Summary: When a convention panel is delayed, John Pitts and his co-star recreate the most infamous scene from Heart of the West—only to give the audience the kiss their characters never did. Afterward, neither of them can sleep, and one late-night conversation changes everything.
Status: Complete
Words: 2,093
A/N: So John Pitts took my brain and demanded attention, so here you are. Your author lives on feedback. All errors are mine.
Warnings: John Pitts x atress!fem!Reader; allusion to sex.
Disclaimer: I own nothing. No copyright infringement intended. This is not written for profit.
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John Pitts Masterlist
Being in the middle of a con was crazy. Being here as an actor was insane. John was having the time of his life. It was like riding a constant high, surrounded by fans who were so passionate about him and his work. It was one thing to hear friends, family, or fellow actors tell him he was doing good work. It was something else entirely to hear the people who watched the show cheering for him and the rest of the cast with that kind of enthusiasm. Especially for an old western.
The downside was getting those same people packed into one room, waiting restlessly while the panel was unexpectedly delayed. There was not much anyone could do about it. The sound crew was working like mad behind the scenes, but a freak electrical short was not exactly something they could fix in a matter of minutes.
John peeked through the curtain at the crowd and noticed more than a few fans wearing shirts with "Marshal + Ma'am = Love" printed across the front. He chuckled to himself. Then an idea struck.
You were peeking out at the crowd from another angle when John walked over to you. As always, your heart chose that exact moment to forget how to behave. The older actor was far too handsome for your own good. Despite that, the two of you had an easy rapport, mostly because you could hide how much you liked him behind your naturally teasing personality.
He smiled. "Ma'am, you up for a little live acting?"
Raising a brow, you nodded. "Sure. What's the plan, Marshal?"
Smirking, he winked at you. The two of you were so used to the back-and-forth that even when everyone else on set rolled their eyes, neither of you cared. "Thought we'd remind them how last season ended before we show them what's coming this season."
Snickering, you shook your head. "You're insane."
He grinned. "So, you ready?"
John would never admit it out loud, but he had long since stopped pretending he was not attracted to you. Unfortunately, you were younger, warm with everyone, and effortlessly affectionate. He refused to mistake kindness for interest.
With a small laugh, you nodded. "Of course. But we should have one of the others introduce us."
Holding up a finger, he tipped his head toward you. "I've got just the guy."
For a moment he disappeared into the chaos backstage before returning with Caleb Shores, the actor who played his deputy on the show, and gently pushed him out from behind the curtain.
The crowd went crazy as Caleb stepped onto the stage, glaring back at John while pointing an accusing finger in his direction. John simply smiled innocently.
It took Caleb a few moments to settle the room enough for his voice to carry. "Alright, ladies and gentlemen, we apologize for the delay. As you've probably noticed, we're having a few technical difficulties." He paused while the audience laughed. "To help pass the time, a couple of the cast members have volunteered to recreate a moment in Heart of the West history that made you love us…" He grinned. "…and hate us."
The crowd erupted. Caleb waited patiently until they quieted again. "Please welcome everyone's favorite marshal and saloon owner."
The applause was thunderous as you and John stepped onto the stage. Caleb slipped back behind the curtain while the two of you crossed to center stage. Facing away from the audience, you settled yourselves into character. Out of the corner of your eye, you caught John give the slightest nod.
A hush fell over the ballroom. Taking a slow breath, you turned and became Miss Valentine. Beside you, John became Marshal Declan, pretending to tighten the straps on his horse.
You walked over carrying an imaginary package. At the sound of your footsteps, he turned. Handing the invisible parcel to him, you smiled as your fingertips brushed. "Safe travels, Marshal."
He answered with that familiar crooked smile, touching the brim of his hat. "Take care of yourself, ma'am."
Smiling softly, you stepped a little closer and looked up at him. "Someone has to keep this town running."
He swallowed. His eyes flicked briefly to your lips before returning to yours. "I'd wager you've done a fair job of that."
Your smile widened, almost shy now. "High praise coming from you."
He mimed placing a boot in the stirrup and climbing onto his horse before looking back one last time. "Goodbye, ma'am."
Your smile faltered. "Goodbye… Marshal."
He tipped his imaginary hat and turned to ride away. That was where the episode had cut to black. The audience, however, had other ideas.
"KISS HER!"
"KISS HER!"
"KISS HER!"
Both of you looked toward the crowd before turning back to each other, already trying not to laugh. Neither of you was in character anymore.
John simply shrugged. Crossing the stage, he slipped an arm around your waist, dipped you dramatically, and kissed you soundly right there in front of a thousand cheering fans. You barely had time to wrap your arms around his neck before he pulled you upright again.
Your face burned as whistles, cheers, and catcalls echoed through the ballroom. Right on cue, a burst of feedback crackled through the speakers.
"Ladies and gentlemen," someone announced over the sound system, "it looks like we've got everything working again."
Still blushing, the two of you took a theatrical bow before strolling offstage together as the moderator walked out to take over. "Let's hear it one more time for our incredible actors and that fantastic impromptu performance!" The applause started all over again.
Still trying to recover, you glanced up at John. "Give a girl some warning, Marshal."
He laughed. "Respectfully, ma'am…" He flashed that crooked grin. "That takes all the fun out of it."
Restless and unable to sleep, John headed down to the hotel bar in the hope that a drink might help him unwind. Strangely, it did not surprise him to find you already sitting there.
Sliding onto the stool beside you, he smiled. "Care for some company, ma'am?"
Startled, you looked up before immediately relaxing when you saw it was him. "Yeah, sure, Marshal." You smiled. "Couldn't sleep either?"
After ordering a bourbon, John replied dryly, "How did you guess? Was it the late hour or the fact that I'm drinking alone?"
You laughed, then gave him an exaggerated pout. "And here I thought you came down here for me."
He smirked. By now, this kind of banter came as naturally as breathing. "Well… I did get to kiss you today, so maybe I was hoping."
A blush crept across your cheeks as you shook your head. "John Pitts, you're incorrigible."
He winked before taking a sip of his drink. "I'm perfectly corrigible, sweetheart. Just rarely around you."
Before you could think of a comeback, the bartender called out for last call. Not quite ready for the evening to end, you turned toward him. "Don't you dare take this the wrong way, or I'll take it back."
He raised both hands in surrender. "I solemnly swear to behave."
Satisfied, you continued. "Do you want to go up to my room and watch a movie or something? They're closing up, and…" You looked down at your glass for a moment. "I'm really not looking forward to being alone."
John hesitated. Being alone with you in a hotel room was probably the worst idea he could have had all weekend. After everything that had happened on stage, his imagination had already been difficult enough to keep under control.
Then you looked back at him. Hopeful. Waiting. His resolve crumbled. "Ruin all my fun," he teased with a sigh. "Sure. I'm nowhere near tired yet. If I'm going to be awake awhile, I'd rather have the company."
After paying your tabs, the two of you headed upstairs. A few hours later, you were leaning against each other, laughing so hard tears had gathered in your eyes as an old comedy played across the television. By the time the credits rolled, neither of you made any effort to move.
Somewhere along the way, leaning together had quietly become cuddling. Neither of you seemed interested in pointing that out.
The next movie started automatically, and, without thinking, you shifted a little closer. The easy laughter from earlier slowly faded, replaced by the awareness that had been lingering ever since the convention panel. Neither of you spoke about it. Neither of you had to.
You found yourself wondering what it would be like to fall asleep in his arms…to wake up beside him instead of saying goodnight at a hotel room door.
John was not doing much better. He kept reminding himself you were younger. That you were naturally warm with everyone. That reading too much into today would be a mistake. The reminders were becoming less convincing by the minute.
Choosing a horror movie turned out to be a mistake. Every jump scare had you inching closer until you were practically hiding against his chest, your fingers curled into the front of his T-shirt.
John's arm settled around your shoulders almost without either of you noticing. Neither of you moved when the credits finally rolled.
After a comfortable silence, John looked down at you. "So…" he said quietly. "What next? Your choice this time."
When you tipped your head back to answer, you realized just how close you had drifted. Barely an inch separated your faces. His breath caught. Yours did too. Neither of you moved. Neither of you seemed capable of it.
Slowly, almost hesitantly, John's hand lifted to your cheek. His thumb brushed gently across warm skin as he searched your face. His voice was barely above a whisper. "Tell me if you want me to stop."
Instead of answering with words, you leaned into his touch. The smallest smile tugged at the corner of his mouth before he closed the distance, pressing a soft, tentative kiss to your lips.
When he pulled back, he rested his forehead against yours. "I've wanted to do that for a while."
Your shy smile answered his before your voice did. "So have I."
He laughed quietly, relief mixing with something infinitely more tender. "I was starting to think I was imagining things."
"You weren't." Your fingers found his, lacing together as naturally as if they had always belonged there.
This time, when he kissed you, there was no audience cheering them on. No cameras. No characters to hide behind. Just two people who had spent far too long pretending friendship was all either of them wanted. The rest of the night slipped quietly away behind the closed hotel room door.
Waking the next morning, it took you a moment to remember why you were naked and wrapped in an equally naked man's arms.
Then it all came rushing back. The convention. The bar. The movies. The kisses. John.
Tilting your head, you studied his sleeping face. In the quiet light filtering through the hotel curtains, he somehow looked even more handsome than he had the day before. Your smile faltered. What if he regretted it? What if last night had been nothing more than two lonely people getting carried away? What if you had just destroyed the best friendship you had ever had?
Before your thoughts could spiral any further, John shifted beside you. His eyes blinked open slowly, still hazy with sleep. The moment they found you, a lazy smile spread across his face. "Morning, beautiful."
Just like that, every fear melted away. Heat rushed to your cheeks, making him chuckle softly. "There she is," he murmured, gently brushing a strand of hair behind your ear. "I was wondering when I'd get that blush again."
You laughed quietly, unable to stop smiling. "Good morning."
For a few moments neither of you spoke, content to simply exist together beneath the blankets. Finally, John stretched before looking back at you. "So…" His smile softened. "How does breakfast in bed sound?"
You tilted your head.
"I figured," he continued, "it'll give us plenty of time to talk about… us." His thumb traced absent circles across your hand. "Assuming you still want to."
Your fingers squeezed his. "I think I'd like that."
His answering smile was brighter than any you had ever seen from him.
Three weeks later, you posted a photo to Instagram.
John dipping you into a kiss outside a coffee shop, both of you laughing against each other's lips.
The caption simply read: My boyfriend is amazing. ❤️
The fandom collectively lost its mind.
Evans Variants Masterlist
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Pairing - John Pitts (Materialists) x female!reader
Summary - When you realise you and your ex are still heading the same direction
Prompt - Right Place Wrong Time - “I been on the right trip. But I must’ve used the wrong car.”
Warnings - minor angst , kissing
Word count - 298
A/N - My fourth entry for the June Jukebox Scribbles. Kicked myself when I realised John would’ve been good for a ‘Little Things Mean A Lot’ scribble. But then this happened… I suck at dialogue, it’s very cringe I’m sorry! 🙈
A/N 2 - Society made the banner
My Jukebox playlist
Despite what people say about bumping into their exes you never expected to see yours. Night fell and you tried to hail a cab when you heard your name. There he was standing by the same old car from when you’d dated years prior. After accepting his offer for a ride home he stopped at your favourite place for stargazing. Perched on the hood you both filled in the blanks since the breakup almost like it would fill the empty spaces in the sky.
“I been on the right trip. But I must’ve used the wrong car.”
Laughing you threw your head back. “Any journey involving this car ended in disaster.” Though you couldn’t help giving the hood an affectionate pat thinking of all the memories. But instead of John’s soft chuckle or a nostalgic comment crickets chirped. Suddenly realising he wasn’t talking about the car you turned to see John slump as his elbows rested on his knees. “Oh John. I’m sorry.”
“I know. But it’s the truth.”
Hopping off the car you turned and stood facing him. “You mean so much to me. No matter what, I wouldn't change anything.”
Moonlight turned his blue eyes silver as he looked at you. “Me neither. I’ve missed you so much.” You breathed his name as he caught your hips. “Are we… still on the same road?”
“We might have taken different cars but yes.”
“Wanna join me? There might be a few speed bumps and wrong turns along the way.”
Unable to resist you cupped his beard covered cheeks and leaned in to kiss him. There was a soft groan though you were unsure if it was him or the car as he kissed you back. Familiar warmth flooded your veins as he offered you a smile.
