Find yourself a Valentine ♡
Pairing: Adrian Chase x female!Reader
Summary: Adrian seeks help to the 11th Street Kids to ask a certain someone in the team out for Valentine’s Day… But their advices fail one after the other. What could Adrian do to ask you, his devastatingly huge crush out?! Little did he know that being himself was the answer…
Author’s note: No TW, is a tiny bit angsty but ends in a teeth rotting fluff. Reader is kinda oblivious, but so is Adrian. Reader rants facts like Adrian (and like me). Use of [name] cuz I don’t wanna use y/n or not refer to a name. English isn’t my first language, and that may be bad or good… depending on your criteria. And this is the first fic I wrote to publish cuz I got ocxcanon w/ Adrian on my drafts and I’m too self conscious to publish it, yet. Once I get support, idk. If there’s any errors feel free to notify me! Anyways, enjoy yourself! I wish you had a lovely Valentine’s either with a partner, friends or family, or on your own 💗🧜♂️
Adrian wasn’t one for holidays. Even more once he became an adult. Back when he was a kid he’d spend Halloween trying to escape from his older brother’s nasty pranks while dressed up in costumes his mom made. On Christmas, he at least got to spend the holiday twice, one with his mom and one with his dad, but compared to other kids, it wasn’t the kind of “happy Christmas” you’d imagine.
And then there was Valentine’s Day…
He never really celebrated Valentine’s Day. He never got cards in school, and never went on a date on Valentine’s Day, or ever for that matter. He was comfortable with that, he wouldn’t spend lots of money on silly, superficial things on a relationship that would probably end eventually. It was other couples’ loss.
Adrian never planned on celebrating Valentine’s Day, never crossed his mind at all. Until he met you.
Sweet, badass, talented you. You were there from the start, since Task X Force had the Project Butterfly. At first he didn’t think much of you, just another soldier for A.R.G.U.S that worked with his bff Peacemaker. But as time went by, you became part of his days during the alien butterfly alien mission, and after it too. The whole group kept in touch, and after all the events with the doppelgänger nazi universe, Checkmate was formed, and you become, how could I say it… a necessity for his everyday.
As soon as he walked in the office, you were there, and either if you were smiling at him or looking like you had the worst morning ever, he’d see you as the highlight of his day. You talked to him, actually talked to him voluntarily, defended him whenever Harcourt, Economos or Chris were mean to him. Whatever happened, you always remembered him. Sometimes you bring him a coffee from a nearby cafeteria in the morning, you always teamed up with him in missions, and you sometimes bring him stuff like a knife or some trinket saying “They had one in teal, so I thought you’d like it”. And you quizzed him whenever he wanted! You never complained, you were always an eager learner like him.
It was some months after Checkmate, right in mid January when the thought crossed his mind when he was talking with Chris.
“Hey bro, what’s with you and [name]?” They were both in the break room, having a coffee first thing in the morning.
“What do you mean? Is she mad at me?” Adrian is quick to ask back. What was with you and him? Last time he talked to you, which was yesterday, on the phone, you two talked until midnight and it was great. Maybe he talked about spiders a bit too much? Could that be it?
“No no, I meant what’s up between you two. You always ogle at her and you’re basically attached by the hip, and I’ve never, once, seen her snap out at you.” Chris stands in front of him, talking more seriously.
“Well… we get along really well.”
“Yeaaah, really well, huh?” Chris extended the really in a very unnecessary way. “C’mon man, are you two… y’know, fucking? ‘Cause I thought you weren’t into se-”
“What?! What makes you think that! We’re not fucking!”
Chris leaned in, like he was analyzing Adrian’s face.
“Well then, why do you always look at her like she hung the moon and the stars? That’s not exactly a look you give friends.”
“I-I don’t- We just get along really well!”
“Ohhh yeaaah, for sure. Anyways, got stuff to do. Bye.”
Adrian stays still for some seconds. Was he really attached to the hip by you? He always thought being around you that much was completely normal, so why does Chris think it’s because you two have something? Sure, he wasn’t always around Adebayo or Harcourt or Economos like that. Harcourt and Economos weren’t as nice as you… or as interesting, or as pretty…
“Wait, were you being sarcastic?!”
“Adrian! Are you okay? You’ve been spaced out for a while now, you’ve barely said a word… Is everything okay?”
Your yelling took his head back to reality. You two were having takeout together at your place, something you two do every now and then after a hard mission. But today his mind was elsewhere.
“Y-yeah, sorry. I’m okay, just thinking about something.”
“Okay… You sure you’re okay?” You asked one last time, your hand moving to rest on top of his knee. You were both at your couch, eating while Discovery Chanel was on your TV.
He felt his skin warming up as you touched his knee, and a bothering feeling was on his stomach. But not in the way when something touches him and it icks him, it was different. It wasn’t even skin to skin, he was wearing sweatpants. Your voice was soft, as always. You asked for a last time if he was okay, and his words got stuck on his throat.
“Yes- hm, yes. I’m okay, it was nothing.” His voice got a bit hoarse, but he decided to just brush it off. Your gaze returned to the screen, but his eyes kept looking at you.
It was definitely not “nothing”.
February was getting near, and Adrian became certain of something now. He liked you. He like liked you. If in a day he didn’t see, he’d check his phone every five seconds looking like maniac, because talking to you made him feel things. Not only talking, just being in your presence, it was like you got a spell on him or something, because he couldn’t find any other explanation other than he liked you.
Now the knowledge of February 14th getting closer and closer was like torture. He wanted you to be his Valentine, there was no way he’d let that chance slip! What if next year you get a cool boyfriend or you move out of the city? He wasn’t going to lose this opportunity that was served to him in silver platter. There was just one thing he needed to do…
He didn’t have a plan, his brain couldn’t come up with one. This opportunity was too damn perfect so he had to come up with something equally perfect. If only he could ask someone else for advice.
That was it! Let one of his awesome friends decide the fate of his friendship with you! Everyone else was pretty sure more familiar with the Valentine’s Day field than he was, so that seemed like the only alternative.
“Chris! Dude! There you are!” Adrian ran behind Chris as he was going inside the break room. Adrian quickly shot the door behind him and Chris stood staring at him.
“What’s your matter, man?” Chris raised his hands defensively, Adrian was panting and his glasses were askew on his nose.
“Valentine’s Day!” Adrian yelled out, making Chris wince at him. He then cleared his throat. “Valentine’s Day, I wanna ask [name] to be my Valentine.”
“WOOH! Fucking finally! You finally accepted you liked her, huh?” Chris elbowed Adrian. “Yup, I did…” Adrian rubbed his rib where Chris practically hit him.
“And you came to the expert? Don’t worry, I’ll get you that hot date!” Chris wraps his arm around Adrian’s shoulder, guiding him to the break room’s table.
“If you really wanna impress her, you always gotta act tough. Girls dig the mysterious, but also something teasing, some spice, y’know? Say something like ‘Oh, yeah, I don’t need Valentine’s Day to show someone I care. I can do that any day of the week.’ You get me?” Chris was talking very… passionately. So who was Adrian to tell him otherwise? If his bff said this would work, it should work. Right?
Adrian was walking around Checkmate, looking for someone. That someone being you. The he spotted you standing in front of the copier, and following Chris’ instructions, he walked calmly and coolly towards you.
“Hey.” He said nonchalantly, resting an elbow on top of a counter besides the copier. “Hey Adrian, how’s it going?” Oh her smile, it was warmer today, and he eyes, squinted as she was grinning. His brain short-circuited.
“Adrian?” You waved your hand in front of his eyes, and he shock his while leaning more to the counter. “Ehh… Y’know, Valentine’s Day is so dumb, like, couples can show affection any day of the whole year. It kinda makes it a waste of time. What!s the holiday even about? To make people have dates and spend money?” Was that what Chris told him to say? Damn him for not rehearsing in front of the mirror. He just hoped you wouldn’t think anything weird.
“Do you know about the origin of Valentine’s Day?” Your eyes brightened up, something he’d notice you did whenever you remembered a very interesting fact about something. And he was more than glad to hear it.
After about five minutes talking and now learning that the holiday is behind a Roman priest wedding soldiers to their partners in secret and then being executed in February 14th, he walked back to his desk only to realize… he didn’t get to ask you out.
Was it his fault that the last attempt didn’t work out? Kinda. Did that mean that he had to look for help from Harcourt? It did, he just couldn’t go back to Chris now, he had to look for another perspective. Including Harcourt’s.
“So you wanna ask [name] to be your Valentine…” Adrian nodded, standing right next to Harcourt’s desk. She began rubbing the bridge of her nose. That wasn’t a good sign.
“Then just do it. Why do you have to come and bother me with that? Be straightforward, man up! She’s either into you or not! Get out of my sight, Adrian!”
Adrian really couldn’t handle getting yelled at, less by Harcourt. Long story short, he went to you for comfort, and absolutely forgot to ask you out, again.
“We already talked about this, Harcourt doesn’t like you asking her things. What did you even ask her?” You consoled him while he was sitting in your couch.
Time was running short, and so were his possibilities. Was the advice he got bad, or was he bad at asking his crush out? He hoped it was the first. So for the third try, he went to another person in the team.
“Y’know I never celebrated Valentine!s Day, right?” Economos ate his sandwich in the break room, Adrian sitting in front of him with the most concerned expression.
“I know, I just need whatever advice you have, pleaaaaase! I’d literally do anything!” Adrian clasped his hands together and petted out the most pathetic whine that anyone that’d hear would pity him.
“Okay okay! How about you just send her an email? If you can’t do it face to face, we have computers for something.”
“John, you’re a genius!” Adrian ran out of the break room so quickly he almost threw his chair back.
“Adrian, why did you sent the whole office an email saying ‘Hey, how are you? I’m free on the 14th, how about we have a date then? 🧜♂️’ Wanna explain that Adrian?” Adebayo was standing besides him with her arms crossed, looking disappointed but also absolutely confused.
Shoot. Turns out it was him who was bad at ask his crush out. “It’s for my dentist.”
“You’re going to see your dentist the 14th? And you sent it to everyone in this office?” She raised her eyebrow at him, looking skeptical.
Day and day went by, and Adrian was beginning to think he was actually cursed to never be able to land a date. Maybe he should’ve gone to the only one in Checkmate that is actually married. Even if they’re currently in a break up.
“Hey Ads… about the email thing last Friday…The email was meant for [name]. I wanna ask her out for Valentine’s, and I literally tried everything! I need your help!” Adrian was with Adebayo in the break room, he was speaking in a hushed, ashamed voice. Who wouldn’t after that situation?
Adebayo immediately took Adrian’s shoulders. “Oh my god! Really?! I knew it! Don’t you worry, I’m going to give you the best advice! I’ll be your cupid and we’ll get you that date!”
A huge smile immediately draws on Adrian’s face. He finally felt some hope that this would go well!
“So you’re saying nothing worked, right?” Ads leads him to sit down on one of the chairs, then sitting in front of him. “Absolutely everything.” Adrian said.
“Okay, and have you tried…making something yourself? Like… pastries, or cookies?” Adebayo suggested, and Adrian was left with his jaw hanging like it was a mind blowing idea.
“No I haven’t! I’ll make something tonight and give it to her tomorrow! It’ll be perfect! Thanks Ads!” Adrian spoke so quickly that he almost went out of air, and then he rushed out of the break room.
Kitchen utensils were everywhere, the countertop was dirty with spilled eggs and flour. Things didn’t look that bad, aside from Adrian’s mom trying to get inside and see what he was doing, he’d yelled out her like five times by now. But none of that mattered, because in every stir, and every chocolate chip he mixed into the batter, his only motivation and only worry was you. If this could actually turn out to be as perfect as you, and to be perfect for you.
Adrian hurried to Adebayo’s desk first thing in the morning, clutching his backpack to his chest.
“Pshh, Ads… I made it!” Adrian sneaked up besides her, rummaging through his backpack.
“Yes, I told you that you could!” When Adrian took out the topper, Adebayo’s smile got smaller and smaller.
“Adrian… What are those?” She pointed at the topper. Inside were irregularly shaped… brownies? They looked like brownies because they very, very brown.
“What do you mean? They’re cookies.” Adrian looked confused, but that smile of his was still present, wide and proud.
“Adrian, did you do the recipe I sent you?”
“What recipe?” The worst part of all, is that he still looked confused about what was wrong. “Oh god… I don’t think you can give her this.”
“Really? Man! I worked so hard I-“ Adebayo quickly put her hand on his shoulder, stopping him on his tracks.
“Hey guys! Adrian, I didn’t see you come in the office.” You were standing right behind Adrian, beginning to look past his shoulder and at what he hand in his hands.
“Whatcha got there?” Innocent, sweet you… You didn’t know how much he was wishing to be swallowed by the earth right now.
“Are those brownies?” Adrian had to immediately stand up to try and keep the topper out of your sight. But it was just too late now.
“No, they’re supposed to be cookies…” ‘Don’t tell her they were meant for her, she’ll be immediately disgusted and never talk to you and you will die a virgin.’
You just chuckled at him, a warm, heart-throbbing chuckle. “They probably aren’t that bad.” You reached out for the topper and took it from his hands before he could react.
You took one of the cookies, and he watched attentively, ready for whatever might come. But he didn’t really expect you to make such a disgusted face.
“Why are they so salty?” You frowned as you returned the half eating cookie to the topper. Adrian’s brain went to emergency mode, he just froze in place while looking at you. But he eventually snapped out of it.
“Oh shit, my mom doesn’t label the sugar and salt, which is so not cool, they’re completely identical! I messed it up, I’m so-“
“It’s okay, Adrian. I just- I need to get some water.” You know extended the topper to him and he received it with weak arms, watching you walk away to the break room.
“Oh my god, Adrian. How can you mistake salt from sugar?!” Ads covered her face with her hands, her words muffled but still carrying the disappointment in them.
“I messed it up reaaal good now…”
Adrian has been quiet the whole day, not once has he stopped at your desk to chat with you, or drop random facts, or asking you to quiz him! It was rather strange. Really strange.
“Hey, Adrian… Are you okay?” You approached his desk. His gaze was concentrated on his computer, actually filling out a report of some sort.
“Huh? Oh, yeah yeah. I’m okay.” Adrian said while lowering his head and giving you a slight nod. That answer obviously didn’t convince you, but he seemed in a strange mood you’ve never seen him before. You were unsure on how to react, he meant so much to you… and the lingering thought that it could possibly, possibly be your fault was withering you from the inside. But there wasn’t much you could do in this situation, but only hope he’d open up.
“Alright… If there’s anything- anything I could help you with, just tell me… okay?” You hesitated for a second, but finally placed your hand on top of his shoulder, giving him a soft squeeze. He barely moved, only giving her another short nod.
“Okay… Bye.” She eased her hand away and walked back to her desk.
“Adrian… What’s happening to you?” Ads approached him from behind, having watched the whole situation. She leaned on his desk, a concerned expression on her face.
“It’s over, Ads… I’ll never get to ask her out.” Adrian buried his face on his hands. “C’mon, Adrian… don’t say that. Valentine’s Day is still tomorrow, you still have time to ask her.”
“Would it even work? I’ve ran out of ideas, I need something that won’t leave me in the friend zone and completely humiliated!” Adrian said it a hushed voice, clearly looking in despair.
“Wow wow, calm down, we’ll find something…” Adebayo moved her rolling chair to sit next to Adrian, helping him settle down and sit straight again. Even though his face was still with a huge, exaggerated pout.
Adrian took a breath to try and ease his mind, just like you always encourage him to do. “I first asked Chris and he told me to act really manly ‘cause girls like that, but it didn’t work. Harcourt just yelled me out, and Economos gave me the idea of the email, and as you know…”
“It didn’t work.” Adebayo looked at him with a downturned smile. She was starting to see the problem.
“Adrian, I think the problem with all your attempts are… that they weren’t your plans. Do you want to ask her out? Do what you think she’ll like, what would you like to do?” Ads opened Adrian’s eyes to what was the problem.
“I got it! Thankyouthankyouthankyou, Ads!” Adrian I’m immediately stood up, taking his backpack and his keys from his desk, carelessly turning off his computer and running off.
In Friday’s like this you’d usually be home by now, but no. You’d somehow ended up having to finish all of Adrian’s work. Why? You didn’t know, you didn’t see him since the morning
You weren’t angry at him, just confused, ‘cause why would he disappear in the middle of the day? Even when you texted him asking him about it, he didn’t answer. He usually answered in about five minutes. You were genuinely getting concerned by now.
You were finally leaving the Checkmate building, only few of the team were still inside, and you tiredly walked to your car getting the keys out of your pocket when you heard a honk behind you. You looked behind and even in the twilight lighting you could make out the grey Sebling, hastily parking and getting out of his car.
“Adrian, where were you?! Hey!” You yelled but he didn’t hear you, he opened his back seat and took something out and ran, ran towards you.
“Hi [name]… I- um…“ In his hands he held a bouquet of red roses, but some were crooked and missing petals. And he was also holding a pink teddy bear, a red ribbon around its neck, and it was holding a heart that said ‘Be My Valentine.’
“Adrian… what’s all this?” You were left deeply confused, and you would need a little explanation before reaching to any conclusion.
Adrian’s heart is pumping through his chest and he’s having a whirlwind of emotions all at once. “[Name]… I need to confess you something. I-… I like you. I really like you, [name] and- this past days have been a hell for me because I wanted to ask you if you would be my Valentine, but I wanted to make it right.” He confessed, messily, stumbling over his words. But the feeling in them were vulnerable and you could realize how overwhelming it was for him. So you waited for him to finish.
“I had to drive to a shop for almost 20 minutes because a lot of store were closing or had really lame things, and I didn’t want to get you something lame, it had to be perfect! But then I needed to come back before you finished your shift or else it would’ve been too late so I ended up grabbing the first thing I saw.” Adrian finished talking as he finally ran out of air from saying all that in just two breaths.
“Are you done?” You asked, all of this made you feel flustered and really amused too. “Yeah…” Adrian nodded, squinting his eyes as if he was expecting a punch or something.
“I’d love to be your Valentine, Adrian.” You reached out to hold his hands, placing them on top of his while he was still holding his two gifts. And before he could say or do anything, your hands quickly found his cheeks and you kissed him. Softly, gently and full of feelings of joy and relief. Adrian nearly dropped the things from his hands, his knees also wobbled a bit, but you pulled away just in time before he could faint.
“You could’ve just gave me a pretty rock and I still would’ve said yes. I like you too, Adrian. I like you a lot.” You ran your fingers through his hair, feeling his curls and brushing some that were sticked to his sweaty forehead.
“I would’ve gotten you the prettiest rock on earth.” His eyes were lost in your face, in your smile. He was drowning in bliss right now and he would refuse to being rescued.
“Would you like to go to my place? Then we’d spend Valentine’s together.” You jingled your car keys in front of his face.
“Don’t even ask me twice.”
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