Work Text:
“Josh, please, I’m working”
You plead with the boy as you finished wiping down the booth table in the corner of the restaurant. He was always around one way or another, chatting it up with strangers you’re sure he’d only met minutes before. Down the street at that dinky family-owned cafe, or here, at your own little haven where you’d prefer him not to intrude. Though, he always did.
He was a pretty boy- you would never let him know that fact- and he was extremely friendly and talkative. He was your absolute polar opposite. He just happened to be at your place of work, right at the time you were working your shift, so you had to deal with him. You were working the night shift solo that night, so there weren’t any other patrons or colleagues of yours he could bother.
“Sorry, Y/N, I thought you enjoyed my company”
When you turned to him we was looking at you with falsified hangdog look. You sighed under your breath and smiled back at him.
“Of course I enjoy your company, but I need to be working right now.”
You shoved your way past him with your plastic tub of dirty dishes and made your way to the sink in the kitchen.
As you placed the dishes in the ready, soapy water, your favorite ring slipped off your finger.
“Fuck”
You muttered under your breath before reaching down under the layer of bubbles to get it. While feeling around in the basin of water, you felt a sharp sting on your index finger. When you pulled your hand out and looked at it, there was a deep, bleeding gash.
“Oh my god”
You grabbed a flour sack towel from the counter and pressed it into your painful wound. When you ran out into the main room of the restaurant, you stumbled, but there was someone there who caught you.
“Josh?”
You whimpered lightly, tears welling up in your eyes from the pain.
“What happened?”
He panically reached for your hand, and upon seeing the blood drenched towel, threw his arm around your waist and pulled you out to his car. After fumbling over his keys, he opened the door to the passenger seat, and swiftly leaned down, hitched you up, and placed you in the car. He sped off in way of the urgent clinic. You tried to focus on something other than the pain. The light waft of the warm air conditioning nearly lulled you to sleep, but before it could, you felt Josh put his hand on your face.
“Keep your eyes open. Don’t close them. Please”
He sounded like he was pleading with you. This boy pestered you to a point of no avail; but right now, his bothering you was oddly moving. So moving to the point that your body decided that the best response would be to cry. Your warm tears streamed down your face as you looked up at him, his hazel eyes piercing into you with a sorrowful intensity. The atmosphere in his car was somewhat calming, so you didn’t even realize you were at the urgent care clinic within 10 minutes.
As you sat on the medical bed, a doctor pressed stitches into your hand, Josh sat across the room watching you sympathetically. It stung slightly, but you think it probably feels better than it would if the injury was worse.
“Ok. You’re all good. I’ll get you discharged.”
The doctor placed your arm across your lap and walked out. You stared over at Josh.
“I’m sorry I’ve made such a mess of things. I shouldn’t have even reached down in that stupid sink in the first place”
He looked at you dotingly, and you drank up every second of his sweet eye contact. You’d give him credit, for annoying as he frequently was, he knew how to comfort you. He walked over and sat on the bed next you.
Without a word, he put his arm around your shoulder, pulling you into him. He was warm, and soft, and having your head resting against his chest felt like the most comforting thing in the world.
“Don’t be sorry,”
He muttered in a soft whisper,
“It’s not your fault.”
He stroked his hands softly through your hair, making you melt and settle into him even further.
For a guy who was so unlike you, he was really likable. Wow. Were you really falling for Josh Kiszka? Of all people? If you really were, maybe this was your moment.
You looked up and locked eyes with him, holding it for possibly a moment too long, before connecting yourself to him with a soft kiss.
He didn’t object you, actually doing quite the opposite, pulling you in a bit closer to him, almost as if he was hankering for this. He brushed his lips ever so softly against yours, lightly dipping his tongue into your mouth. You gladly accepted.
You were so caught up in your lust for him that you didn’t even hear the nurse knock on your room door.
“Oh- Sorry, um, you’re free to go.”
The girl stood there, flushed, and left the room as quickly as she could, obviously flustered by the scene before her.
You looked over to Josh, slightly embarrassed by the scenario, but he just huffed a light laugh at you and smiled. He remarked
“She’s gonna have a story to tell in the break room.”
Which you couldn’t help but to smile at. You nuzzled your nose in the crook of his neck and pulled at his side to signal it was your time to leave. He took your chin in his hand and pressed a sincere kiss into your lips, before standing up, lacing his fingers with yours, and walking out of the clinic.
You sat for the car ride back to the restaurant in comfortable silence, taking time to take a look at him every few moments.
“You don’t have to keep peeking over at me, you know.”
He smirked, making you blush lightly
“We were just kissing in a hospital room”
The way he spoke to you made your heart flutter slightly. You couldn’t help but play into his foolish banter
“Actually, Josh, It was a clinic room.”
He smiled over to you as you neared the restaurant. When you got out of the car, you kind of dreaded having to go back into the restaurant and close things up. The atmosphere in Josh’s car was so calming and relaxing, and you’d rather not have that zen escape from your grasp. Even so, you went inside and drained the sink, finding that ring that started this whole thing, and shoving it into your pocket in slight annoyance. While you were at it, you cleaned that knife, and placed it where it belonged on the knife block, just to make sure no one else cut themselves on it. You took your slightly dirty apron, threw it over your arm, and walked back outside. When you turned to lock the front doors, you felt a sudden presence right behind you. You wanted to see what Josh was going to do, so you placed the keys back in your back pocket and stood there for a moment more. He slipped his hands around your waist and muttered into your ear
“I hope I made this night a little less painful”
He pecked a kiss into your temple and went back to his car. You grabbed the passenger side handle facing you, and opened the door. His mockingly shocked eyes met yours from the other side as he climbed into the car. You stepped up onto the side without fully getting into the vehicle.
“You did. Thank you.”
You paused for a moment, enjoying your silence together.
“See you tomorrow?”
Though you weren’t begging, it almost felt like you were, because you wanted him to be there so bad. He looked at you as a smirk slowly reached his lips.
“Of course. Anything for you.”
He reached across the vehicle and to you, bending over the center console. You cupped his jaw in your hand as he ran his finger across your bottom lip. You kissed him chastely, and then held his soft eye contact for a moment more before stepping down from the car. Your drive back home was more than pleasant, as you sat thinking about his sharp jawline against the faint, warm glow of the car lights.
You sat with him on your lunch break, really basking in his presence, and enjoying the small amount of time you had together. You had been with him for about two months now, and only really your close friends knew about it. Your best friend was surprised when she heard you got together with Josh, given how different from you he really was. You’d been doing things together every now and then, like grocery shopping. He seemed to enjoy being with you even when you were doing the most basic of tasks. He’d do little things for you, like show up at your apartment with takeout, or set up a movie for you to watch together after you got off of work. You enjoyed him as much as he seemed to enjoy you.
“So, I was thinking”
He started, almost nervously,
“Would you like to go to a Christmas party with me?”
His gaze met yours lovingly, and you thought about it. You had been together for a long enough time that that wouldn’t be out of the question, you just weren’t sure how your family would react. Considering the Kiszka’s knew nearly everyone in your town, it would not be surprising if word of you and Josh being together got out.
“My family will be surprised to hear I’m with someone, especially considering that someone is you.”
The look he gave you was confusing. You weren’t sure if he was flattered or hurt by your comment, but you didn’t want to push him.
“Not that they’ll disprove of it. You know I love being with you, we’re just so different.”
It was true. You couldn’t be more different from him. He was outgoing, talkative, extroverted. Though he’s helped you break out of your shell these past few months, you’re still not quite on his echelon. Frankly, your parents would be surprised you’ve changed your outlook on social interaction.
“It’s alright. You’ll think about it though?”
His hopeful eyes were something you couldn’t refuse. Of course you’d go with him, there was never a question that you wouldn’t, but you’re still hesitant about your family. About his family. You reassured him with a kiss and gave him an affectionate smile.
“Send me the address.”
You slip on a nice, red, bell sleeve dress and your boots. You’ve never been one to dress too fancy for get-togethers, but you tried your best to look decent for Josh. He picked you up right outside your apartment, pausing to take in your appearance before heading off to the party. He raked his eyes down you, making your cheeks slightly flame.
“You look…”
He swallowed before bringing his eyes up to yours.
“Beautiful.”
You leaned into him for a kiss that ended up being a bit more passionate than you intended, missing any sense of chaste.
After a beat, you pulled away from him and looked him in his glowing hazel eyes.
“Let’s go.”
You pulled up to the party, parking on the curb because there were far to many cars pouring out of the Kiszka’s driveway, and went inside the house. The ambiance was warm and calm, but festive. A soft, tony, jazz song whispered its way through the small crowds of people in every room.
“Josh!!”
You flipped around to see a girl about your age, maybe 25, run up to Josh and hug him tightly. She had short brunette hair, with bangs, and a complexion that could only be described as peachy. She turned to you before looking towards Josh for an explanation.
“Stacy, this is my girlfriend, Y/N.”
She looked at you as if something clicked in her mind, and a smile spread itself slowly across her lips. She leaned in to hug you, and you obliged, even though you’d barely met the girl moments before. She turned towards Josh with a devious look and started turning away before saying
“Oh, right. I’ll let Jake know you’re here.”
If you hadn’t comprehended her words, you probably would have thought she was going to go do something conniving, but you weren’t exactly sure what she was scheming. It wasn’t seconds later that Josh’s brother showed up to interrogate him.
“So… who’s this?”
He feigned an innocent look to Josh, obviously already aware you were his girlfriend, but you decided to play along. The conversation carried on with him teasing Josh about you, eventually asking him why he didn’t tell him sooner.
“Because I knew you would do this”
Their brotherly rivalry was charming, and you couldn’t help but be a little flattered when Jake would throw compliments at you to try and make Josh jealous. You ended up getting introduced to the rest of the Kiszka’s, and enjoyed every moment of the warm introductions and teasing of Josh’s siblings. You were glad you didn’t avoid coming, calling in for a rain check like you would have however many odd months ago, until you ran into your parents. It wasn’t completely bizarre that they were here, after all, they were very active in your town’s community, so it wouldn’t be that shocking if someone invited them.
“Hi, mom.”
You awkwardly stepped away from Josh for a moment to hug her, then he was right back by your side. He obviously put together the puzzle pretty quickly, but not before your mother was ready and prepared to catechize him.
“Josh? Am I interrupting something?”
A flush came over your face. Your mother already knew his name. She’d obviously met him before, but her tone was very accusatory, like she expected him of a crime. When you looked over at Josh, he was obviously confused, but it seemed like there was something else going on. It’s wasn’t long until your mother dropped her act, the corner of her lips curving up into a smile. She laughed breathlessly as if the reason for her actions should be obvious.
“Don’t worry. I’m already aware of you two. You really think he didn’t tell me?”
You looked to Josh, his light smile telling you everything. Obviously your expression was that of shock, because Josh brushed his thumb against your cheekbone in the way he knew comforted you. He really told your mother? You’re not sure if you think that’s sweet or backhanded of him, but either way, you pull yourself into his chest to hug him. You hold him there for possibly a bit too long, and then turn to your mother.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”
You avoided eye contact, sort of ashamed that you hadn’t told your family about your relationship, even though they weren’t entitled to it. Your closest friends knew about you and Josh, and their reactions were enough to tell you that your family wouldn’t deal much better. It’s not like they would consider it a bad thing, they’d probably just end up making you feel inferior to Josh due to his difference in social skills. You’d rather not have to feel like you were competing with him.
Your mother whispered some reassurance into your ear when you went in to hug her. She told you to make sure to bring him with you the next time you visit. At least she liked him, that was a positive.
After a good while, you felt pretty worn out from all the introductions and interaction, so you decided to go get Josh and retire for the night.
It was back at your apartment when you decided to finally ask him about his interactions with your parents. You found it sort of bizarre, but considering how outgoing he was, you wouldn’t be surprised if he just drove over to your parents house and confronted them about you.
“So, how did you come to tell my mother about us”
You didn’t want to make him feel like he was being interrogated, but you also didn’t want him to just brush you off. You really wanted to know.
“I was at the cafe when I bumped into her. We ended up talking and I made the connection. It wasn’t intentional, I just got carried away talking about you, and I slipped up.”
He looked sort of ashamed for it, like he was afraid you were mad. Actually, you were quite the opposite. You don’t think anyone has ever got ‘carried away talking’ about you. You really don’t know who created him or caused him to be this way, but whatever it was, you were thankful.
You weren’t hesitant to give him a reassuring smile, though that couldn’t scrape the iceberg of expressing how you felt right now. You loved him.
He didn’t delay in pulling you in to kiss him, much more passionately than the times before. His velvet lips pressed themselves against all surfaces of you. Your lips, your neck, your shoulder, your collarbone. When you reconnected to each other through a kiss, you felt euphoric. He was a human embodiment of all you ever had wanted. To think at one point you had despised him…
That night had been the first time you and Josh had really gotten intimate with each other, and you got to see an entirely different side of him. Along with his sweet and passing personality, there was a darker side, one that you truly didn’t mind. When you laid together in your bed in the morning, the breeze of the air conditioning giving you a slight chill, you nuzzled your nose into the crook of his neck. He wrapped his arm around your waist and kissed your forehead. You could stay here forever.