Chapter Text
You were just looking for a hookup. A quick fuck, a one night stand, in and out and done. You had tried the dating apps (a total failure) and had decided that your last real shot was the good ol’ fashioned way. So here you are at the bar, sipping your drink, hoping that you’ll luck out and find a decent lay.
You’re there for an hour before you spot him. Or rather, hear him. Standing with a group of what you assume are his friends, his boisterous laughter rings out across the bar, drawing your attention. As your gaze settles on him, you feel a smile tug at your lips. A laugh like that is infectious, and you can feel his energy and affect on the group even as an outsider.
Goddamn, he’s cute. Curly auburn hair with a matching beard, a shirt that hugs his broad shoulders and barrel-chest. He isn’t jacked, but you felt sure he would have no issue picking you up and fucking you against the wall. Almost as if he can tell you’re thinking about him, his gaze shifts to meet yours, and your face flushes immediately as you struggle to decide whether you should look away or maintain the near-unbearable eye contact. Luckily he makes the choice for you as his eyes dart back to his friends, but even from this far away you can see the slow blush that creeps up his neck, and the hard swallow that follows.
Well shit. Maybe you’ve found your man.
You continue nursing your drink, ordering another round when you finish the first, and a water too. You feel pleasantly warm but not drunk, just buzzed enough that you feel emboldened to follow through with a plan like this but not so far gone that you’ll regret anything that happens in the morning. You aren’t sure how to approach the situation- approach him. If he were alone it would be easier, but you didn’t want to interrupt while he was with friends. You make eye contact with him a few times over the next hour, hoping he’ll make the first move, but he doesn't. Eventually you realize you two are at a stalemate, and the glow you had been feeling starts to fade. Maybe this was a bad idea... Maybe you should go home.
Tossing back the last dregs of your drink, you pay your tab and thank the bartender, tipping well. You look back one last time at his table, and your stomach drops as you realize the group has disappeared, and him with it. Fuck. Looks like you really had missed your chance. You swallow against the knot of disappointment in your throat and decide to use the bathroom before you get a cab back home.
Once inside the restroom you splash some water on your face, trying to shake off the gnawing feeling in the pit of your stomach. Maybe next time, you think to yourself, I’ll see him again and I’ll have the guts to say something. You pat yourself dry and walk out, scanning the bar one last time- just in case- but there’s no sign of him. With one last sigh, you head for the door. Stepping outside, you hug your jacket around you. It’s not too cold of a night, but you’re looking forward to getting home to your warm bed.
“Hey,” a voice from behind you calls. You turn, and there he is, his hands in his pockets, a rueful smile on his face. “I was hoping I would catch you before you left. I was gonna say something when we were inside but I wasn’t sure what.” He steps forward and offers out his hand. “I’m Brennan,” he says, and after a momentary pause you step toward him and reach out to shake his hand.
“It’s nice to meet you, Brennan,” you reply, and smile back at him. “I thought about saying something too, but I didn’t wanna interrupt while you were out with friends.” You let go of his hand and step back. “But then you were gone and I regretted not saying anything.” You feel yourself blush at the unexpected vulnerability of this confession, and his smile widens at your response.
“Well, I’m glad the feeling was mutual,” he chuckles, “I would’ve been pretty mad at myself later if I hadn’t at least tried talking to you.” You smile at that, and for a second you gaze at each other, the tension palpable. “So uh.. I guess you’re headed home, huh?,” he asks. You nod. “Is there any chance I could get your number before you head out..?” He looks nervous as he asks this, pulling his phone from his pocket.
You start to respond with an affirmation, then stop yourself as you realize, this is your chance.
And fortune favors the bold, doesn’t it?
“You could,” you reply, biting your lower lip briefly before adding, “or you could go back with me?” Your own audaciousness surprises you, and you can tell it surprises Brennan too by the way his breath catches in his throat.
“I’d like that very much,” he replies, his voice husky in a way that makes you suddenly glad you had that second drink.
You smile shyly and look towards the street. “I was gonna take a cab, if you..?” you trail off.
He nods. “I drove myself, but I don’t mind taking a cab if you prefer that,” he replies. He points behind you, and you turn to look as he continues, “I’m parked down the street.”
“Oh, okay, yeah. I mean, I don’t mind if you don’t?” you say, and turn back to face him.
He smiles. “Not at all. I just want you to be comfortable, and if that means leaving my car here then so be it.” He steps forward and puts out his arm for you to take. From most guys you would think a move like that was tacky, but from him it feels organic, and you can’t help but feel touched. You take his arm. He begins speaking again as you walk, and you two slide into easy conversation. He’s funny without trying, and you’re laughing with him like you’ve known each other for ages. As you get to the car and begin guiding him to your apartment, he reaches over to touch your thigh, but hesitates before making contact, pulling back slightly.
“I just want you to know I’m cool with whatever you wanna do, and no pressure to do anything you don’t want to,” he says, and his voice is so genuine that it dissipates whatever leftover worry you might have had about this guy.
“I appreciate that. And the same goes for you. I uh..don’t really do..this. So I apologize ahead of time if I’m a little awkward,” you respond, and swallow before adding, “and um..feel free to do whatever you want to. I trust you.” You stare at his face as you speak, and continuing in your bold streak, reach out to pull his hand down so it rests on your thigh. He bites his lip and gives your leg a gentle squeeze.
He looks away from the road and meets your gaze. “Noted.”