#meet cute

[frontmansdefender]

Tag the ship that deserves this meet-cute

[lesbianghostthing]

Picture this, you're talking to this person, you're both having a great time, you're flirting with general good vibes all around. Then you get each other's number and their number.... Is your old home phone number that you still have memorized despite not having a home phone for years now. Instantly your mind is blown, of course it is.

I just think this would be a really nice meet cute and a fun story to tell when you're asked how you met.

[slashyrogue]

tags: basic chickens, Adam isn't nice about Elias's looks, past trauma, post attempted murder, pre-slash, first kiss, strangers to future fuck buddies

Adam didn't want to himself anymore.

It had taken him countless months of therapy to realize this, though he was not bloody stupid enough to tell his therapist this revelation, and when he abruptly canceled all future sessions it felt freeing.

Though canceling everything else felt a little frightening.

"You can't quit, Towers," his boss at the Gazette said, "We need you. You're the only consistent....how much do you need? I can give you anything just name the price."

He started emptying his desk, shaking at how close Mr. Harrison "Harry" was.

It had been eight months since he survived being strangled by a madman and he could hardly stand to be near anyone let alone touched.

"None."

"Adam---"

Harry grabbed his arm and he yelled, slapping the hand back, and then threw down his box.

"Fuck it," he said, his voice shaking, "I don't need any of this. Goodbye Harry."

"ADAM WAIT!"

He ran, heart pounding, and was nearly at the lift feeling eyes on him when Harry grabbed his arm again making Adam scream so loudly the man's eyes were wide.

"Adam?"

Adam could hardly see through his tears.

He was crying like a fucking child.

How humiliating.

"Get....away....from.....me."

"I'm sorry, Ad....Towers. I....I didn't know you....you hardly ever come in and you didn't....your columns have been fine I...."

Adam felt a tear fall down his cheek. "They were fine, Harry, but they were all fucking lies. I haven't been fucked since that monster tried to kill me and I....I can't do a series about sex when sex makes me sick. So....I'm not your golden boy anymore. I....."

The elevator doors opened and he stepped inside as Harry held the door.

"Ok, then....write about that."

"What?"

Harry stared at him with an odd sincerity. "Write about being scared and how you're dealing with it," he stepped into the lift despite Adam's attempts to stop him, and the doors closed before he could, "Write about whatever you damn well want, Towers. People love you. I don't fucking care what you write about, I just want you to write."

Adam let out a long breath. "I don't want those photographers outside my place again, Harry. They just fucking stopped and now....." "

"Then go on holiday, hell...." the doors opened and Harry turned to yell at the people waiting, "USE ANOTHER ONE!" which they all didn't move as the doors closed again before he looked to Adam, "Move away I don't care. I....you know I have a friend who occasionally holidays in Denmark. He has a place, it's not in season you can stay for as long as you'd like. I'll call him."

The doors opened again and Adam stared at Harry, tears blurring his vision. "You're horrible for being so nice to me," he wiped his eyes, feeling his cheeks redden, "You know I hate that."

Harry laughed. "Yes, I know," he stepped off with him then, walking Adam across the front, and he even kept the passersby away from him making Adam feel that much more pathetic as he stopped at his car, holding out his hand, "Give me your phone."

"Harry, you're a married man," he teased, his heart not quite in it.

The soft smile he got in return made Adam ache. "I am, which is why I need to live through you, Towers. Give."

Adam did, watching him type, and then he didn't even try to brush their hands together giving the phone back. "My friend is Hunter, and I'll call him and he'll have someone waiting to give you the keys to his place whenever you're ready to go. It's far, far, away, and you can make a column of it?"

He sighed. "Of course you want that."

"Adam...."

"Fine."

"Good luck Towers."

He didn't feel very lucky then, not even now nearly two weeks later sitting in a coffee shop in Copenhagen. This was a beautiful place, and the people were all quite lovely, but he still felt like his skin crawled when he had men look at him with more than a friendly smile and his body felt like a dead bloody fish.

Adam sipped his drink with a sigh, getting up, and was ready to rush off when he spotted a woman throwing a drink in someone's face.

It made him grin as he took a look, sneaking to see who'd earned the drink thrown, and stopped short when the woman rushed off only for the man to come into view.

The man at the table with a sour expression was quite possibly the ugliest creature Adam had ever laid eyes on. He looked like a reject from the seventies, right down to his horrid moustache, and while there could have been a decent bloke under there the harelip did not help.

He seemed to notice Adam then and his lip quivered as he threw down money before coming up to Adam with angry intent.

Adam froze, heart pounding, and when he was grabbed by the shirt front he did the worst possible thing.

He burst into tears.

The ugly man's expression softened and he heard, "....crying seems very excessive I did not even slap you, please stop it's embarrassing for you," and let out a laugh.

He could not stop laughing then, chest heaving from the guffaws, and the man stared at him like he'd grown seven heads.

"Why are you laughing? I don't find this very funny at all."

That only made Adam laugh more, grabbing the man's arm, and it took him far too long to realize that while he'd been utterly terrified by the ugly man's approach earlier now he wasn't even scared at all.

Not like he'd been for so long.

Adam's laughter faded.

"Oh bloody hell."

The ugly man folded his arms. "What? Are....is this a British thing? Do British people laugh at inappropriate...."

Adam grabbed hold of his shirt then, pulling hard, and kissed him.

A shocked gasp came as their lips met, and there was no reciprocation only tight lips enough he went to pull away.

Then the lips grew bold, almost too eager, and it was very much the worst kiss he'd ever gotten in his entire life yet his body was aching mad in seconds.

"Um, sirs? You're going to have to...."

He stepped back, panting, and stared at this ugly, horrid man who looked just as shocked as he felt.

"Leave?" Adam asked breathlessly, grabbing his hand, "Yes, we were just about to."

The ugly man sputtered, "No, we were not!" but he did not let go, not even as Adam kept walking, and when they were nearly a block off he then pulled his hand back like he'd been burned.

"Ok, Darling, this is going to sound...."

"I am not a homosexual," the man said, his voice shaking, "I....am a very handsome man who likes women and...all their women parts and...."

Adam let out a laugh, mouth covered, and the ugly man just folded his arms pouting in an adorable way. "You're laughing again. You...." he blushed then, looking down, "Are too good looking to laugh so much....for a man," he added, eyes wide, "I am not into men sexually so I merely meant...."

He looked this ugly, curly haired man up and down, noticing the very obvious tent in his trousers. "Oh," he stepped closer, "Darling are you hiding a monster in there?"

"Do not look there! I....have a condition! I...."

The sudden urge to get down on his knees and worship whatever giant this man had in his trousers made him ache.

"I haven't touched anyone in almost nine months, Darling," he said, tearing up again as he got closer, making the strange man back up but not run until they were in an alley brick behind them, "I....was nearly strangled to death by a man who came to fuck me and....touching you just now is the first time I've not wanted to scream for fear a stranger might touch me and....oh this is going to sound so bloody desperate but can I bring you to the house I'm staying in and help you with your....very obvious problem?"

The ugly man frowned and reached out to pull back Adam's shirt, the scars still there prominent. "You're hurt?"

He squeezed the shirt together. "It doesn't hurt it's just a scar, I....you know, this is....nevermind."

Adam rushed off, feeling sick for being so pathetic as to beg the world's ugliest man to let him suck on his cock for a few hours. He got barely a few steps when he was grabbed, gasping till he saw it was the man.

"Elias," the ugly man said, squeezing, "My name is Elias and....you are?"

"Adam," he said, barely able to see through his tears, "I.....I'm sorry I didn't...."

"I will let you have sexual intercourse with me," Elias said, making Adam smile, "And...whatever else you'd like I.....I am in Copenhagen for work for the week and then I go home but.....as long as you know I am not into men usually and this is just because you're pathetic and oddly pretty. Not because I am attracted to you."

Adam laughed. "Oh, of course, D....Elias. I wouldn't think of it. I....you are obviously so irresistible that my terror just ended because of your stunning good looks."

Elias beamed and blushed again.

"Yes, of course that's what it was, Adam. Obviously."

He stepped back, dangling keys. "You have a ride?"

Elias shook his head. "No, I have been walking it's very good for exercise and....that woman I met was someone from a dating application who I had hoped to have intercourse with, so I sincerely hope you're very good at it."

Adam grinned. "I'm a bit rusty, Darling, but I promise, I'm very good."

"We'll see I suppose."

Adam shot a look at Elias, staring off at the people passing by, and knew quite heartily that this man had never been kissed, fucked, or sucked.

Elias wouldn't be his first virgin, far from it, nor his first ugly one.

But Elias was the first to allow him a pity fuck and not the other way around.

Perhaps this one night would stop him from being so goddamn terrified of everyone and everything, and the beautiful Danes could flock into his waiting bed.

He bloody hoped so.

[bloodredcherry-fic]

kismet

Ch. 1

Summary: You've opened a new veterinary clinic in Pittsburgh, and Robby is a very worried cat dad.

Based on this ask by anonymous

can i plz request a fluffy cat dad robby fic x veterinarian reader? i loved put your hands on me btw 💜💜

AN: Just a cute little two shot about Robby as a very worried cat dad (sorry, it's just canon at this point lmao)

***If you read this anonymous, please me know your comfort with spice!***

Sorry for any inaccuracies, I'm going by my own cat's vet visits, lmao

𓃠

Your keys jingle as you unlock the front door of the clinic, Dirty Paws was small, tucked into a former hole-in-the-wall pizza place, but you had a decent number of clients and a team of receptionists and vet techs who were well versed in social media, so you had a pretty good presence on line - even if most of your followers were from out of state.

Nessa glances up at you as you close the door behind you, eyes dropping to the tray of iced coffee you'd somehow managed not to spill, and she hurries over to take it off of your hands.

"How's the day looking?"

"Hmm, your morning's booked, but you're afternoon is free," Nessa took a sip of her iced caramel macchiato, as she scrolls through the computer. "Oh, Dr. Johnson called, she was wondering if we would be willing to see a client of hers."

You frown.

"Well, we're open late, and I guess this guy works long hours."

You nod, "sure, what kind of animal do they have?"

"He has a twelve week old domestic long haired kitten, their name is Triumph Bonneville," she snorts, and it's not the strangest pet name you'd heard in the year and a half you'd been open.

"After the motorcycle?"

"Sure," Nessa grins, grabbing a chart.

"Okay," you nod, "I'll be in the back."

"I'll let you know when Mr. Michael's gets here."

The morning flies by, with Mr. Michael's and Maisie - a sweet golden lab, he had finally agree to get fixed after her second litter of surprised puppies. Her appointment was next week, but Mr. Michael's had brought the litter for their first check up and you could have died happy under a pile of labrador and German Shepherd puppies.

Next was Maud, with her Persian cat, Walter, for his annual pre-summer shave, he yowled through his entire appointment, and you were glad that you'd bought a pair of noise cancelling earplugs, and his goofy little face, all indigence as Nessa and Patrick wrangled him back into his crate made the near headache worth it for the instagram pictures alone.

You'd laughed out loud at the video over your lunch break, munching happily on your turkey sandwich as you scrolled through TikTok.

Things quieted down around six pm, and you sigh, glancing at the clock before glancing at Riley.

"What time is Triumph coming again?"

"Eight."

You were in the middle of charting when Riley opened the door to your office.

"He's here."

Your brow furrows, "who?"

"The motorcycle -"

You snort a laugh, "Triumph Bonneville?"

"Yes," Riley was actually breathless, and for a moment you're worried, before they fan their face, "god, his owner is fine." You roll your eyes, pushing yourself to your feet. "I put him in four!" They call and you wave over your shoulder, grabbing your iPad on the way out.

You knock on the door, and you hear something clatter as a voice mutters a curse, and you crack open the door to see a man crouched on the floor, scrambling to pick up the q-tips that have spilled across the floor.

"Sorry!" He mutters.

"Oh, that's okay," you laugh, spotting the culprit, cowering in the sink.

"She tried to jump -" Triumph's owner explains, turning to look at you, he's still crouched on the floor, staring up at you, eyes crinkling as he ran a hand through his hair, and you swallow.

"Vets are scary," you laugh, and he tosses the dirty q-tips into the trash, "so, this is Triumph?" You say softly, reaching a hand towards the sink, and the kitten lets out a tiny hiss, as she presses into the corner. "I'm doctor (last name) -"

"Hi. Jesus, I'm sorry."

"Michael, is it?"

"Yeah, or Robby -"

"Well, it might be easier if you hold her, at least until I'm ready to examine her."

"Right," Robby nods, "hey," he whispers, reaching down to scoop her into his hand. "You're okay," he whispers. "I found her outside -" he explains, "calling her Eighth & Penn just didn't feel right -"

You bite back a laugh, the Culture District was a nice neighborhood, and you can't help but wonder what he does for a living, as you glance down at your chart.

"It says here that you've had her for about four weeks?"

"Yeah," Robby nods, "she was a mess when I found her," he absently strokes Triumph's head, and she tilts her head up to stare at him. "She stayed with Dr. Johnson for a few days, until she was stable."

Triumph had been brought in, malnourished with a nasty eye and upper respiratory infection, but looking at the sweet little tabby now, you'd never know it.

"I wasn't going to adopt her, but uh, some of my colleagues kept going on about the 'cat distribution system' and it felt rude not to."

"Yeah, it sounds like she chose you," you smile, and his eyes crinkle as he looks down at Triumph.

"So, what seems to be the problem?"

"She's not eating, even her wet food."

"Are you sure she's not eating?" You wonder grabbing your stethoscope.

"Well, no, not while I'm at work - but it looks untouched."

"Okay," you nod, and Robby shifts Triumph so you can listen to her heartbeat, which is a little fast, but not unusual in a nervous kitten. "What do you do for work? If you don't mind me asking -"

"I'm an ER doctor at PTMC," he replies, pressing a kiss to Triumph's head, squishing her little ear, "I keep her in the bathroom, while I'm at work and I visit her during my lunch break - and she's been limping

"Oh," you make a note of her heart rate, before grabbing your pen light, to shine it into her eyes, "her pupils are equally reactive," you pull a small feather wand from your pocket, running in across Robby's arm to see her reaction, and her pupils immediately dialate as she reaches out to catch the pink feathers. "Good job, mama," you whisper, taking out your otoscope. "Her ears look good."

"I clean them before bed," Robby says and you don't miss the colour that flushes his cheeks.

"It's good to get into those habits early."

"I brush her as well, I think she likes it."

"Do you mind?" You ask, holding out your hands, and Robby shakes his head, and Triumph gives another half hearted hiss as you pick her up. "Oh," you gasp, "you're so scary," you press a kiss to her fluffy little head before carrying her over to the small scale next to the sink, and surprisingly, she doesn't fight you as you gently hold her on it. "Her weight looks good," you murmur, carefully palpitating her back legs and Triumph lets out an indignant meow as you lift her tail to confirm her sex.

"You said she's limping?"

"Yeah."

"Did you notice when she started?"

"Yeah, it was on Monday, I thought maybe she jumped off the toilet wrong, but she was still limping when I came to check on her yesterday afternoon."

"It was a good idea to bring her in, just in case of a sprain."

"Right," Robby nods, eyes focused on Triumph who was batting at the end of your ponytail.

"I'm going to put her down to see how she walks on her own," you crouch down, placing Triumph carefully on the floor, as you watch her scamper over to Robby, and he stares down at her in surprise. "What leg -?"

"Her back, left," he murmurs, scooping her up, to pass her into your hands, and you carefully check her left leg, testing it's flexibility as well as if there's any paint at the joint, and Triumph just stands there, purring.

"Well, I'd have to do an x-ray to be sure, but she doesn't appear to be in any pain -"

"Do it."

"Okay, if you'll give me a minute, I'll be right back."

You carefully shoulder open the door into the back hall, where the x-ray machine sits next to the surgery table, Riley looks up.

"How's she doing?"

"Fine," you reply, "at least I think. Robby says she's limping but she's not showing any signs of pain or distress -"

"Are you a big faker?" Riley wonders, reaching out to take Triumph into her arms, "are you making daddy worried for nothing?"

"Better safe than sorry," you reply, and Triumph is easily handled for the x-ray and you press another kiss to her cheek before you bring her back into the exam room.

"How was she?" Robby wonders, standing up.

"An angel," you coo, putting her x-rays up on the illumination box, "everything looks normal, now that's not to say that she didn't sustain a mild sprain from jumping off of the toilet or into the bathtub but it's nothing to worry about."

"Are you serious?"

You nod, biting back a smile, "now, have there been any recent changes to your lifestyle?"

"Yes, I recently returned to work."

"When?"

"On Friday, why?"

"Well ... It's possible that Triumph might be displaying attention seeking behaviour -"

"Are you kidding me?”

“No,” you laugh, "she's young."

"Could she be doing the same thing with her food?"

"Yes, is she still using the litter box?"

"Yes," Robby rubs a hand over his face, "your an expensive little brat," he mutters affectionately. "So, what's your advice, doc?"

"Hm, well part of it could be boredom, due to a lack of mental stimulation, there's electronic toys and puzzles. It could also be due to loneliness - I've found most cats do well in pairs. So they have someone else to play with while you're out of the house."

"Jesus," he shakes his head, "how - how do I go about getting another cat? I assume another kitten is ideal -"

"Or a younger cat," you shrug, "I'm partnered with a few rescues, who would be happy to find you and Triumph a new friend." You grab a couple of business cards for Whisker Wonderland and Nose 2 Tail Cat Rescue, handing them to him. "We're right in the middle of kitten season, so you'll have plenty of kittens to choose from."

Robby is staring down at Triumph, "you little shit," he laughs, "well thank you. Sorry for wasting your time -" he holds out his hand and your heart jolts as you take it.

"Oh, not at all. I'm happy to help."

"Amira was right about you," Robby murmurs.

"Oh, thank you," you flush under his praise, "if you want to head back to reception, Riley can help you settle the bill."

"Sure," he squeezes your hand before finally letting go, "thanks again."

"Take care," you wave, backing out of the room to find Riley. "Only charge him half for the x-ray."

Riley gives you a knowing look, "I told you he was fine."

"No, that's not - being a first time pet owner is stressful."

"Whatever you say, boss!" Riley pauses before opening the door, "I can always get his number."

You take a deep breath, "thank you Riley!"

They laugh out loud and you take a deep breath, glancing down at your hand, and you can feel the ghost of Robby's fingers against yours.

"No," you mutter, "don't be stupid."

You met new clients every day, it wasn't like this would be any different.

𓃠

Ch. 2 coming soon!

[destiel-addict-forever-blog]

Baby Shark

Summary:

Dennis Whitaker gets a crush on the pediatrics attending that comes down for a consult.

He chooses to assume it's just a coincidence that her last name is Park.

Pairing: Dennis Whitaker x Reader

Tags: oneshot, meet-cute

Words: 1137

For a moment, he wondered if there was a new intern starting today. Because Dennis Whitaker was 100% sure he would have remembered seeing the absolute angel that was currently in the pedes room if he'd ever seen her before. 

For once he was happy to have a kid assigned to him as a patient.

"Hi there, I'm Dr. Whitaker." He smiled, getting a better look at her. It was then he noticed the little cartoon characters all over her scrubs and realized why he'd never seen her before. "I'm guessing you're down for the pedes consult?" 

"What gave it away?" She hummed, laughing slightly and he was grateful that the same training that kept him from making a face when a patient said something outrageous also kept him from visibly swooning at the breathy sounds echoing around the room now. 

"Educated guess." He chuckled.

Did that sound like flirting? He wasn't trying to flirt- right?

"Yeah I'm Dr. Park." She held out her hand to shake before they both turned back to the kid on the bed.

It wasn't anything too out of the ordinary, six year old with a broken arm after a skateboarding incident. Mom seemed to have stepped out to grab something to eat, they'd been here for a few hours already and Dennis was hoping they'd get moved up to the pediatrics floor soon both so they had the free bed down here and so the kid could actually get some rest.

"So- please tell me you've got room upstairs for him?" Dennis half pleaded, turning his best puppy dog eyes on Dr. Park. 

"Oh don't give me that look, you're making me feel bad." She groaned, putting her face in her hands. 

"Come on- he's still waiting on surgery to move the break back into place before his cast, you know he can't get any real rest down here- no one can." 

"I'm sorry- I just don't have the beds." She sighed, giving the kid a pitying look before she turned to Dennis with a wicked grin. "Wait you said he's waiting on surgery?" 

"Uh- yeah?" 

"Ortho surgery?" 

"Yeah." 

"Cool, I'll take care of it then." She turned on her heel with a self satisfied look and left the room.

"Wait wait what?" He scrambled out of the room with her, grabbing her arms and spinning her to face him. "How does surgery mean you can get him a bed?" 

"Okay for starters- don't grab me. Ever. You're cute, but not that cute." She shook out of his grasp, giving him a killer look before her smile was back in place. "But yeah, I'll get the kid a bed in Ortho with Pedes consulting."

"How." He looked at her in shock. Ortho was probably the worst about responding to pages, especially with.. "Isn't Park the Shark there today?"

"Uh yeah, that's how I know I can get him a bed." She looked at him like he was stupid. 

And maybe he was a little. But he'd blame it on the lack of sleep and being purely fueled by energy drinks.

"Oh. Oh, oh you're- so Park being your last name isn't like a coincidence?" 

"Nope."

"How in the hell did he end up with a sunshine like you?" The second the words were out of his mouth he felt like puking. "I am so so sorry, I'm most of the way through a double and obviously my brains getting a little mushy- I swear I didn't mean to say that out loud." 

He expected outrage or annoyance, maybe a defense of Park the Shark. What he did not expect was her gagging. 

"Oh god- gross, no- just, EW!" She proceeded to fake retch for about 30 seconds which just left him even more confused. 

"Um- so...?" 

"He's my brother."

Ohhhhhh. Okay that was better.

"So you two arent-?" He made a gesture with his hands and she gagged again. 

"Never in a million years. You'd think I'd be used to the assumption by now because we look nothing alike, but it still gets me every time." She laughed, throwing her brain back over her shoulder where it'd fallen during her puking performance. 

"Good." 

"Good?" She raised an eyebrow and he felt his blush intensify.

"Just that um- you're very- and he's- and well I-" 

"Baby shark!" A jubilant voice called across the ER and Dennis looked over to see Park the Shark crossing the floor with an honest to god smile on his face. 

He didn't think he'd ever seen the man not scowling.

"I told you not to call me that." Dr. Park rolled her eyes, allowing herself to get pulled into a side hug. 

"But it suits you." He grinned once more, before his face fell back into the look of equal disgust and uninterest it normally contained in the ER. "Why'd you call me down here sis?" 

"Dr. Whitaker here has a six year old boy with a broken arm, I don't have any beds for him but Ortho looked pretty empty this morning so I figured you could take him." 

"You're lucky I love you." Park the Shark grimaced at his sister before turning to Dennis. "I'll send someone down in like twenty minutes, try not to kill anyone in that time." 

"Oh! Thank you Dr. Park." He couldn't hide the look of shock on his face. He remembered paging four times last week just to get a consult and all she had to do was ask. Barely ask- more tell him and he did it. 

What fucking parallel world?

"Not actually doing it for you. Obviously." Park rolled his eyes before turning back to his sister. "It's your turn to buy lunch today."

"I knowww, I'll see you in like an hour. I made food this time." 

"Even better." Park leaned in and gave his sister a side hug and a kiss on top of her head before hugging her gently towards the elevators. "Come on, I'll send someone down for the kid- let's get you out of this pit before you catch something." 

Dennis wanted to be offended, but he was slightly distracted watching Dr. Park walk away. Baby Shark, as he'd have to call her in his head. Something to separate the sweet pedes resident from her stoic brother.

He was trying to debate how long until he could reasonably call for another pedes consult even if it wasn't technically needed, when she turned her head and called back to him.

"It was nice meeting you Dr. Whitaker!" 

"Dennis!" He blurted out, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly and giving her a sheepish smile. "You can- Call me Dennis."

"I'll do that." She grinned back at him.

And honestly? That smile was worth the absolute death glare coming from the other Dr. Park.

[heldbybarnes]

Kenny darlin I neeeeed you. I’m lonely and making stupid decisions over a younger man — I NEED a meet-cute with Bucky to cure my insanity. Give me the fluffy give me the cute give me Bucky pleeeeeeeease

It happens on a Monday.

Not a good Monday. Not even a neutral Monday. The kind of Monday where your coffee tastes burnt no matter how much sugar you dump into it, your phone keeps lighting up with messages you absolutely should not answer, and your judgment, already questionable lately, feels like it’s hanging on by a thread.

Case in point: the younger man.

You stare down at your phone where his name is still sitting at the top of your messages, thumb hovering over the screen. There’s a draft reply typed out—something witty, something a little flirty, something you’ll regret approximately five minutes after sending.

“Don’t,” you mutter to yourself, locking your phone with a decisive click and shoving it into your bag. “We are not doing that today.”

Growth. Maturity. Healing.

You repeat the words like a mantra as you push open the door to the little corner bakery you’ve started frequenting lately, the one with the crooked chalkboard sign out front and the soft golden lighting that always makes everything feel calmer than it actually is.

The smell hits you first. Warm bread, sugar, something cinnamon-y. It wraps around you like a hug, easing the tight knot in your chest just a little.

“Okay,” you whisper under your breath, stepping into line. “New plan. Carbs instead of bad decisions.”

Progress.

You’re so busy trying to decide between a croissant and a muffin (or both, let’s be honest) that you don’t notice the man stepping back from the counter at the same time you step forward.

You collide.

Hard.

“Shit—!”

“Oh—sorry, I—”

It’s chaos. Your bag slips off your shoulder, your phone tumbles out, and the iced coffee you’d been holding tips dangerously, sloshing over the lid and straight onto him.

You freeze.

There’s a moment—a long, horrible moment—where you just stare at the spreading stain across his dark henley, your brain short-circuiting as panic floods your system.

“Oh my god,” you breathe. “Oh my god, I am so sorry. I didn’t— I wasn’t looking and—”

“I stepped back,” he interrupts gently, already reaching for napkins. “That’s on me.”

His voice is low. Warm. Calm in a way that immediately slows the frantic spiral in your chest.

You blink up at him and then promptly forget how to breathe.

He’s unfair.

That’s the only word for it. Tall, broad-shouldered, with dark hair that looks like it never quite behaves and eyes so blue they almost don’t seem real. There’s a softness to his expression, though, something careful tucked beneath all that intimidating size, like he’s worried about startling you.

You, meanwhile, are actively dying.

“No, that is absolutely not on you,” you insist, grabbing napkins and dabbing uselessly at his shirt. “I assaulted you with coffee. This is—this is a crime, actually.”

That gets a small huff of laughter out of him.

“It’s not that bad.”

“It is,” you say firmly. “It’s cold brew. That stuff stains souls.”

He smiles at that and something in your chest does an unfortunate little flip.

“It’ll wash out,” he assures you. “Promise.”

You finally manage to look away, crouching to scoop up your phone before you can embarrass yourself further. “Still. I owe you. Dry cleaning, at least. Or… a new shirt. Or… emotional damages.”

“Emotional damages?” he echoes, amused.

“I’ve ruined your morning,” you say, straightening. “That counts.”

His gaze lingers on you for a second, something soft flickering there before he shakes his head. “You didn’t ruin anything.”

You huff a quiet laugh, tucking a loose piece of hair behind your ear. “You’re being very nice about this for someone who just got baptized in caffeine.”

“I’ve had worse mornings,” he admits.

You don’t ask.

Instead, you gesture toward the counter, where the barista is watching the entire exchange with open curiosity. “At least let me buy your coffee. Replacement coffee. Non-weaponized this time.”

He hesitates just for a second.

Then, “Only if I can buy yours.”

You blink. “That feels like a scam.”

“Compromise,” he counters, one corner of his mouth lifting.

You study him for a moment, suspicion warring with something much softer, much more dangerous.

“Fine,” you say finally. “But if you try to Venmo me later, I’m blocking you.”

He laughs again—quieter this time, but just as warm. “Deal.”

You step up to the counter together, placing your orders side by side. It feels easy. Weirdly easy, considering you just committed accidental coffee-based assault.

While you wait, you shift your weight, glancing at him from the corner of your eye. He’s watching the barista, hands tucked into his pockets, shoulders relaxed now that the initial chaos has passed.

“You come here a lot?” you ask, immediately wincing internally. Wow. Original.

He doesn’t seem to mind.

“Yeah,” he says. “It’s close to my place. Good bread.”

“Strong argument,” you nod. “I come here when I need to make better life choices.”

He glances at you then, brow faintly furrowed. “Better than what?”

You hesitate.

Your phone feels heavy in your bag, like it’s listening.

“…questionable texting habits,” you admit vaguely.

Understanding flickers across his face—surprisingly quick, surprisingly gentle.

“Ah,” he says. “Yeah. Been there.”

You raise a brow. “Really?”

He shrugs, a little sheepish. “Once or twice.”

Something about that—about the way he says it like he’s not proud of it, like he’s learned from it—makes your chest tighten in a way that has nothing to do with anxiety.

Your name is called.

You step forward, grabbing the drinks before turning back to him and holding one out. “Here. Peace offering.”

He takes it, fingers brushing yours briefly.

It’s nothing.

It’s everything.

“Thanks,” he says. “I’m Bucky.”

You repeat your name, and it feels strange, like it matters more than it should.

You linger by the counter for a second too long, both of you sipping your drinks, neither quite moving to leave.

“Well,” you say finally, gesturing toward the door. “I should probably go make more responsible choices.”

“Yeah,” he nods. “Me too.”

Neither of you move.

Then he clears his throat, shifting slightly. “Hey, uh—”

You look up.

“If you ever need a distraction from those questionable decisions,” he says, a little tentative now, “I come here most mornings.”

Your heart does something very inconvenient.

You glance down at your coffee, then back up at him.

“…carbs instead of bad decisions,” you murmur.

He smiles. “Sounds like a solid plan.”

You hesitate for half a second longer, just long enough to feel the weight of your phone in your bag, the ghost of that unfinished message still waiting.

Then you make your choice.

“Tomorrow morning?” you ask.

His smile softens, something warm and almost relieved settling into his expression.

“Tomorrow morning.”

And just like that, the Monday doesn’t feel so bad anymore.

[imyourangel96]

Met You at a Night out in *New York - Paul Mescal x FemaleHockeyPlayer! OC

⊹ The night where Paul lays his eyes on the one, while Valentina makes love to her beer

August 13, 2022 - New York City

For practically her entire life, Valentina Moretti has worked relentlessly to make a name for herself.

It started all the way back to the moment she could walk, when her father saw potential in her to be the next best thing hockey had to offer. He held her delicately as they skated around indoor New York City ice rinks. Soon enough, she was standing on her own, carefully going about how to guide herself on the ice

From those moments on, hockey was a constant in Valentina’s mind. Waking up to play with her stick and pucks before she left for preschool and when she came back. From playing with only boys at the age of six to moving to the state of hockey to further her opportunities, to playing on the varsity team as a 7th grader, to today.

Now, Valentina is 22 and relentlessly tearing up the NCAA at the University of Wisconsin. She’s managed to win two national titles, the Patty Kazmaier award as the nation’s top player, and has put up insane points so far that have led to whispers of what she will do once her college career has ended.

She’s not thinking about that last part, though.

Being in her graduate year of college, Valentina only has a few things to accomplish for sure:

 1- Win her third title

2 - Be the best leader possible for her teammates

3 - Just be the best player she can be overall

Obviously, easier said than done. Last season, unfortunately, ended in heartbreak at the quarterfinals during her first season as captain, but she refuses to dwell on that. Taking the summer to refocus her mind with family, friends, concerts, days on the lake, and of course, a nice cold drink.

That last part seems to be the only thing running through her mind as she takes a nice long sip of Guinness with the rest of her friends.

With the summer of ‘22 coming to a close and the semester starting up again, Valentina thought, what better way to end things out than a quick trip to her home city, and so she did that. Taking along with her, her fellow teammates Caroline and Maddi, “rival” and friend from Ohio State Quinn, former teammate Abby, and her best friend from the University of Minnesota, Grace.

It’s been a fun-filled few weeks for them in the city, but it had to end at some point.

Right now, sitting at the table, slightly buzzed, all Valentina can think about is if she packed everything in her hotel room.

So, I know I for sure remembered all of my socks…not a huge deal if I lose one pair out of, what? 12? I have my ticket for tomorrow? I think it was on my phone, it has to be. I set my alarm for 8? I can’t be late making it back to Wisconsin, I have practice in five days-

“Hey, Tina, you good?” Caroline calls out to her from across their table

“Oh- yeah, don’t worry. I think it’s the beer, I keep making all these mental notes in my head.” Valentina assures

“Cap, you’re okay, trust me. You packed everything, you have your plane ticket, I mean shit, you’re flying with some of us, and you will obviously be there for the first practice on Thursday. Chill.” Maddi helps to assure her

“Okay, thanks for that. I was hoping to be reassured right now.” Valentina smiles as she takes another sip of her beer 

“So who’s ready for the new season, well everyone besides Abby.” Quinn asks

“Hey, screw you Kuntz,” she laughs. “Soon enough, you’ll all be on the Dream Gap Tour playing for different arenas and you’ll have a blast.”

“Hey, I’ve got time before that.” KK jokes

“Yeah, plus I thought I’ve been hearing whispers about some new women’s league being launched?” Valentina questioned

“Yeah, let’s see about that. Until then, I’ll be traveling all over North America.”

“At least you’re getting out there more.” Maddi chuckles

“Yeah, yeah…” Abby laughs back

It was around 9 when they first arrived, now it was almost midnight, they were all a little drunk but not crazy. They knew they had to get going back to their hotel soon.

For some, however, midnight was early for them and that meant the night was just getting started. It could be heard in the constant ringing of the front entrance the way people kept walking in and out of the place. That scenario was no different for the group of guys that just walked in, one of them was not exactly a stranger to the public eye. Paul Mescal.

Paul was in with some friends from London and Dublin, looking for a fun week, especially due to the fact that he wrapped up filming for his new movie Aftersun not too long ago and felt good about things. Now, all he wanted to do was have a nice, fun night with the lads and enjoy a Guinness.

But nights out for a guy like him aren’t usually free of any extra attention, Caroline being the first one to spot him

“Hey, hey guys.” KK calls out, tapping Grace on the shoulder. “That guy over there, does he look like someone?”

“There’s no way…” Grace awes

“What? Who is that?” Abby questions

“Dude, have you ever watched Normal People?” Grace asks to which Abby nods “That looks like the actor who plays Connell!”

“Paul Mescal?” Quinn guesses

“Yes!”

“I wouldn’t be surprised, New York is practically East Coast LA. They’ve gotta come somewhere for a good time.” Valentina shrugs

“Yeah, that’s one hundred percent him. I’m gonna go say hi quickly!” Maddi says to the girls, to which they all try to prevent her from doing so. There was always a pretty high potential that going up to just about any famous person can lead to you being left embarrassed in the end, thinking to yourself, “Oh god, this is going to haunt me for ages.”

But Maddi had guts, and nothing was going to stop her from expressing admiration towards this guy. So all of the pleads from the girls only motivated her even more to walk up to him.

“Oh my god, she has no shame.” Quinn sighs, while the rest of the girls just shake their heads

They all watch intensely as Maddi makes her way over.

“Hi, excuse me,” she says, gaining Paul and some of his friends’ attention

“Hi, I’m so sorry. I’m not asking for a photo or an autograph or anything. I just wanted to say that you are truly such an incredible actor. Normal People was such an incredible show, and you and Daisy really had such incredible chemistry.” Maddi exclaimed

“Ah, thank you so much. I’m happy to hear you enjoyed it.” Paul nodded and smiled at her. He’s gotten pretty used to all of the attention on him after becoming so famous practically overnight.

He appreciates the fans more than anything; he’s just gotten the whole “be nice” act down overtime and just goes about nodding, smiling, and saying thank you until they go back to whatever they were doing before he walked into the room.

“Yes, anyway I’m so sorry again for interrupting your night. I’m just with some friends over there and we just really loved the show.” Maddi says as she points to the table behind her where the girls were sitting.

Paul looks over to where she pointed, as he expected that he now had to quickly wave and smile at her friends rather than be some douche who didn’t.

As he did so, he quickly scanned each girl. There was Grace, then Abby, Quinn, Caroline, and soon enough, he got to Valentina at the end-

Oh…

Getting to Valentina was truly the best saved for last. He looked (more like starred) at the girl with her half-empty Guinness and felt like time stopped for him.

Whoever that girl was, she was so insanely beautiful…

Each girl waved at him, including her. Obviously, Valentina knew who the guy was, but Paul felt like he should introduce himself right then and there.

“Um, would your friends mind if I just went up and introduced myself? I feel like it would be rude not too since they all can spot me right now.” Paul quickly came up with on the spot

“Oh my goodness, they would love that!” Maddi smiled, “Just follow me.”

“Hey guys, I’ll be right back. Save me a seat.” Paul said to his friends before he followed Maddi over to her table

The guys just laughed at this, seeing Paul follow a random girl. Considering who he was, he never had any trouble not gaining any extra attention from anyone in any room. 

Once they made it to the table, Maddi began to introduce Paul to everyone. Like he needed any introduction.

“Guys, you all know Paul Mescal?” Maddi asks, acting like they don’t know who he is.

“Hi!” Grace speaks first “We are such big fans, love your work.”

“Thank you! That’s very kind” Paul says extending his hand to which Grace shakes.

“I’m Grace by the way, I see you’ve met Maddi.” Grace says “So sorry if your night was interrupted, by the way, Maddi has a thing for talking to people.”

“Dudeee” Maddi quietly groans

“No, it’s all fine. I’m used to attention like that from others.” Paul laughs “It’s nice to meet all of you, really appreciate the support and all.”

“Of course, I mean not to inflate your ego any more than it’s already been, but you are really good at playing a sad guy, and I say that with the upmost respect.” Abby says

“Wow, thank you, seriously. And you name is…?” Paul questions

“That’s Abby!” Maddi cuts in before Abby can properly introduce herself. “You’ve met Grace. Over there’s Quinn, next to her is Caroline, and right next to her is Valentina.”

Valentina…that’s a really fitting name for someone like her

“Ahhhhh nice to meet you guys.” Paul nods, satisfied

“I hate to break this up but we should probably head back to our hotels and get some sleep before tomorrow.” Quinn cuts in. “We’ve got a flight to catch.” she clarifies to Paul

“Yeah, you’re probably right.” Valentina nods before collecting her things. “Say goodbye to your little friend, Mads.”

Paul just looks at her in awe.

“Shut up.” Maddi jokes “It was so nice getting to talk to you and thank you again for being so kind.”

“Of course, it’s always a pleasure to talk to fans. No harm done.” Paul reassures

The girls all collect their things, Abby throws down a generous tip and they’re all about to walk out the front before Paul calls out

“Hey, sorry, I don’t think I got your name,” Paul calls out

“Which one?” Caroline questions, standing closest to the door

“Um, you, you had hald a Guinness left.” Paul says pointing to Valentina

“Me?” she asks, he nods

“Yeah, I just don’t recall hearing your name a little earlier is all.”

He’s lying, he obviously remembered.

“Oh, Valentina.” she says

“That’s a very beautiful name.” Paul muses

“Thanks, Paul.” Valentina grins

“Um, is it too late to offer to buy you a drink?” Paul asks. The other girls stand near the entrance and look at each other with knowing glances.

“Yeah, sorry I’ve gotta catch a flight tomorrow. Another beer doesn’t sound like such a great idea in my case.” Valentina apologizes

“Ah, sorry.” Paul says

“It’s okay, it was nice meeting you though.” she says as she briefly begins to turn around

“Can I get your number?” Paul hurriedly asked

“Um, excuse me?” Valentina looks back at him confused, the other girls look at each other shocked.

“I- I just-” Paul attempts to explain before Valentina cuts him off

“Look, I’m sorry, but I don’t give my number out to strangers, let alone famous strangers.” Valentina explains

“Would you like my number then? I won’t give you a fake I promise.” Paul attempts to reason

“Very funny,” Valentina lightly grins at him “but I’m okay, and I really have to get going. Have a good night, Paul.” to which she then turns around and exits the pub alongside her friends.

And then she’s gone.

And all Paul feels in that moment is foolish, lovestruck but completely embarrassed by his attempts.

All for a girl he might never find again.

-

A few blocks away from the pub, the girls start to freak out over the entire interaction they just witnessed between their friend and one of the most popular, hottest guys in entertainment right now.

“Holy shit?!” Grace exclaims

“What the hell was that just before?” KK adds

“Um, nothing. That’s what it was.” Valentina says as she continues to walk, unbothered and completely uninterested by the whole thing.

“Bro, nothing my fucking ass. You just had Paul Mescal ask you out and try to get your contact information!” Abby explains while Grace just shakes Valentina’s shoulders out of excitement.

“He did not ask me out. He just asked to buy me a drink.” Valentina reasons

“Practically the same thing! He was so desperately into you!” Abby goes on

“Seriously why didn’t you take him up on that? The drink thing, sure it’s late, but not even his phone number?” Maddi asks

“Oh please, why would I want to get involved with him?” Valentina scoffs

“Um, hello? He’s gorgeous!” Quinn explains “The fame is just something extra, but it can be worked around.”

“Yeah, okay.” Valentina chuckles

“He genuinely seemed like he wanted to have sex with you!”

“Yeah, okay Abby.” Valentina rolls her eyes

 “You know, you realize you could have had one of the hottest actors of our generation on lockdown, right?” Maddi asks

“What lockdown?” Valentina laughs “He was just looking for a one-night stand. It’s how this shit always goes. You have a good-looking, decently famous guy who wants a night off from all the pressures of being himself. So what does he do? He takes refuge in some meaningless sex with a practical nobody that he won’t remember maybe an hour into the morning after.”

“Wouldn’t the bragging rights to come out of that be pretty sick though?” KK calls out

“You guys are seriously unbelievable.” Valentina shakes her head as she continues to walk forward.

“Plus, don’t be calling yourself a nobody. You’re practically giving young girls the hope right now that they can be something in their sport.” Grace assures her

“I mean I wasn’t really talking about myself in that sense, but let’s be so for real, guys. He doesn’t even know me!” 

“He seemed like he wanted to, V!” KK says

“Oh yeah, good luck with that. I’m never even going to see the guy again beyond that moment. Plus, I have shit of my own I need to focus on. I’ve got a title to win, people to continue to prove myself to, and hopefully some good opportunities beyond college to look forward to.” Valentina finishes, practically putting her foot down.

“Holy stubborn bro.” Abby jokes with her, Valentina chuckles “Please do not overwork yourself again this season, and don’t take the loses to heart. I cannot be on the phone all the time to console you.”

“Yeah, we'll see.” Valentina replies, which, to Abby, mean’s she’ll try her hardest.

None of them mentioned Paul the rest of the night.