𝖜𝖆𝖓𝖉𝖊𝖗𝖊𝖗 | ᴄᴏʀᴘꜱᴇ ʜᴜꜱʙᴀɴᴅ x ᴏᴄ | ʙᴏᴏᴋ ᴏɴᴇ

The Beachside Sign

She exited her room, hoping that she'd chosen an appropriate outfit for whatever he had planned. She figured the pink sweater she'd picked along with her docs and jeans would work for nearly any activity, it was casual but cute, and she at least took the time to spruce up her curls and do her makeup, excited about what Jack had in store for them. While it still felt like a long, ongoing joke, his earnesty in taking her out had surprised her. It did feel a bit more serious, especially after their long talk in the bathroom the night before. Was this actually heading somewhere? Now that she knew she could stay, with them both working on their traumatic attachment styles... was there something possible for them other than dancing around the whole roommate situation?

She heard Jack's muffled cough outside over the soft sappy music carrying through the apartment. She made her way to the patio doors to peek, excitement swelling as she considered what he could have planned. She eagerly eyed his easy allure as he leaned forward on the railing. He had on a new lighter layered denim jacket she'd never seen before but she knew she wasn't going to be forgetting anytime soon. She opened the doors and slowly made her way out, nerves acting up as doubts began to creep into her head, but the unmasked look he had at the sight of her had them all quieting once again.

"Hey..." He turned fully to her as she leaned on the railing beside him, his words catching in his mouth as she met his eyes. All the anxious rioting in his head fell silent as he took her in, the pink of her sweater matched with the pink and purple shades incorporated into the flawless makeup she had on, and the smile that curled up in her lips all made his knees threateningly close to buckling. The extra effort she'd put in while getting ready definitely wasn't lost on him. "I- uh- fuck..." he squeezed his eyes shut, attempting to get a coherent thought to process, "... you look incredible." He met her eyes again and chuckled, coughing slightly as he cleared his throat. "You're gorgeous..." She felt her face starting to heat as he visibly admired her, but the sincerity in his words were what had her grateful they were outside in the cool breeze.

"Oh, uh- thank you," she forced out through her own nerves from his honesty. She allowed herself to admire how nice he actually looked. He had a black long sleeved sweater underneath the jacket, embellished by one of his signature chains, his hair looked neatly tossed now and he had aptly smudged brown liner on his eyes, darkening them in all the best ways. "You're looking pretty damn good yourself, you never really wear lighter colors... they look great on you, I really like it." She moved forward a bit and touched the fabric of his jacket.

"Ah, thanks." He replied timidly. "You always comment on it when I do, so I figured I'd wear it." He cleared his throat again. The breeze around them blew the scent of weed mixed with spearmint mouthwash to her face as he spoke. She shot him a look.

"Are you really out here smoking and not sharing?" She teased, taking an offended half-step back. Jack sheepishly passed her the blunt with a chuckle.

"Sorry, um-" he paused and cleared his throat again, his face flushing slightly "-I know I talked a big game, but in reality... I'm actually exceptionally nervous..." He twisted his rings around as she listened, chewing her bottom lip, not sure what he was saying.

"I-um, do you not want to go now?" She questioned lightly, doubt and disappointment already at the ready as she blew out the smoke. She knew his anxiety of going out was bad, she figured he was fine being that he suggested it and had something planned... or maybe he didn't. Maybe he was just using it as an excuse and had changed his mind...

"What? No! No. I still want to go, I just- I guess I never expected this- for you to actually want to go- so I think I'm just uh, still reeling." His anxiety was apparent in his soft laughter, "You make me fucking nervous... in a good way..." He smiled to himself before looking up at her again.