Teddy Bear
Pairing: John Price x F! Reader
Summary: You bump into a handsome stranger while shopping. meet cute.
Warning: M Theme. VERY slight mention of Innuendoes. Alcohol use. assumptions.
A/N: for @a-small-writer-in-a-big-world, hope this will give you a tiny etsy warm fuzzy feeling with our dear John Price.
not beta'ed or proof read.
Master list
“Aunty Bear! Come on!!”
Letting out a sigh, half regretting letting your adorable niece and nephew have the free rein to choose any present they want as they drag you by the pants through aisle after aisle at the local department store.
You haven’t seen your sister’s family for over a year. You were astonished how big they have grown in the time between, especially your little niece. Seems only yesterday you were cradling her in your arm as a newborn, and now her little feet can zoom around faster than a sports car, even her six year old brother is having hard time keeping up.
“Alright alright, steady there, I can’t keep up with you when I can’t see where I am going!” you warned the little girl as you adjusted the oversized teddy bear in your arms, at the same time trying to navigate blindly. At the end you just give up and let her pull whichever direction she leads you.
Suddenly you collide with an obstacle, sending you reeling. A strong muscular arm caught you in time before you fell onto the shelves.
“Apologies, are you alright there?” A deep husky voice above your head asks as they try to steady your footing, and only to let go after they are sure both of your feet are firmly back on the ground again.
Your face heats up as soon as you lift your head up to take a good peek at your saviour ( or victim of your blind walking ), gezez he is tall, you thought. Very handsome too. Nicely groomed beard, piercing blue eyes, slight wrinkles around his eyes and between brows. He must frown pretty often.
“Ohh, aunty look, he’s got a furry face!” your two year old niece pointed at the stranger, as she stared at him with wonder.
“That’s called a beard Lizzy, not fur.” your nephew corrected his sister, rolling his eyes.
“Actually that is a mutton chop.. “ you blurted out without thinking. Seconds later your eyes grew wide, realising what you just said.
‘Shit um, sorry, uh, I apologise.. Sorry to run into you. And Um, commenting on your…” you dropped the large teddy bear on the floor, while one hand covering your mouth, waving around towards his beard, horrified.
The handsome stranger chuckled. “It’s ok. It’s always been a talking point. I am used to it.”
Embarrassed beyond words, you shake your head. You swallowed hard before you squeezed more words of apology out of your mouth.
“Really it’s Ok. I know it’s hard to chase around the kids when your hands are full.” he commented.
“From experience?” you asked, eyebrows raised, and feeling that slight ping of disappointment in your heart. He must be married. You thought. You took a quick glance at his left hand. No rings. Your heart soars again.
“ I guess chasing and yelling after three adults that behave like kids you can count as that.” He replied as he let out a short laugh. “Especially ones that don't follow your command when they are off duty.”
Seeing your brows knitted together with confusion at his comment, “ My subordinate. Those three are like my sons.” he smiled softly.
You swear the room spun a bit after seeing his smile. Or are you swooning?
Get your brain straight! You mentally slap yourself. You are here shopping for presents, not ogling on eligible or dateable people!
You felt your nephew tugging at your clothes, snapping you out of your internal dialogue. “Aunty Bear, I am hungry, can we go home and have lunch please?” he pouted.
“Ah um, ok, let’s go and pay for this and we can go home, ya?” you replied, ready to bend down to pick up the teddy bear from the floor. A shadow loomed over you. The stranger had bent over, arms out.
“I’ll carry that for you, if you don’t mind. Also be easier to hold onto your niece as well.” he gestured.
Gosh how nice can this man be? You ran into him, and now he is offering to help you to carry your purchase?
You nodded your head, whispered a thanks, before you turned and picked your niece up into your arms.
The stranger picks the teddy bear up under his arm with ease, while your nephew carries the rest of the items, as four of you walk towards the register.
“Aunty … he’s like a real giant teddy bear..” your niece whispered into your ear. “And his arms are furry too, just like his face.”
The stranger turned around, “My chest is quite furry too. And legs. Just like a real bear.” he added with a mischievous smile.
Your face burnt with embarrassment. Is he trying to flirt with you? There is no way. NOPE.
You speed up your pace to get to the register, even more embarrassed.
“Daddy and mummy buying presents for you two?” the old lady at the register asked the children with a smile as she ring up the items.
“Oh no no no we are not… “ “she’s not…I am just helping her..“ both of you shake your head, denying. Your face heated up again at the thought. How much more embarrassment can you take today? But part of your heart is actually amused at the situation.
“Oh sorry.. Just four of you look so lovely together..” the lady apologised. “Sorry to make the assumption.”
You took a peek at the stranger as he accepted the apology and gracefully redirected the conversation with the lady with little chit-chat.
He was even nice enough to help you to carry everything to the car, “Need help to put it into the boot, wife?” he joked as he flashes you a smile.
“Ah, thanks, um uh, you shouldn’t have.” you stuttered slightly hearing his joke. You pop the boot open, letting him stuff the large teddy bear in. “I ran into you and here you are helping me, I feel very bad. So um, Can I buy you a coffee or something as an apology and as a thanks for the help?”
A sad apologetic smile appeared on his face. Looking at his watch he replied, “It’s Ok. I have to leave soon. Plus,” he pointed at the two children standing beside you, pouting. “I think they are getting bit.. What is the word, hangry? So I think it’s time to feed them.”
Disappointment hits you. The one time you raise your courage to ask someone, you get turned down.
“Maybe next time?” he suddenly asked.
“Oh. Um. I .. I am not from around here. I am only here to visit my sister and family..”
Now is that a look of disappointment on his face?
“Oh. That’s fine. Well, nice to meet you. Have a safe drive home.” Giving you a final wave as you double check the children are buckled into their seats, you drive out from the car park, while the stranger is still standing at the same spot, seeing you off.
Oh well. Not meant to be. You convinced yourself. Suppressing that sadness that is bubbling up within you.
Your sister was ecstatic when you told her you found a new job nearby. She often complaints about how the children misses you, how she misses you, and the job opportunity around the city is better than the one you are currently living in, plus she has a granny flat in her backyard, you save a bit on rent, get to stay with your family while still have your own private space. Tonight a group of you decided to go out and celebrate one of your workmate’s birthday. And you always wanted to check out this particular bar that always seems to be full of people. Everyone you asked raved about the good selection of drink and food. “And maybe you might meet that handsome stranger again!” your friend joked.
You rolled your eyes. You knew you shouldn’t have let that story out. It’s been nearly over a year. They might have moved on. They might have forgotten about you. Surely in such a big city, the chance of bumping into the same person is quite slim.
“It’s your birthday! I’ll get your next drink!” you wave at your friend, declining her offer of money as you jump off the stool, ready to get your second pint of beer. As soon as you turned around, you bumped into a wall of broad chest. The stranger caught you just in time, and pulled you into his chest to prevent you from falling. You felt his chest rumble as he chuckled. You recognise that laugh.
“Hello teddy bear lady, we really should stop meeting like this.”
Oh deary me. Maybe luck is on your side.
tag list :
@a-small-writer-in-a-big-world @homicidal-slvt
@floral-force @okayyadriana @cumikering @siilvan
@random-thot-generator @random0lover @devcica @jynxmirage @nrdmssgs @glitterypirateduck @rileyslibrarian
@mistydeyes, @groguspicklejar,
@whydoilikewhump @captainpriceslover, @tapioca-marzipan