Work Text:
“Jackie, come on man, would you at least try to sit still.”
The shrill sound of Jackie’s giggle reverberates around the room. She’s oddly amused for someone who just came extremely close to falling backwards onto the basement floor.
Hyde wraps an arm around her waist, steadying her in his lap while his other hand reaches behind him, attempting to fish his lighter from his back pocket.
It’s no use though, he quickly reaches to catch Jackie before she can tip over again.
He lets out a frustrated sigh, she always gets like this when they smoke. Anything more than a few hits and suddenly everything is hilarious.
He shoots her an annoyed glare but she ducks down, resting her head against his chest to avoid his eyesight. Though, he doesn’t have to look at her to know she’s barely holding in another laugh.
In the midst of her attempt to hide her very high state, Hyde finally succeeds, raising the lighter to meet the end of the newly rolled joint.
He takes a long drag before passing it off to Kelso who does the same, passing it to Fez. When Jackie reaches to take the joint from Fez’s outstretched hand Hyde snatches it up, taking another hit before returning it to rotation.
Jackie’s head shoots up, brows furrowed and eyes sharp, “What was that for?”
Hyde peers down, meeting her gaze through his dark sunglasses, “You’re skipping the next few rounds.”
She lets out an annoyed huff before returning her head to his chest. Hyde rolls his eyes and chuckles. He gives her hip a small squeeze then runs his fingers up her back, stopping when they meet the ends of her hair to play with her dark locks. With each stroke he feels her relax a little deeper into his side, her tiny body sinking into his large frame.
For a moment, his cool exterior breaks away and a small smile makes its way onto his face. He continues to lightly stroke her hair until Fez nudges him, passing him the joint.
Hyde’s head shoots up, his eyes go wide. He quickly forces his lips into a straight line.
Thankfully, Kelso and Fez have been too wrapped up in their conversation to notice anything. He lets out a relieved sigh and takes another hit, relishing in the fuzzy feeling that’s building up inside.
He doesn’t usually feel this tingly after so few rounds, this stuff must be stronger than what he’s used to.
“Hyde, you agree with me right?”
Hyde’s ripped from his thoughts by Kelso’s voice. Both guys are staring at him expectantly.
“Sorry what?”
“It doesn’t make any sense, why doesn’t Brooke wanna be with me? I’m irresistible!”
Hyde lets out a short breath before responding in an uninterested tone, “Yeah, that’s a tough one.”
When Kelso continues to whine about Brooke’s utter refusal to date him, Hyde allows his mind to wander again. His gaze drifts back down to the girl sitting in his lap, lightly bobbing her head to one of his records.
He’s suddenly overcome by the urge to kiss the top of her head. He imagines the way she’d look up at him afterwards, the way she’d be smiling. He begins to inch forward but catches himself and straightens his back.
What is up with him today? He hasn’t even taken another hit yet, but he’s feeling twice as tingly as before.
Jackie begins to tap her foot to the chorus, the edges of Hyde’s mouth tug again despite the fact he’s forcing them to stay in place.
He tries to distract himself, tracing his fingers up and down Jackie’s back. His hand accidentally brushes the sliver of exposed skin at her hip, causing a giggle to spill out of her.
He can feel her laugh bouncing through every inch of his body. His fingertips twitch and his breath catches in his throat.
What the fuck is wrong with him? He’s practically made a career out of knowing how to keep his cool. Yet, here he is, losing his shit every time his girlfriend so much as giggles.
He can’t possibly be enough rounds in to be this high, he’s got to chill out.
But he just can’t help it. He’d never admit it out loud but he’s always thought her laugh was so fucking adorable. He loves to watch her when they get high, she always looks so happy.
He hears a faint humming coming from below. He glances back down and his jaw physically drops.
Shit. She’s humming along to his record. His Zeppelin record.
At this point, his mind has completely tuned out Kelso and Fez. He’s entirely focused on watching Jackie’s dark, shiny curls sway back and forth as she bobs her head and hums to the music.
It’s one of the hottest things he’s ever seen.
He wishes they were alone so he could spin her around and kiss her.
Suddenly, her motions come to a halt. She tilts her head up to look at him, “You okay?”
Hyde inhales sharply, “Yeah. I'm good. Why?”
“You stopped breathing there for a second.”
His cheeks begin to burn
He glances back at the guys. They’re both fully absorbed in their argument.
He allows his lips to turn up into a small smirk, “How would you know that?”
Jackie giggles, Hyde’s chest feels as though it could explode.
“I’m literally pressed up against you. I can feel when you breathe, and when you don’t .”
Hyde chuckles, “Nah, that’s just the weed talking doll.”
Jackie rolls her eyes, “Whatever.”
She rests her chin on his shoulder and once again, everything else is drowned out. Hyde can’t do anything but stare deep into her eyes. She’s so fucking perfect.
He only snaps out of it when he hears the sound of footsteps echoing down the stairs.
“Hey! I can’t believe you guys started without us!”
He glances back to see Eric and Donna pulling up chairs beside him.
Hyde retorts, “Oh, I’m so sorry we didn’t invite the man baby to the circle.”
He side eyes Jackie and she begins to snicker.
Eric throws his hands up defensively before sitting down next to Donna, “Guys, everything is totally cool. I promise to stop acting like such an ass, and give Donna only presents, not cash.”
Jackie giggles again, and all of a sudden it occurs to Hyde that he might, in fact, not be as high as he feels. At least, not off of weed. Maybe he’s high off of something…someone else. That this feeling may very well be the result of the 90Ib cheerleader sitting in his lap.
He wants to punch himself in the gut for even making that comparison.
Donna cuts in, “And why’s that?”
“Because presents are for girlfriends, and cash is for hookers.”
Donna raises a finger, “Although…”
Eric pauses for a moment before continuing, “You’re so good I should pay you.”
Donna smiles wide, “Thank you.”
Hyde clears his throat, attempting to ground himself.
“You should’ve seen it comin’ Forman. ‘Cause when you’re deeply, truly happy.. It’s a sure sign you’re doing everything wrong.”
Jackie nods her head in agreement, “It’s true. When Steven’s unhappy, I know our relationship is in good shape!”
Her smile is so wide, she’s practically glowing. He feels his mouth spread into a grin, but he honestly doesn’t care anymore.
If the guys give him shit for this later, then so be it.
“Well, then we’ve been tip-top since the minute I met you!”
“Awww.”
Jackie’s expression softens and he pulls her into a tight hug. A feeling of pure bliss quickly fills his body.
He can’t remember ever feeling this happy in his entire life.
By the time he opens his eyes, Kelso has already found a way to bring up Brooke again. Any awkward stares that may have been momentarily pointed in his direction are already shifting away.
He leans down and whispers in Jackie’s ear, “Let’s get out of here.”
---
The basement door slams shut behind them.
“Steven! Where are we going?”
Hyde ignores her and simply grabs her hand, dragging her up the staircase behind him. When they get to the top he pulls his keys out of his pocket and opens the passenger side door of the El Camino.
He waits for Jackie to get in, but she doesn’t move. She just stares at him expectantly.
He really wants to be annoyed with her right now, but he’s resigned to the fact that’s basically impossible today.
“Come on, you’ll like it. Just get in the car.”
A curious grin spreads across her face, “Okay fine, but it better be good.” She points a finger at him before getting into the car, “I’m missing Love Boat for this.”
He chuckles and shuts the door behind her before walking over to the driver’s side.
Hyde starts the engine and plays with the radio until he’s satisfied with the station, then pulls out of the driveway.
As they head down the street, Hyde glances over at Jackie. She’s staring at him with an odd look on her face.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
Her eyes widen, “Huh?”
“I asked why you’re giving me that weird look?”
“Because, you’re smiling!”
Hyde freezes. Shit, he is smiling.
He redirects his gaze to the road in front of him, “Whatever.”
Jackie giggles, “What is up with you today?”
Hyde takes his right hand off the steering wheel and reaches across the bench seat. He wraps it around Jackie’s waist, pulling her into his side.
“I’ll tell you when we get there.”
Jackie giggles and rests her head against his shoulder, “But where is ‘there’?”
Hyde doesn’t respond, he just continues driving, smiling the whole way there.
---
The El Camino comes to a stop at the top of Mt. Hump. The sun has just barely started to set, painting the blue sky with subtle hints of yellow and orange.
Hyde opens the passenger side door for Jackie. She rolls her eyes, “Steven, you didn’t just bring me here to have sex did you? Because you know I won’t do it in the woods-”
“No, that’s not why I brought you here,” Hyde begins to laugh, “Jeez.”
She stares at him waiting for him to continue.
“I just thought we could hang out here for a little while.”
Jackie looks at him skeptically, but after a few seconds her expression softens into a warm smile. She steps out of the car and places a quick peck on his cheek, “Okay.”
Hyde takes her hand and leads her to the front of the car. They sit on the hood, Hyde’s arm draped around Jackie’s shoulders, facing the cliff side.
They sit there for a few minutes, watching as the sun makes its colorful descent across the sky.
“This place might have a gross name, but the view is beautiful.”
Hyde turns to look at Jackie, her eyes are fixed on the sunset in front of them.
She continues, “You know, I haven’t been here since our very first date. The one on Veterans Day a couple years ago.”
Hyde’s smile widens, “Yeah, me neither.”
When she turns and meets his gaze all the air leaves his lungs. The warm colors in the sky are reflecting across her face, illuminating every feature in a radiant glow.
His heart nearly skips a beat.
“I know I like to give you a hard time but…. you do know I’m not actually unhappy right?”
Jackie gives him a puzzled look, “What do you mean?”
“Back in the basement, when I told Forman he needed to be unhappy to have a good relationship. You know I don’t actually feel that way right?”
Jackie’s smile returns, even brighter than before.
Hyde continues, his voice barely above a whisper, “I’m happy with you.”
She looks deep into his eyes and whispers back, “I know.”
For a moment, time seems to stand still. The only thing that exists is her beautiful, sparkling green eyes staring into his own.
Hyde’s heart pounds within his chest. He’s always been shit at this part. He wants to tell her, he wants her to know how he feels.
Hyde summons every ounce of courage he has. He stares deep into her eyes and silently mouths the words
‘I love you’.
Jackie’s eyes glaze over filling with tears. She grabs his hand, lacing their fingers. She pauses for a moment, then her lips begin to move, mouthing the words right back,
‘I love you too’
He imagined those silent words would feel amazing, that they'd fill every little crevice of his heart.
But he feels empty. He needs more.
His expression turns serious. He gently tucks a stray curl behind her ear before cupping her jaw. His thumb begins to gently trace a path across her bottom lip.
“It’s not enough.”
She looks at him, puzzled.
“I… I need to hear it”
“Steven, what-”
“I need to hear you say it”
A small smile makes its way back onto both of their faces. Hyde stares at her, his eyes begging.
He’s always told himself he didn’t need anything from anyone. He didn’t need anyone to care about him, anyone to love him.
But right now, he can’t think of anything he needs more than to hear Jackie utter those three words.
“I love you Steven”
Hyde’s heart goes wild. He inhales sharply and opens his mouth, absolutely terrified of what he's about to do.
He’s only said this aloud once. Several months ago, and it hurt like hell. But he’s not worried anymore, he wants her to know.
Jackie’s eyes go wide with realization. Her grin spreads from ear to ear, a tear slips down her cheek before the words have even left his mouth.
“Jackie, I love you”
“OH, STEVEN!”
Jackie crashes into him, nearly knocking him over.
Her arms fly around his torso, wrapping him in a tight hug. Hyde encases her whole body in his arms and places a kiss to the top of her head.
Jackie quickly pushes herself back up and crashes her lips against his. Hyde’s hand slides up from her cheek, tangling in her hair.
He feels her pulling back, and when he opens his eyes he’s met with a look of pure affection.
Jackie’s voice is so soft he almost doesn’t hear her,
“Thank you”
A warm feeling spreads through his body. He swears, for as long as he lives, he’ll do whatever it takes to keep her this happy.
“Anything for you, doll.”