm gonna meet your entire family in like, thirty minutes."

"and you're nervous," he remarks softly.

"what if they don't like me?" you ask, even softer.

nick braces himself on the console, keeping one eye on the road as he smacks a kiss to your forehead. "why wouldn't they like you?"

even though you're smiling now, you squirm, nudging his jaw so he'll pay attention to the interstate. sorting through all the reasons in your head, you huff loudly, and open your mouth to—

"yeah, i can't think of anything either," nick laughs.

your arms cross. "you're so cheesy." the bleak, flat prairies speed past your window. "this isn't a hallmark movie."

"you're making it sound like one." he's still kinda humming along to Chicago. "city girl, in a small town, lacking holiday spirit..." he shrugs. "i think you're more worried than you need to be."

you shrink in your seat. "never mind."

"y'know why they're gonna love you?" he cuts the radio completely, causing you to feel more exposed than ever. "there's a baby grand in the living room."

that does bring instant relief to your tight chest. at least you'll have something to do. something to entertain yourself, and maybe other people who decide to listen.

"my parents play piano. that's how they met."

"i didn't know that." you wonder why. you've dated for several months now, talked about your families plenty. but never discussed actually meeting them, until the stupid holidays rolled around.

"i never told you." nick turns fully to you, showing off his signature grin. "'cause i knew that one day, when i finally get to introduce you to them—"

oh.

he slowly cranks up volume. "they'd tell you that story themselves."