Work Text:
You were supposed to be alphabetizing the files of previous clients. Or prioritizing recent client calls. Or finishing typing up client statements. You could have even been reading a magazine like Janine was, or… or anything.
“You realize you’re staring?” Janine sings softly, noisy flipping a glossy page.
“Yeah…” You sigh, leaning your cheek on your hand.
“You realize he could turn around and catch you?”
“Uh-huh…”
“You realize that Peter’s standing behind you?” You jolted in your office chair, quickly turning around with a prepared excuse on your tongue only to be met with empty air. Your head snaps to face Janine, her nimble fingers removing her glasses as she held in a snicker.
“That wasn’t funny!” You hiss, “If Peter ever saw this I know he’s never let me forget it.” Your eyes frantically dart around.
“Forget what?” Egon’s deep voice came from behind, startling you once more.
“Jesus, Egon, wear a damn bell!” Your heartbeat pounded in your ears, taking a few calming breaths. The lanky man approached Janine, giving her a small peck on her cheek.
“Don’t listen to her, she’s just mad that I was teasing her about Ray.”
“Zip it!” You whisper harshly, sparing a glance to the aforementioned man, blissfully ignorant of your staring and of the current conversation as he was fixing the Ecto-1, plump ass in full view. It was just so perfectly cradled by his khakis, and the soft groans he emitted echoed throughout the floor. You absentmindedly bite your lip, noticing a sliver of his soft stomach exposed as his black tee rides up.
God, you love it when he wears that shirt. Not only did it ride up every so often but sometimes you could see the start of his chest hair. You could only imagine what Dr. Ray Stantz would look like shirtless, how warm his skin would be as you ran your hands over his stomach and pecks, you wondered if he had any unseen freckles or moles, what you wouldn’t give to kiss them as you make your way down-
smack
It takes you a second to recognize that Janine has hit you with her magazine, rolled up in her palm, the other hand held onto by Egon in what you can assume was a failed attempt to stop her. She snickers, setting the magazine down on your desk to cradle your cheek affectionately.
“Oh honey, you’ve got to tell him. I can’t sit here and watch this every day, we’ve got work we have to do. Besides, I’ve got a feeling he likes you back, and you know with my psychic abilities I’m hardly ever wrong.”
“Didn’t you think your boyfriend was going to die at the hands of the Keymaster?” You tried to dismiss her, cheeks burning in embarrassment.
“He almost did!” She opened her mouth to continue, only to be interrupted by Egon.
“I’m sorry, were you under the assumption that your infatuation with Ray is a secret? We all know about it, except Ray, I believe.”
“What?!” You cried softly. “Janine!-”
“You’re often mimicking his breathing and body posture, your pupils are always dilated when you’re around him, and I’ve noticed an increase in you wiping your palms, which indicates that you’re sweating excessively. You’re either attracted to Ray, or you’ve started taking drugs.”
“I will say this slowly. I do not ‘like’ Ray and I’m not on drugs.” You sighed irritably.
“Well then the only other conclusionI have is that you’re ovulating.”
“Egon!” You and Janine both gasped, finally drawing the attention of the other parapsychologist in the room.
“Everything okay?” Ray asked, wiping his hands before making his way over.
“Oh yeah,” Janine smiled, leaning against her boyfriend. “Egon and I were just about to leave for the day. Y/n’s still working though, should you need anything.” You could have wiped the smug look on her face, but appreciated her quick recovery.
“Oh, well then, enjoy your night!” Ray’s lips spread into that oh-so-infectious grin you loved.
The couple said their goodbyes, making their way to the door. You saw Janine turn around and mouth, “tell him!” before the pair left for the day. You manage to suppress another eye roll, turning your attention back to Ray.
“How is she? The car.” His large hand reaches behind his neck to scratch at the skin there, a soft sigh escaping his lips as his hip leans into the side of your desk.
“Well, the muffler’s so loud I’m not sure if anyone can hear the sirens over it, but I guess I’d rather listen to the muffler than Venkman trying to sing Hall & Oates.” You laugh softly, ripping your eyes away from his to try and appear more casual.
“Hall & Oates? I never pictured him the type. Poor Dr. Stantz.” You tease. “If anyone can fix Ecto, It’s gotta be you.” You compliment, busying your hands as you try to organize the unorganized pile of files on your desk. “Would you uh, like a glass of water or anything?” You look back up at him only to meet that damn smile again.
“No, no, that’s alright, don’t trouble yourself.” You stand anyway, waving off his comment. Another reason you admired him so much. He was constantly thinking of other people. On every call he always made sure to ask the client how they’re feeling and believed them without a second thought. He knew everyone’s takeout order from all the regular places off the top of his head for long nights. He always asked how your weekend went, and always denied your help, even though it was your job.
With a glass of water in hand, you make your way back to your desk, stopping once you catch Ray lighting a cigarette and taking a long drag. He notices your return and flushes, pulling the cigarette out of his mouth to exhale.
“I hope you don’t mind. I know you, Janine, and Egon don’t smoke.”
“No, that’s okay!” Normally, with other men, you couldn’t stand the sight, smell, or even the thought of smoking, but if it meant spending more time with Ray, you’d gladly risk secondhand smoking. He takes the glass from you softly, rough fingers brushing against yours. Ray was a man who knew the meaning of hard work.
After taking a sip, he catches you still staring, suddenly a little self conscious. Thinking it’s the cigarette, he decides to speak again instead of taking another drag.
“I know, Egon tells me it’s an awful, filthy habit. It’s the leading cause of death, I’m wasting thousands each year, not to mention it’s unattractive.” He recalls various things his friend has said in attempts to stop. “I’ll… I’ll put it out.”
On the contrary, something about the way Ray smiles to himself as he balances a cigarette between his teeth drives you nuts. Not to mention the pleased expression on his lips when he takes a particularly long drag, or the lingering of the smoke against his delightfully plump lips when he exhaled. God, you could almost kiss the smoke out of him.
You're pulled out of your thoughts by Ray choking on the cigarette, instantly patting his back softly with a concerned gaze.
“Jesus, Ray, you alright?” You cry, lifting the cup of water back up to his lips.
“Kiss the smoke out of me?” He squeaks, voice strained thickly. “Now I’m definitely putting this out.” He weakly fumbles for the ashtray he had brought over when you had left. Before you can even process that you’ve just spilled your guts to your crush, his strong hands are already gripping your arms, and his lips smack against yours.
You were right. You noted, Ray’s lips are wonderfully soft. Did he use chapstick? He tastes of cigarettes, and your eyes flutter shut as you lean into the kiss, your heart racing. A hand of his comes to cradle your cheek and you practically melt into his embrace. Kissing Ray immediately felt natural, like speaking or breathing.
He was so… warm, and you could bet he was blushing.
Too soon your lips pull apart for air as you pant against each other, foreheads connected.
“You’re amazing…” He mumbled, pressing chaste kisses against your cheek. “You’re so beautiful and kind and I can’t believe you like me back.”
Your shock slowly returns to you and you’re suddenly shy, blushing as you clear your throat. “Ray, you… you like me?” He pauses, leaning back to meet your eyes.
“You didn’t know?”
“No!” You exclaim.
“I thought it was obvious! Egon said everyone knew about it! He said I was mimicking your breathing and body posture, my pupils dilated around you, and I’ve been excessively wiping my palms.” You scoff, an incredulous laugh escaping you. “What’s so funny?”
“Nothing, Doctor, just kiss me again.” You smile, wrapping your arms around his neck and pulling him in close, reminding yourself to reward Egon with the next mold sample you could get your hands on.