Teeth and Tides. . .‧˚꒰🌊꒱༘‧
pairing: Owen Grady x f!reader genre: coworkers to lovers • tensions • adventure • forced proximity notes: You are finally living your dream as a Mosasaur handler at Jurassic World. While, technically, only wanting to pursue your career of studying aquatic giants, your coworker Owen has taking quite the liking to you... After your house got invested by the local insect population he extends his invitation for you to stay with him in his bungalow and... things start getting tense between the two of you from there. MINORS DNI!! masterlist join my taglist ─── ꒰ 💚 ꒱ ───
part 2 – lake water
You stopped walking for a moment.
“Wait... really?”
Your brows lifted slightly as you looked at him. You genuinely hadn't expected that offer.
The guest resort sounded miserable.
Owen's bungalow?
Quiet. Peaceful. Away from tourists. Away from screaming children.
The more you thought about it, the more appealing it became.
A small smile pulled at your lips.
“That would actually be…” You paused. “Really nice.”
Owen was surprised by how quickly you agreed.
Not that he was complaining.
Internally, he was already questioning why he'd offered in the first place. And why he suddenly felt so pleased that you'd said yes.
He shoved his hands into his pockets, trying to look unaffected.
“Yeah, no problem. I've got plenty of room.”
You couldn't help smiling a little wider, “Thank you, Owen. That's really kind of you.”
You turned toward your Jurassic World jeep, paddleboard tucked under your arm.
Unfortunately, the board had other plans.
As you turned you swung around and smacked directly into Owen's side.
“Ow–”
You gasped.
“Sorry–!”
Owen grunted, “Jesus…”
He rubbed his ribs dramatically.
“Trying to kill me already?” he half laughed.
“Oh god, I– I am really sorry–” you said, cheeks flushing in embarrassment.
A laugh escaped him despite himself.
“Yeah, yeah. I'll survive.” he grinned.
You shook your head before heading to your jeep, unlocking the rear compartment and carefully tossing the paddleboard inside.
This time without assaulting any coworkers…
“If you want,” you said, looking back at him, “we can take my jeep back.”
You shrugged, “Unless you drove here?”
“Nah.” he said, already walking around toward the passenger side.
He climbed into the passenger seat and pulled the door shut.
“Lead the way.”
You grabbed an oversized Jurassic World staff shirt from your bag and pulled it over your swimsuit before sliding into the driver's seat.
“You still live by the lakeside bungalows, right?” you asked as you started the engine.
Owen buckled his seatbelt, “Yeah.”
He glanced over, “How’d you know that?”
“Actually, the bungalow next to yours… the one a little further down?” you said, your expression changing to an awkward smile, “That's where Jacob lives.”
Owen recognized the name vaguely.
One of the park employees.
Maintenance, maybe.
Something like that.
“So?” Owen asked.
You sighed.
“I kind of used to date him.”
You pulled onto the main road winding through the island.
“Unfortunately.” you added.
Owen snorted, "That bad?"
“He was a real douchebag.”
“Sounds promising.”
“He stood me up on our third date.”
Owen turned his head.
“What?”
“Yep.” you half shrugged while keeping your eyes on the road.
“Didn't even text.”
“What a moron,” he scoffed.
You laughed at that, the thought alone of dating that prick made you embarrassed of your past self.
“That's putting it nicely.” you murmured.
“No, seriously.” Owen said, shaking his head, “Who stands up someone like you?”
The words left his mouth before he could stop them.
You glanced at him briefly, amusement flickering in your eyes.
“What exactly does that mean?”
Owen immediately looked out the passenger window.
“You know what I mean.” he sighed.
“Clearly I don't.” you teased, clearly enjoying this.
You glanced back toward the road then, switching back to your horror ex story to not make this more awkward, “Honestly, I'm glad Jacob stood me up.”
“On our first date he took me to the slushie stand in Main Square.” you began.
“Strong start.” Owen interrupted you briefly.
“He spilled his drink all over me. And then he made me buy him another one.” you said, shuddering at the horrible memory.
Owen couldn’t help but chuckle at that, “What a gentleman,... real prince charming.”
The sarcasm dripping from his voice made you laugh as well.
He found himself smiling at the sound.
You glanced sideways at him, “What about Claire?” you asked, you had heard some staff gossip about them going on a date.
Owen blinked, clearly caught off guard, “What?”
“The redhead.”
You gestured vaguely.
“Oh.” Owen made, which already told you a lot.
“There was gossip about you two going on a date.” you finally said out loud. Owen shrugged, trying to brush it off.
“We did.”
You raised an eyebrow, “And?”
“And nothing.” he concluded, shifting slightly in his seat. “We had dinner, didn’t go anywhere…”
For some reason, admitting that to you felt stranger than it should have.
You nodded thoughtfully.
The conversation drifted away as you turned off the main road and followed the familiar route toward the lakeside staff housings.
You slowed the jeep as Owen's came into view.
His motorbike was parked outside, and his yard looked exactly like you'd expected.
Tools, equipments and random parts sat scattered and left outside, even if several of them probably weren’t meant for permanently living outside.
You parked beside the bungalow and switched off the engine.
“Thanks again, Owen.” you offered with a warm smile, “You're honestly saving my life by letting me crash on your couch”
Something softened in Owen's chest.
He unbuckled his seatbelt and climbed out.
“It's really not a big deal.” he grabbed his backpack and shut the door behind him.
Then he looked around his yard.
A wrench sat in the grass.
There was an overturned crate near the porch. A mess for sure…
You unbuckled your seatbelt and climbed out, heading straight for the back of the vehicle. You opened the hatch, revealing your surfboard and the handful of bags you'd packed that morning when maintenance had practically chased you out of your bungalow.
You grabbed the first bag and balanced it against your hip.
Owen headed up the steps and unlocked the front door for you.
The screen door creaked as he pushed it open.
He tossed his bag inside before walking back to the jeep, helping you with your bags.
“Oh– thanks–” you said as he took two bags from you.
“After you.” he gestured with his head towards the door.
You smiled, “Such a gentleman.”
“Don't get used to it.”
You stepped inside, looking around and quickly you realised the bungalow was exactly what you'd expected.
Owen's house.
No question.
There were boots by the door.
Tools on the counter.
Fishing equipment leaning against one wall.
A few motorcycle parts that definitely did not belong in the living room sat on the coffee table.
A smile tugged at your lips.
“You know,” you said, both of you setting your bags beside the couch, “this is pretty much exactly what I imagined your place would look like.”
Owen groaned from behind you, “That's not a compliment, is it?”
“It depends.”
He laughed under his breath and walked toward the kitchen.
“You want something to drink?” he called, half sticking his head into the fridge already.
“What are my options?” you asked, following him with your eyes
“Beer. Water.” he said, “Uh… more beer.”
You let out a soft laugh, “Do you have anything besides beer and water?”
“Leftover chinese takeout and… half an apple, but I wouldn’t eat that anymore.” he added.
“In my defense,” Owen said, “I wasn't expecting company.”
“I'll take a beer.” you settled then.
“Good choice.”
He grabbed two cans from the fridge and carried them over. The caps popped off with a practiced motion.
You accepted yours gratefully.
“Thank you.”
“Anytime.”
Both of you took a sip.
The beer was cold and the evening still warm.
“Honestly,” you said eventually, “a beer after work never hurt anyone.”
“I'll drink to that.”
The cans clinked together lightly.
You glanced through the window toward the yard.
“Can I go look at your motorcycle?” you asked, you didn’t know much about the machines but you couldn’t deny they had a certain ‘coolness’ to them that you found undeniably pulling.
Owen immediately perked up, “Yeah… you can look. Just be careful, she’s my baby”
You rolled your eyes dramatically, “I obviously won’t do anything to ‘her’”
You stood and headed outside before he could change his mind.
The evening air greeted you immediately.
The lake reflected the orange glow of the setting sun.
His motorcycle sat beside the porch, black paint catching the light.
You crouched beside it curiously.
It was a little dusty from use, but otherwise looked well maintained.
You traced your fingers lightly over the handlebars.
“What brand is this?” you called back toward the bungalow.
Inside, Owen glanced up from his beer.
He pushed himself off the couch and wandered over to the open front door, beer dangling loosely from one hand.
He leaned against the frame, one shoulder resting against the wood as he watched you inspecting the motorcycle.
“It's a Triumph Scrambler.” he said, the pride in his voice was impossible to miss.
“I've had her for a good while now.”
You glanced up from where you were crouched beside the bike.
“Really?”
“Yep.”
He took a sip of his beer.
“Spent more money on maintenance than I'd like to admit.”
“I can imagine,” you chuckled, “Looks really cool.”
That earned a wider grin from Owen.
“See? You get it.” he nodded approvingly.
For a while you continued looking it over.
The leather seat.
The details.
The wheels.
The engine.
You weren't exactly an expert, but you could appreciate why he liked it so much.
Eventually your attention drifted elsewhere.
The lake stretched out behind the bungalow, its surface glowing gold beneath the setting sun.
You took another sip of your beer, eyes darting over the calm water.
"Do you ever swim in there?"
Owen followed your gaze along the water, “Yeah, sometimes.
His eyebrow lifted for a moment, “Why?”
You wandered closer to the shoreline.
“It looks kind of murky.” you said, looking down at the slightly muddy water.
“It's a lake.” Owen noted, as if it would explain everything.
The water lapped quietly against the shore.
And without much thought, you set your beer down on the grass.
Owen watched curiously.
Then you pulled the oversized Jurassic World shirt over your head, revealing the swimsuit you were still wearing underneath.
“Testing the lake?” he called to you, now fully stepping down into the yard.
You walked into the shallows, the water barely reached your ankles at first.
“Yeah–” you said, moving deeper.
Then, before Owen could say anything else, you dove beneath the surface.
Water splashed and suddenly you were gone underneath the surface.
Owen stared at the lake, waiting and a few seconds later you surfaced farther out, pushing wet hair back from your face.
You immediately made a face.
“Yep! Tastes like lake!” you said, spitting out a little water.
“What exactly were you expecting?” he laughed, “Champagne?”
You grinned at his banter, for a moment simply floating in the water enjoying the warm sun painted lake around you.
Then you noticed Owen was still standing exactly where he'd been.
You narrowed your eyes, “Are you seriously just going to stand there?”
“What you want me to get in there too? Too scared of the murky water now?” he asked, taking a sip of his beer.
“Maybe.”
His smile gave him away instantly.
“Come on! It’s nice!” you huffed.
Owen looked at the water, then at you.
“You know,” he called back, “some people enjoy relaxing ‘on land’ after work.”
“Some people are boring.” you shot back.
“Boring?” he raised an eyebrow.
You nodded innocently, “That's what I said.”
Owen stared at you for a second, then shook his head, already putting his beer down.
“You are absolutely trying to start something.”
“Is it working?”
Unfortunately for him…
It was.
Owen disappeared back into the bungalow for a few minutes, leaving you floating lazily in the lake water.
When he finally returned, he had changed into a pair of swim trunks, though he'd clearly hesitated somewhere along the way.
He stood on the porch for a moment, looking out at the water.
You raised an eyebrow, “Well?”
Owen shook his head, laughing to himself, as he walked down to the shore and stepped into the water.
You dove beneath the surface and the murky water swallowed you whole, muting the sounds from above. You swam a short distance underwater, while behind you, Owen waded farther into the lake.
“Don't go too far out!” he called, trying to look for your shadowy figure under the surface.
You surfaced only a few feet away from him.
The moment your head broke the surface, you launched both hands through the water and sent a wave crashing directly into his chest.
Fresh water splashed across him, making Owen jump slightly.
“Hey!”
You burst out laughing.
A little too hard, actually, because you immediately inhaled a bit of lake water and started coughing.
Owen couldn’t help the grin forming on his lips as he, with absolutely no warning, scooped up a handful of water and splashed you directly in the face.
You squealed, “Owen!”
“You started this.” he reminded.
You retaliated immediately, throwing another splash toward him.
Most of it hit his shoulder.
“That's it,” he declared.
“It's on now.”
The next splash was twice as large.
You stumbled backward through the water, throwing your arms up in defense.
“Mercy!” your laughter echoed across the lake.
Another wave of water came your way.
You gasped dramatically.
The battle continued for another minute, neither of you accomplishing much beyond getting completely soaked.
Eventually, realising Owen had both longer arms and an unfair physical advantage, you decided retreat was the smarter option.
With a grin, you dove beneath the water once more.
“Where do you think you're going?” Owen mused, watching your ‘escape’.
A second later he dove after you.
You swam farther out, enjoying the freedom of the open water before finally resurfacing near the middle of the lake.
A deep breath filled your lungs.
The sunset had reached that perfect golden hour where everything seemed to glow.
The water sparkled around you like scattered glitter.
A moment later Owen surfaced several feet away.
He pushed wet hair back from his forehead and exhaled heavily.
“There you are.” he huffed.
“Couldn't catch me?” you panted in response.
A smug grin tugged at Owen's mouth as he watched you.
“You should know better than to start something you can't finish.” he said.
You let out a mock offended gasp, “Excuse me?”
His grin only widened at that.
You splashed water in his direction, though it barely reached him.
“That's because I didn't realize you were trying to kill me!” you tried to defend yourself.
He laughed, his voice low and rough, “Oh, please– I was hardly trying to kill you.”
The warm lake rippled around him as he moved steadily closer, his eyes fixed on you with that familiar look that always seemed to appear whenever he was enjoying himself.
“I was getting you back for splashing me first…!”
You continued swimming backward, though much more slowly now.
“By drowning me?” you spoke, mockingly dramatic.
“You would've been fine.” Owen said, swimming closer.
You narrowed your eyes suspiciously.
“And how do you know that?”
“Because I would've saved you.” he spoke, the confidence in his voice making you chuckle.
“Oh, how reassuring.”
By now he'd closed most of the distance between you.
Despite your teasing, you found yourself unable to stop smiling.
Unfortunately, that only seemed to encourage him.
“Owen…”
You pointed a warning finger at him.
“Don't.”
His expression immediately turned mischievous.
“Don't what?” he grinned.
“You know exactly what… Owe–”
He lunged forward before you could finish.
You let out a startled shriek as strong hands caught you around the waist, lifting you just enough and a second later you were tossed backward into the lake with a splash.
Water rushed over your head.
When you resurfaced, sputtering and pushing wet hair out of your face, Owen was standing a few feet away looking entirely too pleased with himself.
You couldn't help laughing despite yourself, though it quickly turned into a cough when yet another mouthful of lake water went down the wrong way.
“You alright?” Owen asked as concern suddenly flashed his features due to your relentless coughing.
You held up a hand while trying to recover.
“Fine–” you coughed.
You finally managed a proper breath and wiped your face.
“I'm starting to think I should keep my mouth closed when I dive.” you said in between small coughs.
For a moment neither of you spoke as you wiped a hand through your wet hair, pushing the clinging strands aside.
The playful energy that had filled the last few minutes settled into something quieter.
You were still catching your breath as you looked up at Owen and found him already looking at you.
The realization made your stomach flutter unexpectedly.
You suddenly became very aware of how close he was standing.
You cleared your throat.
“Maybe I should get out…” you said,
Owen blinked, as if he had completely forgotten he was there in the first place.
You gestured vaguely toward the yard and his bungalow.
“I think I need something that doesn't taste like lake water.”
“Oh, yeah..” he nodded.
You swam past him before the silence could become any more awkward.
The grass felt cool beneath your feet as you climbed out of the water and dropped down beside your abandoned beer and oversized shirt.