Word Count: 1,789
Reader Gender: Female
Warnings: Shy reader, emotionally sensitive reader, trigger warning, fluff
Love Interest: Holtzmann
Note: I thought the ending was cute
I sighed as I twirled around in the chair I was in, my legs dangling from the plastic seat. The four girls were talking among themselves at a new possible case. I’ve tried to offer my opinions and ideas more than once, but I’ve gotten run over my someone else every time. So, instead of wasting my breath, I’ve taken to just sitting in the corner and listening. It’s not like I wasn’t used to it, people do it to me all the time.
They were talking about some ghost haunting one of the many historical buildings that are in this city. When they went down to investigate, they didn’t see a ghost, but they saw some ghost-implying things. I briefly saw the thing for a moment, and even managed to sketch it out as best as I could, but when I tried to tell them I just got run over. Holtzmann seemed like the only one who was interested in what I had to say, but had to turn her attention when someone else spoke over me.
“Guys, we don’t even know what it looks like.” Abby said with a sigh.
“Actually I managed to-” I began.
“Maybe if we lure it out somehow.” Patty offered.
“You guys could always-” I started.
“How would we do that, Patty?” Erin asked.
“I think I know-” I began again.
“Y/n, can you just be quiet? You don’t even know what you’re talking about.” Erin demanded.
That shut me up real quick, and rather than going off on her, I just retreated back into my shell. I held eye contact with Holtzmann for a moment, and she looked a little defeated and sorry for me. I bit my lip and nodded at Erin, which informed her that I was willing to do as she said. She sighed, rolling her eyes at me before continuing with what she was saying. I crossed my arms, hugging myself in an effort to make myself feel better.
I looked at the paper, half of it covered with a sketch of the ghost I saw. I bit my lip for a moment before picking up the nearest pen. I quickly scribbled my ideas on the paper before folding it enough so it could easily fit in my hand. I took a deep breath as I hopped off the chair, walking over to were the group was. I walked behind Holtzmann, deciding she was the only one who would acknowledge my existence. I tapped her shoulder, and she turned around with a smile.
“Yeah?” She asked, and I saw Erin roll her eyes.
“I, uh,” I held up the paper, “It’s-I mean.” I stumbled, feeling the pressure of everyone looking at me.
“Spit it out!” Erin demanded and I flinched at the volume of her voice.
“Leave her alone.” Holtzmann said, her smile dropping for a moment.
“S-Sorry, here.” I handed Holtzmann the paper.
“Thanks.” Holtzmann said and I smiled back.
“It’s the ghost from the build-” I began.
“You’re such an idiot, I bet you didn’t even see it.” Erin said harshly, “Why are you even here anyway?” Erin asked, narrowing her eyes at me.
“Well I thought-” I began to explain myself.
“Well you thought wrong. You’re just here because you have a crush on Holtzmann. Newsflash, she’s not gonna be into you, I mean, who would?” She asked.
Holtzmann’s smile dropped, but this time it didn’t return. I felt something inside of me break, and tears threatened to spill. The group was silent, and I couldn’t tell if it was because they were shocked or if they agreed with Erin. My eyes widened and I looked away from her, hugging myself once again. I slowly backed away from the group, nodding as I did so. Erin was right, I was just dumb enough to think otherwise.
“I’m sorry.” My soft voice broke.
Before anyone could say anything else I ran out of the building, getting as far away from there as I could. I ducked behind an ally that was a short ways away from the firehouse. I felt my mind crumble as I leaned against the ally wall, letting myself breakdown. I slid down the wall as tears freely fell from my cheeks. Erin was right, every single word she said to me was right. I was so stupid to think I had a shot with Holtzmann.
It’s like high school all over again, except instead of the popular kids making fun of me, it was Erin. I can’t believe I let myself get attached, I should’ve known better. I mean, with how many times I’ve cried because of something someone said, you would’ve thought I’d have learned my lesson. I pulled down the sleeves of my sweater, covering my eyes with the fabric. I lose myself in my own thoughts.
“You’re such an idiot, I bet you didn’t even see it.” Erin said harshly, “Why are you even here anyway?” Erin asked, narrowing her eyes at Y/n.
“Well I thought-” She began to explain herslef.
“Well you thought wrong. You’re just here because you have a crush on Holtzmann. Newsflash, she’s not gonna be into you, I mean, who would?” Erin asked.
The smile dropped from Holtzmann’s face, and she didn’t know what to do. She wanted to yell at Erin, Hell, right now she was so mad she could strangle her. She also wanted to just hug you, comfort you, and make you feel better. Anger rose in Holtzmann, the smile not returning to her face. First Erin shoots Holtzmann down every chance she got, now she’s getting jealous? Erin didn’t have a right to feel jealous, and she certainly didn’t have a right to treat you that way.
Holtzmann watched you carefully, almost lost in her own thoughts. She watched your face and slowly saw you crumble inside. You were silent for a long while, as was everyone else. You slowly backed away, nodding as you did so. Abby and Patty didn’t know how to react, Erin didn’t usually behave that way when the others were around, so this was the first time they saw Erin act like that.
“I’m sorry.” Your soft voice broke before running out of the firehouse.
“Thank God, she’s gone, she was really starting to-” Erin started, but Holtzmann couldn’t hear anymore. So she slapped her.
“Don’t you dare talk about her like that.” Holtzmann said in a dangerous tone. A tone that she rarely used.
“Ho, come on, you guys can’t seriously disagree with me?” Erin questioned.
“I just can’t believe you’d treat that sweet girl that way, Erin.” Patty spoke.
“Yeah, I didn’t think she was doing anything wrong, Erin.” Abby spoke up, eyeing Erin.
“I’m going to go out there and find her and make sure she doesn’t to anything stupid because of you, and when I get back, you will apologize.” Holtzmann said, using the same tone.
“O-Okay.” Erin stuttered, not having seen that side of Holtzmann before.
I continued to cry, feeling awful about myself. My mind started to wonder how the Hell I’ve lasted this long in the first place. For a minute there I thought Holtzmann felt the same about me. She’d always try to make me laugh or smile, and she’d do oddly flirtatious things and then wink at me. Once she was eating a hot pocket and she scooped out a bit of the inside while wiggling her eyebrows at me, and winking once she swallowed.
Half the time, she was deliberately trying to make me blush once she found out that it wasn’t hard to do. I guess I was reading the signals wrong, or maybe she was doing it ‘cause she felt bad. I don’t know, all I know is that I shouldn’t be here. I wiped my eyes and tried to back further into the wall, but stopped when I felt something crunch under my hand. I looked down, seeing shattered glass scattered every where.
I slowly picked up one of the medium sized pieces of the clear glass. An idea popped into my mind, and I rolled up my sleeves. I pressed the glass down on the inside of my elbow, wondering if I was really going to do this. The words of Erin and everyone else that’s bullied me came into my head, creating new tears in my eyes. I took a deep breath, about to do it when it was suddenly snatched from my hands.
“Don’t you dare, Y/n.” A familiar voice spoke, and I looked up.
“Holtzman?” I asked, sniffling, “What are you doing here?” I asked quietly.
“I came looking for you, I wanted to make sure you were okay,” Her eyebrows furrowed, “Good thing I did.” She tossed the glass to the side.
“I’m fine, sorry for being a burden, you can go back now.” I offered quietly, hugging myself.
“Hey,” She spoke, crouching down, “Look at me.” She said firmly.
“What?” I questioned before she hugged me, “What are you doing?”
“I believe it’s called a hug,” She began, “People do it when-”
“I know what a hug is.” I said, smiling lightly.
“Don’t listen to Erin, okay? None of that bullshit is true.” She comforted.
“It is,” I began crying again, “She’s right, and I was an idiot for thinking otherwise. I’m just a useless little human, and you guys would be better off without me, and you probably feel awkward because you found out that I have feelings for you, and you’re probably like ‘ew she’s such a toad’-” I rambled, lowering my voice at the last sentence.
My voice was cut off when she kissed me, putting a hand on my cheek. I instantly kissed back, surprised at the sudden display of affection. She deepened the kiss, and I happily let her. I felt all of my previous worries and negative feelings melt away as I brought her closer to me. She pulled away, resting her forehead on mine, a smile coming to her face. I bit my lip, failing at suppressing a smile of my own.
“I happen to like toads.” She said and I laughed lightly.
“Just try not to cut me open.” I joked.
“No promises.” She joked back
“So,” I began awkwardly, “Does that mean you have feelings for me or-”
“You’re so shy and oblivious, it’s cute.” She said and I narrowed my eyes.
“That sounded like a yes, but I’m confused because it also sounded like a backhanded compliment.” I said.
“Of course it’s a yes, why would I just kiss you for no reason?” She questioned, “You know what, don’t answer that.” She said when she saw me about to say something.
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