09 | SKETCHBOOKS + WEDDINGS
summary | sketches turn into dates, and dates turn into weddings. at least, not their own.
warnings | mentions of eating disorders, swearing, alcohol, a little smut
a/n | this is really long honestly. it’s about 4.500 words, i swear. i just combined two parts for the hell of it. enjoy. also, request things and ask me questions here [x]. i’d love to hear from you guys.
The tables had been clean for two minutes when she realized she was staring. Y/N didn’t mean to, he was just so strange. His hair was disheveled and his clothes didn’t match the weather. Maybe he was from somewhere else, or maybe he just always dressed like that. Maggie called her name, telling her that she could take her break if she wanted to. And so she sat behind the counter, sitting in front of an elderly gentleman, who joined her in a conversation about the wonders of traveling. “My husband and I went to Italy one year, and we learned so much in three days. More than we ever learned at school. You’d love Italy.”
“I’m sure I would. The Colosseum is there, right? In Rome?” He nodded, but her vision focused on the man two booths behind him, laughing with a man sitting across from him. Something about him was so beautiful, she pulled her little sketchbook from under the counter and began to draw him. Starting out with his face, mapping out his features. His lips were her favorite to draw, drawing in his cupid’s bow as the gentleman across from her asked if he was her boyfriend. “No, he’s not my boyfriend. I actually have no idea who he is.”
“You should go talk to him. He was staring at you before you got on break. Seems like a nice lad.” Y/N looked at the gentleman and smiled, shaking my head.
“He’s got company. I wouldn’t want to intrude on his lunch.” The old man told her it was a shame, that he could be her one true love, or something, and she’d miss out on the chance to meet him. “If we really are soulmates or whatever, we’ll find our way back to each other someday.”
“Y/N, you’ve gotta get back to work now. Take on tables 7-19.” Naturally, the boy she had been drawing was at table 7. She laughed to herself lightly before making her way over to him with a light blush across her face. “Welcome to Little Greece. What can I get for you two today?” His eyes were even prettier up close.
“We’ll have two breakfast specials, yeah? Thank you.” She nodded, licking my lips as she jotted down their orders. She had started making her way to the other tables, when he called her name. Y/N walked back, smiling at him as she stopped in front of his table. “Just thought you should know, you’re very pretty.”
“Thank you very much.” Y/N walked away, handing Mariana the little slip. They gossiped for a second before Y/N went to make my rounds again. Soon their food was done, the hot plates warming her cold hands as Y/N brought them over. “Here you are.”
After they ate, they left. She didn’t see them for the rest of the week, secretly hoping they’d come back inside. Y/N went home everyday more disappointed than the last, but when she went back Monday morning, hoping they’d come back, and they sure did. And she kept drawing him every single Monday whenever they came.
It started out as little drawings - sketches mostly - but those soon transformed into paintings and watercolors. Of course, he had no clue about any of this. He only gathered little information from her as he came in every Monday morning. Every time he’d bring the same friend, always laughing and smiling with him. She slowly started drawing him smiling, laughing.
There was a family emergency during one day at work. Maggie told her she could leave early, handing her the keys to her Mini Cooper, asking her to promise not to crash it. “You promise?”
“Maggie, I really need to go. Grant’s in hospital, please. I won’t crash Bea, I swear.” She raced out of the cafe, dropping her sketchbook in the meantime. The two boys picked it up, looking for a name inside, seeing all the drawings of Van in there.
“She’s got a thing for you, mate.” Van smiled, pocketing the sketchbook, paying the bill and leaving with Larry. “You coming back in tomorrow to give it back?”
“I’ll just wait till Monday. We always come in at the same time, might as well wait until then.” Van shrugged, getting into the car. They rode the rest of the way home, Van worried about the guy, Grant, Y/N said was in hospital.
At the hospital, Y/N sat in the waiting room for her parents to come. When she saw them come from the hallway, they ran to her, telling her that Grant was okay, but he was going to stay here for a while. “He’s gonna be fine, dearie, but he’s got to stay here a few days. They’re afraid he’s not eating right, so they’re gonna monitor him and see how’s he doing.
“Can I go see him?” Her parents nodded, bringing her into her brother’s room. “Hey, Granny. How’ve you been doing?”
“Good, can you show me your drawings? They always make me feel better.” He asked, making her sit on the bed. She nodded, trying to find her sketchbook. She panicked, looking up at her brother with sad eyes.
“I didn’t bring my sketchbook, buddy, but I can show you the ones on my phone, if you’d like.” He smiled, his head nodding frantically. She unlocked her phone, going to the beginning of her drawing album on her photos. His eyes shined as he looked at his big sister’s artwork.
“You finished the painting of cafe boy! It looks so pretty, Y/N/N! I love it, can you hang it up in my room, so when I get home I can see it all the time?” He smiled, bringing his hands under his chin and folding them. Y/N smiled and told him it’d be hung up by the time he got out of the hospital boy. “I still think it’s weird you’ve got some painting of a random boy you’ve been talking to for a few weeks.”
“Oh, hush up, you! You’re the one wanting to know all about him!” They laughed, until she realized she had to go back to the cafe with Maggie’s car. “I’ll come back every day you’re here after work, okay?”
“Got it, Beaner.” They said goodbye and went on with their days. Grant slept the whole time Y/N was gone, not eating a single thing. He didn’t let anyone know about his eating habits, not even mentioning it to his trusted big sister. Like Y/N promised, however, she hung up two of the paintings of Van that she had. She knew her brother would like the one where he was like a zombie, his interest in them getting bigger as he played more and more video games.
Y/N went back to the cafe, handing the keys back to Maggie. She looked all around for her sketchbook, inhaling deeply as she couldn’t find it anywhere. She told Maggie to keep an eye out for it, calling her if she found it anywhere. Maggie didn’t find it, searching all over the cafe again and again.
“You find it, Maggs?” Y/N asked, every single day she came in in the morning. Maggie always said the same thing, a simple ‘no, sorry’. Y/N was upset, hoping the boys didn’t find it, thinking she was creepy. Her paranoia getting the best of her, she said they do think she’s creepy and will never want to see her ever again.
But that was the complete opposite. They did want to see her again, especially Van. He wanted to compliment her on her drawings, since he absolutely loved them. He wondered how long she’d been drawing him.
And so he walked in on Monday morning, by himself. He walked up to the counter, which Y/N was too busy washing it to realize he had sat down. He waited until she finished, pulling out her sketchbook, pretending to go through it like it was the first time. It most certainly wasn’t. He spent the whole week looking through it, loving every single drawing. “Welcome to Li- it’s you. And you’ve found my sketchbook!”
“Figured I’d give it back to you when I came in next. I hope you don’t mind that I went through it. You’re really fucking talented.” “T-Thanks, I’m sorry.” She blushed, looking down at the counter she’d just cleaned.
“Why’re you sorry, love?” He asked, handing her the sketchbook she was looking so hard for.
“That you’ve seen all my drawings of you.. It’s embarrassing. I shouldn’t’ve been drawing you.”
“Why not?” Van asked, grabbing her hand from the edge of the counter. “I loved every single one. You always manage to make me look actually good looking.” “You are good looking.” She blurted, her hand covering her mouth as soon as it came out. “I’m sorry.”
“You’re all good, love.” They both laughed, Y/N pushing a strand of hair behind her ear. Van watched her, the way her face contorted as she laughed and smiled. “I still think you’re pretty. Would you like to go on a date sometime?”
“I, uh, yes. I’d love to.”
***
“Please go with me? I’ll do absolutely anything, I swear.” He pleaded, his forearms resting on the counter. Y/N looks at Van, crossing her arms.
“What makes you think I wanna spend my time at a wedding where I don’t know anyone?” She asked, handing a cup filled with coffee towards a woman sitting next to him. “Plus, what if your family doesn’t like me?”
“They’ll love you, Y/N! It’ll be super fun, I promise! Please come with me?” He waited until she was on the other side of the counter, getting down on both of his knees. Everyone looked over at them, wondering what they were doing. Maggie nudged Y/N, urging her to take time off.
“Y/N, you haven’t taken a vacation at all since you’ve worked here. It’s been six years, love, please go with the boy.” Y/N looked from Maggie, back to Van, who was still on his knees. Y/N sighed, laughing slightly as she agreed. Van smiled, getting off of the floor to hug her. His arms wrapped around her waist and spun her around, hers instinctively wrapping around his neck. “Boy, when’s the wedding?”
“It’s this Saturday, but it’s in Italy.” He answered.
“You’re taking vacation time now, Y/N. Go get plane tickets, and leave. I don’t wanna see you back here until that wedding is over.” Y/N looked at Maggie with her mouth wide open. Van took off her apron and handed it to Maggie, giving her a huge thank you. Van took her hands, dragging her out towards his car.
“I’ll drop you off at your house, and we’ll leave tomorrow morning, okay?” He looked over at her as she slowly buckled her seatbelt. “You okay, darling?”
“I just can’t believe what just happened. Holy shit.” Van and Y/N laughed, Van pulling away from the curb. He drove her home, his thumbs tapping away on the steering wheel. The whole time they sang off-key to all of their favorite songs. She unbuckled herself, leaning over to kiss Van’s cheek. “Thanks for the ride, Van. See you tomorrow.”
“I’ll text you when I’m on the way.” She spent the rest of her night, packing and worrying about money. She didn’t want Van to pay for her plane ticket, calling him to ask if he’d already gotten them. “Yeah, I’ve got them. Why you asking?”
“Uh, just wanted to chip in as best I can,” she picked at the skin on her fingers.
“You don’t have to, I wanna pay for this.” He spoke, putting shirts into his bag.
“Can I get the next date, then?”
“So, you’re counting this as a date?” He smirked, Y/N rolling her eyes as she answered him with a ‘yes’. “Good. We leave tomorrow at 10, so I’ll be there around eight? Does that sound okay?”
“Sounds wonderful. Bye, McCann.”
“See ya, Y/N.” The next couldn’t have come faster. The Tuesday sun welcomed both of them as they were driven to the airport by Y/N’s parents, who wanted to thank Van for taking their daughter somewhere.
“Trust me, she never goes anywhere. She likes to believe she’ll be fine living here all her life. She needs to get out more,” her father said, looking into the rear view mirror. Van began laughing, his eyes shutting, and his head rolling back in laughter. Her mother joined in, laughing along with Van.
“Dad!”
“What?! I’m merely telling the boy the truth!”
“I’ve been out of town many times! I went to Paris that one year!”
“Y/N, you came back two days later because you missed us. I hope you can last six days without us around.” Van still was laughing alongside Y/N’s mum, their laughter didn’t stop.
“I’m sure I can manage, and in my defense, I was nineteen and all alone in Paris.” Van and Y/N parted ways with Y/N’s parents, Van giving each of them a hug and her dad a handshake. “I’ll text you when we land, okay? I love you guys. There’s extra money for Grant in the little box up by the chicken statue. Tell him it’s for his painting collection. Tell him to go wild.”
“Will do. He’ll be so happy, love.” They went through airport security, waiting until they could board their plane. It would be an hour and a half before they’d officially get on. Thankfully, their seats were right next to each other. Y/N didn’t want to sleep, but she ended up taking a little nap on Van’s shoulder until it was safe to move onto his lap. Van watched her, little smiles forming on his face. He’d play with her hair until he’d eventually have to get off the plane.
“Can we be tourists tomorrow? I just feel like havin’ a lazy day today.” Van asked, his arm wrapped around Y/N’s shoulder. She nodded into him, resting her head on his side as they waited for their driver. It didn’t take them long to get to their hotel, their bodies instantly colliding with the comfortable hotel bed.
Y/N was the first one to get out of bed, bringing her bag onto the bed to pick out a set of pajamas. “I’m gonna take a bath. Knock before you come in for anything, please.”
“Of course.” Y/N didn’t shut the door all the way, thinking the door would just shut on its own somehow, but it didn’t. All that Van could see when he peaked was Y/N’s bareback before a towel was wrapped around her. He heard the water begin to run and he looked towards the tv, finding the remote underneath the screen. He grabbed it, going back into the bed after slipping his shoes off. He picked some lame romance movie he knew he wasn’t going to be able to sit through. He grabbed his pack of cigarettes and went onto the balcony they had.
Verona was beautiful. The city was filled with love and energy that was truly beautiful. What drew Van away from his overlooking of the city was the call of his name coming from the girl in the bath. He knocked on the door before she told him he could come in. “Wanna get some wine? I’ve got an idea.”
“Sure thing. Anything else you want me to get?”
“Nope, that’s all.” Van nodded, closing the door fully behind him. He embarked on his journey to find a bottle of wine that wasn’t severely overpriced. It didn’t take him long, they sold wine bottles a few buildings down. He bought a few bottles and hurried back to their hotel room. Y/N was fully dressed by the time he came back. She sat on the bed shuffling a deck of cards. “You ready?”
“Love, I don’t even know what we’re doing,” he complained, sitting down on the bed with the bottles of wine next to him.
“Just take off your shoes and socks, then I’ll tell ya,” and so he did, doing what he was told. He waited for her to begin speaking again. “We’re gonna get drunk, then we’re gonna sleep and wake up tomorrow morning and nurse a hangover.”
“Why?” He asked, popping open a bottle of red.
“Never been drunk before. Wanna try.” Van looked at her with a bit of an open mouth, not believing someone could go their whole life without even drinking. “What? Does that seriously surprise you?”
“Guess not,” he smiled, taking a sip of wine from the bottle. And so they got drunk as more and more laughter filled the room. Secrets were shared between them, Van stuttering as he whispered his. Y/N didn’t have very many, she wasn’t a secretive person. She was an open book, her life as bland as vanilla ice cream.
“I’ve never had sex before, but I read a lot about it. It intrigues me.” She slurred, taking the bottle from Van’s hands.
“It’s the best feeling ever.” He spoke, laying back on their bed.
“Maybe you could teach me sometime.”
“I could, but not now. I’m very tired.” Y/N put the bottle on the bedside table, getting off the bed to dig into Van’s bag. “What’re you doing?”
“Getting you pajamas! You’re not going to be comfortable sleeping in jeans, silly.” She pulled out the first t shirt and pants she saw. She helped him out of his shirt, pulling it over his head before helping him out of his pants. She slipped on his pajamas, climbing into the bed next to him. She whispered lightly as she cuddled into Van’s side, “Goodnight, Van.”
“Goodnight, love.”
***
Saturday was here. Y/N was nervous, and wiping the palms of her hands on her dress. She didn’t want to leave the bathroom, in fear that her dress was showing too much of her skin. Her brother told her she looked beautiful, and it was time to bring this dress out again. She’d got it originally for a school dance, but ended up not going. “Y/N, you okay in there? We’ve gotta leave in a couple minutes.”
“I-I’m good, just wondering if I should wear this scarf or not.”
“Let me see, and I’ll tell you.” She unlocked the door, stepping out of the bathroom as Van’s eyes fell on her. He’d never seen something more beautiful in his whole life. The scarf was on, and then, in one swift motion, it was by her side, being held in her hands. “I’d go without it. Think it’s gonna be warm out today.”
“Let me help you,” Y/N spoke as Van tried to tie his tie. His hands rested on her waist, watching her face as her eyes focused on working on his tie. She flickered her eyes from his tie back to his lips, before finishing it. “There. We ready to go?”
“Yes. Whenever you’re ready.” They were driven to the venue, finding their side. The church was beautiful, and big, which was an underestimation. It seemed like the ceiling touched the clouds, the top of the statue on top forever getting to graze the stars. Everywhere in the church the sun peaked through and touched somehow. “Hey, Jer! You excited?”
“As excited as one can be. Is this Y/N?” Y/N reached to grab Jeremy’s hand. He took hers, shaking it as he smiled. “I’m Jeremy, Ryan here, talks about you all the time.”
“Ryan? You never told me your name was Ryan. And I call bullshit.” Jeremy laughed at Y/N and Van, as Van tried to explain him hating his name. “That’s not a good excuse to change it! Ugh, you’re frustrating. Anyways, congratulations, Jeremy. I’m excited to be here.”
“Well, I’m glad you’re here. How long are you two staying?”
“Just till Monday. We’ve been here since Tuesday.” Y/N spoke, giving Jeremy a hug before the ceremony was going to start. Y/N and Van took their seats in the second row and waited for the bridesmaids and groomsmen to walk out. Then Betty walked out, her dress absolutely beautiful, she looked like an absolute princess.
The ceremony itself wasn’t that long, but it seemed to drag on forever as the church was constantly filled with laughter. Y/N cried, tears silently falling down her face as she imagined herself as the bride, marrying the love of her life. Van wrapped his arm around her, pulling her into his side. “Don’t cry, love. Save it for your wedding day.”
He almost said the words ‘our wedding’, but he was afraid that would scare her off. The new bride and groom kissed, everyone in the church clapping as Jeremy dipped Betty, and walked off. Van and Y/N followed behind after everyone left, Y/N’s need to see every inch of the church only growing.
“It’s so beautiful here, Van. Look at the artistry, and the statues! These are so beautiful.” Van smiled lightly as he watched her gush about the artwork inside the church. Much to her dismay, they were escorted out by the preacher, who asked them so nicely to leave the building so he could officiate another wedding in a few hours.
They went back to the hotel, killing time by watching movies until the reception was beginning. Drinks and food was served right away, everyone decently drunk by the time music started playing. “Dance with me, love!”
They practically ran to the dancefloor, taking their rightful spots next to the bride and groom. Y/N tells Betty how wonderful she looked, gushing about how absolutely beautiful the dress was. Van and Jeremy talked about nothing that mattered - music and their women, mostly. Van told Jeremy about how much Y/N was killing him. “She doesn’t even know that she’s doing it, though. She just fucks me up without even touching me, Jer. I don’t know how I’m supposed to get through these next few days without wanting to kiss her all the damn time.”
“You really like her, don’t you?”
“No, I hate her. Of course I fucking like her, mate! Now, help me! How am I supposed to deal with her? Not that she’s a problem.” Van yelled into Jeremy’s ear, making Jeremy laugh. He shook his head, shrugging his shoulders.
“Just kiss her, Van. You’ll feel a shit ton better if you do. And trust me, she wants to kiss you, too.” Jeremy walked off and stole Betty from Y/N, making Y/N walking towards Van.
“We should get something to drink so we don’t dance ourselves to death,” she joked, pulling him towards the bar. He ordered two glasses of wine, handing one over to Y/N. She took it, thanking Van as she took her first sip. They small talked until the attention was brought to the dancefloor, indicating they were about to share their first dance. “Can’t Fight This Feeling” by REO Speedwagon played as the couple sang to the other as they wrapped each other in an embrace.
“We’re not gonna do this at our wedding, are we?” Van asked, immediately freezing up as he realized what he’s said.
“No we are not. We’re gonna be even worse.” She smiled at him, kissing his cheek. He blushed, his face becoming red hot. She wrapped her arm around his waist, giving it a little squeeze to let him know that it was okay, she wasn’t spooked by the early talk of marriage.
“Thank you for coming everyone. We appreciate every single one of you being here. Now, we have a little thank you gift for everyone. Shots from now on are on us! Take as many as you want.” Van was one of the first people back to the bar, ordering two tequila shots, equipped with salt and two limes. He showed her how to take it, putting some salt on the back of her hand. Van took her hand, licking the salt off of it while looking her in the eyes. He then downed the shot and bit the lime.
Y/N did the same, making eye contact the same way Van did when she licked the salt off of his hand. The tequila felt foreign to her, even though she’d had it a few times before. Van was aching inside, his mouth hung slightly open as she tipped her head back to take it. He wanted to curse, tell her she was the most beautiful women he’d ever met.
They spent the rest of their time getting (not too terribly) drunk off tequila shots and, what seemed like, each other. Y/N enjoyed the company of Van’s family, easily fitting in with their uncaring demeanor. Van loved watching Y/N dance with some family friends of his, the girls just talking about how beautiful Y/N looked in her dress. “She looks really good, Ryan. You found yourself a work of art.”
“Yeah, she is.” Jeremy looked at the way Van stared at her, noticing it was the exact same way he looked as his wife. He patted Van on the back, walking over to his wife, planting a kiss on her lips. Van walked over towards Y/N, pulling her from the crowd, “wanna go back to the hotel? I’m kinda tired.”
“Yeah, my feet hurt from these heels.” They called a driver, him dropping them off wishing them luck on their travels. Van paid and helped Y/N out of the car and up to the hotel room. She huffed, trying to unzip her dress, but failing to do so. “I can’t get my dress off.”
“Can I?” Y/N nodded, moving her hair over to one side, giving Van full access of her zipper. His hand lay gently on her shoulder as his other hand attends to the issue at hand. He unzips the dress slowly, his fingertips grazing at the newly exposed skin. It fell to the floor with a small sound, stepping out of it she turned to Van. His eyes never left her face. He didn’t look anywhere but her eyes. It was killing her on the inside. She wanted him to look, in her head she practically begged him.
“Kiss me,” she whispered, her hands locking with Van’s. And he obeyed. His lips just barely touched hers, making sure this was what she truly wanted. She pulled his face down to hers, her lips crashing onto his.
It was like this for the rest of the night. Passionate kissing without any release of sorts. Van didn’t want to have sex with her, at least, at the moment. And Y/N wasn’t ready to have sex, seeing as she’d never had it before. Sometime in the midst of their makeout, she told him. “Van, I’ve never…. done anything like… this… before.”
“You’re a virgin?” He asked, her head nodding up and down. “That’s okay. I’ll wait until you’re ready, darling. Just say the word and I’m ready.”
“Thank you,” she smiled, kissing Van on the tip of his nose. They laid in each other’s arms and decided their last two days there deserved to be spent roaming around the wonderful city, drinking in everything they could until they’d inevitably go back to their wonderful town.