Work Text:
Fandom: Fast and Furious
Main Pairing: Brian O'Conner/Mia Toretto
Warnings: alternate universe; het; and awkward teenage crushes
Prompt: (Word) Kiss
Summary: In which Mia Toretto and Brian O’Conner had a chance meeting involving ice cream.
A Different Beginning
Mia Toretto swore as dropped her ice cream, unable to decide if she wanted to pout at the ice cream or glare at the skateboarder who pushed her. Instead, she sighed, feeling tired. This wasn’t her day. Feeling a little drained, she glanced around and she spotted an empty bench down the block. She walked over to it, collapsing with a tired sigh.
.
.
.
Across the street, Brian O’Conner frowned, watching her. It was clear something was bothering her. Crossing the street, he studied the melt pile of her former ice cream cone, which was a pink and blue in color with a regular cone. He stole a glance down at her, deciding to do something nice. Maybe it wouldn’t fix her day, but hopefully it would improve it.
Walking into the ice cream store, he studied the options. She likely had bubblegum, cotton candy, birthday cake, or very berry. His eyes lingered on the cotton candy ice cream.
“How can I help you?” the teenage girl asked with a flirty smile. She had her blonde hair pinned back, and she was dressed in a pair of shorts with a white tank top and the store’s apron over top.
“Can I get a cotton candy in a dish?” he asked. “And a campfire s’mores in a dish?”
The girl smiled, happily picking up her scoop. She scooped up two large scoops. “Need anything else?” she asked, batting her eyelashes.
Brian shook his head, fighting the urge to laugh. It was kind of cute that she was flirting with him.
“Your total’s eight dollars and thirteen cents,” she said.
Brian pulled a ten out of his wallet. “Keep the changes,” he told her.
Her face fell, a pen hovering above a one dollar bill.
Deciding this was a perfect chance to retreat, he picked up the two dishes of ice cream and he bolted from the store.
Outside, he was pleased to see the young woman was seated on the same bench. With a wide smile, Brian practically skipped over to her.
“I think you could use this,” he announced, taking a seat next to her.
The woman turned her dark eyes to him as he held out a replacement ice cream. She frowned, looking confused.
“I saw you drop yours,” he awkwardly explained, “and I thought you could use a new one.”
Her eyes moved from the dish to his face, studying him. “Cotton candy?” she asked.
He nodded, smiling. “I guessed on that part,” he admitted.
She gave him a small smile, taking the ice cream. “Thanks,” she muttered.
“You’re welcome,” he responded.
The pair sat in silence as they ate their ice cream. Brian watched the woman from the corner of his eye. She was beautiful when she smiled.
Turning to get a better look at her, he bit back a groan as he saw the teenage girl exit the ice cream shop. The apron was gone, and she was looking around.
The moment her eyes landed on him, he did groan.
“Come on,” he muttered.
The woman next to him, glancing in his direction. Her spoon was in her mouth and she wordlessly tilted her head to the side.
“The girl from the store,” he explained, shaking his ice cream dish. “I think she wanted to give me her phone, and she’s headed over here.”
The woman’s eyes widened as she removed the spoon from her mouth. She looked amused as she glanced over her shoulder, spotting the teenage girl in question. “She’s cute,” the woman commented, turning her eyes back to Brian.
He shook his head. “Not interested,” he declared, shaking his head. “She doesn’t even look eighteen.” He frowned, looking at the woman. “Any advice? I don’t know how to nicely let her down.”
The woman smiled, scooting closer. “Put your arm around my shoulders,” she instructed.
Brian’s arm was moving before he opened his mouth to ask why . The words died on his tongue as the woman leaned her head against his shoulder. She was close enough he could smell her watermelon shampoo.
The teenage girl stopped in front of them. Her eyes widened and her mouth was open slightly.
“Can we get dinner at my favorite Italian place tonight, novio ?” she asked, staring up into his eyes.
Brian’s eyes widened slightly, caught off guard by her use of novio – which was Spanish for ‘boyfriend’ – but he smiled down at her. “Whatever you want, cariña ,” he replied. Luckily, he knew a good amount of Spanish, including terms of endearment. If he remembered correctly, cariña meant ‘darling.’
Something her dark eyes sparkled. Her smile widened a little before she stood up. She stood there, staring down at him with a raised eyebrow.
It took him three seconds to realize she was serious, and it took him an additional two seconds to decide he liked this place. Jumping to his feet, he was quick to wrap an arm around her waist.
Without a look back at the teenage girl, Brian and his mystery date walked away.
“I’m Brian,” he announced when they were half a block away.
“Mia,” she offered with a smile.
“Now, where is this Italian place?” he asked.
“A few blocks over,” she replied, pointing.
.
.
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Dinner was amazing. Brian and Mia spent the night chatting about Mia’s classes and her interests in photography and art. This semester, she was taking a portrait class. As they spoke, Mia’s eyes were bright and passionate. He liked seeing her like this.
“So, where do you see art in your future?” Brian asked, picking up his glass of water to take a sip.
Mia shrugged, uncertain how to answer.
He frowned, putting the glass down. “What are your career plans?” he asked, changing the subject.
That met the same shrug from Mia. Her expression was closed off and her posture was growing defensive. Her back was rigid and her hands were curling into fists. It was clear she didn’t want to talk about her future.
“What’s your favorite art subject?” he asked, switching the conversation back to art. He didn’t know a lot about the subject, but he was certain Mia would be happy to teach him. “Like people or nature or something.”
Her eyes were narrowed. “There isn’t a lot of nature around here,” she commented. “I draw things around me.”
Brian gasped at her words. “The beach is right there !” he declared, pointing in the general direction of the beach. “The ocean is nature.”
She raised an eyebrow, looking unimpressed.
He sighed, shaking his head. “I’m taking you there this weekend,” he decided.
Mia smiled. “We haven’t even finished the first date and you’re already making plans for a second,” she said in amusement.
Flushing, Brian offered her a smile. “I’m not hearing a ‘no,’” he teased.
Laughing, Mia tilted her head to the right. “I want to go to Disneyland next weekend,” she stated.
Brian nodded. “We can grab dinner one night this next week,” he suggested. “There’s a lot of time between this Saturday and the next one.”
Warmth filled Mia. She liked this guy, and nothing was going to get between them. Dom and his friends – their friends, but they were more Dom’s – were staying out of it until she was ready to introduce Brian to her crazy family.
His smile widened. He had a feeling this woman was special, and he wasn’t going to let her go.
After dinner, they walked around, wanting to spend more time together. As they approached Mia’s car, she stopped walking and she turned to face Brian. She pulled out her cell phone, offering it to him.
“Name, cell phone, home phone, and email,” she demanded.
Brian laughed, taking the phone. “Only if I get yours,” he agreed, holding up his own cell phone.
Beaming, Mia took his cell phone.
A comfort silence fell over them as they worked.
When Mia finished, she flipped the phone shut. “Done,” she said, a teasing edge in her voice.
Brian whistled before he flipped her phone closed. He held it out.
Her heart skipped a beat as Mia stepped forward. Instead of taking her cell phone, she pressed her lips against Brian’s. It was a quick peck. As she pulled away, Mia took her phone and she handed Brian’s back.
Offering him a last smile, she turned and ran to her, pressing the unlock button on her keys. At her car, she opened the door before sliding in. She slid the key into the ignition and pulled on her seatbelt when her cell phone chirped with a text message notification.
She flipped her phone open, smiling at the message.
Brian O’Conner <3 to Mia: What night are you free? I want to see you again.
A smile spread across her lips and she felt her cheek heat up. Mia started to reply when she got a few more messages.
Mia to Brian O’Conner <3: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday after 4.
With her reply sent, Mia checked her other text messages. She sighed – Dom, Vince, and Letty.
Big Brother to Mia: Are you headed home? I’m starting to worry.
Letty to Mia: Will you call or text? Dom is worried.
Vince to Mia: Where are you?
With another sigh, Mia typed out a reply to her brother. Letty and Vince were likely in the living room with Dom.
Mia to Big Brother: On my way. I was having fun and I lost track of time.
She was able to put her cell phone down when she got another text message from Brian.
Brian O’Conner <3 to Mia: I’m off at 430 on Tuesday. Dinner wherever you want. I’ll pick you up?
Another chirp signaled a new text message.
Brian O’Conner <3 to Mia: One more kiss?
There was a knock on her window, startling her and making her jump. Looking up from her cell phone, she saw the grinning face of Brian. She dropped her cell phone into the cup holder as she rolled her window down.
“Why, Officer O’Conner,” she began with a smile, “are you always this forward?”
Brian flushed a little. “Only with you,” he answered. His eyes sparkled.
Mia felt her heart flutter at his words. She raised her head.
He smiled, leaning down to capture her lips in a kiss.