→ fratboy!jock!Chris X nerdy!female!reader
→ it's been a few weeks since the incident, you've come to the beach to clear your head, and so has Chris.
→ notes: it's what you've all been waiting for
At this point it didn't matter whether you were minutes away or miles away from that wretched school, that one person was on your mind; Chris Redfield. A part of you felt shameful for falling into place with every other girl and wanting him. But the other side of you didn't care, you yearned for him to finally kiss you, look at you with so much care and adoration in his eyes.
Could you have that? After Claire's word's, maybe you could. If only you had the guts to just find the guy and talk, to open your mouth and let everything spill out like word vomit. While wandering through the corridors, you'd see him, until your legs betrayed your thoughts and led yourself away from him. Clearly something in the universe declared you weren't ready.
Not that you'd know, but Chris wasn't any better either. Training felt dull, like the colour was drained from the world around him and he could do nothing to stop it— His wins felt meaningless. And they were, not when you weren't by his side. He longed to spot those familiar pink-rimmed glasses in the crowd, paired with the bashful smile you'd let loose whenever you were complimented.
That near kiss, that god damn near kiss. Chris mentally kicked himself so often for not just growing a pair and going in for it, tasting your soft lips on his and finding out how you'd react. Would you stutter like you usually did when nervous? Pull him back in for more with all the shyness in the world?
Either way, that wouldn't be possible until he proved himself to you; prove that he did in fact love you with all his heart and then some. Piers and his ideals, it was him that caused this mess by throwing random girls at his chest, girls who he didn't want to be around anymore.
Chris never thought he'd see the day where he wouldn't want mindless hookups, short flings and surrounding himself with girls wearing barely anything, something he used to pride himself on. Yet here he was, with only one girl on his mind. A girl that wasn't a cheerleader, a girl who knew where both her heart and priorities lay, a girl he wanted nothing more than to call his forever.
Though, unlucky for him, you managed to weasel your way out of every interaction he attempted to forge with you; if you were at your locker, the bell would ring conveniently right before and give you a chance to escape in the crowd of students. When Chris spotted you walking, your classroom seemed to be right around the corner before he even got within ten steps of you.
It was frustrating, but he had to hand it to you; you were good. He couldn't even stay mad, not with you.
Chris didn't care if it took him five minutes or five years, he'd do what he had to. But right now, he was in need of some guidance, and who better to give advice on women than Jill; a woman.
He found himself walking home with her, as usual, when the subject came up. Jill wasn't stupid, she knew just as much as Claire. Being his best friend, she knew what to ask and how to point Chris in the right direction.
“Something's on your mind, I can tell.”
He was silent for a moment, his gaze trained onto the path ahead of him, the gears turning in Chris' head in an attempt to just get what he needed to say out in the open; he loved you.
God, he loved you so fucking much, without a single doubt.
“I really messed up this time, Jill.” He admits, carrying an air of regret.
Jill gave him a knowing look, something that told him she already knew— of course she did. Though she stayed silent in encouragement for her friend to carry on.
“It— it's just, Piers— he…and then she—”
“Chris, I know everything, even Claire does. We're all seething at him.”
He nods, running a hand through his hair sharply, everything just felt so riddled with guilt lately. Then, Chris' eyes met hers.
“I think I'm in love with her.”
The confession felt like it took the air out of his lungs, the world going still at that second. But, at the same time, it tasted sweet on his tongue; knowing he fell for someone like you. Someone who wanted him for him, not his social status, his body— Just him.
“You think?” The question from Jill lingers, but not for long as Chris is quick to correct her.
She lets a small smile spread on her lips, because she knew. She'd known for weeks, weeks before he had realised where his heart lay.
“Tell me, what do you love about her so much?
Chris didn't have to think at all to answer that, not even a second;
“I…I love her smile, the way her perfume always stays around where she's been, her smarts. She's just so—”
“Amazing, beautiful, every good word there is.”
Chris was broken from his little monologue when he heard a chuckle beside him, raising a brow he questioned her:
With an amused scoff, he shook his head.
“Shut up, I just spilled my heart out here.”
Jill raises both hands, calling peace.
“Okay, okay.” Looking ahead, she takes a breath before continuing, “I know things are a mess right now, but you need to talk to her.”
“I, I don't know if I can. Every time I try she—”
“You can and you will, both of you are head over heels for each other. So, come on Captain Redfield, go get her.”
Chris glanced downward to his wrist, where the bracelet you made adorned it. The little charm dangling off glinted in the sunlight, almost as if it was encouraging him to seek you out properly, find the right time and seize his opportunity.
“Yeah, I'm gonna go get her.”
The crashing of the waves against the rocks was calming, a tranquil difference compared to the state your mind seemed to be in right now. The weather has been warmer lately, your cardigan now forgotten, even as the sun was starting to settle and the tide was going in; the perfect time to go to the beach, no one was around. The air was still thick with its humidity, but the slight sea-salted breeze helped.
You took your time, shoes in hand as you walked along with the water lapping at your feet, it was freezing in the most refreshing way there was. As you ambled down along the shore, you collected seashells with beautiful colours and seaglass that would be amazing for a DIY project, or just to have.
For once, Chris wasn't consuming your brain— you'd actually managed to shut that part off for now. The fresh air was exactly what you needed to help clear your head. After a week of a cat and mouse game with him, there was finally the weekend where you could take a moment to breathe and figure this out without the fear of him being right around the corner.
Maybe, if you really really tried, Chris would just disappear from your mind like magic. Like the memory of meeting him for the first time on that rugby pitch never happened, or all those times patching him up; even tutoring him in a subject he didn't take.
Wanting to have his arms wrapped around you, fingers threading through your hair as he murmured all the reassurances you needed to hear. It frustrated you how much you loved him when in your eyes; he had eyes for other girls. Girls that were more confident and outgoing compared to you.
Soon, you found yourself sat cross legged, high up on the rocks with the stunning view In front of you; a blend of oranges, reds and pinks blistering the sky into a natural work of art, the setting sun still shining in all its glory as it retired for the day— it reflected off the sapphire blue waves down below.
Taking in a lungful of the crisp air did more good than you could say, paired with the book you had brought along with you, a good story to finish off a good day. The first good day in a few weeks. Finding where you left the bookmark stuck in-between the pages, letting yourself go over the lines like you had all the time in the world, because this time you did.
The subtle heartache was there, at times during the night you found it difficult to shut your brain off— replaying the day of your ruined confession, then to all the work you put into making that bracelet for him.
It's going to get worse before it gets better.
That's what you told yourself over and over, slowly that was becoming true.
Though, looking beside you, this ledge has enough room for two. Catching your mind drifting to Chris sitting with you right here, but that could never happen, right?
For a while, you were nose deep into the novel, sounds of nature all around you providing a relaxing sort of white noise. That was, until you heard footsteps. First, you thought it was just a random individual visiting the beach; maybe to walk their dog, or just see the view.
They got closer, and closer until—
It was him. It was Chris of all people.
How did he find you? Was it a coincidence, or did he purposely come looking for you?
“Uh, it's not.” you mumbled, reading suddenly forgotten as your fingers curled around the edge of the book, tightening when he sat himself down next to you. Immediately, your heartbeat picked up. He was here, all the attempts of trying to forget about him were gone just like that.
What was he here for? To embarrass you some more?
Neither of you said anything for a while, just staring at the view in front of you. As beautiful as it was, at this moment you would rather have melted into the floor by now.
Chris leaned back, hands resting behind him to support his weight— a demeanor so casual for the moment.
“Really can't beat a view like this, right?” He prompted, looking over at you.
God, you were stunning. Even more so since he hadn't seen your face for a few days. It was just the two of you, and he was going to do what he told Jill: he was going to get you.
“Oh— yeah, right.” You nearly stammered, awake that his eyes were on your person, making no move to address his gaze.
For a moment, Chris hesitated, flitting his eyes elsewhere before they immediately landed back on you.
You tensed, breath stuck in your lungs for a moment. No words came to mind, none even on the tip of your tongue like usual.
“I know how it looked— but that girl? She didn't mean anything.”
Now, your breath is hitched. Because Claire was right, she was right about his feelings towards you. Chris was confirming this. He pressed on:
“Piers he…he has a fucked up mentality, one that I don't follow anymore.”
His admission had you almost turning your head in his direction. That's when you noticed it; the bracelet.
That same hand with the bracelet attached to its wrist ever so gently comes to nudge your chin towards him, finally meeting his eyes.
“it, it's you I want. Not her, not any of them.”
His hand covers yours, the warmth of his palm infecting your skin in the most pleasant way possible.
The words come out of your throat choked with emotion, just about holding back tears. Because you felt the same way, you knew now this wasn't a dream. Chris was here right beside you, he was real.
“Let me make this right, let me treat you right.”
Chris’ hand briefly leaves the top of yours, digging into his pocket before pulling out a silver chain with a crystal heart dangling from it. Your jaw hangs open with how pretty it is, giving him a ‘are you sure?’ look. He returns it with a nod, eyes full tenderness and sincerity.
The chain is soon fastened around your neck, dangling proudly with its pendant glinting every time it catches the sun. Now the two of you matched; a bracelet from you and a necklace from him.
“I—it’s wonderful, Chris.” You state in awe, already fighting off a coy, overjoyed smile from his gift.
Though you caught your gaze drifting to his lips, and Chris' to yours. Now was the chance, the opportunity to finally get in the kiss the both of you were longing for so much.
You started to lean in, then hesitated, meeting him with a nervous gaze— this would be your first kiss. And he understood, he took your hand and laced your fingers together. The gesture only made your heart pound more as he leaned in closer. From here you caught the scent of his cologne, signalling just how close he really was now.
It was as if time had both sped up and slowed down at this moment, lips finally meeting. Your stomach was doing flips, your heart wouldn't calm down.
The kiss was slow and sweet, attentive to your inexperience. You closed your eyes and allowed yourself to get lost, get lost in him.
Your first kiss, and it was with Chris Redfield.
When it ended, he rested his forehead against yours, warm breath puffing against your lips, not caring that your glasses were steaming up.
“You have no idea how long I wanted to do that.”
A smile spread across your lips, fingers tangling together with his.
He kissed you once more, this time cupping the side of your face to have a little more gentle control. He was so soft with you, so slow and gentle.
After a few more kisses, you ended up sitting closer to him with your head resting on top of his shoulder.
“I didn't mean what I said,” You whispered “When I told you I didn't want to see you again.”
Your question lingered in the air for a second.
“Well, will you have me?”
In that moment, Chris has never seen a bigger grin on your face up until now, it warms his heart more than he'd like to admit.
“Absolutely I will, Chris.”
He pressed a long kiss to the crown of your head, already planning his first date for his girlfriend.