Dinos & Dutch Bros - Nick Van Owen x Reader | Fluff
Summary: You met your friend Nick Van Owen by chance, but what happens when you want more?
TW: Mentions of Boudoir photo shoots
Note: Heavily set in Phoenix, AZ
|| Masterlist || Request Here || Fandoms/ Characters || Req by Anon
You met Nick Van Owen by chance. Genuinely by chance. You’d read Dr. Malcolm's book about his experience on Isla Sorna, where Nick was briefly mentioned, but you had never dreamed of meeting the man in real life, let alone at a Dutch Bros. Remember that Dutch Bros are drive-throughs with tables for people who walk or use public transportation. They are not intended to be sat at. But you loved them on days that weren’t too hot just to sit outside and maybe get a little work done. Not to mention, the staff were extremely friendly.
“Excuse me? This seat open?” He had sort of a middle-range voice, and you couldn’t help but notice how some of his vowels had a sort of crunch to them that you found really pleasant. He was handsome and well-built but not outrageous-looking like most gym bros were.
“Yes,” You smiled, though allowing a stranger into your personal space felt odd. This public space got a lot of foot traffic, so you felt safe.
“I’m Nick,” He introduced himself, calloused hand jutting forward in greeting. You couldn’t help but notice the camera bag slung around his shoulder. “Nick Van Owen.”
“You’re a photographer? Me too. What kind do you do?”
“Boudoir. My job is to make people feel sexy.”
“Interesting. Making people feel sexy just so happens to be a hobby of mine.” He smiled wickedly, making you chuckle at his obvious flirting. Then it clicked. Nick Van Owen. Documentarian photographer.
“I’m sorry, I can’t help but ask - were you part of the team on Isla Sorna that preluded the San Diego incident?”
“So my reputation precedes me.” He joked, “Yeah, that was me.”
“I read Dr. Malcolm’s book. You were mentioned briefly. Can I ask - what were they like? The dinosaurs, I mean.”
You met up regularly after that, between his assignments and work with Greenpeace. He would tell you about the places he’d seen and the people he’d met. You loved hearing his stories and his impeccable comedy. You learned that he’d moved to the Phoenix area after Isla Sorna, looking to set up his home somewhere that didn’t reflect his experience. You were good friends. But if you were just ‘good’ friends, then how come you could never sleep at night whenever he was gone on whatever assignment he was commissioned to do?
“Do me a favor; kneel at the foot of the bed facing the headboard, knees slightly apart, and hold your hair like you’re putting it in a ponytail,” You directed your client as you got in position at the head of the bed. “Soften the look just a little, like you’re home alone, wearing your lingerie just to feel sexy for yourself.”
“So this mystery man you were telling me about last time? Going anywhere with him?” Clarice asked as she followed your directions. She was a regular client that very frequently booked these sessions.
“No, He’s in Isreal currently.” You sighed, snapping your pictures and directing her to a different pose.
“Have you hooked up yet?”
“NO! We are just friends!”
“Yeah? Then why haven’t you shut up about Nick Van Owen since you met him?” Clarice challenged.
You sighed, “He’s a busy man, Clare. He wouldn’t have the time for me even if I wanted him to.”
“Well, I ship it. I'll knock some sense into him if I ever get my hands on him.”
The two of you finished your session as normal, promising Clarice she’d have her edited photos back within a week when your phone rang in your pocket.
“Hey, Nick,” You answered, stopping Clarice in her tracks. You checked your watch, “Isn’t it like 2 am there? You should be sleeping.”
“That’s not important. What are you doing right now?”
“I’m at my studio. I just finished a session.”
What is he saying? Clarice mouthed to you. You held a finger to your lips, focusing on what Nick was saying.
“My jet landed an hour ago, and I’m starving for a classic burger. What do you say, kid, are you dressed for dinner?”
He’s asking me to dinner, You mouthed back. You and Nick had casual dinners before, but this felt different. Firstly, he’d never surprised you by not telling you when he was coming home before. It was also rare that you had dinner together that wasn’t just drunk late-night Filiberto’s.
“Um,” You inspected your outfit in one of the studio mirrors, “Yeah, I can be dressed for dinner.”
“Perfect. I’m outside your studio.”
“What?” You were in utter disbelief, “What do you mean you’re outside?”
Clarice looked eyes with you and rushed out of the studio, ready to set her eyes on the man you haven’t been able to shut up about for six months. You followed quickly after, camera bag and backpack slung over your shoulder.
True to his word, Nick was waiting for you outside, all tanned from his time overseas. His arms open wide, anticipating the way that you jumped into his arms.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming home?” You asked.
“I wanted to surprise you.”
“Mission successful,” Clarice snorted before introducing herself. “Anyway, I have to go. The husband is expecting me home.”
You said your goodbyes to Clarice once again and climbed into the passenger seat of Nick’s car.
“Nothing fancy, an Italian place called Burger Theory. Have you ever been?”
“This is a big city, Nick. I can’t say I have.” You teased.
“I heard it's nice, and I know you like food. So I figured, why not.” He was starting to word vomit now, rambling about how excited he was to be back and how much he missed the city.
“Nick, I have to ask -” You decided to rip the bandaid off, “Is this a date?”
He scratched the back of his neck. “I was getting to the asking part.”
“I’d be happy to go on a date with you, Nick.”
The burgers and brews were delicious. You and Nick had a great time talking about his time in Jerusalem. You talked about your boudoir photoshoots, and Nick joked about photographing you. Finally, you both got tired of the restaurant scene, and Nick offered to drive you both back to his apartment.
The apartment was surprisingly clean for a bachelor pad, but then again, Nick was hardly home long enough to make a mess.
“I always thought about you, you know.” He admitted as you lay next to him in bed, a movie playing that you were hardly paying attention to, “Every time I had to leave, I always thought that I was leaving you.”
“You made me laugh, Nick,” You admitted, “I always liked guys who made me laugh. Frankly, it was too easy to like you.”
“Remember that night we were playing that drinking game where you put the mustaches on the tv, and we got really drunk and ordered in Filib’s? That was when it all changed for me. You were being such a goof and talking about your last boudoir shoot, and you were just so comfortable in your skin. I fell for you right then and there.”
You remembered it well. You and Nick entertained each other most of the night by pretending to be each other boudoir sessions. Posing dorkily, trying to be sexy while super drunk. Nick had collapsed onto you after you had put him in a high-stress pose. His lips had hovered close to yours, and you wanted to kiss him so badly. The moment had passed as soon as it had started.
You adjusted yourself so you could look Nick in the eye. His warm brown eyes drew you in until your lips were a breath's width from his.
“Kiss me,” You whispered into the quiet room. His soft lips sent butterflies aflutter in your stomach. You’d never known a man who made you feel this wanted.
“Y/n,” Nick asked when you finally separated for air. “Do you wanna be my girlfriend?”
