Apple slices and sunbeams 🍎
Content: Lee Pace x y/n short fic
The afternoon was slow and warm, cicadas humming lazily in the trees. One of the cabin’s shutters hung crooked, and Lee had dragged a ladder over to fix it, shirt sleeves rolled up, hair tied back, sun catching on his skin.
You sat on the porch railing, legs swinging slightly, trying very hard to look anywhere except at the way his forearms flexed every time he turned the screwdriver.
"You’re doing it again y/n" he said without looking, concentrated in his task.
"Staring at me like I’m about to fall off the ladder"
You crossed your arms. "I’m making sure you don’t fall off the ladder"
He glanced down at you with a faint smile. "Pretty sure that look isn’t approved"
You rolled your eyes, but your cheeks warmed.
He finished tightening the hinge and climbed down, stepping off the last rung a little closer to you than strictly necessary.
"How bad was it?" he asked.
"No" he said softly. "Me"
You hesitated. "You look… very capable for sure Mr Pace"
A corner of his mouth lifted. "That’s dangerous praise"
He leaned against the porch post beside you, close. Not touching. The space between your arms felt charged. You met his gaze, steady, searching, and for a second it felt like the world tilted toward something inevitable.
Then he exhaled softly, stepping back half a step.
"I should get the toolbox" he said, voice gentler now.
You nodded, heart still thudding, but you ignored it and went back inside.
You stood at the small counter, peeling apples and setting the slices into a bowl. The smell of cinnamon was already starting to fill the room.
"Do you need anything? It smells so good !"
“I’m okay” you answered. “It’ll be ready soon, mister gourmand!”
He laughed and gave a quiet "Alright" and went back to work.
You rolled out the dough, careful and slow, then pressed it into the pie dish. Every now and then you glanced toward the open door, watching him move on the ladder.
When he finally stepped inside, he washed his hands at the sink.
"I knew you got bakery skills! " he said, smiling, as you put the apple compote and the slices on top before putting the pie in the oven.
You smiled a little turning back to him. "Say the piemaker!"
