CW: fluff, nerdy!vessel x reader, slightly afraid of closeness.
summary: "Come here." That's all it takes for Vessel's productivity to be completely derailed by cuddles, rain, and you <3
The rain had been falling for hours, just a steady rhythm against the apartment windows, soft enough to fade into the background but loud enough to make the entire world feel smaller. Warmer.
You were sprawled across Vessel's couch with a blanket over your legs and a book resting uselessly in your lap. You hadn't read a single page in twenty minutes. Mostly because Vessel was sitting at his desk and he was being adorable. Adorably hot too, but today the softness was crippiling around him.
Not that you'd tell him that.
The man was currently wearing an ancient oversized hoodie, glasses sliding down his nose every five minutes, completely engrossed in whatever research rabbit hole had captured him today. Every so often he'd mutter something to himself. Type furiously and then pause, adjust his glasses, type again. You smiled, biting your lower lip slowly. Then you said, lazily: "You know…,”
"You look like a divorced college professor,” the thought escaped from your mouth so easily
His fingers stopped over the keyboard. Slowly, Vessel turned his chair toward you. "I don't even know what that means."
"It means you look like you've spent three hours arguing with someone on the internet about a niche topic."
You raised an eyebrow, "...today."
Vessel's gaze lingered on your face for a second too long before he looked away. It was such a small thing. But you caught it. You always caught it.
The words left your mouth before you could think about them. Immediately, Vessel froze and you watched the exact moment his brain stopped functioning.
"You are literally across the room,” you mumbled.
He looked at you suspiciously, lke this was somehow a trap.
You opened your blanket dramatically. "Because it's raining."
His eyes narrowed. "That explanation answered nothing."
Then, with the resignation of a man accepting his fate, Vessel stood up. You smiled triumphantly, and he pointed at you immediately.
"Whatever expression that is."
"You didn't win,” he raised one brow.
"You crossed the room because I asked."
"I chose to cross the room."
"You are impossible,” he rolled his eyes.
A fond look flashed across his face before he could stop it. Gone almost instantly, but not before you saw it.Your chest squeezed.
He reached the couch and immediately looked uncertain. Which was ridiculous, you'd known each other forever, and yet somehow he still looked nervous whenever affection was involved.
"Sit." and after a few moments he sat, looking at you and hoping you’re done with your little rituals.
A sigh. Then he shifted closer.
You immediately grabbed his arm and pulled him down beside you. Vessel made a noise of protest that lasted approximately half a second before you wrapped the blanket around both of you. And then?
Nothing. No complaints, no sarcasm, just quiet.
His shoulder pressed against yours.
The steady sound of rain, the warmth of another person choosing to stay.
After a few minutes, you felt his head tip gently onto your shoulder. You glanced down. His eyes were closed. Not asleep, just resting. Trusting. Your heart practically melted.
"You comfortable?" you asked softly.
You smiled and carefully threaded your fingers through his hair and the reaction was immediate.
His shoulders dropped, his breath slowed down… Every remaining ounce of tension left his body, and a content sigh escaped him before he could stop it. You grinned.
"Don't start,” he mumbled
Your fingers scratched lightly against his scalp.
Vessel physically melted further into your side “…perhaps a little.”
Outside, the rain continued falling. Inside, Vessel tucked himself a little closer without realizing it. And for once, neither of you felt the need to say anything at all.
