Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Chapter Text

The second time you and John see each other in a cafe in the city centre. This time it's you who suggests meeting up. It made John feel giddy and like a schoolboy again when your text lit up his phone screen.

Your anxiousness made you way too early — as usual. But not too soon after, John appears in the cafe, also way too early. It makes you giggle.

"What is your go-to coffee order?", you ask while waiting in line, eyeing the menu and the delicious-looking pastries.

John hums, his hands clasped behind his back. "I hate to disappoint you, doll, but I'm a black coffee guy. Or tea."

Turning towards him with your eyes wide, not knowing if it is because of the nickname or the confession to drink coffee with nothing in it. "Not even some milk?"

He shakes his head with a smile. "None. If I'm in shipped out I'm happy to get a cuppa so I got used to the stuff raw."

Now you feel stupid for your usual very sweet coffee order. John sees the subtility in your face and he bumps his shoulder against yours. "Well, you are what you eat. So no wonder you're so sweet."

It makes your face heat up and you stumble over your words, not sure how to get out a response.

The line quickly moves along and John orders his black coffee and you your white chocolate mocha. Before he has time to grab his wallet, you've whipped out your phone and paid for it. You give him a daring smile while giving your name.

The two of you go sit in a quiet corner and wait for the coffee to arrive. You are telling some story about what has happened at work this week and halfway your name gets called out. John holds out his hand so you can stay put, and he grabs the order.

"Sorry, go on", he says with a smile when he returns with the coffees, placing yours in front of you with the ear facing your dominant hand.

"So", you say after finishing your story, "we haven't really talked about what we seek. You know... with dating and such." You nervously trace the rim of the glass, glancing up at the man.

John's leaning relaxed back into the chair, his legs spread wide and a comfortable smile on his face. "Gauging the vibe, doll?"

You can't help but feel your cheeks heat up again as you slink slightly down. "Maybe. Wouldn't want to waste your time if you want something completely different than me." You shrug, trying to play it cool.

That makes him lean forward a bit. "You sayin' that your time's less valuable than mine?"

That leaves you gaping like a fish. And it makes John crack a cheeky smile, showing he's teasing you.

"So do I have to worry about crazy exes or something?", he asks with a smile.

You shrug, putting your hair behind your ear. "Don't have to worry about something that's never been there", you say casually, taking a sip of your drink.

John's eyes bulge out of their sockets. Did he hear you correctly? Have you never dated anyone? How could such a wonder as you not have boys and men lined up and down the street, jumping for just a glance from you?

"Do I?", you ask timidly at his wide eyes and no response.

Snapping out of his thoughts, he clears his throat. Now is the time to come clean. "I mean... not like you have to worry about her, but there is my ex-wife."

"Wife?!" You clasp a hand over your mouth as you said that a bit too loud. "A-and for how long are you divorced? If I may ask, at least."

John smiles at your bashfulness. "Almost two years. We were married just short of a year. It was impulsive and I quickly discovered that being married to her wasn't as great as I thought it would be."

Unconsciously, you reach out and take hold of his hand. You can understand how hard it is to admit something like that to practically a stranger. "It must have been hard, going through that time in your life. Never mind the judgement of others."

He nods. "Something like that. It was more of the pitying glances of my family and their comments that got me at first. Their opinions about her and me and our relationship weren't always the kindest. But you get used to it and after a while, you get desensitized."

As you open your mouth to say something, a call of your name makes the two of you turn your heads. "Oh lord", you mumble as your aunt and cousin come walking towards the two of you.

"How are you, dear? " your aunt smiles widely, pulling you up for a hug. "I haven't seen you in a while! How's school? Oh, right. Your mum told me you quit and are working now. How do you like it? And who is this?" She turns her attention towards John.

The man dutiful stands up and offers his hand to your aunt. "John Price, ma'am."

From behind your aunt, you see your cousin lean over and mouth the words, "Who's that?", to you. "Date", you mouth back. She checks him once over and nods in appreciation.

"Oh mum, didn't you say you needed to go to that one store before it closes?", asks your cousin loudly, pulling the attention from your aunt.

"Right! It was lovely meeting you, John. See you next time, dear." Your aunt kisses both your cheeks as a goodbye before pulling her daughter behind her. You just know you'll get a text from her later on to demand the tea.

"I am so sorry", you laugh as you sit back down, hiding your face behind your hands.

John joins you and shakes his hands. "It's fine. Aunts are kinda my speciality."

"Really?"

"No", he smiles.

The rest of the afternoon goes by with smiles and laughs and good conversation until the staff has to, again like last time, kick you out and you're reluctant to say goodbye to John.

He walked to your car. It cracked him up to see the bright yellow car that lights up when you press the unlock button. Oh, how fitting of you to drive such an eyesore.

You hoover by the door, fiddling with your keys. "I had a really good time today, John." You shyly look up, your cheeks radiating heat.

John slowly inches closer, laying a hand on your cheek. "I did too." His eyes flicker between your own and your lips. You can't help but swipe your tongue over your bottom lip before taking it between your teeth.

"I desperately wanted to kiss you all day. Can I kiss you?"

Looking at him, you nod, searching for the right words. Stumbling out a 'yeah', John closes the distance and lightly presses his lips against yours.

Not knowing what to do, you lean into the kiss and close your eyes. John slides his other hand around your middle to pull you flush against his body. Your hands feel awkward so you replicate what you've seen over the years in movies and TV and place them first on his shoulders before sliding to the back of his neck.

A soft grumble comes from deep within his chest before you pull back, feeling like you are going to pass out if you don't. Either from the lack of air or your first-ever kiss.

Smiling wide, John rests his forehead against yours. "How am I to drive away from you now, doll."

You shrug, still slightly out of breath. "I'm wondering that myself." A giggle escapes you, licking your lips. "But I really have to go through... My parents are waiting for me. We're going to my grandma..."

"Those blasted parents of yours", teases John, letting go of you. "But if you have to go. Text me when you get home safe?"

You nod, opening your car door. "Will do. You two?"

John nods with a smile and watches how you drive away. Dear God. Is he crazy that he could envision the rest of his life together with you after the second date?

Chapter Text

You: sooooo remember when we saw my aunt while we were out for coffee a while ago?
John <3: Of course. Why do you ask?
You: she kinda told my mom and now mom's expecting me to invite you over for dinner. Tomorrow
You: like some inspection or smth... :/
You: and I totally get if you're busy and can't come. It's kinda last minute
John<3: Doll calm down.
John<3: It's no big deal. I would love to meet them.
You: Isn't it too much tho? You don't have to if you don't want to
You: It's not like we're official or smth 🤷🏻‍♀️

You stare nervously at your phone as John types and stops and types again. While you and John have been going out for a while, you never really talked about what you two are. And you're not one to assume so unless one of you actually says something, you try to keep it casual.

Also, you're not totally freaking out that you like him a lot and he seems to like you a lot but nothing's happening.

Your phone lights up with a picture of John as he calls you. With a shaking hand, you press the call accept button.

"Hi", you say softly, gladly that you don't have to face him at the moment.

"I thought...", he clears his throat. "Wasn't I obvious with my intentions to you?"

You feel your heart drop at the slight insecure wobble his voice has. Great, now you feel bad...

Plucking at the hem of your jacket you answer, "I just didn't want to assume... What if you were just being nice?"

John sighs kind of relieved. "Doll... Who makes out with someone to just be nice?"

"I don't know!", you defend yourself, "I don't know how guys your age date." Dear lord you are digging a deeper and deeper hole for yourself.

John chuckles, a deep sound that makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up in a good way. "Oh, how you wound me sometimes doll." You can hear the smile in his voice. "Fine", he sighs but it doesn't sound irritated. More... amused.

There's slight rustling and creaking from the other side of the line like he's sitting up straight. Unconsciously you do the same, pulling your legs towards you while you rest against the headboard of your bed.

"Would you do the honours of officially being my girlfriend?"

A wide smile spreads on your face and you nod, despite knowing he can't see it. "I would like that, John. Very very much."

Chapter Text

John has noticed that in the short time he has gotten to know you, you have some magical power over him that makes him feel like a sixteen-year-old schoolboy all over again. He doesn't know if it is your smile or the twinkle in your eyes, but he feels moths rampage in his stomach every time you look at him.

Sometimes he feels great. But sometimes... he feels like a cradle robber, just like now. The two of you are sitting in front of your parents at their dinner table. The flowers he gave your mother placed in the middle of the table like a centrepiece.

Before John arrived you've given your dad a strong request to not be too hard on him. Because, and I quote, "I know he's older than me Dad, don't need to rub it in."

"So John, what do you do for a living?", asks your mother to break the silence.

"I'm in the military, ma'am. Currently on desk duty."

"How come?"

"Dad!" "Frank!", you and your mother say at the same time.

You turn towards John. "You don't need to answer that", you say softly.

But he shakes his head. "No. It's alright. I was driving with a convoy in Iraq from one base to the other when an enemy missile hit the truck we were driving in. Luckily I only broke my left arm in three places so they stuck me on desk duty after my recovery to still keep me active but not actually send me out."

That leaves you and your parents speechless. You reach out and grab his hand under the table, giving it a squeeze. In return, John gives you a soft smile that doesn't miss the ever-observant eyes of your mother.

Later that evening, after dessert, you're enjoying coffee and cake while your mother tells embarrassing stories about your youth. She even pulled out the baby photos. How cliché.

Your dad leans closer to you and says, "Don't let him meet Jolanda or she'll disown you."

John gives you a curious look and you groan. "Jolanda is my best friend's mom. Kinda like a bonus mom. She served as an army nurse way back and now works at the hospital as an RN. She always said to me to never date a soldier." It makes you laugh when you think about the countless times she told you to steer clear of the camo.

Your mom perks up. "Show him the audio! The one she sent years back!"

Groaning, you pull out your phone and go to the chat of your best friend. Scrolling way back you find the audio.

"No! Don't even think about it. He may be hot, tall, brown, have beautiful eyes- don't fall for it!"

You give John a cheeky smile. "I guess I didn't listen to her."

John can't help but return a smile. "And I'm glad you didn't."

After that, the conversation shifts to something different while John and you sit next to each other on the couch, John's hand on your knee. He traces circles and shapes that let you know he's still nervous about it all.

It's just short after 1 at night when John reluctantly decides to go. Your folks have gone to bed a while ago and so it was just him and you together, nursing a drink.

"Please drive safe", you whisper as you stand in his arms, pecking his lips.

He rubs his beard against your cheek — something he notices makes you giggle — and hums. "Of course. Wouldn't want you to worry."

You stay like that for just a little longer before you can't suppress your yawns anymore.

"Go to bed doll, you look dead tired."

You hum and lean against the doorpost, watching him walk down the path and towards his card. He waves one last time before getting behind the wheel and driving off. You watch until you can't see the lights of his car anymore and even then you stay a little longer to breathe in the crisp night air.

"Dear god", you think, "I'm so in love with that man."