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You’ve never particularly liked Valentine’s Day. Whether it was because you found it unnecessary or you didn’t have anyone to spend it with, you really didn’t care to think about it. It was just another day, though you didn’t mind indulging in a cheesy romcom on the holiday.
You’d spent this Valentine’s Day hanging out with some of the team that didn’t have plans, which was just Scout. Even though you enjoyed his company, you couldn’t help but find yourself daydreaming about a certain someone. That person being Miss Pauling.
Yes, you thought the holiday was insignificant, but you couldn’t help but wonder if she was the type to celebrate it. The poor thing worked so much she probably didn’t have the option to. You knew that if she did have the day off and wanted to celebrate it though, you’d go to the ends of the earth to make it memorable for her.
You try to push the thoughts of her out of your mind, trying to convince yourself that you’d only been acting so lovesick because of the late hour. You’d finished your bedtime routine and were about to lay down when there was a knock on your door. You groan, but walk away from your bed to answer it.
You open the door, and there stands Miss Pauling. She looks utterly exhausted. There’s dirt and what appears to be dried blood on her face, her clothing is wrinkled, her hair is disheveled, and it looks as if one of her kitten heels is no longer a heel.
She looks at you, her eyes just a little sad. She holds out a candy bar, which is in surprisingly better condition than she is. She clears her throat and speaks. “I’m sorry it’s late, and I’m sorry if you don’t like that candy either. The convenience store didn’t really have a wide selection.” She laughs quietly.
If only she knew how much it meant to you, though you were probably overthinking this. “Don’t apologize! This is perfect.” You’re not lying, anything gifted by her is special to you. “Would you like to sit down? You look tired.”
She sighs. “Yeah, yeah I’d appreciate that.” She takes a seat on your bed, and you sit right next to her.
“So, what’s up?” You look her in the eye as you ask the question, but your brow furrows when you see she looks scared. “Hey, you okay?”
She sniffles, and then tears start rolling down her face. “I’m sorry, I don’t know what's wrong with me today. I just, I had this all planned out, I worked days ahead and then the administrator decided to give me a last minute assignment.” She chokes on a sob when you pull her head to rest on your chest.
Her breathing starts to even out, and she continues talking. “I had it all planned out, you know. I was going to write out my confession and memorize it so I could recite it to you. I was going to bake for you, and all I got you is that shitty candy bar.”
You stiffen when she mentions the confession. “Wait, what?”
She freezes, then pulls out of your embrace abruptly. “Shit, I shouldn’t have said that. I’m sorry, fuck this day couldn’t get worse. I should go.” She tries to get up from the bed, so you grab her wrist and pull her back.
“You have feelings for me?” You look into her puffy eyes.
She giggles, though it sounds choked up. “Yeah, yeah I do. Sorry.” She stares at your hand, still holding her wrist.
You laugh, and she looks up at you with a look of confusion on her face. “I like you too.” You bring her hand up to your face, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. “God, how could I not like you?”
Pauling pulls her hand away and stares at you, eyes serious and questioning. Then, she kisses you.
It’s not a perfect kiss, in fact, it’s quite messy. Your teeth clash together, your noses bump, and she practically grips the base of your skull as she pulls you in. You find yourself melting into the sensations, though. Her lips are chapped against yours, her tongue runs sloppily over your teeth, and she kisses with so much force that you know your lips will be swollen by the end of this. But it’s perfect, you feel as if she’s taking her frustrations out on you; and you’re more than willing to let that happen.
Eventually, she pulls away and rests her forehead against yours. You can hear her faint breathing, and you allow yourself to relish the tender moment with her.
You finally pull back, raising your hand to push hair out of her face; and you can't help but coo as you speak when she leans into your touch. “You look so tired. Stay the night?” She only nods, letting you lead her to lay down beside you. She wraps her arms around your waist, and her breathing slows as she falls asleep quickly.
You know she’ll likely be gone when you wake the next morning, but for now you’re content in her embrace.