Plus One - Chapter 9: Birthday surprises

[deedee_sims]

Warnings: Homophobia (continued from the previous chapter), Lainey and Dan being adorable, confessions, blushing (but it's nothing new), offscreen sexual activities, fluff, questionable grammar (I had no beta this time)



But I have a feeling that I can trust him.
"It's just... my father being an asshole, as always," I sigh, averting my gaze. "He always calls me on my birthday and comes up with his homophobic bullshit."



"What the fuck?!" I look up at him, to see his angry face. "Do you want me to kill him?"
"N-no."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah."



He pouts, and somehow I already feel better. "Can I give you a hug at least?"
"That… would be nice, I guess."



He wraps his long arms around me. "Happier birthday, Olls!"
"Thanks."
First, I'm strangely aware of the fact that we're touching, then I melt into the hug. Wait, he remembered my birthday?!



"Don't care about your father," he whispers to my ear. "You’re wonderful and you deserve better."
"It's okay, I haven't seen him in ages anyway." I mutter.
"Good."



He lets me go (to my slight dismay), and looks into my eyes.
"You feel better now?"
"Yeah."



I need to collect all my willpower to not look at his lips.
He looks at my lips instead.
My heart beats an errand pattern in my chest.
Damn.



That's when the doorbell starts ringing. We both startle, and he lets go of my hand.
Wait, he was holding my hand?
"Coming!" he shouts, and skips off.



I stay seated, trying to calm myself down. Damn this man.
I hear some talking and giggling, so I start to eavesdrop, curiously. Of course, I don't understand a thing.



"Hey!" Rhett appears at my door again, beaming. "Look who's here!"
He lets the mysterious visitors in, who turn out to be Lainey and Dan.
"Ollie! Happy birthday!" She puts a suspicious box to my bed.



"Aw, thanks," I smile and we hug. "You wouldn't have to-"
"Oh, shush, your mom sent you the cake!"



"Really? She didn't mention it when I was talking to her earlier."
"That's why it's a surprise," she muses, and lets Dan wish me happy birthday as well.
"Okay, I think we should eat the cake, before it melts completely," Lainey offers, and picks the box up.



"I'll go then, and let you celebrate," Rhett announces abruptly. "Leave me some cake!"



"I want you to stay," I say firmly, to which Lainey and Dan share a knowing look. Am I really that obvious?



"Well, I can't turn down such an invitation," Rhett looks at me with his radiant smile, and starts towards the kitchen. "I set the table!"



Now, Lainey and Dan turn their knowing look towards me.
"Oh, shut up," I grunt, even though they didn't say a word.



"Let us give you your present!" Dan smiles, and gives me a package.
"Thank you!" It’s a tee that says acute angle (very funny, Lainey), and a new mug.



We consume the cake in a good mood, while Dan entertains us with weird stories from his job as a cameraman. TV people can be wild.



"You know," Lainey starts, "I realized that there's no reason to stress myself out on the wedding. The main thing that counts is that we love each other!" She smiles at Dan.



"That's what I’m telling you since the beginning, babe," he chuckles, and places a light kiss on her cheek.
Aw, they're so cute.



I take a quick peek at Rhett, who's watching them with a soft smile. When he realizes that I'm looking at him, he averts his gaze, and cuts himself another slice of cake.



As I look back at Lainey, I see her damned knowing smile back on her face.

***



After our visitors say their goodbyes - Lainey winks at me a couple times during the process - we stay alone again. Rhett insists he does the wash up, despite it's my week to clean. I quietly watch him, and it's an unusually calm moment between us, only the flowing water and the occasional clinking of dishes disturbs the silence.



"You wanna do something after I finish this?" he asks, stealing a glance at me.
"Like what?"
"Dunno. I just didn’t get anything for your birthday, and now I feel weird about it."



"I really don't need anything," I admit. Although there's one thing I'd like to do, which is finally asking him out, but-



"We could just watch a movie then?" He offers, as he turns around and leans back to the counter. "I promise I won't make popcorn this time!" He grins, and I can't stop myself from smiling back at him. He's just so damn handsome.



"Yeah, that sounds nice!"
"What's your fave movie?"
"Um... Inception."



"Good choice! What do you think about the ending?" He asks curiously.
"I think they stay in the dream."
"Huh, you're such a pessimist! I think they got back to reality!"



I shrug. "It doesn't seem very realistic to me."
"It's not a very realistic movie, to start with," he points out, and, well, he's kinda right. "And I'm a sucker for happy endings!"
"And that's the weird and interesting thing about that movie, you can interpret it however you want!"



"Yeah, but it's also disturbing that we don't know the ending," he says, and pushes himself away from the counter. "I'll set up the tv!"



I watch him leave the kitchen, and I take a deep breath. I’m going to do it. Today. Now. I’m going to ask him out. Watcher, why is it so hard?



After a full minute of internal pep talk, I join him on the couch, feeling jittery. He’s about to start the movie, when I manage to say something.



"Rhett, I want to ask you-"
"I want to talk to you about something." We say it at the same time, and for a moment we just look at each other, dumbstruck.



Rhett overcomes it first, looking so serious, I feel the knot in my stomach doubling its size. "You start."
"No, you can start," I tell him awkwardly.
He takes a deep breath.



"I know I said that I don't really remember what happened on the night we went clubbing, but I actually do remember a lot of stuff, like that I kissed you and we made out, and in fact, probably that's the only stuff I can think about since then, and fuck, I really shouldn't have kissed you, because I knew it would mess up everything, but you looked so beautiful, and then I got scared that it would ruin our friendship or whatnot, so I didn't talk about it, I guess I'm a fucking coward, and it was easier to say that I don't remember, than admitting that it was the best kiss I've ever had-"



Oh shit, this is really happening. I just sit here in silence, trying to register the things he blurts out. He said it was the best kiss he's ever had?
Damn.



"-and I thought I'd be over it in a couple days, but it's just getting worse, and I can't even read you, because I thought we had something, but you still rejected me, and you probably don’t want anything from me, but I tried to be less annoying anyway, and then you started dating that guy, and my head did that mess up thing, and now I have no clue what to do, but-"
But I know exactly what I want to do.



I launch forward and kiss him.
I caught him by surprise, because it takes him a couple seconds to kiss me back.



And it feels so fucking amazing, even better, than I remember.
When our lips part, he looks at me like I'm the best thing.



"-but I feel this thing that I've never felt before, and it's terrifying me, because all I can think about is you-"
My hearts flutters, hearing all this. Watcher, we were such idiots. I lift my hand to his cheek, and he tilts his head into my palm.



"-but I don't know if you want to be more than friends, and I'm just so fucking confused-"
"I do."



I lean forward and kiss him again. He wraps his arms around me, and desperately pulls me closer. I need to stop myself from crawling onto his lap, since we're having a serious conversation here.
Maybe I'll do it after.



"Wait." He looks at me, confused, when we part. "You said you do?"
"Yes."
"Really?"



"Yes!" I beam. "I thought you're not interested in a relationship."
"Well, I'm not with anyone else. Because I really like you, Olls."
I think my heart just burst in my chest.



"And I like you too. A lot," I admit, and he finally smiles at me, and I just spend a couple seconds marveling at how pretty he is.



"Just so you know, I've never had a serious boyfriend - or girlfriend - so the chances that I'm gonna fuck this up are pretty high."



"Don't worry, I'm not going to let you," I say reassuringly. "I promise."
"And I’m going to try my best. I promise."



I guess I have a boyfriend now.

***



From the two of us, Rhett has the willpower to pull the blanket up on us. I'm dead. Blissed out. Ascended to the next plane.
"I'm so out of practice," I murmur, then look at Rhett.



He's practically glowing. I've seen a lot of his expressions by now, a lot of smiles, but nothing like this. It's not that radiant smile of his, but something softer, something... more.
"We can practice any time you want, baby," he says, winking at me. "I haven't been with anyone lately, either."



It takes me a couple seconds for his words to reach my brain. "What?"
He averts his gaze, looking uncomfortable. "Uh, I... didn't want to tell you. Just forget-"
"Since when?"



"Since, uh, we went clubbing. I just, uh, couldn't-"



"Why didn't you say anything?"
"You wouldn't have believed me anyway, nobody would."
Oh shit. I shamefully remember when he said he didn't sleep with that girl, and I doubted him.
"And you rejected me!" he continues. "And I thought you're just not interested-"



"Which part of my behavior suggested that I'm not interested in you?" I ask desperately.
"You were dating some other guy!"
Ugh, I hate that it's true.



"I rejected you because we were drunk! And I thought-" I bite back the rest, but seeing his face, he knows what I wanted to say.
"You thought I only want you for a one night stand?" he asks quietly.
"Well... yeah."



He buries his face in his pillow. "Fuck."
"Uh, I'm sorry, I should’ve talked to you about it."
"Yeah, me too." His voice comes out muffled from the pillow.



I reach out to stroke his hair, and he turns his head towards me. "We really need to work on this communication thing."



He smiles at me again, and the wonderful realization that I can have this every day hits me.
"We really do!"



And I roll on top of him and kiss him, because I can.

***



"How did it go?" Rhett doesn't even bother to greet me when I enter our flat.



"Um..." I start slowly, just to watch his half expectant, half worried expression a little bit longer. "I passed!"



"I knew it!" he shouts, and hugs me enthusiastically. He even lifts me up a bit, which forces a very unmanly sound out of me. "You clever little shit, you!"



I chuckle and he kisses me, and I'm giddy and lightheaded, and very very happy.



"What was the result?" he continues to ask.
"Ninety-eight percent."
"You're getting worse, baby."



"Maybe, because someone kept me up all night?" I tease.
"But you enjoyed it," he declares with a confident smile.
"I did."



We move on to make out on the couch for minutes, or maybe hours. I tend to lose track of time when I'm around Rhett. The past few days were a wonderful bliss, both of us trying to process that new thing that blooms between us. I admit, it was quite hard to concentrate on studying, knowing that I can touch and kiss (and fuck) him anytime, I want.
Which is pretty much, always.
Thank heavens, I finished the semester.
At some point, my pocket starts to buzz, and I let out a groan.



"I have a slight feeling, it's not a vibrator," Rhett observes with a cheeky smile.
"I muted it for the exam," I say, meanwhile I manage to fish out my phone, which is not an easy task, considering that I'm lying on top of Rhett. "Ah, hi Lainey!"



"Hi!" she greets me cheerfully. "How was your exam?"
"I passed!"
"Of course, you did!" She whoops, and I laugh. "So, now that you survived your first year, get ready for your next challenge! Being my best man!"



"Ah, yeah, about that," I begin warily. "I have a... question."
"Should I worry?"
"No, it's just..." I smile at Rhett, who nods, encouragingly. "Can I bring a plus one to your wedding?"
"WHAT?!"



I startle so gracefully that Rhett has to grab me, so I don't end up on the ground.



"We, uh, kinda started dating with Rhett?"
"YES!"
"Lainey!" I say, laughing.
"What? How? I have so many questions! I need all the details!"
"Lainey-"
"When did this miracle happen?"



"Um... a couple days ago." I admit quietly.
"A COUPLE DAYS AGO AND YOU HAVEN'T SAID A THING?"



I almost fall off the couch, the second time in a minute, and Rhett bursts out laughing.
"We're still... figuring it out?"
"I hate you and I'm so happy for you at the same time," she declares.



"T-thanks?"
"Ugh, we need to meet like, right now! Also, tell your stupid handsome boyfriend that I'm going to murder him, if he hurts you anyhow!"
"Lainey-"
"I'm so proud of you, that you got yourself a man without my inter-"



"Alright, I think it's time to end this call," I huff, rolling my eyes. Rhett, seemingly amused, starts trailing kisses alongside my jaw. "I need to... aggressively make out with my boyfriend."
"Aw, I leave you to be, then." She sighs. "But be prepared for an interrogation-"
"See you later, bye! Uh." I grunt as I drop my phone on the coffee table.



"Well, she seems excited," Rhett muses.
"Get used to it."
"I didn't like the murdering part, though."



I smile, stroking his cheek. "Don't worry, you'll survive."
"Yeah, it would be a real shame for this handsome face!"
"It would..." I admit, and I lean in for a kiss.



~The end of season 1~

---
Did I mention that there will be a season 2 with the long awaited Rhett POV? Well, now you know! (so stay tuned for more info!)
But first I need some time to relax and gather myself XD It was an intense year, but I have no regrets!

I really hope you enjoyed the chapter and the ending didn't disappoint! It would've been much easier if they talk to each other right? Dumbasses XD But they eventually got here, so no real complaints XD

I want to say a heartfelt thank you for all the support and love the story (and I) got during these past months! You are all amazing! And I hope I could bring a little entertainment and happiness to your day(s) in these trying times! I hope everyone stays safe and takes care of themselves! *hugs*