Nic stopped trying to move Laurel and crouched down, waiting to see if she would voice her thoughts.

"I just..." Laurel whispered, not taking her hands away from her face. "I just don't want to go back." she suddenly confessed, "I really feel... free... out here. Free to be with you, free from the gangs and the trouble and the money. What if we don't get another moment like this, Nic? What if this is it? What if we don't make it through this...?" she asked, struggling not to cry as her usual optimism crumbled, "I d-don't want this moment to end."

Nic thought about it a little bit. "... If we don't leave this moment, then we'll never know," he replied.

Laurel was silent for awhile, slowly calming herself down. "I know... that I shouldn't be afraid anymore." she finally told Nic quietly, "But I can't help it."

"... That's alright," he replied. "It's natural to be scared."

Laurel glanced at Nic, "When I think about losing you... I can understand my sister a little better." she murmured before reaching out and pinching Nic's nose lightly, "But don't worry... I won't waste this moment, right now, by being afraid." she managed a small smile as she tugged on his nose a bit.

Nic frowned a little, but let Laurel tug at his nose. If it cheered her up, he'd put up with it.

That brought out a slightly bigger smile before she let go of his nose and kissed his cheek in apology. "Well, Sir Nic," she teased lightly, "I'll never let you go." she informed him, "Ever. So don't even try to run away." she smirked.

Nic blinked, wondering why she'd even bring that up. And he waited to see if Laurel would continue to insist on staying outside.

Laurel stood on her own, allowing Nic to lead her indoors. "Just so you know." she whispered, squeezing his hand tightly as they left the night sky behind, "I'll never regret meeting you, no matter what happens."

Nic glanced at Laurel for a moment, but didn't say anything as he lead her to her room.

When they got to her room, Laurel gave Nic a quick kiss on the lips and said goodnight. "Make sure you sleep." she fussed a little as she yawned.

Nic nodded. "Will you be able to sleep alright?" he asked.

"Probably not." she replied honestly, "If I manage to get a few hours in I should be fine though." she nodded to him.

That didn't seem to make Nic feel any better.

Laurel sighed, "If you'd feel better about it I could go sleep with Raven." she offered with a shrug. "I'd sleep through the night that way."