Hazmat Zach had ended things with Stella. He had seen first hand on many occasions that he was always going to be Stella's second choice. The connection between Stella and Kelly was undeniable. Always trying to ignore his insecurities, it finally came to light walking in on another moment between Stella and Kelly. Stella did not fight the breakup as hard as she could of. Truth be told, her heart had always been somewhere else. With someone else. Stella didn't want to feel like this. Kelly had become her best friend and she cherished their friendship. Knowing that Zach could read between the lines made Stella wonder.
'Am I that transparent?'
'Can Kelly see right through this charade too?'
Stella started to feel she needed to take a step back and concentrate in other aspects of her life. As difficult as that would be. Given she was Kelly's roommate. This weighing feeling she had would subside, right?. As she was in her bedroom getting ready for a night out at Molly's, ready for a fresh start and somehow start to curb these overwhelming feelings she was having for her best friend, her roommate.
Kelly had decided to stay in and relax on the couch. He didn't feel very social. Not wanting to be around a bunch of people. He was going to enjoy a few beers at home. His head had been spinning for days. He knew he felt strong feelings for his best friend. All he thought about was Stella. It crushed him everytime Stella was with Zach. He wanted to tear her away from him each time. She definitely wasn't his, but he sure as hell wanted her to be. It was torture for him seeing little moments between them. Kelly was an avenger. He rarely felt fear. But this, scared the shit out of him. Stella is his best friend, a friendship that meant everything to him. She lived with him. If things ever went south, it would make for a very awkward situation where he was convinced he would essentially lose her altogether. He felt this was a losing battle. Unlike Stella, he was not confident he could just 'move on' from this feeling. And he didn't want too. He had not felt this way in a very long time, actually he was sure he had never felt this way.
As Stella emerged from her bedroom. Wearing black leggings and a white sweater. Dressed casual for a night out at Molly's. Light makeup. Kelly thinking she had never looked more beautiful.
"Going to Molly's?"
"I was thinking about it"
"Yeah. Zach broke up with me"
Kelly desperately trying to hide his enjoyment from her admission.
"I thought you were just tapping the breaks"
"Yeah. Well. He decided to put it in park"
Kelly knowing he could be a supportive friend and a added bonus have some guilt free quality time with Stella.
"Let's stay in"
"Yeah?"
"Just you and me"
Stella sat down, not wasting any time sprawling her legs over his lap. Kelly cradling her legs. It was natural. Both smiling. You could literally see heart eye emojis being thrown back and forth.
After the movie ended. Still snuggling on the couch. Kelly broke the ice.
"Are you OK, Stel? With the breakup. I mean, you really seemed to like Zach"
"Yeah. I'm good. Honestly, there was always something holding me back from moving forward with Zach. Having reservations from meeting his family. There is no logical reason. I realized after, my heart just wasn't in it the way it should be. I thought that feeling would go away and I would eventually get to that place, but I never could"
"Also, I realized. Nights at home with you, my friend. Snuggling on the couch watching movies gives me more happiness than nights out with Zach. That was a big red flag that I tried to ignore. He just beat me to it"
Kelly knew he could be that supportive 'friend' and at the same time knowing he could also express some feelings. WIN - WIN.
"Stella. You deserve someone who gives you that butterfly feeling. Someone, where you have no doubts that's who you want to be with. You, my friend deserve that. I NEVER want to see you settle, your way to special to settle"
"Kelly Severide. Who are you? Is this you having feelings?"
"Yeah. Well. Keep that between us as I have a reputation to uphold. I'm only this way with you"
As they continued their movie night. Both having BIG feelings. For now they would be supportive friends to each other...FOR NOW. Both knowing they were teetering on the edge of taking that plunge out of the friend zone.
