masterlist! jake x f!reader oneshot
(a/n! : this story is inspired by aylivaās new song ārennā ā¦ I hope you enjoy ! š„¹)
šā.Ė angst, hurt comfort, fluff !
synopsis! - ( in the aftermath of abuse, Y/N discovers that safety, trust, and love can come from the most unexpected person : Jake. )
warnings! - { domestic violence! , abuse, blood, mentions of throwing up, swearing, crying, panic attack, fighting, kissing } noooot proofread!
"Get in the car" Carter, your boyfriend said, a smug smile playing on his lips. Something about him felt different that day. Off, but not unpleasant. His touch lingered, gentler than usual, and his voice was softer, almost careful. He stepped forward and opened the car door for you, watching as you slid inside.
It had been a long time since he'd taken you out on a date. Long enough that the idea alone made your chest tighten. Carter didn't do dates... at least not anymore. So the fact that he suddenly wanted to take you out, insisted on it, made you feel almost uneasy. He'd said it was a surprise. He closed the door gently .. a little too gently for his usual behavior and walked around the car without saying another word. The click of his door echoed in the silence that followed.
As the engine started, he reached over and fastened your seatbelt for you. Almost like a real gentleman. His fingers brushed your waist carefully. You flinched. And he noticed. Of course he did...
"Relax"... He said softly, eyes on the road. "I'm being a good boyfriend today."
"Wanna grab some coffee first ?"
"Where are we going Carter ?"
"You'll see. You're gonna like it. Trust me"
You sighed deeply. Trusting him was hard after everything he had done to you. But you didn't have a choice... so you decided to just go with it.
Carter caressed your thigh, that same smile fixed on his face...the one he'd been wearing all day, like it was carved there. It made you nervous.
He stopped his car next to your favorite coffee shop, before turning toward you.
"Yes please. Can I stay in the car ?"
"Of course" He said, placing a lingering kiss on your forehead.
The door closed softly behind him, the sound final in a way that made your shoulders tense. You watched him through the windshield as he crossed the street with his hands in his pockets. The bell above the cafƩ door chimed, then he was gone. You took a deep breath.
You realized how different the car felt without him in it.
It felt safe. It felt quiet.
Then someone unexpectedly knocked on the window, which scared the living shit out of you. When you saw who it was, the tension drained just as fast. It wasn't Carter. It was one of his friends. He smiled when he noticed your reaction, and lifted a hand in a small wave. You didn't really know him. You've only seen him around a few times since he was friends with your boyfriend ... but out of pure curiosity, you rolled the window down.
"I'm really sorry for startling you," he said softly. "I saw Carter heading into the cafƩ and thought I'd come say hi."
"... Hi ?" You said with quiet confusion.
"Ohāright" he said, smiling sheepishly. "I'm Jake. And you must be the girl Carter bought the flowers for?"
You let out a quiet huff, equal parts disbelief and tired amusement.
By the time you finished your sentence, Carter was already back in the car beside you.
You hadn't even heard the door open.
He handed you your drink without a word, his gaze flicking from Jake to you ... he was observing you closely. The smile was still there.
You barely had time to turn toward him, barely had time to force a smile-
Pain exploded across your cheek.
The sound of the slap was sharp. Carter's hand dropped back to his lap as if nothing had happened, as if he hadn't just struck you in front of someone else.
"If you wanna act like a fucking whore don't do it in my car." He said, voice calmer than ever.
He was smiling wider now.
The biggest smile you'd seen all day.
Jake stared at you, wide-eyed, as you choked back a tear, your hands trembling as you tried to pull yourself together. He could see it... the way you flinched, the hint of fear in your eyes. This wasn't the first time something like this happened.
"What the fuck, Carter?!" he shouted, anger lacing every word.
Carter let out a low chuckle, calm and casual.
"Mind your own business, you bastard."
Before Jake could react, the engine roared to life. Carter acted as if nothing had happened, his hand returned to your cheek, gentle now, wiping away the tear he'd caused. His smile was soft, the same one he'd used all day, as if the slap had never even happened.
You forced your eyes shut , trying to think of a way to get out of this situation.
"Please drive me home..."
"No, Y/N. We're almost there. I'm sorry but I'm not driving you home right now"
Carter completely ignored your question, keeping his focus on driving.
And after a few more minutes, he finally stopped his car at a spot that seemed familiar. And when you eventually recognized your surroundings, your heart sank almost immediately. Carter stepped out first, holding the car door open.
"Come on" He said, offering his hand. You hesitated, but eventually took it, letting him guide you along the familiar path. He led you to the same bench where you had sat that day, tears streaming down your face after your first heartbreak. That had been the day Carter first laid eyes on you ... the day everything had changed, though you hadn't known it yet.
"Do you remember this spot ? I remember you sitting here. You were crying..."
"Yeah I know. I remember."
He stepped closer, brushing a strand of hair from your face, his touch impossibly gentle. "You looked so lost" he said, eyes tracing your features like he was memorizing them again. "I immediately knew... I wanted you."
You felt sick to your stomach. The words should have been sweet, but with him, they weren't. All you could remember was him slapping you earlier. You could still slightly feel the faint, unpleasant sting on your cheek. Carter forced your gaze to meet his by cupping your face, before pulling you into a kiss. And you had no choice but to pretend it meant something.
You wanted to throw up. You wanted to leave. Immediately.
You gently pulled away to look at him.
You cringed at the nickname.
" I really need you to take me home."
" Alright. Get in the car then..."
You forced a smile, thanking him quietly.
"Ungrateful piece of shit." he mumbled under his breath, not loud enough for you to hear.
The entire drive home was rather quiet, which you secretly enjoyed. You were tired. To your surprise, Carter didn't argue or insist on staying over. He pulled up in front of your house and let you out without a word, his usual theatrics strangely absent. The only thing he said before driving off was a quick "love you."
It almost sounded like he meant it. But after everything, it felt hollow. You watched the car disappear down the street, heart still pounding, unsure whether to feel relief or dread.
You opened your bedroom door and didn't bother to stand any longer than necessary. Your body collapsed onto the soft mattress, and the second you hit it, you broke down. Tears streamed down your face, carrying all the fear, exhaustion, and helplessness you'd been holding in. You couldn't believe this was actually your life.
"What the fuck?" you spat at yourself, the words tearing out of you because you didn't know where else to put the rage. It burned too hot to sit quietly in your chest.
You were furious. Ashamed. So deeply disappointed in yourself it made your throat ache. You'd let someone hurt you again and again. And the worst part was knowing that if you stayed silent, if you did nothing, it would happen again.
The realization settled heavy and cold.
And for the first time, the thought wasn't just terrifying... it was unbearable. You screamed into your pillow, muffling the sound but not the pain behind it. You didn't care if anyone heard you anymore. Maybe you even hoped they would. Maybe someone would knock on your door and ask the one question you were too afraid to say out loud.
The thought lingered, fragile and aching, as your grip tightened around the fabric and the sobs finally wore you out.
"Please," you whispered. "Please, God... help me."
You didn't even know why the words came out like that. You'd never believed in him...not really. But desperation had a way of stripping you bare, of reaching for anything that might listen. And right then, you needed someone to hear you.
Because you couldn't do this alone anymore.
And that's when your phone rang.
Your breath caught in your throat.
With trembling fingers you unlocked your phone.
Jake : I hope this isn't a bad time. I just wanted to make sure you made it home safely.
Your chest tightened. Of all moments, right after your prayer, right after you'd begged the universe for help,this was what answered.
Another message appeared almost immediately.
Jake : You don't have to reply if it's not safe.
Jake : I just wanted you to know you're not alone.
For the first time that day you felt hope. You didn't even know how he got your number, but at that moment you couldn't care less.
After staring at your screen for a moment you started typing, your fingers shaking.
Y/N : Hey. I'm okay... thank you for checking in. Means so much more than you know.
Jake : Please text me if you need anything. Or call me. I don't mind. I just need you to be safe, okay ?
Y/N : Thank you, Jake. Genuinely.
You put your phone aside, taking a deep breath in. You kept telling yourself Jake was gonna be the one to help you get out of this whole situation. You didn't know if that was true, maybe it was wishful thinking but for the first time in a while you let yourself imagine a way out.
Maybe... just maybe, Carter slapping you in front of Jake was the best thing that could have happened. Maybe, for the first time, his biggest mistake had given you a glimpse of a way out.
For the first time, hope didn't feel impossible. It felt fragile. But it was there. And sometimes, fragile was enough.
Jake sat alone in his room, mind spinning with ways to get you out of that hell. He had no idea his friend was that much of an asshole.
It was so obvious to him ... he had to help you.
There was no debate. The fact that you barely knew each other didn't matter to him. It never had. All that mattered was that you were trapped, scared and alone. And he couldn't just watch and do nothing. He pulled out a notebook and began listing everything he could think of.
Every idea made his chest tighten, but he kept going. Every step made him feel a little closer to helping you.
Somewhere across town, you were probably all alone. And he was planning, silently promising himself that he wouldn't let you face him alone again.
You were still on your bed, the glow of your phone screen illuminating the tear tracks on your cheeks. You opened your notes app and began typing ideas, tentative and cautious.
act when Carter isn't paying attention.
code words if I'm scared.
Suddenly your phone buzzed, making you jump. Another message from Jake appeared on your screen...
Jake : I've been thinking... I might have a way to help you, but you need to trust me. Can you meet Carter somewhere tomorrow ?
Your stomach twisted. Meet him ? Alone again ? You hesitated, fingers hovering over the screen.
Jake : I'll be there. Not obvious, you won't see me but I promise I'll be close. I'll make sure nothing happens to you. You just need to play along. Can you do that for me ?
You choked back a tear. You were scared.
Y/N : How will I know you're actually there ??
Jake : I'll leave a small mark you can see. Something only you will notice. That's your signal. You'll only have to tell me where he wants to meet...
Y/N : Okay... I'll do it. I'm so scared tho
Jake : Don't be scared. I got you.
The next day arrived way too fast. Your stomach twisted with nerves as you stepped outside, phone clutched tightly in your hand. You'd already texted Jake the location, which was the same cafƩ you went to the other day.
The one that used to be your absolute favorite. Now the sight of it makes you feel incredibly uncomfortable.
Every step toward it made your chest tighten.
When you arrived, Carter was already there, leaning against a lamppost, that smug smile plastered across his face. "Finally decided to show up " he said, voice soft, but the memory of the slap yesterday still burned in your cheek. You swallowed thickly, forcing a smile onto your lips.
"Wouldn't miss it..." you replied quietly. As he reached for your hand, your eyes darted to the bench behind him, where Jake had said to look. A tiny red thread, just a hint of yarn tied to the armrest caught your attention. You somehow felt relieved. He was there.
" So... what do you wanna to talk about ?" Carter questioned.
You nervously cleared your throat.
Carter's glare burned into you.
"Y/N stop wasting my time and talk to me."
"I don't think I can do this anymore."
Carter looked at you in disbelief.
Not because he couldn't understand that you wanted to leave him. It was something far more dangerous to him. The sheer courage in your voice. The way you had said it out loud.
"Stop fucking with me right now"
Your gaze flicked past him, landing on the tiny red thread tied behind him, the signal Jake had left. For a brief moment a light smile tugged at your lips.
"What the fuck are you even looking at ?" He snapped, turning around trying to follow your gaze. You tried to stay calm, forcing your hands to stay at your sides.
"Y/N If you won't tell me what the fuck is going on right know you're really gonna regret that" He threatened, grabbing your wrist before getting uncomfortably close to you.
"I know something's going on. Someone's here. Someone's trying to take you away from me. But that's not gonna fucking happen. You're mine. I own you." He whispered aggressively, making you flinch.
You forced your eyes shut, just like you always did when the anxiety became too much to bear, your chest heaving as the chaos unfolded around you.
And just as Carter was about to lean back into his seat, a firm hand landed on his shoulder.
Carter froze, his body stiffening. His face twisted into a mask of pure rage. He yanked his grip from your wrist and spun to face the intruder.
"Didn't I tell you to mind your own fucking business, Jake?" he growled, teeth clenched.
Jake chuckled, low and steady, unshaken by the threat. "I am minding my business... mostly. But I think your business just got a little too dangerous for her."
Carter's eyes flicked to you, then back to Jake, every muscle taut. The air was thick with tension, the quiet hum of your racing heart louder than anything else.
"I know exactly what's going on here..." Carter sneered, leaning back. "You got tired of me, didn't you? You needed someone else to fuck the shit out of yā"
Before he could finish, Jake's fist slammed into his face. You gasped, the sound sharp in the tense air, your heart hammering. Carter stumbled back, blinking in shock and fury. The entire cafƩ was watching in shock. And to them it probably looked like Jake was the bad guy now. Which was so wrong...
"Stay away from her you abusive piece of shit !"
Carter growled, the sound low and vicious, then let out a harsh, fake laugh as he wiped blood from his split lip. His eyes snapped to Jake, full of fury, and before you could react, he swung with brutal force. His fist connected with Jake's jaw, sending him staggering backward into a table. The crash of chairs and the clatter of coffee cups made you want to throw up.
"Jake!" you screamed, your voice echoing through the cafƩ.
Carter turned to you mid-swing and you realized he was about to follow through on his rage. This time aimed directly at Jake again. Without thinking, you stepped between them, your hands pressed against his chest, trying to shove him back.
"Stop it! Enough!" you yelled, your voice trembling. "Stop hurting him!"
Carter's eyes flickered to yours, a dangerous smile tugging at his lips. "What the fuck are you gonna do ?" he questioned through gritted teeth, trying to push past you.
You didn't move. You refused to. "I said stop !"
For a moment, he froze, caught off guard by your sudden confidence. He stared at you in anger.
His fists clenched, lips curling in fury but before he could strike again, a loud voice cut through the chaos.
"Police! Step away from them!"
You blinked, your chest heaving. Through the cafƩ doors, two uniformed officers rushed in, followed by another, radio crackling in their hands.
Carter's eyes widened in disbelief.
"You...how did you-" he yelled, but the officers didn't hesitate. They moved quickly, restraining him before he could fight back.
One officer glanced around and nodded toward the cafƩ owner, who had been watching the scene unfold with wide, concerned eyes. "Sir, the owner saw you assault this young woman yesterday. And the fact that you're over here fist fighting someone doesn't make this whole thing any better. You're under arrest."
Carter's face twisted into a mask of rage, but the cuffs were locked around his wrists, and the officers guided him firmly toward the door. He glared at you one last time, before finally being led away.
You sagged against Jake, the adrenaline leaving your body in an overwhelming wave. Your legs gave out, and you collapsed into his arms, tears streaming freely down your face.
"It's over..." you whispered, voice breaking, trembling against his chest. "It's finally over."
Jake held you tightly, letting you cry, whispering reassurances you hadn't dared to believe in a long time. "I've got you" he murmured. "You're safe now. You're really safe."
You clung to him, sobbing. And for the first time in a long time you allowed yourself to feel safe. The whole cafƩ still looked at you in shock, but you couldn't care less.
You looked at Jake, gently touching the bruise on his cheekbone, making him hiss.
"Your lip is bleeding, Jake..." you whispered, eyes flicking to the red smear at the corner of his mouth.
"I know," he said quietly, offering you a soft, reassuring smile. "I'll be fine."
You let out a long, shaky sigh, the kind that came from somewhere deep in your chest, and nodded. You didn't trust your voice just yet.
Jake carefully helped you to your feet, as if afraid you might shatter. Your legs felt weak, like they didn't quite belong to you anymore. He stayed close as he guided you to his car, never letting go completely.
When he opened the passenger door and gestured for you to get in, the simple kindness of it almost broke you again. You slid into the seat, hands trembling in your lap, and for the first time in what felt like years, you didn't feel trapped getting into a car.
Jake closed the door gently before walking around to the driver's side. As the engine started and the car pulled away, the city lights blurred past the window.
You leaned your head back against the seat, exhaustion finally settling in. The fear was still there, but it no longer ruled you.
"Jake?" you whispered, barely louder than the hum of the engine.
"I don't wanna be alone right now..."
He didn't hesitate. "You're not alone, Y/N."
"I know, I just..." You swallowed, fingers twisting together in your lap. Your voice shook when you finally spoke again. "I know this might be a bit weird, but would you mind staying over at my place tonight?" You rushed the words out, afraid that if you paused, you'd lose the courage to say them at all.
Jake glanced at you, his expression softening immediately. He smiled,not amused, not awkward, just warm and sincere.
"I wanna be there for you" he said gently. "Of course I'll stay over if you need me to."
Your shoulders sagged in relief, tension finally easing out of your body. Tears welled up again, but this time they weren't sharp or panicked. They were quiet. You were exhausted.
"Thank you" you murmured, staring out the window as the streetlights passed by.
Jake nodded, hands steady on the wheel. "We'll take this one step at a time, okay? You don't have to figure everything out tonight."
Jake stopped the car in front of your house. He turned the engine off before turning to look at you.
"We're here" he said softly, accent thick.
You nodded, fingers lingering on the seatbelt before you finally unclicked it. Your legs felt shaky again as you stepped out, the night air cool against your skin. Jake was there immediately, close but not crowding you, matching your pace as you walked up the path. Jake stayed near the doorway. "Hey..." he said gently. "Tell me what you need. I'll follow your lead."
He nodded with no hesitation "I'm right here"
You kicked off your shoes and sank onto the couch, exhaustion crashing over you all at once. The moment you sat down, your composure cracked. Your shoulders started to shake, and before you could stop yourself, tears spilled over again.
Jake crossed the room before carefully sitting down next to you. "It's okay, Y/N. Let it out."
That did it. You leaned into him, sobbing quietly against his shoulder, and he wrapped an arm around you. He didn't rush you. He was just there with you, holding you in his arms. And after a while, the tears finally slowed.
"He will never get near you again."
He glanced around the room. "How about this...I'll crash on the couch tonight. Door locked. Lights on if you want. We'll make it feel safe, yeah?"
A faint smile tugged at your lips. "Yeah. That sounds good."
You stood up and grabbed a blanket from the hall closet, moving as you laid it out over the couch. You fluffed the pillows, folded the blanket just right. By the time you stepped back, the couch looked ridiculously comfortable.
For a brief second, you considered taking it for yourself.
But then you looked at Jake.
He was standing a few feet away, jacket draped over a chair, lip still bruised, eyes tired in that quiet way that came after adrenaline wore off. He'd stepped into something dangerous without hesitation. He'd put himself between you and the person who hurt you.
You shook your head softly to yourself. He deserves it more.
"Okay..." you said, forcing a small smile as you gestured toward the couch. "I, uh... it's not a bed, but I tried."
Jake walked over, eyebrows lifting slightly as he took it in. "You kidding?" he said with a soft chuckle. "This looks better than my actual bed."
You huffed a quiet laugh, the sound surprising even yourself.
"Thank you..." he added with a more serious tone, meeting your eyes. "For trusting me."
You teared up. "No.." you said quietly. "Thank you. You didn't have to do any of this."
He shrugged, but his voice was steady. "I wanted to."
"If you need anything" Jake said gently, "even if it's just... you can't sleep or you get scared...just wake me up, okay?"
You nodded, throat tight. "I will."
You turned toward your bedroom, pausing at the doorway. "Goodnight, Jake."
"Goodnight, Y/N." he replied softly.
It's been almost an hour since you went to bed. You'd turned onto your side, then your back, then curled up again, tugging the blanket closer like it might anchor you. But none of that worked. You groaned in annoyance, sitting up in your bed. You reached over and opened the drawer of your nightstand, fingers brushing past old receipts and tangled cords until they finally closed around your headphones. A small, tired smile tugged at your lips when you pulled them out, like you'd just found a familiar comfort you'd forgotten you had.
You slipped them on and tapped your phone, letting your sleeping playlist begin to play. You were hoping the voice of ,,RY X" would finally make you fall asleep but you were oh so wrong. Your chest tightened suddenly, like the air had been pulled out of the room. One breath turned shallow... then another. The music was still playing, soft and distant now, but it couldn't drown out the images flooding your mind. Hands, voices, your bruised body, the sting you still felt if you thought about it too long.
"No. no, no..." you whispered, fingers curling into the sheets as your head started to spin. Your heart was racing, pounding so hard it made your ears ring. You tried to tell yourself you were safe, that it was over, but your body didn't listen.
Tears spilled down your temples as you gasped for air, panic clawing its way through you. You took the headphones off and sat up too quickly, dizziness washing over you.
You couldn't do this alone.
With shaking hands, you pushed yourself out of bed and opened your door, the hallway light spilling in. "Jake?" you called.
You didn't even have to say it twice.
He was there almost immediately, barefoot, concern written all over his face. "Hey...hey, I've got you," he said softly, moving toward you. "Look at me. You're okay."
Your legs gave out, and he caught you easily, guiding you down to sit on the edge of the bed. He knelt in front of you, staying eye-level.
"Can you breathe with me?" he asked gently. "Just try. In through your nose... slow. I'll do it with you."
He demonstrated. One breath. Then another. You wondered why he was so good at this...
You clutched the fabric of his shirt, sobbing, but you followed him.
"That's it..." he murmured. "You're doing it. I know it's scary." Slowly your heartbeat began to settle. The spinning eased. The room stopped feeling like it was collapsing in on itself.
Jake stayed right there the entire time, one hand steady on your back, the other warm around yours. He didn't let go when you finally leaned forward, resting your forehead against his shoulder.
"I'm sorry..." you whispered weakly. "I thought I was okay."
"You don't have to be okay," he replied immediately. "Not tonight. Not after everything." His voice softened even more. "Healing takes time, Y/N."
You nodded against him, tears soaking into his shirt.
"C'mere..." He said, pulling you closer. "You need to sleep"
"Stay here with me..." You whispered shyly, looking at him with big eyes.
Jake hesitated. He didn't want to take advantage of your vulnerability in that moment. He didn't want to make you feel weird or uncomfortable.
"Are you sure ?" He asked.
Jake sighed deeply, eventually giving in.
He got into your bed with you before pulling the blanket over the two of you, pulling you back into his arms. He caressed your back softly, making sure you feel safe and secure enough to finally get some sleep. Your breathing began to even out, the tightness in your chest loosening with every quiet second that passed. The images in your head faded into the background, replaced by the steady rhythm of his breath and the warmth of his presence behind you.
You curled your fingers into the fabric of his shirt, not even realizing you'd done it until he tightened his hold just a little, reassuring. The panic was almost gone, leaving behind only exhaustion. Your eyelids grew heavy, muscles finally unclenching as sleep crept in.
Wrapped in his arms, cocooned in warmth and quiet, you finally let yourself drift off. And so did he.
Morning crept in quietly, pale light slipping through the curtains and settling softly over the room. For the first time in a long while, you woke without your heart racing in panic.
You stirred slightly, awareness returning in gentle pieces. The steady rise and fall behind you. An arm still wrapped around your waist. Fingers resting loosely at your side, exactly where they'd been when you fell asleep. You shifted carefully in Jake's grip, turning around so you could face him. His arm loosened just enough to let you move, then settled again around your waist as if his body refused to let you go even in his sleep.
He was still half asleep, lashes resting against his cheeks, brows relaxed in a way you hadn't seen on him before. His breathing was slow and even, warm against your face. You studied him quietly...the faint bruise on his lip, the way his hair fell messily into his eyes, the calm expression he only seemed to wear when he wasn't trying to be strong for someone else.
A gentle smile curved your lips before you even realized it.
You stayed close to him, quietly enjoying his presence.
Jake stirred in his sleep, pulling you even closer against his chest without realizing it. The movement was slow... it felt protective. Your breath caught when you felt his arm tighten, his warmth surrounding you completely.
Your faces were suddenly so close that your noses almost bumped.
And that's when Jake opened his eyes.
For a second, he was still half asleep, gaze unfocused, lashes fluttering as he adjusted to the light. Then he registered how close you were. How little space there was between you. How your eyes were already on his. Jake looked back at you with a sleepy smile tugging at his lips. His eyes softened as they traced your face ... and without realizing it, his gaze dipped to your mouth before flicking back up to meet your eyes. Heat rushed to your cheeks, the moment stretching just a second too long.
Then reality seemed to hit him.
He stiffened slightly, immediately loosening his grip and pulling back just enough to give you space. "Shit..." he muttered under his breath, running a hand through his hair. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to get that close to you."
"N-no, it's okay..." you said softly, shaking your head. "I feel safe with you."
Jake let out a deep breath, relief washed over his features.
"I'm so glad you do." he replied quietly.
After a brief pause, you cleared your throat, trying to ease the weight of the moment. "Do you want breakfast?"
His lips curved into a gentle grin. "Yeah..." he said. "I'd like that."
You were halfway through breakfast when his expression slightly shifted. He hesitated, fingers tapping against his mug before he finally spoke.
"Hey..." he said gently. "There's something I should tell you."
You looked up at him, your heart skipping a beat.
"I, uh... I'm gonna have to head out after this.." he continued carefully. "I've got some things to do I can't really postpone."
For a split second, disappointment flickered in your chest. But before it could sink too deep, he was already leaning forward.
"That doesn't mean I'm not here for you..." he added quickly. "Not at all. You can text me anytime. Day or night. If you need me, I'll come. No questions."
You searched his face, looking for any sign of reluctance...but there was none. He was being honest.
You nodded slowly. "Okay..." you said. "I understand."
Jake smiled softly, relief clear in his eyes. "Good. I just... I don't want you thinking you're on your own now. You're not."
Something warm settled in your chest at his words.
"Thank you." you said quietly.
And after you both finished breakfast together, Jake ended up leaving.
You sat alone on your couch, the quiet finally settling in. The last twenty four hours replayed in your mind in fragments ... fear, chaos, relief. It was hard to wrap your head around how something so horrible had led you here. You'd started the day bracing yourself for pain, wondering what your boyfriend might do to hurt you next... and somehow ended it wrapped in his friend's arms, safe.
It felt unreal. Messy. Beautiful in the strangest way.
Before you could overthink it, you unlocked your phone.
Y/N : Hi... I just wanted to thank you for everything. You might've actually saved my life. If there's anything I can do for you please tell me.
You stared at the screen after sending it, suddenly worried you'd said too much.
It didn't take long for the typing bubble to appear.
Jake : Hey, you don't owe me anything. Seriously. I'm just really glad you're okay.
Then another message appeared.
Jake : If you want we could hang out tomorrow... just to get to know each other a little more ?
Your smile widened, softer this time, warmer. You read the message again, just to be sure you hadn't imagined it.
After a moment, you typed back.
Y/N : I'd really like that...
The reply came almost instantly.
Jake : Yeah? Okay. Then it's a date... well, not a date, unless you want it to be. Just... coffee. Or a walk. Whatever feels good for you.
You laughed quietly to yourself, shaking your head.
Y/N : I'd be down for a walk. I'm kinda done with cafƩs honestly.
There was a brief pause. Just long enough for your heart to flutter.
Jake : That makes total sense, we could go for a walk ? Somewhere quiet. A park, maybe?
Y/N : The park by the riverā¦
Y/N : Itās usually calm there. Do you wanna come back to my house after ? I could cook for usā¦
You stared at the screen for a few more seconds, nerves twisting in your stomach, before finally hitting send.
Almost immediately, the typing bubble appeared. Your heart thumped against your ribs as you waited.
Jake : That sounds amazing !! What if we just cooked together ? I'm not very good at cooking but you could teach me...
You felt a little laugh escape you, the tension in your chest easing just a bit. Teaching him ? That actually sounds kinda funā¦
Y/N : That sounds perfect" you typed back. "I'll show you a few easy things first. You'll be fine, I promise.
Almost instantly, the reply came:
Jake : Awesome. I'll bring the enthusiasm, you bring the patience.
You smiled, the warmth in your chest spreading.
Y/N : Enthusiasm and patience... okay, I think we can work with that.
"Deal" you sent back, feeling a little flutter in your stomach at how normal this all felt. Like laughter, and cooking, and a walk in the park could exist again, unshadowed by fear.
The walk along the river had been calm and easy. You had laughed quietly over small, inconsequential things ...how Jake always somehow managed to step in puddles, even on the driest days, and how you could never remember where you put your keys. The tension from the past few days felt miles away, replaced by a weird, comforting normalcy.
By the time you reached your house, the sun was beginning to dip low, casting the living room in a warm, golden glow. You kicked off your shoes and motioned toward the kitchen
"Okay..." you said, rolling up your sleeves, "you're on chopping duty. Don't hurt yourself please... I don't want my kitchen to turn into a crime scene."
Jake raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Chopping duty? I've seen my fair share of knives in movies. How dangerous can it be?"
"Very!" you replied with mock seriousness, handing him a small cutting board. "One wrong move, and I'm calling the ambulance."
He laughed, settling into the rhythm beside you. You guided his hands gently at first, showing him how to slice vegetables safely. It was clumsy, awkward, and somehow funny ...he kept nearly dropping the carrots or cutting too thick, but he laughed at himself every time, and you found yourself laughing too.
"You know..." he said, glancing up at you, "this is kind of fun. Cooking with someone is way better than I thought."
You smiled, brushing a stray piece of hair behind your ear. "See? Told you. It's not about being perfect. It's about... enjoying it."
He nodded, chopping with exaggerated care, and you caught yourself staring for a moment, heart warming at how natural it felt. There was no fear here, no panic, just the quiet rhythm of two people working together, teasing each other lightly, learning small things about one another in the process.
You tossed the last of the chopped vegetables into the casserole dish, giving it a final stir before sliding it into the oven. The kitchen smelled like roasted carrots, onions, and something comforting you couldn't quite name.
Jake leaned against the counter, arms crossed loosely, watching you more closely than necessary. You caught him staring a few times and felt a little flutter in your chest.
When you spun around, clapping your hands with excitement, "All done! Now we wait!" you didn't expect the way he looked at you. His gaze wasn't just attention...it was warm, admiring, lingering in a way that made your stomach tingle.
You froze for a split second as your eyes met his, lost in the unexpected intensity. There was something unspoken there, something electric in the quiet kitchen. You felt yourself taking a small step forward, and then another.
Jake didn't back up. Not even an inch. Instead, he leaned in slightly, his presence anchoring you, steady and reassuring. Your breaths synced without thinking, the air between you thick with anticipation.
He didn't answer with words. He simply tilted his head slightly, his lips just inches from yours, warm and steady. And for the first time that day, you let yourself close the gap.
The world shrank to that small space between you two. Time slowed. Nothing else existed in the kitchen but the soft brush of his arms near yours, the faint scent of roasted vegetables, and the quiet pulse of something new...something you didn't have to be afraid of.
And as you closed the last inch between your lips, you realized this wasn't forced.
This wasn't rushed. Well, maybe it was ... but it felt so goddamn right.
When your lips met his, it was slow at first, testing the waters. But the second you felt the warmth of him against you, the world outside the kitchen disappeared. The sound of the oven ticking, the faint clatter of utensils... none of it mattered.
Jake's hands moved instinctively, one resting at the small of your back, the other threading into your hair, holding you close yet gentle. His lips molded to yours with a careful intensity, like he was memorizing every part of you in that moment.
You let yourself melt against him, tilting your head, deepening the kiss without thinking. Your hands pressed against his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart through the fabric of his shirt, grounding you even as heat pooled low in your stomach.
He pulled back just slightly, forehead resting against yours, breaths mingling. "God... you feel so perfect." he whispered, voice husky, making your pulse spike.
You smiled against him, heart racing. "You're not so bad yourself..." you teased softly, though your voice shook a little with desire.
Jake chuckled, low and warm, before capturing your lips again, harder this time ... more urgent. His tongue traced yours in gentle exploration, slow and intoxicating, teasing yet passionate. You pressed closer, rocking slightly into him, letting the tension of the past days unravel in this moment.
His hands roamed carefully, tracing the curve of your waist, the line of your back, grounding and electrifying all at once. You tangled your fingers in his hair, tugging him closer, losing yourself in the warmth and the intensity of it all.
Time lost meaning. There was just the heat of your bodies, the taste of him, the way his lips fit yours like they had always belonged there. Every kiss, every sigh, every gentle groan from him sent shivers down your spine.
When you finally pulled back, breaths heavy and hearts pounding, you rested your forehead against his. "Jake..." you murmured, voice trembling. "I've... I've never felt like this before." You admitted.
He pressed his lips to your temple, soft and reverent. "Me neither" he quietly admitted, voice low.
You took a shaky breath, heart still hammering from the kiss, and stepped back just enough to look at him. "What... what is happening?"
Jake's gaze softened, warm and steady, but there was that spark in his eyes...the same one that had drawn you in from the start. "I don't know," he admitted, voice low, rough with emotion... "but... I feel like we should find out."
Your stomach fluttered, nerves and excitement twisting together. He took a small step closer, the heat radiating from him undeniable. "Together?" you whispered.
"Together," he said firmly, tilting his head, a small, teasing smile brushing his lips. "If you want."
Jake rested his forehead on yours before placing another quick kiss on your lips.
"Jake ?" You whispered, voice low.
"I know this day isn't even over yet but today was the best day I've ever had." You confessed.
Jake's eyes softened immediately, that warm, easy smile spreading across his face. "Really?" he asked, almost teasing, though there was something tender in his tone.
You nodded, cheeks still pink. "Yeah... really. I... I didn't think I could feel this happy after everything."
He reached up, brushing a strand of hair behind your ear, thumb lingering at your cheek. "I'm glad I could be part of it..." he murmured, voice low. "You deserve days like this."
You pulled back just slightly, breaking the heat of the moment with a soft laugh. " Maybe we should check on the casserole before it burns..." you said, watching Jake brushing a stray hair from your face.
Jake chuckled, his warm breath tickling your ear. "Good call..." he murmured, letting you step aside. "Wouldn't want our masterpiece to turn into a disaster."
You slid the oven door open together, the rich, roasted smell filling the kitchen. Steam rose in gentle curls, and you both leaned in to inspect it. The vegetables were perfectly caramelized, the top lightly golden, bubbling just enough.
"It smells amazing!" Jake said, eyes shining as he inhaled deeply.
"Looks amazing too..." you agreed, letting a small grin spread across your face. "We make a pretty good team, don't we?"
Jake turned to you, playful and soft at the same time. "The best team..." he said, and just like that, your hands found each other again, fingers intertwining as you both stood there, watching your creation, and each other, with quiet, easy smiles.
The kitchen had never felt warmer. And in that moment, the day's fear and chaos felt like a distant memory, replaced entirely by laughter, warmth, and something beautiful just beginning to blossom. You could feel it...
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