Work Text:
It started off as a topic about what everybody in the study group was going to do when they were done with their final classes as students of community college. But when Jeff explained about wanting to start his own firm to fight for the little guys, Annie stood up abruptly rushing to the bathroom.
Now he was standing in front of apartment 303’s restroom, trying to see what he could do to help.
“Annie, can you please open the door?” Jeff asked pleadingly for Annie to open the bathroom door. “Please talk to me.”
Behind the door, a series of sniffs could be heard before the door cracked open, revealing a crying Annie. Before Jeff could ask what was wrong, his body was pulled into her embrace, and the tears started flowing.
His weakness.
“Everything’s going to be okay.” Jeff repeatedly whispered, resting his chin on her head, and rubbing her back in circles. He wasn’t too experienced in the field of comfort, but after a couple of minutes, Annie finally slowed down her breathing to step back and look at him with a sad smile. A smile that Jeff never wanted to see again.
A sad and scared smile.
“Everybody knows what they’re going to do, Jeff.” Annie said in a small voice. “Abed wants to get into filming, Britta wants to be a therapist, and you’re going to be a big-time lawyer again. It seems like everybody knows what they’re going to do and here I am, panicking like a little girl about what to do with the rest of her life.”
“Hey, hey, look at me.” Jeff whispered. “You have every right to be scared. But that doesn’t make you a girl, Annie. It makes you an adult who’s just trying to figure her life out. And if looking back has said anything to me, I believe that whatever you want to tackle next, you’ll blow it out of the park like everything else.”
“It takes everybody time to figure out what they want to do, Annie. Some longer than others so it’s okay if you’re still unsure what to do.”
Annie cracked a smile as she looked up at Jeff. With her arms wrapped around his neck, she leaned up to give him a quick peck. “Thank you, Jeff. I really needed to hear this.”
“Mm, so what’s next for Annie Edison?”
“I want to be an FBI agent.” Annie said proudly, which made Jeff’s heart swell ten times more.
“FBI agent you say, dangerous and hot.” Jeff laughed. Annie shook her head, slapping him on the chest.
“Be careful there, you might just make it on my most wanted list.”
With that, Annie leaned up and kissed him on the cheek before giving his butt a quick squeeze. She turned around and snuck back into the living room with a slight hop in her step. After timing a few minutes after Annie’s departure, Jeff walked out after her.
Though his face seemed like nothing happened, his heart felt otherwise.
___________
“Oh! They’re back!” Shirley shouted. “An-nie, is everything okay?”
“Everything is perfect, Shirley. Thank you”
Britta looked doubtful, “Are you sure? I could set up a mock therapy appointment for you!”
“Britta, I’m okay.” Annie laughed. “Let’s begin eating.” Britta, still skeptical, threw a sweet potato in her mouth.
Troy and Abed looked at each other before screaming, “Jeff and Annie did it in the restroom!”
Various food went through the air, and voices could be heard all over the living room.
“That’s right we did.”
“Jeff!”