Feveruary Day 13— “Are You Okay To Drive Like This?”—Cara Ward x fem!reader
Was supposed to be for Feveruary, been working on this one for ages. Finally got back to finishing it…and there will be a part two!
You can’t remember the exact reason why you decided to go visit your girlfriend at the restaurant where she works tonight, but one minute you were sitting at home after finishing up some homework, and the next you’re here, some indie song playing off your car playlist as you drive the quiet road leading out of town.
Cara couldn’t get a job in Little Kilton, not after everything that happened with her father.
If it wasn’t owners flat out throwing away applications because they’d read the name Ward on the sheet, or managers shaking their heads because they don’t want to go through the implications of hiring a murderer’s daughter, then it was her coming to your place trying not to cry after a bad shift somewhere new where all she did was get dirty looks, rude comments, and judged for her name and something out of her control until she quit or you suggested it wasn’t the right job for now.
Eventually, the two of you figured out she could just get a job out of town. Away from the looks and judgements and the people in your community who used to adore her and her family who now treat her like she’s nothing, or even worse, that she’s something. Something that could become like him.
So driving an hour or so outside of town has become something you’re both quite used to.
Her work schedule isn’t crazy, nothing that gets in the way of school or time with you, but its enough for her to make some money, and enough to give her some sense of normalcy back. The restaurant had hired her on the spot because of her enigmatic personality and hadn’t batted an eye at her last name nor did they seem to know, or if they do, they don’t care.
That first week, there was a shift in her mood, a good one this time. One where you saw a bit of her light coming back. A light that proved that at her core, beneath all the trauma, anger, and pain, she’s still Cara.
The girl who steals chips off your plate when she thinks you aren’t looking then smiles at you innocently and kisses away your surprise.
The girl who sneezes into your hoodies even in the middle of conversations and stays there a moment longer because that’s where she feels safest.
The girl buys you flowers for no reason other than to make you smile and leaves little notes a trinkets in your pockets for you to find randomly throughout the day.
The girl you’re absolutely in love with.
Even with the hard parts, especially through the hard parts. You love all of her, not just the sunshine-y version. But seeing her lit up again like her awe for the world is slowly returning? That made your chest nearly burst with hope and relief, a reminder to both her and you that she’s still her despite it all.
Even though it had been past midnight when she’d gotten back from her first ever shift there, she’d driven straight to your house to tell you about it, tired, but smiling wider than you’d seen in days.
The tables she waits on are full of strangers who don’t know anything about her. They’re either completely unaware or tourists who have even less of a clue. People there treat her like a human being, even her coworkers and boss.
They all get to see the Cara you do. The Cara, who for a few hours isn’t burdened by her father, her name, but instead, known for the caring, energetic, magnetic, golden girl that’s still able to peek out when she’s able to truly just be herself.
Tonight though, as you drive past open snowy fields and old stone walls, your thoughts turn to earlier today, when you’d noticed Cara was a bit sniffly in class and quieter at lunch. Towards the end of your last period, she’d brushed off your concern with a sincere smile, but the rosy tinge to her nose was already a few shades darker than this morning.
You know Cara hates being sick, hates missing school. She already missed enough when everything happened, and she’s always been the girl to try and push through a cold anyways.
So, you suppose this is why you’re driving to her work, you smile to yourself a little, so you can keep an eye on your stubborn girl.
Your heart warms at how adorably determined she can get, but as you keep driving, a little nagging feeling in the back of your mind tugs at your chest thinking of the possibility of her working through a cold. You know she can handle it, but if she is coming down with something, then all you want is to wrap her up in all your blankets and hold her until she feels better.
By the time you reach the cozy restaurant, the last bits of daylight are fading, the warm lights from the big windows are inviting against the darkness of a chilly winter evening turning into night. A few small flakes of snow seem to appear out of nowhere, making the whole evening feel that much more peaceful.
A sharp wind cuts at your cheeks as you step out into the lot and your eyes are already watering a little even just from your quick shuffle from your car to the restaurant’s entrance.
You huff a deep sigh when the warmth greets you, the smell of fresh bread and herbs from the kitchen and woodsmoke and old stone from the fireplace feel familiar in that gentle sort of way that tells every sense in your body; oh it’s safe here.
You immediately spot Cara rushing about with practiced ease as she winds from one table to the next, her dark wavy hair set up in a messy, beautiful ponytail that bounces slightly when she laughs at something a customer says. The sound cuts through the dining room chatter, making your fond smile return.
You barely have to step towards the host stand before one of your girlfriend’s friendly coworkers recognizes you and calls back behind to her.
“Cara! You might wanna take this one.” She smiles knowingly and shuffles out of the way for Cara to take her place, and the second Cara turns to face you, oh…
It only takes you a moment to notice she’s not feeling 100%. She might not be feeling miserable, but she’s definitely not at her best, though you can tell from how her shoulders slump just slightly when she’s with you how hard she’s been performing.
Her cheeks are flushed a delicate pink, and not the usual one she gets from running around the restaurant all evening. No, this is something deeper.
And when she smiles, it doesn’t quite reach her eyes, which also look tired and absent of the usual Cara sparkle she seems to have when she’s working and can be herself again.
“Babe?” Her brows shoot up a little in surprise but her whole expression softens almost immediately when she sees you, and her voice is what you notice next.
“What’re doing here?” Cara’s normal smooth, charming voice is softer and there’s a hint of raspiness to it that wouldn’t be noticeable to anyone else, but it is to you.
It’s uncommon for you to just show up to her work unplanned. Usually you’ll talk about it together. She’ll let you know which days are expected to be slower and less crowded and you’ll let her know before she even leaves if you’re planning on coming by for a drink or a meal or simply to watch her enjoy herself as she seems to float around with trays, smiling sweetly and somehow remembering the names of diners and small facts about them even if the restaurant is completely packed.
“Cara.” You can’t help but chide softly and you’re pretty sure your tone gives your worry away completely because she quickly smiles wider though you absolutely catch the small sniffle she very much pretends doesn’t happen. She knows the jig is up, even if it was more about seriously wanting to not miss her shift rather than trying to hide her growing cold from you.
“Please don’t start.” She groans but her smile sticks around, the small one. The special one reserved just for you. It always makes your stomach warm with affection.
You shake your head with a chuckle. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” You muse lightly and Cara rolls her eyes slightly as she grabs a menu even though you know it by heart.
“Table for one?” She raises an eyebrow knowingly.
“Only if my server is cute.” You follow her as she starts weaving through the larger tables before coming to your favorite quieter one by the windows.
Cara sets the menu down with a soft chuckle that absolutely sounds a little more tired than it should be this early into her shift, and before she replies, she pulls our your chair in one swift motion and pecks a light kiss to your cheek as you sit down. “Wow, such a gentleman…though you know I’m not sure if this is professional behavior.” You joke lightly, making your girlfriend laugh again.
She reaches over to your hand resting on the worn wooden table and gives it a gentle squeeze. “I’ll be right back.” She promises before weaving her way back through the tables, checking on her diners as she goes. You’re already looking when she glances back with that soft smile just for you and the look in her eye confirms everything you’ve suspected.
“Definitely getting sick.” You hum to yourself, picking up the menu and already planning to stay for her entire shift and thinking of about at least 17 ways you’re going to take care of her when you both get home.
When you gaze out the window at the fields just beyond the road, thinking of your stubbornly sniffly girl and noticing the snow starting to fall a little heavier, you have no idea just how far you’ll go to take care of your girl later tonight.
