<AN> Me? Stop doing Saturday updates of hbad just to start them again when they’re least expected? Of course!!
I don’t think even I saw this coming when I first had the idea for a future!ajay x mc AU about a month and a half ago. And 103 pages, 35990 words, and 43 days later... wow. This is it. I’m really tearing up, honestly.
You guys have been so amazingly supportive of this, and I couldn’t be more grateful! This, the thirteenth and final chapter, is dedicated to everyone who read, liked, replied to or reblogged any part of this fic. You guys are my lifeblood, thank you so much for reading.
Before I do the tag list and finally get this show on the road, I wanted to share this comment I left on the fic the second I finished drafting chapter 13. It’s... absolutely me.
Anyways. Thank you.
also gonna warn again for references to explicit activity and like hella suggestion, but as always nothing explicit. </AN>
Grace woke up Monday morning to sunlight streaming through the windows into the peach-colored room and a pillow pressed up against her back. She groaned and rolled over, stretching out, and finding the other side of the bed empty.
She was disappointed until she heard conversation and laughing from the other side of the door and a delicious smell wafting in. Grace was hungry. She popped her back, then sank her toes into the soft carpet. After pushing herself up she rummaged through her bag, grabbing a sports bra and a pair of shorts to wear with the t-shirt she’d slept in. She brought the collar up to her nose and sniffed–it smelled just like him, a soapy smell with a little mint. She quickly put the clothes on, then opened the door to Ajay’s bedroom.
She leaned against the door frame for a moment, a soft smile crossing her face as she looked out into the kitchen. He was there, stirring something in a saucepan while his roommate (his name was Jake, Grace dimly recalled) sat at the breakfast bar nursing a large cup of coffee. A timer went off somewhere in the kitchen.
“Dammit, I almost forgot about the muffins,” she heard Ajay say. “Jake, could you please–”
“I’m on it.” As Jake was getting off his stool, he turned and noticed Grace.
“Hey, Grace!” he called over with a smile as he walked around to the oven. Ajay whipped his head around, his face lighting up when he saw her.
“Good morning, sleepyhead.”
Grace pushed herself off the door frame and walked over. Jake, having gotten the english muffins out of the oven, gave a huge yawn as he walked over to Grace.
“Sleep well? I didn’t,” he smirked, holding out a hand for her to shake. She turned scarlet, instantly realizing what he meant.
“Jake, stop being a dick,” Ajay called from the kitchen. Grace tentatively took Jake’s hand, opening her mouth to apologize when he shook his head.
“Don’t worry about it. Really.” Then Jake turned back to the breakfast bar, climbing back on his stool. Grace made her way over to Ajay, wrapping her arms around his waist from behind while he waited for the poached eggs to finish cooking. He turned his head to kiss her on the forehead.
“Grace, this fool is bringing someone home at least once a week. I guarantee you he didn’t care.”
Still red, Grace buried her face between Ajay’s shoulder blades, taking the moment to breathe in the smell of his t-shirt. But she dropped the subject.
“What are you making?” she asked in a voice still a little rough from just waking up.
“Eggs benedict,” he said proudly. “I’ve been working on the hollandaise sauce for days.”
“Aw, all this for me?”
“No, for me too. And for Jake, because apparently he thinks he can come out here, make fun of me, and still get free breakfast.”
“It’s true, though! You’re literally making enough for three.”
“I’ll throw this plate at your head,” Ajay joked, not even turning to look at him. Ajay made a move towards a slotted spoon on the counter, so Grace released him and went over to sit at the breakfast bar.
“So. Jake. I want to know all his embarrassing stories,” Grace said. Jake took another long sip of his coffee and rubbed at his eyes.
“Well, most of what he’s done lately has been talking nonstop about you,” Jake grinned.
“Jake!” Ajay yelled, nearly dropping an egg back into the pan. Jake just laughed, and Grace joined in.
“Oh, that reminds me,” Jake said, patting the counter, “Why were you guys laughing last night? Ajay, did you-?”
“Okay, we are definitely not talking about this,” Ajay said hurriedly, cutting him off. Grace blushed again, but smiled apologetically when he set a plate down in front of her. She eagerly dug in to the eggs benedict, finding the hollandaise sauce to be a perfect compliment to the egg, canadian bacon, and english muffin.
“This tastes amazing! I could get used to this.”
“Anything for you. Coffee?” Ajay asked.
“Ooh, yes please. Two sugars and a little milk.”
“Coming right up.”
“Hey I’ll take another cup, black,” Jake piped up. Ajay glared at him as he set Grace’s mug down in front of her.
“Get it yourself.”
Jake, hands up in surrender, walked around to the coffee machine. Ajay finished serving up the eggs, then took a seat across from Grace. Once she’d finished a bite, he pulled her in for a kiss. Then he tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear.
“How are you doing?” he asked quietly.
“Amazingly,” she replied, picking his hand up and kissing the back. Ajay was about to kiss her again when Jake settled back on his stool, fresh cup of coffee in hand.
“So, Grace,” Jake said, “Tell me about yourself! Ajay’s told me a lot, but that’s mostly been about your talent or how amazing you are.” Ajay turned red, burying his face in his hands and groaning. “I want to know something with more substance.”
“Well, um, what do you want to know?”
He paused, possibly thinking over possible questions. “What’s your favorite thing to do on a free weeknight?”
Grace tilted her head, considering the question. “I’d have to say watch movies. I have all these movies, old and new stuff I got from thrift stores, and I’ve been slowly working my way through them.”
Jake’s face lit up. “Oh, you like movies? That’s awesome. Ajay, you didn’t tell me she was this cool!”
“Pretty sure I did,” Ajay retorted, then turned to Grace. “He’s an indie film editor,” he explained.
Jake checked his watch and cursed, getting up. “Speaking of which, I have to go. I’m almost late and it’s your fault.”
“Payback!” Ajay yelled at his retreating back. Then he turned back to Grace.
“Sorry about him.”
“I’m embarrassed!” Grace wailed, putting her hands in front of her face. Ajay tugged her wrists away.
“Don’t be. He’s literally done that exact same thing to me over and over. He doesn’t care, he just likes to tease.”
“If you insist…”
Ajay grinned at her and sat back, finishing up his breakfast. “You like the eggs?”
“Loved them,” Grace replied. “The sauce was perfect and the muffins were even better. I’m lucky to have snapped you up, with all these baking skills. I thought your cooking was like a dream in high school, I didn’t know they could get better.”
“Oh, I did a summer abroad in Paris during college and took a few classes there. I still can’t even compare to the experts. But thank you, I’m glad you’re happy.”
“Ajay, you know I’d be happy here if you made me a bowl of cereal. You make me happy, the delicious food is just a plus.”
He shook his head and beamed at her. “How did I get lucky enough to get a second chance with you?”
“We’re both lucky.” Grace leaned in to kiss him, but jumped back when Jake bustled through the apartment, a briefcase over his shoulder.
“See you guys.”
“Bye!” Ajay called, then stood up to shut the door behind him and swept Grace up into a bruising kiss, running his hands down her sides.
“I thought he’d never leave,” he whispered, making her giggle. He kissed her deeply, then pulled back.
“So, we’ve got about four hours until we have to be at strike. Did you want to go home, or do you want to stay here?”
“I’ll stay here. It’s closer to the theatre. And also that means I get to spend more time with my boyfriend, so it’s a win-win.”
“Great,” he smiled. “Anything in particular you want to do?”
“Do you have Netflix?”
“Yep!”
“Then let’s watch a movie and cuddle.” Grace decided.
“Sounds great to me! Which movie?”
“Ooh, what about Hairspray?”
“You have good taste. I’ll get it cued up, you grab some blankets from my bed.”
A few hours later, Grace and Ajay watched the credits scroll across the scene. Ajay’s arm was still around her, her legs thrown across his lap.
“Every time I watch that movie I remember why it’s my favorite,” Grace sighed. Ajay laughed at her gently, then pulled his arm back. She took her legs off his lap, turning to face him.
“Okay, now we’ve got one hour before strike. And I actually thought of something I wanted to do,” he said, gently taking her hand.
Grace wiggled her eyebrows at him.
“No! I mean, yes, but I actually wanted to say something.”
“Alright, go for it,” Grace said, taking in his serious expression. “Everything okay?”
“Of course. I just need to say something, in the interest of complete honesty between us.”
“Spit it out,” Grace said, growing concerned. He didn’t make eye contact, instead staring at their linked hands.
“Okay. So,” he huffed, “I don’t know if I should qualify it by saying ‘again’ or ‘still’, but…” he trailed off, seemingly losing his nerve. She tightened her grip on his hand, trying to offer him support. But it was hard to support him when she had no idea what was going to come out of his mouth next. He took in a deep, shuddering breath and finally met her eyes.
“Grace, I love you.”
She let the words resonate around the small apartment, her grip on his hands slackening and her eyes widening. He looked like he wanted badly to take it back, but they both knew he couldn’t.
“I- Ajay,” Grace started, then stopped suddenly. It was as if her entire brain had switched off when he’d said those words. Her heart started beating faster, like it was making up for her head’s inactivity.
He squeezed her hand, looking a little sad but still smiling. She looked away, still trying desperately to figure out how she felt about it.
“You don’t have to say it back, I know it’s really soon and we’ve both been through a lot, but I had to say it. I don’t know if it’s because of the friendship we rebuilt over the course of the show, or if it’s because we rekindled something, but that’s how I feel. And I won’t say it anymore until you’re comfortable with it. But I needed to tell you.”
He kept rambling, but Grace didn’t register any of the words he said past that. Tears pricked in her eyes, and her brain was finally startled back into action. Between the tears and the pounding in her chest, Grace figured out exactly how she was feeling.
“I love you too,” she said suddenly, cutting him off. She finally looked back at him, lacing their fingers back together. “I love you too.”
She watched as the realization spread across his face, a hesitant smile forming there.
“You love me?” he asked, voice shaky.
“I love you,” she replied, and found it to be the truest, rawest feeling in her head. “It’s not too soon. Between our friendship, our previous relationship and all the emotions of last night, I… it’s not too soon. It’s the perfect time. I love you again, and I love you still.”
They sat and stared at each other for a moment, lost in a universe all their own. She watched as he went from near disbelief to shock to pure love, something that she’d seen in his eyes before but never quite this much. He pulled her to him and captured her lips in a passionate kiss, holding her tightly against him. When they separated, he pulled her into a hug, pressing his face into her shoulder.
“I love you,” he whispered to her, repeating it over and over. She leaned back to kiss his forehead and to cup his face.
<AN> Ohhhhhh boy. Here’s a thing. It’s a little thing. To be more clear, it’s the first part of a series I’m planning. Would like to credit @lilmissperfectlyimperfect as my amazing cowriter (giving me ALL of the ideas) and @lorosette for giving me headcanons and hella inspiration. Also want to tag The Crew: @pixelburied, @witchiegirl, @anlashokk, @directorajay, @itsbrindleybinch. Hope y’all enjoy! </AN>
Breathe, Ajay told himself. It’s not that hard. Inhale. Exhale. That’s really all you have to do, just… do it.
Much, much easier said than done. He broke himself out of his trance to take in the scene around him. The lockers he was leaning against. The nearly deserted hallway. The snow gently falling outside. The girl standing right in front of him, looking up at him with a confused expression, her arm holding a textbook to her chest and a heavy-looking backpack slung over the other shoulder.
“Ajay?” she prompted. He tried to remember how to breathe.
Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale- not that fast!
Okay, he had breathing down. Breathing was good. Progress was being made. Now, to remember how to speak. More precisely, to remember the words he was going to say.
“I… do you…” he stumbled over his words. Damnit. He took another breath, then looked down again at her. She’d pressed her lips together, like she was trying to hold back a laugh. Her eyes were dancing. He remembered why he’d decided to come over here and do this.
“Do you…” he trailed off, trying desperately to remember his words. Since when had he gotten this nervous? He didn’t usually get nervous, that wasn't his thing. Why did she make him so nervous?
“Spit it out,” Grace said, barely managing to hold back a giggle at his distressed expression.
“Ughhhhhhh…” he groaned, then rubbed his eyes. “Do you. Want to. Go out on a date. With me. Um. This afternoon.”
She blinked rapidly, then her face just lit up. Her eyes shone and she grinned, a huge smile stretching across her face.
“Really? Are you serious right now?!”
“Of course I am! So… yes?” he asked hopefully, a blush warming his cheeks.
“Definitely yes!” She turned to shove her book into her locker, then finally closed it. She reached out a tentative hand, and he took it just as shyly. For a moment they stood there, lost in the same space. She squeezed his hand.
“So… coffee?”
“I’m not the biggest coffee fan,” she grimaced. “But I could go for a peppermint hot chocolate!”
“You don’t drink coffee? God, I’ve made a huge mistake…” Ajay joked, pretending to let go of her hand. She only held on tighter.
“Ah! You can’t go back on it! Look! We’re holding hands! You’re following this through!”
He laughed. “Damn, I guess I have to now.” He smiled down at her and led her out into the parking lot and to his car. She settled in the front seat and, once he turned the car on, started flicking through the radio stations. He had almost pulled out onto the main road outside the school when she settled on one, a classic rock station. She immediately kicked her feet up on his dash and started imitating a ferocious riff on an air guitar. He shook his head in mock disappointment.
“Why do you have to be such a dork? All the time?” he teased.
“Hey, you said it yourself. Dorky… but cute!”
Ajay rolled his eyes. “Suit yourself.” He turned his eyes back to the road.
After a few seconds of silence:
“SMOOOOOOOOOOOKE ON THE WAAAAAATTTTEEEERRRR!” she belted out, along with the voice on the radio.
“FIRE IN THE SKY!” Ajay joined in, headbanging briefly. This only served to crack her up more. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see this cute little wrinkle in her nose as she laughed.
“That’s adorable.” He gave her a soft smile. She grinned back, then returned to the song, this time banging on invisible drums along with the even beat. He thought she was probably adding too much invisible cymbal, but didn’t say anything.
In no time at all, they were at the coffee shop. As they stood in line, Grace elbowed him gently in the side.
“What’re you gonna get?”
“A flat white.”
“Yawn. Boring.” she replied in a sing-song voice.
“No, I just have a refined palate. And respect for coffee, unlike someone” he teased back.
“Snob.”
They collected their drinks- she had settled on the peppermint hot chocolate- and grabbed a spot at a table not far from the door. He took a sip of his flat white and looked at her over the rim of his cup. The weak winter sun shone on her face at just the right angle to sparkle in her eyes as she sipped her drink. She flitted her eyes over to his, catching him staring. She reddened slightly and set her cup down.
“So. Question.”
“Yeah?”
“Why did you ask me out?”
He blinked. “Is it not obvious? I’ve had a crush on you for a while, Grace. I didn’t think I was being slick about it.”
She blushed a little more. “Wait, really? I couldn’t tell.”
“Oh. Well, I did.”
“Huh.” She took a long sip of her hot chocolate. “Wait, why?”
“Why?” he asked, bewildered.
“Yeah, why? Why did you have a crush on me?” She laughed nervously.
“I don’t… really know? Just because you’re you, I guess. You’re… I mean obviously I think you’re cute. You’re really dedicated to acting, and you’re passionate. I guess you’re just all-around a sweet person.”
“Awwwww” she teased. “I actually didn’t think I could get you to say all that.”
“Well…” he gestured with his hands, lost for words. His face heated up. “Well, why did you say yes when I asked?” he countered.
“Uh…” she hesitated, trying to collect her thoughts. “Because I had a crush on you, too.”
His eyes twinkled. “Oh, really? Since when?”
“You’re a dork.” She hid her face in her hands and peeked out at him through her fingers. “Probably… since we got locked in the theatre together. I feel like I really got to know you then. And I really liked what I learned about you.”
“Really? Even my terrible track record with romance?”
“A red flag that I ignored,” she teased. “So, anyways. Enough of that. What do people usually do on dates?”
“Get to know each other. But since we were already close, I don’t know. How about you just… I don’t know, tell me about your day or something.”
Grace took a final sip from her peppermint hot chocolate and then launched into a long-winded account of her math class, featuring the teacher that definitely had it out for her ever since she’d fallen asleep in class during tech week for the play. Ajay listened to her intently, chin resting on his hand, eyes focused on her shining eyes or her soft hair. Everything felt… right.
He was suddenly very, very glad he’d asked her out.
***
The rest of the afternoon passed by way too quickly. They passed the time exchanging flirty roasts, debating the importance of math to The Real World, and swapping stories about their favorite (and least favorite) classes and teachers. In no time at all, it was nearing 4:30 and Grace made an offhand comment about needing to be home for dinner. Hands linked, they made their way out to his car.
He pulled up at her house a few minutes later, and left the car before she could even unbuckle her seatbelt. He was at the passenger door in a flash, opening it for her with a big smile.
“Wow, what a gentleman,” Grace teased. She took his hand and they walked together up to the bottom of the steps that led up to the porch.
“So.” she said.
“So.”
They stood in a slightly awkward silence for a few seconds.
“So,” she started again, “I had a really great time. It was a lot of fun. We should definitely do this again, soon.”
“What, the coffee part? Or the date part?”
She squeezed his hand. “The date part, idiot.”
He laughed at himself. “Just checking. I had a great time, too.” He leaned forward, as if he was going in for a kiss- but at the last second he stopped himself, diverting to press his lips to her cheek instead. He didn’t see that her face fell the slightest bit when he switched directions.
“Text me when you get home, ok?”
“Will do! Have a good night, Grace.” He shot her one last affectionate smile and let go of her hand, retreating back down her driveway to where he’d parked on the curb, behind a few trees.
Once he got back in his car, he had to take a second to breathe and reflect before he could start driving home. He kept the radio tuned to the classic rock station but turned down the volume. He fired off a quick text to his parents, letting them know he was on his way home. Then, he buckled his seatbelt and started the car.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw something move. He turned his head to look, view partially obstructed by the line of trees, and saw Grace sprinting across her front lawn… across to Rory’s house. He saw her knock on the door and watched as he let her in with a hug.
Jealousy sprang up in his chest, burning as his mind raced. Had he been reading things wrong? Had she decided, even after their date, that she liked Rory more?
His stomach sank. Had she lied to him, when she said she had a good time? Had she lied, when she told him about how she’d had a crush on him for a while?
He shook his head, trying to return himself to rational thought. Rory was her friend, he told himself. Maybe she was just going to hang out. And even if she wasn’t, well… it wasn’t like they’d established any kind of exclusivity. It was only one date.
Ajay managed to regain control of his mind enough to tell himself that he was being stupid and paranoid. That the date had gone well, and that there would be another. Still, a small doubt lingered in the back of his mind as he drove home.
