Ain’t This Life so Sweet
Chapter Eight
1.9k / ted lasso x f!reader / 18+
The door is left ajar, and Ted starts to notice the ember glow through the crack. Warm and radiant, inviting and safe and a space for him to make a home. The door is tough, heavy and the opening times are few and far between. When he watches the way you move in that room, he knows exactly where he wants to put down roots.
‘Soulmate is too soft a word for the string that tied my heart to yours’
CONTENT: Ted is the same character as the show, reader is an East London/just outside of London girly, also she is the founder of the Richmond Foundation, who is the charity that gives back to the community. Age gap, or not, completely up to you (I am writing with one but it isn’t the focus of the plot), Beard is still a strange little endearing man, Ted is our observant, sexy moustached lil stud. Not sure where I’m going with this, but I need to get it out of my brain. Hope you enjoy angel muffins.
If any readers from outside England need help deciphering the British culture, my door is open🔮
‘Fucking stop clicking that pen.’ Roy grunted from his chair.
‘Oh sorry ‘bout that buddy. I just have real bad second date nerves.’
Beard and Roy looked at each other, then glared at Ted.
‘Well not second date. It’s not really a date. it’s more a second pre-date. Y’all know what I mean. Carry on.’
A smug look washed over Roy’s face.
Beard reciprocated this and nodded slowly in approval.
‘And I mean it’s not a date if only one person considers it a date.’
‘Would you like one of my spies to find out if the second person is considering any part of your week a date?’
‘Absolutely not.’ Ted said firmly, whilst nodding his head.
You stuck your head round the door of the office.
‘Roy, is Isaac and Colin free to speak to a journalist on Saturday after team-building, please?’
‘They will be for you.’
‘Charmed. Thanks, love. Coaches.’
Your cheeks flushed crimson, as you tried to avoid Ted catching whiff of the excited puppy energy.
‘Girls, I think me and Ted are spending Saturday together.’ You chain-drank 2 cups of builder’s tea.
‘Hmm. Spending Saturday together, or is it a date?’ By spies, Roy meant Keeley who wasted no time giving Roy what he needed.
Rebecca clasped her hands together and rested her chin upon them, ‘That is the crucial part, little miss Jones.’
‘Well, Miss Welton, Miss Jones. He hasn’t asked me officially. He asked me to help plan the day which I’m doing team building then he said the rest is for me to decide. I just don’t want to plan some romantic dinner and decide it’s a date.’
Keeley and Rebecca took mental notes. Operation Get Ted Dating had officially begun.
‘Hmm. And if he asked you on a date?’ Keeley carried on digging.
‘Well obviously yes. We’re seeing my nan again tonight. He’s driving.’
Three sets of eyes lit up, and you all squealed in unison.
‘Shit, gotta go. Sam’s asked for Friday affirmations so I gotta go draft these emails real quick. Bye honeys. Frazzled Friday tomorrow, be there or be square bitches.’
You blew a kiss. One to Rebecca, one to Keeley, and one to Higgins who had zoned out the first time date was mentioned.
‘Ready?’ Ted hovered by your desk for at least forty seconds before being able to get the words out.
‘Yes love, just 2 seconds, need to send the boys some words of wisdom to perk up their Friday morning.’
‘Can those words be two sprays of aftershave is sufficient?’ Ted laughed.
‘I’ll deliver that suggestion gently. But delivered it will be,’ you threw your bag over your shoulder, before Ted put his hand out to carry it.
‘One day, I would love to see what comes in the emergency pouch.’
‘You’ll rue the day you asked that.’ You winked.
You brushed Ted’s hand as you gave him your bag. Ted looked at you, face softening as he inhaled. He put your bag on his shoulder, hand searching for yours again and he wrapped his pinky finger around yours.
‘Let’s go.’
You were slightly lost for words, as the echoes of Keeley and Rebecca swirled in your head. They’d be screaming if they could have seen that.
Neither of you said a word walking to Ted’s car. Not awkward, not uncomfortable, but peaceful. Cherishing every moment of it just being you two and holding hands with no other noise
He opened the door for you, you slid in comfortably, the passenger seat not moved an inch since you had last been in there.
‘Heated seat?’
‘You never have to ask that question.’You poked his shoulder.
He nodded, pressing the button in the centre console.
‘Remember we drive on the left,’ You poked again, switching the radio to connect to your phone, ‘Let me know if you appreciate the sweet sounds of UK Garage on a Thursday evening.’
‘Sweet baby Jesus,’ Ted blew through his lips, shaking his head. He started to notice the more nervous he appeared, the more your sing like no one can hear side came out.
‘It’s the law that you can’t celebrate your fifth birthday here unless you successfully learn the words to at least five Craig David songs.’
‘Hey that’s one for every year you’ve been alive right. Makes sense.’
He patted your thigh, laughing with you as he drove 5 miles below the speed limit instead of taking the long way round.
You dug through your bag, finding your spare key and let Ted through.
‘Mummy? Nan?’ You shouted through.
‘Hey what about your old Grandad?’ He appeared through the hallway, shaking Ted’s hand and bringing him in for a hug before kissing and squeezing you.
‘Yes, yes, hi Grandad. Nanny has Ted’s charger. We’re just doing a flying visit.’
‘Good game on Sunday, Ted. Will you be watching?’ your Grandad asked.
‘I certainly will. I’ll get this one to figure out where and with who.’
Again, you were lost for words.
‘Jesus, he’s more at home than me. 12pm, my house, Sunday. Bring your own wine and bring me extra.’
2 cups of tea, one decaf coffee (Ted got the shakes if he had caffeine after 12pm) and somehow one Sunday that turned into you hosting later, and Ted had got his charger, you had said your goodbyes and you were finally able to decompress from chaotic energy.
‘Hungry?’ He asked.
‘Always.’
‘Drive through?’
‘You read my mind Coach.’
10 minutes later, 3 playlist changes and 1 unanimous decision on what was for dinner, you were queuing at McDonald’s.
Ted handed you the paper bags of food.
‘Ted my phone fell down the side, can you see if you can reach it?’
Ted leant forward, hand rummaging under the seat. You lunged forward out of your seat and tapped on the card reader.
‘You are bad.’
‘You drove, my treat.’
‘The treat is your company. Now tell me, what do you call those over here?’ He pointed vaguely out of your window as you turned your head, pulling your glasses out of your bag.
‘What are you on about? It’s an empty field.’
‘Rule number one. Never get distracted when holding dinner.’
‘Idiot’ you laughed, smacking his thigh playfully.
‘You wanna finish your drink up at mine? Or do you want to leave it half full to fester in the car for a week because you forgot to take it in when you got home?’ You teased, fingers crossed out of sight, in hope he’d say yes.
‘I could do with a leg stretch I suppose.’
‘Well then, my sofa is perfect for Sprite sipping and leg stretching.’
You led Ted up the stairs to your apartment. It was a small block, only 18 flats in two blocks, but you loved the cosiness and safety.
‘This is me.’
The smell of burnt out incense drifted under the door, and your home glowed amber.
He slipped his shoes off, chuckling to himself at the size difference in your heels and his trainers.
You drew black curtains across the french doors leading out to your balcony, Ted watching as you floated around your apartment lighting candles and switching on lamps.
‘I like your lair.’ Ted smiled, trying to peek around corners and see through cracks in doors.
‘Thank you. You’re lucky if you escape alive.’ You winked. Creeping closer to Ted, he swatted away at you.
‘Now don’t tease me with a good time.’
‘Come sit, I’m sure something about a police chase or overrun A&E will be on soon.’
He joined you, legs spread in true manly fashion, and arm rested over the back of the sofa.
Minutes felt like seconds, and you slowly sunk back into the sofa. Ted tapped his leg, before inviting you with his hand as he tapped your ankles. You swung your feet up, and he rubbed them gently over your grey kitten print socks.
‘I think Thursdays are my new favourite day.’ Ted sighed.
‘Oh yeah?’
‘Yeah, as long as we keep finding excuses to spend them together.’
You tilted your head, half smiling as if to say, that was so cheesy but I love it.
The end credits to a not so cheery police documentary rolled, and you were both unfortunately aware of the time.
‘You and the boys going for drinks tomorrow?’
‘Are you going to be there?’ Ted asked, holding your hands in his now.
‘Of course, wouldn’t miss fucked up Friday for the world.’
‘Then of course I’ll be there. Just make sure the hangover’s cleared for date night.’
‘Mr Lasso,’ you blushed, ‘are you asking me on a date?’
‘Only if you’re going to say yes.’
‘Of course I’ll say yes. I can’t wait.’
You wrapped your arms round his neck, cuddling him tight. He hugged you back, hand in the small of your back, and breathing in the perfume from behind your ear.
He kissed your forehead.
‘I’ll see you in the morning.’ he waved, as you opened the front door for him.
‘Bye, handsome.’ You teased.
You collapsed in a pile on the floor behind the closed door. Head in the clouds, you replayed every moment your heart nearly burst out of your chest.
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