pinky brain | drew starkey
Summary: in where you and Drew have been dating for almost a year now and yet there's people who find your relationship a bit weird.
Warning: age gap relationship (10 year age difference kinda), reader's in her early/mid 20s, gentle and patient drew, reader is such a shy sweetheart, so much fluff.
The apartment is softly lit with golden-hour sunlight streaming through the windows, a candle crackles in the corner, well, your pink corner, the place smells like vanilla and sandalwood. You’re sitting cross-legged on the floor in front of the coffee table, pink laptop open, surrounded by pastel highlighters, sparkly gel pens, and a Hello Kitty notebook.
You're such a shy, sweet girl with a bubbly pink personality that shines through, and Drew’s quiet, smitten adoration is ever-present. The dynamic of your age gap relationship is gently acknowledged but celebrated between the two of you, with hints of the outside world’s judgment brushed away by your intimacy and mutual understanding.
Your earbuds are in, bobbing your head to your called 2000s pink pop playlist—Britney, Paris, Hilary, and Xtina echoing faintly from your open earbud as you hum along. You're wearing Drew’s oversized hoodie, and it swallows you completely, a pink little hair clip in your hair. You’re super focused, writing notes and occasionally doodling hearts in the margins.
Drew lounges on the couch behind you, arms stretched along the top, in sweatpants and a plain white tee. He's supposed to be watching TV, but his eyes never leave you, he’s not watching the show playing in the background, he’s watching you, his princess, his babygirl, his angel. He smiles to himself, completely smitten by your presence.
“You’re the cutest thing I’ve ever seen.” he speak softly, almost to himself.
You don’t hear him, not fully, you’re busy mouthing the words to "Stars Are Blind," while scribbling in pink ink. Drew tilts his head, smiling even more. He gets up slowly, walks over, and sits down behind you on the floor, resting his chin on your shoulder.
“Hey, baby…” he says again, his voice still soft.
You jump slightly, removing one earbud. “Oh god. You scared me! I thought you were watching your show!” you giggled softly.
He shruggered, while smiling. “Couldn’t focus darlin', I'm too busy watching you.”
You blushed. “Dreeeew… don’t say stuff like that, you’re gonna make me melt!”
“Good, let me. You look like a cupcake just sitting there, scribbling with your glitter pen and biting your lip when you concentrate. I mean... look at you.” he brushes a lock of hair behind your ear, his hand lingering, thumb stroking your cheek with affection.
You glance down shyly, your cheeks a soft shade of pink now. “You’re embarrassing me…” you let out a soft giggle.
He chuckled. “You make it too easy, pinky.” he gently presses a kiss to your shoulder over the hoodie. “What are you working on?” he asked curiously.
You sighed. “My midterm paper, I’m analyzing like… the portrayal of early 2000s femininity in the media, you know... Pop culture itself, like, the divas! It's my little pink pop project.” you giggled.
“That’s so you.” he blinks.
You smile proudly. “I know, right? I even made a moodboard for it!”
You tilt the screen so he can see it... The screen is filled with photos of Paris Hilton, Mariah Carey, pink rhinestones, Juicy Couture, and sparkles.
“Of course you did, baby.” he grins and leaned in closer, gazing at the screen like it’s art. “Babe, this is actually kinda brilliant. You took your whole aesthetic and made it into something academic... That’s hot.”
You giggled again. “You think it’s hot when I do my uniwork? Ehm... I don't think so.”
He shruggered. “I think everything you do is hot. But especially when you’re being a little genius in my hoodie with a pink clip in your hair.” he says softly while he taps your pink clip playfully.
“Stoooop, you’re gonna make me blush again…” you whine playfully.
“Good, I like when you blush, I love when you get all shy. It’s like… my favorite thing ever.”
You cover your face with your hands, hiding your smile.
“I feel so tiny around you sometimes…” you say softly.
“You are tiny and that’s part of your charm! You’re like a little fairy or something.”
He wraps his arms around you from behind, pulling you gently into his chest. Your laptop is still open, your glitter pens scattered, but in this moment, you let yourself lean back against him.
You sighed. “Sometimes I wonder what people think when they see us, you know? Like… me all pink, bubbly and younger, and you all tall, scruffy and serious.” you spoke quietly.
He spoke firmly, into your neck. “Let ‘em wonder, let ‘em talk... They don’t see what I see.”
You raised an eyebrow. “And what do you see?” you asked him softly.
“I see the kindest heart, the softest soul. I see someone who dances while she washes fruit, who color-codes her notes and believes in love like it’s a religion. You make everything better just by existing and I don’t give a damn about the age thing, or what people might say about us. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” he look straight into your eyes, he's truly speaking from the deepness of his heart.
You pause, teary-eyed, pressing your face into his chest.
“You really mean that?” you whispered and he nodded.
“Every word, baby. You’re like… sunshine dipped in strawberry milk. I’m obsessed with you.” he say softly while giggling.
You let out a teary laugh. ”That’s the most you way to describe me.”
“Exactly! I’m learning your language.”
You tilt your head up and he kisses you sweetly, slow, long, with his hand cupping your cheek gently. When he pulls back, his eyes are soft and warm.
“Wanna take a break and dance with me?” he asked sweetly.
“Like... Right now?” you asked.
He grin and nodded. “Yeah, right now. Come on, babe! Put the pink playlist back on.”
You giggle and press play again: “Come Clean” by Hilary Duff begins.
He stands and holds out a hand, you giggled again, placing your hand in his, and he spins you around like a princess in the middle of the living room.
“Drew this is, like... so cheesy…”
He smiles. “Yeah, but it’s our cheesy.”
He sways you side to side, humming along with the music, completely immersed in you. And you lean into him, your cheek against his chest, your fingers clutching his shirt.
You spoke again, in a soft voice. “I don’t ever wanna leave this apartment, you know? I just wanna stay like this forever.”
“Then stay, baby... I mean it.” he make a pause. “Move in, officially.”
You freeze a little and he looks down at you trying to read your mind... Of course, you've thought about moving in with him officially several times, but you hadn't thought about doing it right now, even though you've been dating for almost a year.
“I’m serious, baby. I know you’re here most nights already, and there's some of your items around here, like... Your pink toothbrush is next to mine, your perfume lives in my bathroom now, and my whole closet smells like sugar, marshmallows and vanilla.” he spoke again with that soft but deep voice that never fail to make you melt each time. “I mean, you made your own pink corner in the living room... So, yeah, basically you're living here most days.” he giggled.
“You... You want me to move in?” you say in a tiny voice.
He nodded. “More than anything.”
“But… You know I’m a mess when I study, and I sing too loud, and I have glitter everywhere.”
He laughs softly. “Exactly baby. That’s what I want! All of it... Glitter and chaos and, I don't know, like late-night Britney dance breaks. You belong here, with me.”
Tears prick your eyes again. You nod, pressing a kiss to his chest.
You sighed. “Okay... I’ll move in.”
He smiles and whispered against your temple. “You already did, pinky. You moved into my life and took over my heart the second I met you.”
You smile at him. “I love you.”
He lifts you slightly off the ground, spinning you as Hilary’s voice crescendos. And you giggled by the action.
String lights hang from trees, photographers linger near the red carpet, people buzz around in silk and suits, champagne flutes in hand. Drew’s invited to a charity event a few afternoon's after that day at the apartment, and it's a lowkey, industry-filled, polished event. He didn’t want to go, not really. But when he asked if you’d come with him, and you said yes, with a shy little nod in your pink heels and sparkly clutch… well, he changed his mind.
You arrive to the event together, he’s in a classic black suit, a little rumpled at the collar like always. You’re tucked beside him, hand clutching his. You wore the dress you were nervous about, the pastel pink one with the bow on the back and a slight shimmer when the lights hit it, it makes you look like something out of a fairytale.
You’ve only just arrived, but the moment you step out of the car, eyes are on you... And, of course, there's some whispers around you both coming from the crowd.
“God, she’s adorable but like… is that even legal?”
“She looks like a cupcake.”
“He must be having a midlife crisis.”
The voices aren’t loud, but they sting. Especially because you’re used to this, to the constant criticism and judgement from strange people that think they have an opinion about your relationship.
Drew feels your fingers tense in his, he whispered quietly in your ear. “Ignore them, baby. Just look at me.”
You look up at him, trying to smile. You do, a little, but your lip trembles. He leans in like he’s going to whisper something else, but instead kisses your cheek right there. Soft, slow, like the whole world doesn’t exist.
“That’s my pretty girl, you look so beautiful. I’ve got you, okay?” he spoke softly.
You nodded gently, still shy, still overwhelmed. But his voice, his warmth, it helps. He keeps your hand wrapped in his as you walk past the photographers, into the twinkling garden event. It’s fancy, too fancy for you.
You cling a little closer and spoke up in a tiny voice. “I feel like I’m in the wrong movie.”
He gives you a soft smile. “Nah, princess. They’re in the wrong one, you’re the main character.”
As he scans the crowd, trying to find somewhere quiet for you to breathe, a woman approaches. Tall, sleek, bored eyes. The type of woman who’s been in this scene too long and knows everyone.
“Drew, hey! Wow, long time no see.” she spoke.
Drew gave her a polite smile. “Hey, good to see you too.”
The woman smiled thinly at you. “And you must be…?”
You snile shyly. “Hi… I’m—I'm y/n, his girlfriend.” you offer your name, trying to be warm.
She tilted her head. “Oh! That’s… so cute. You’re like a little doll, so pink.” she chuckles like she didn’t just slap you in the face.
Drew spoke flatly, clearly bored of the woman's intromission. “Yeah, she’s beautiful, isn’t she?”
She keep smiling. “And so young! How fun for you.”
You drop your gaze to your sparkly shoes, your cheeks are burning and Drew’s jaw clenches. “She’s smart, and kind. And more real than anyone in this room.” he says while stepping closer to you.
There’s an awkward silence after that. The woman smiles, clearly uncomfortable now.
“Well, enjoy the night. I’m sure it’s all very… magical.” she said and walked off.
Drew turns to you, and the moment he sees your eyes shimmer with unshed tears, he leads you away. Past the chatter, past the lights. He finds a little alcove behind a wall of ivy. Quiet, private. You stand there, finally letting your face crumble.
“I knew people would say things, they always do… but it still hurts. I know I’m not like them. I know I look young, and I get all shy, and I wear bows in my hair and stuff, but I just—” you paused while breathing fast. “I don’t want you to feel embarrassed by me.” you whispered shyly.
He spoke again, serious, stepping close to you. “Stop, don’t say that... Ever.” he cups your cheeks, forcing you to meet his eyes. “You think I care what some bitter industry people think? You think I’d trade your big pink heart for their fake plastic smiles? No, I’m not embarrassed, I’m proud! You bring color into rooms that would be gray without you. You remind me why I ever gave a damn in the first place.”
You blink, your heart thudding. “But sometimes I feel like I’m this little thing clinging to your side while everyone stares and thinks I’m just... some cute distraction.”
He sighed. “No, you’re not a distraction. You’re my person, my peace, my home. And anyone who can’t see that doesn’t deserve a seat at our table.”
You spoke quietly. “Promise?”
He leans his forehead to yours. “I’d scream it from the rooftop if it made you feel safe. I love you, in all your pink, glittery glory. You’re not too much, you’re everything.”
You lean into him fully now, arms wrapping around his waist. “I just wanted to be enough for you.”
“You’re more than enough, you’re the only thing that makes any of this worth it.”
He leans in and kisses you there, tucked into ivy and moonlight. A slow, deep kiss that says "you’re safe", that says "you’re mine". That says "I choose you, every time".
When the kiss breaks, his thumb swipes a tear off your cheek. “Wanna get outta here, hm?”
You let out a tiny laugh. “Yes, please. Oh! Can we get ice cream, go home and watch trashy reality TV?” you asked excitedly.
He laughed softly. “Absolutely, I’ll even let you paint my nails pink again if you want.”
You two left the event and now the city is dark, lights twinkling beyond the windows. The apartment is quiet except for the soft hum of a fan and the distant sounds of traffic far below. You’ve just come home from the event, your hair is slightly messy, Drew’s jacket wrapped around your shoulders, his hand has not left the small of your back.
You both step into the warm glow of the apartment like you're entering a secret world again, far away from the judgment, the whispers, the stares.
You let out a slow sigh. “Finally" you say, relieved.
Drew spoke softly behind you. “Home.”
He gently slips his shoes off, then yours. You lean against the kitchen counter, rubbing your tired feet.
“I feel like I got hit by emotional dodgeballs.” you sighed.
“That’s… very specific.” he says snickering.
“I mean it! Like, people just threw vibes at me all night. Judgy ones.”
He walks over, opening the freezer, pulling out a pint of your favorite ice cream. “Well, then let’s treat your battle wounds!”
He grabs two spoons, then leads you to the couch. You fall into it with a little “oof,” the soft pillows swallowing you. He sits beside you, pulling you into his lap like it’s second nature now.
“Waaaait... We’re really doing ice cream in fancy clothes?” you asked giggling.
He chuckled. “Well, baby. You look like a sprinkled, colourful cupcake... So it fits.”
You giggle tiredly, resting your head on his chest. He feeds you a bite. “Mmm.” you sighed, feeling like you're in heaven.
You nodded. “Heaven, this is the part of the night they don’t see, where the real magic is.”
He kisses the top of your head, holding you even closer.
“You were so brave tonight, baby. I saw how hard you tried to hold your smile and you didn’t have to. You could’ve hidden in the bathroom for an hour and I would’ve sat outside the door with you.” he smiled kindly and you blushed and giggled.
“Okay, but that sounds exactly like something you’d do!” you giggled softly.
“I would do that, you know? You’re the most important person in my life.” he spoke gently again.
A silence settles between you two, you rest your spoon against the cup, fingers playing with the hem of his sleeve.
“Can I tell you something a little bit… silly?” you asked him shyly.
“Of course, darlin'. I'm all ears for you.”
You spoke with a small voice. “Sometimes I imagine us in the future. Like… years from now, I mean, like I’ll still be dressing too pink, still listening to glittery pop music, and you’ll be all scruffy and serious. And I wonder if people will still be staring.”
Drew breathes deeply. “Let them stare, honey. I’ll still be kissing your cheek in public, still reminding you how perfect you are. You won’t be alone in it, you never will be.”
Suddenly you asked softly again. “Do you ever wonder what people see when they look at us?”
“Yeah, they probably see what they "expect" to see.” he paused. “But... they don’t know what it feels like to be the guy who gets to hear you talk in your sleep, or laugh so hard you snort when your cereal spills, they don’t know how soft you are when you're tired, or how you take care of people so deeply it makes me want to be better.”
You stare at him for a long moment, something deep and warm pooling in your chest.
“You always say the most beautiful things when I’m about to cry.” you sighed softly. “It's not fair!”
He chuckled softly. “It’s my superpower.”
You trace little circles on his big arm. “Can we do something soft now?” you asked him while batting your eyelashes.
He licked his lip. “Anything you want baby.”
You smirked softly. “What about... A bubble bath! And pajamas next with sleepy cuddles.”
He smiled. “Check, check, and check.” he giggled.
Soft music plays from your phone, some dreamy Lana Del Rey or Norah Jones humming in the background. The tub is full of warm, bubbly water with a soft pink glow from candles all around. You’re in the tub already, bubbles up to your collarbones, hair tied in a messy bun with a pink scrunchie Drew sits on the floor next to the tub, his sleeves rolled, hands gently brushing over your arm.
“You really are like a little sea fairy in here.” he says while smiling at you.
You giggled softly. “Stop it, I’ll blush and melt into the water.”
He kissed the top of your head. “Well, it's not my fault that you’re ethereal.”
You close your eyes, letting your head fall back. “Thank you… for tonight. For not letting it ruin anything.”
“Thank you for letting me love you. It’s easy, It’s… the easiest thing in the world.”
He presses another kiss to your damp shoulder, just a whisper of affection, you hum contentedly.
“Can I ask you something kind of scary?” You asked him while closing your eyes.
“Do you ever think the age thing will catch up to us? Like… I’ll still be dancing to Britney and glitter-gluing my notes and you’ll be… over it?”
He takes a long pause and then he spoke. “Look at me, baby.” you opened your eyes and his hand finds yours in the warm water. “I’m not here for a phase, I’m not here for a moment, I’m here for every version of you... Whether is pink, tired, messy, glittery or just you growing, I want all the versions of you that people don’t understand, I love them already! That age thing? It’s just math, baby. This? This is real.” he smiled and raised your hand to his lips.
You spoke softly. “You always make the scary stuff feel smaller... It's your superpower!” you giggled.
He giggled too. “That’s just pure love, baby.”
You two are in the bedroom now, the lights are off now and it's just the city glowing through the windows. You’re in your softest pajamas, pink satin with tiny hearts. He’s shirtless, in sweats, stretched out across the bed. You're tangled together under the blanket, your cheek pressed to his chest, his hand idly stroking your hip in a soft way making you sigh.
You’re both warm, sleepy, and safe.
“I like it here... This space, just us.” you talked half-asleep.
He spoke gently. “Me too, It’s where you let me see all the softest parts of you.”
You smiled. “Sometimes I don’t feel strong. But with you, I feel… so safe.”
He kissed the top of your head. “You are strong. But you don’t always have to be, not here and definitely not with me. You can be soft, small, sleepy, pink and everything else you want to be. I’ll hold you through it all.”
You closed your eyes. “You promise?” you asked gently.
He spoke softly again. “Forever, darlin'.”
His voice is the last thing you hear before the sleep pulls you under the ropes.
