Hot Pot
patrick jane x reader
summary: You and Jane are staying at work late at night but over tea the topic shifts and ends with him dragging you home.
tags: fluff, no use of y/n, gender neutral reader (except for one pet name at the end), reader has hair, reader has a secret crush on Jane, tea lovers, banter, late night drive home
word count: 2.3k
notes: This is my first mentalist fanfic AND the first I'm posting on tumblr. I haven't been actively writing for a few years but decided to just go for it again. Also excuse any mistakes, English isn't my first language.
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Hot steam filled up the kitchenette as the kettle finished heating up the water. Reaching for the cupboard, you pulled out two boxes of tea mixes. One of them contained ancient looking bags making it go straight back into the cupboard.
An herbal blend now sat in the two cups in front of you, and as you poured the scalding water over it, it was immediately colored a deep hazel. The sweet scent of cloves crept up your nostrils as you prepared the two drinks; one with a bit of honey, the other with milk and sugar.
Both in hand, you made your way back over to the workplace, going further than where your desk stood.
Wordlessly, you set down the pastel beverage in front of Patrick Jane, who's come to be your partner in late night tea shenanigans.
He instantly shot up from his couch, flashing you a golden smile before taking the cup into his hands. "Mhm, thank you."
You just quirked an eyebrow and smirked at his enthusiasm. It seemed misplaced to you at this hour of day – or rather, night.
Jane leaned back once again and took a few slow sips of his tea. He seemed to be deep in thought for a few moments, before turning his gaze back to you. A little grin formed on his lips, already teasing on what was about to come.
"I wonder..." he started and then trailed off.
A deep sigh escaped you but there was no way you could just ignore him.
"Yes?" you pushed.
"Hm, never mind."
"Jane."
"Yes?"
"What's on your mind?" you asked, sounding annoyed and genuinely curious at the same time. Once again he took some time before replying, but at least this time he did.
"Oh, I was just thinking about you."
"Don't you always?" you joked, mood immediately lighting up as you indulged into this game of his.
He chuckled and nodded, which, to be completely honest, surprised you a little, and hearing him confirm that with actual words didn't help the situation.
"Not wrong. Though this time it was a more serious matter."
He didn't sound serious at all.
"Uh huh?"
"It's just that I've never seen you drink either coffee or caffeinated tea, let alone soda. The logical conclusion would be that you're very fond of a healthy sleeping schedule but then I find you here about every day at these times. Not to forget, I always leave before you do and sometimes that's already bordering on midnight."
"I always take naps when you don't look."
Another sound of amusement, yet it was clear he knew you weren't being truthful.
"I would've noticed", he quipped and raised an eyebrow, waiting for a genuine answer.
"Well, to be honest I just love staring at your back when you get into the elevator. After this phenomenal event every evening, I get out myself. It's like five minutes later but at least I can arrive home with a feeling of gratefulness."
Jane tilted his head, clearly enjoying your made up story. He didn't know that parts of it weren't a lie ─ you did love to look at his back. "As charmed as I am, I fear I won't let go of this until you've given me a real explanation."
At this, you eyed him thoroughly, trying to figure out whether he meant it or not. It didn't take long to know he wasn't kidding. He was Jane, after all.
"Fine," you growled. "I might not get as much sleep as I want to but it's fine. I like this job and if it needs more time, then I'm willing to invest it. It's not like I'm always tired or anything," you added, the last part not sounding convincing at all.
"How many?"
"What?"
"Hours. How many hours of sleep?"
"I don't know. I went home at 11pm yesterday and had to be here at 9am. So I guess like four?"
"Four?"
"Yes, four, Jane. Problem?" You questioned him back, getting more annoyed every second this conversation lasted.
"Isn't your home only a twenty minute drive away?"
"It is and do I even wanna know how you know that?"
He completely ignored your question and went on with his own: "What happened to the other three hours?"
"Nothing, I just─I just finished some work at home," you admitted.
Instead of another question, you were met with silence.
A lot of it.
Until Jane got up from his couch, grabbed both of your cups and disappeared behind the door. The sudden and unexpected action left you speechless, and didn't give you enough time to protest. Your tea hasn't even been blowed on yet.
After half a minute, Jane came back, this time making a beeline towards your computer. When his hand moved to the power button, your senses finally came back.
"Hey, what are you doing?!" you exclaimed, voice confused and louder than before.
Instead of replying, Jane just turned the machine off. "Hope that document was saved", he commented and finally turned to you, only to be met with a flabbergasted expression.
"What are you doing?" you repeated, sounding even more confused than before. "And why did you throw out a perfectly fine cup of tea?"
"Firstly, I didn't throw it out, I merely put it on the counter, and secondly it would've only given you a reason to go against my plan."
"Right, cause currently I just follow whatever you're doing."
"I wish you were", he countered and smirked at you.
"Real fun, Jane, but go back and bring me my tea." No movement was made, so you tried again. "Hello? Jane, seriously. I thought you were the biggest tea lover you can find in California."
"While it is unlikely, I do see where you're coming from, but if you had it in reach, you would've waited at least fifteen more minutes for it to cool and then drink it for another ten. I want you to leave this building this moment, so tea is out of the window."
"I have work to do."
"So you've said. I promise it won't grow legs and run away," he said, much more gentle now. "You can look at it tomorrow, just get out of here now."
You looked into his blue eyes, trying to find any sign of joke but only finding sincerity. You glanced back to your desk, then the clock at the wall and finally back to him. "Okay," finally came accompanied with a nod.
Jane's smile came fast and bright as he took your arm to lead you to the elevator. You grabbed your bag and let yourself be nearly towed away towards the exit.
"I can walk on my own you know", you stated even though you didn't actually mind his hands on you. In fact you'd appreciate them somewhere else too, but that was a topic for another day.
"I'm sure you can," he only replied, dragging you further on.
The elevator chimed on the moment the button was pressed and the doors opened. Both of you stepped inside, his fingers quickly finding the first floor.
A comfortable silence settled and for a few moments, you allowed yourself to relax. You took a deep breath in, exhaled and felt your eyelids closing for just a fraction of a second. Jane must've noticed, because when you met his eyes again, they radiated understanding and were quiet.
The doors opened once again and you both left the elevator and within half a minute more, the CBI building as well. The chilled autumn air hit you right in the face and while it was cold, it was welcoming too.
You followed Jane blindly for a few more steps before realising you parked your car in the opposite direction.
"Jane-"
"Don't worry about that. I'll drive you home," he cut you off nonchalantly.
"No," was your immediate and very much expected reply. Your voice softened a little after this. "You really don't have to."
"I know. I want to."
"I appreciate that but I'd rather just drive to my home myself."
"And I'd rather not have you cause a car crash because of overworking and sleepless nights", he retorted, not bothering to slow down.
"I got enough sleep to work perfectly fine," you argued and were instantly met with a look from him that told you to be for real.
Coming to a halt in front of his car, he finally turned around to face you again, putting both hands on your shoulders.
"I know you're capable. You're excellent at your work but you, just like all people, need to take care of yourself in order to work. And if I had left you alone in the office, you wouldn't get home for another two hours."
Your mouth opened but Jane beat you to it.
"You need to rest."
"I-"
"Nuh uh."
A puzzled look decorated your face as his pointer finger settled on your lips to quiet you. It took a few thoughts and feelings for you to agree with him but finally you looked down at the ground and nodded. You knew he was right.
Jane let his finger drift down and tilted your chin up, making you look at him. He didn't say anything, just gave you a small but happy smile.
The warmth of his hand on your skin and from his expression made you feel lighter in the cool night air, which hit you harder in that second, making a strand of your hair fall back in your face. Before having the chance to brush it back yourself, Jane did it for you in a quick motion, then opened the door to the passenger seat, gesturing for you to step inside.
You did.
After collecting yourself.
Jane stepped around the car, taking his place in the drivers seat and starting the engine.
For a few minutes, nothing but silence and the hum of the machine filled the air. It wasn't heavy or uncomfortable but it didn't feel casual either.
You turned your head towards him, suddenly remembering that he might not know the adress.
"Do you want me to put it down in the GPS?" you asked with a quiet voice.
"I still have it in mind. Relax a little and let me drive you there, okay?"
"Okay."
You sighed and rotated your body to your right, facing the window and taking a closer look at life outside. You could only spot a few people every now and then, as well as lit up rooms or buildings. The darkness of the night made your eyelids grow heavier every second.
As your vision began to blur, you finally noticed just how tired you were but it was too late now. The steadiness of the drive, the presence next to you and the dark surroundings did a good job at bringing you closer to sleep, even if involuntarily.
Too tired to fight back, you let yourself be pulled into the land of dreams.
¬
"Hey, sleepyhead."
"Mhm..."
Jane chuckled and gently brushed his fingers against your face.
"Time to go home."
"No..." you protested in your groggy state. "'Tis comfortable," you added still half asleep.
"I can promise you, your bed is even better."
Even with closed eyes and sleep knocking at your door once again, you could clearly hear the smile he wore. This beautiful smile couldn't be missed and it eventually made you crack an eye open.
"'Course my bed is bedder than a car seat," you replied, totally unaware of the ridiculous thing you just said.
"Alright, come on, I'll help you up," Jane chuckled and carefully steadied your lower back.
You didn't make any move on your own but that didn't seem to be needed. Jane already pulled you out himself.
Having to stand again was a hard adjustment after the nap you just took. Your legs felt wobbly and not at all supportive. The imbalance made you loose your footing for a second but luckily Jane quickly put an arm around your waist to keep you from falling.
"Woah, slow down there."
You just grumbled in reply and took a step forward while he kept his reassuring grip on you.
While it was a struggle, both of you made it to your door step in only a short time and you clumsily pulled the key out of your bag. Once you found it, you moved to open the door but you couldn't quite put it in. Jane's free hand immediately shot up to fold around yours and guide it.
You felt heat creep up to your cheeks but blamed it on your sleepiness.
Jane put on the light and led you inside.
"Bedroom?"
His voice was close to your ear and under any other circumstances you would've melted at this simple question. For now though, all you were capable of was pointing towards the left end of the hall.
You made your way over there and entered the room.
Once your bed was in sight, Jane brought you close enough and the slowly put you down.
The last bit of strength you had was used to kick your shoes off and nuzzle your face into your pillow.
Before drifting off again, you managed to mutter a muffled 'thank you'.
Jane didn't reply at first. He just stood there, watching your relaxed body and steady breathing. He was glad you could rest now and hoped to see you come in an hour later than usually tomorrow.
He turned to leave but his feet didn't move over threshold yet. Looking back at your soft features, he smiled to himself. "You're welcome, princess."
With one last glance, Jane finally turned to leave your bedroom and home, secretly hoping to have a chance to come here again soon, if you let him.
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notes: Thank you so much for reading!! Please leave feedback if you want to, I'd really appreciate it. I'd be open for requests as well, though I doubt a lot of people will even see this. Also, my bsf kindly proofread this, mwuah 😽
