coworker!black swan first date
gulp... this is my first time posting... but i fr cant get coworker!swannie out of my head. i hope the pacing is ok... i apologize beforehand for being the self-indulgence final boss #ok. i also hope its not too out of character... pwease see my vision everyone... finally.. english isn't my first language hehe... i hope u enjoy this little snack regardless !! :3c
for some context: click here! wc: 1.8k
reader is intended to be gn!
monday, 8:00 a.m.
you’d never shown up at work this early… however, you found yourself in desperate need of distraction after spending your weekend agonizing over the fact that black swan had to take you home friday night… god. she probably hated you–even if the thought was extremely irrational, it still lingered in the back of your mind. with a straight posture and headphones on, you worked diligently, an unusual, serious aura lingering around you.
around two hours in, you felt a tap on your shoulder, and it was, of course, none other than black swan. your muscles froze, and the room was suddenly super warm. you yank your headphones off as she greets you with a gentle smile, whereas you can only stutter out an apology for what happened last weekend. she knits her brows in confusion, then chuckles, “why are you apologizing?”
“well..” you look down, biting your lip and turning your gaze towards the scattered sticky notes on your desk. “i’m just sorry you had to deal with… all that…”
"deal with what?" she placed the drink she got you down on the desk and pulled over a chair, sitting down like she had all the time in the world. "you were fine. you remained perfectly professional through the entire dinner. it was quite impressive, actually."
"but after that… you really didn't mind?"
"i really didn't. but it did get me thinking, there’s something i’ve been meaning to ask you. would you have dinner with me?" she said it so casually... though her eyes were focused entirely on your reaction. "tonight."
"well of course! i mean… we do have team dinner tonight, don't we?" you ask, oblivious and adorable as ever. "i thought it was on the calendar–"
"no." she was smiling faintly now, resisting the urge to tease you. “i'm asking you. just the two of us."
"i–" your brain had officially stopped working. "you mean…"
"i mean, let's ditch the team." she leaned forward, resting her elbow on your desk as she whispered so sweetly… "they'll survive one week without us. plus, i’d rather spend the evening fully focused on you."
“ah, well… i’d be delighted to!” your eyes sparkle, and you try not to sound too excited (you fail). she can’t help but smile a little wider, adding your animated expression to the record of you she has in her mind.
"good." black swan stood, running her hands to smooth her blazer, already pulling out her phone. "i'll pick you up at seven." 6:15 pm
you’d tried on like 10 outfits… and none of them seemed to satisfy you. the first one was too casual. the second, a little too formal; the third… just no; and the rest were all tangled and wrinkly on your bed… sigh… after a lot of debating with yourself, you settled for a steel-blue turtle neck and a cute little brown (skirt/pair of pants).
suddenly, your phone buzzed.
black swan: On my way. Do you need me to get you anything?
you: no im good you: thank u tho :3c you: see you soon!!
black swan: I look forward to it.
after checking every bit of your outfit for wrinkles, fixing your hair a billion times, and picking the perfect jewelry, black swan called you. “i’m at the lobby.” her voice a little amused, she knew exactly how nervous you were before you even replied.
"coming!" you said it brightly, almost in a sing-song tone, and immediately wanted to die a little.
swan’s soft laugh came through the phone, making you even more nervous. "take your time."
she was waiting near the entrance when you came down, and your brain just… stopped the moment your eyes met.
hair down, dark jeans, and this soft sweater that made her look unfairly good and soft... it was genuinely so infuriating. black wan glanced up from her phone when she heard your distinct walking pattern, and her expression softened, making your heart stutter and your cheeks heat up.
after exchanging a simple greeting, swan held the door open, and you walked out together to where her car was parked. she opened the passenger door before you could reach for it, and you slid in. the car smelled like her perfume, that same scent from that night… your mind wandered, promptly interrupted by a water bottle that had seemingly appeared in your lap.
you turn to look at black swan, your head tilted in confusion. "just in case you need it." she laughs teasingly. you couldn’t even argue against it; you often forgot to hydrate properly when nervous. with a sigh, you took a sip while she circled to the driver's side.
the engine started smoothly, classical music playing faintly in the background. she drove with one hand, the other resting on the console—palm up and relaxed, an invitation she wasn't going to voice out loud. you stared at it. she had to know what she was doing.
instead of acting on your desire to hold it, you opted to admire, noting how her rings caught the passing streetlights. your own hands stayed firmly in your lap, even as every part of you wanted to reach over.
the city blurred past–familiar streets gradually replaced by buildings you didn’t recognize. she parked at this seemingly low-key restaurant, with string lights over the courtyard entrance and a warm glow from the windows.
she opened your door again, and her hand settled at your back as you walked in, touch so light you could've missed it. the interior was dark wood with inviting, low lighting. a mix of fancy and intimate. the host greeted her by name–she'd definitely been here before–and led you to a corner table, tucked away from everyone else.
the menu was small. you scanned through it quickly and…oh?
everything you liked. the type of cuisine you'd mentioned once, months ago, during some random lunch break conversation you vaguely recall having. she remembered… you looked up, and she was already watching you with an unreadable expression, waiting for you to notice.
"did you–"
"i wanted to make sure you'd actually like it, you mentioned this type of food once. i thought…" black swan trailed off, getting uncharacteristically sheepish for a millisecond, and something in your chest went all warm and tight.
"it's perfect."
god, that sounded so cheesy. you cleared your throat. "i mean—thank you. Everything seems really good, you’re so thoughtful." the way you grin has her smiling back, the look in her eyes indicates she's pleased with herself. "good. i'm glad you like it." she holds your gaze longer than necessary before picking up her menu, completely unbothered.
you went through the menu, chatting about it for a few minutes. she calls the waiter over and orders for both of you. after setting it down, she rests her palm on the wooden table, tracing patterns along the grain mindlessly, which you couldn’t help but notice. her hands were so elegant, and just… all of her was too pretty, it was overwhelming. you started to get shyer and quieter. the conversation didn't flow as easily.
your foot bumped against hers under the table, but she didn’t pull away, which was somewhat comforting. over the surface, her pinky shifted just enough to brush against yours. your breath caught and you pulled back on instinct, reaching for your drink instead.
the food arrived and you started getting chattier. black swan asked about things she'd been storing–that book you'd been trying to finish, the play you mentioned wanting to see, whether you ended up trying that café near the office you mentioned once.
finally feeling more at ease, you eagerly reached for swannie’s hand when she said something that made you laugh. she responded by interlacing her fingers with yours, her thumb tracing circles in a soothing rhythm against your skin.
"there we go," she murmured to herself. your face warmed but you made the very brave choice of not letting go. not like you could when her touch was so relaxing, and certainly not when she was looking at you like that, so soft and pleased. this was exactly what she'd been hoping for all evening.
"what?" you tilt your head.
"nothing. i.m just glad you're relaxing," she squeezed your hand tenderly. "you've been tense all evening." "i so haven’t!"
"you have, but it’s okay, it’s cute."
dinner continued like that, her thumb never stopped that gentle pattern against your skin. you told her about your plans for the week, and she told you about how she’s been into pottery lately (#hinting at a future date ok black swan i see u…). you gave her some of your meal for her to try and she did the same.
the evening flew by quickly. black swan paid the bill before you could even offer to split it, and in turn you gave her your best fake pout. "i was going to get that."
"nuh-uh! plus, i’ll get it next time too," she said simply. so there will be a next time…
"okay, well…" you tugged her close to you, "then i'm treating you to ice cream!"
black swan raised an eyebrow. "it's freezing out."
"so what? ice cream is a year-round food!"
"is it now?" the corner of her mouth twitches upward.
"mhm! let’s go now!" you pulled her toward the exit and swannie followed, laughing softly.
outside, the air hit you immediately and you kinda regretted suggesting ice cream. she noticed, and squeezed your hand.
"hold on. i have a coat in the car."
you walked back to where she'd parked and she popped the trunk, pulling out a perfectly tailored coat that probably cost more than your rent. she draped it over your shoulders before you could protest.
"but you'll be cold…"
"i'll be fine." she was already adjusting the collar, making sure it sat right. "there. better?"
it smelled like her. you were trying very hard to be normal about this. "yeah, thanks."
"so…" she locked the car. "where's this ice cream?"
you pointed towards a nearby park, “there, i saw it when we got here. let’s hope it’s still open!” she kept close despite the pep in your step, her hand making its way to yours again.
the guy working looked half-asleep but perked up when you approached. she ordered vanilla with salted caramel. you got your usual and paid before she could, feeling victorious! you walked back toward the car slowly while enjoying your ice cream.
“did you have fun?” black swan asked, opening the door for you.
“mhm! it was a really good date.” you grin as you get comfy on the passenger seat. she leaned down and gave you a sweet kiss on the cheek before closing the door and getting in the car herself. she started the engine, her hand finding yours over the console immediately. the drive back felt too short.
swannie walked with you into the lobby and stood there for a moment, closer than necessary. her eyes dropped to your mouth for just a second before flicking back up.
"thank you for tonight," you said quietly, starting to slip the coat off.
black swan stops your movements, "you can return it later, goodnight.”
you give her a small but heartwarming hug. “goodnight, make sure to text me when you get home.” -- lowkey i didn't know how to end it... i'll def keep experimenting a little more ! i hope i can expand my vocab too... toodles !
