𝐿𝒾𝓁𝓁𝒾🧘🏼‍♀️🍥

You giggled at something Ryland said on the walk back to your apartment. His jacket shifted as he gestured around along with his story. The cuffs shifted, moving to rest above his wrists and the silver fitness watch you knew he always wore.

Your fourth date was coming to an end, much to both of your dismay. Ever the gentleman, Dr. Grace insisted on escorting you home from the park you had visited, despite his own apartment being in the opposite direction.

“Sorry,” you watched as Ryland grasped the back of his neck, light blush dusting his cheeks. “I rambled a little. It’s a bad habit…”

Your lips twitched at his demeanour, feet stopping as you reached over to capture his hand in your own and give it a gentle squeeze. His eyes widened, gaze dropping to your intertwined hands as a grin jumped onto his lips.

“I don’t think it’s bad, Ryland. In fact, I like hearing you talk about things you’re passionate about. It’s cute.”

His eyes trailed from your hands and up to your face, gaze lingering on your smile for longer than he probably should have. This was only your fourth date, and he didn’t want to mess this up! He really liked you…

He stuttered as he tried to form an adequate reply when a sudden gust of wind blew through you both, making a shiver run down your spine as you used your free hand to try and rub away the goosebumps that formed.

“Oh, here!”

Ryland reluctantly released your hand, fingers brushing against yours once more before moving to remove his cardigan from himself. He stepped closer to you, guiding the wool over your shoulders. His warm fingertips brushed your skin as he pulled the sleeves to cover your arms then pulled it tighter against you once he was satisfied. The teacher glanced up at you to check it was all right before he buttoned it. However, his fingers lost their grip on the buttons before he could complete his initial task.

The way you looked up at him with blushing cheeks and parted lips had him freeze. Your hand ran up his arm, running over the band of his watch, then along his shoulder before landing on his neck. You caressed his neck slightly as he watched you with wide eyes. His hands that had fallen limp moved on their own accord. One found its place on your waist and the other gently held your cheek with the same delicacy one may hold their fragile childhood doll.

“Is this okay?” He murmured as he leaned closer towards you, eyes flicking between your eyes and lips.

Your own eyes fluttered shut after mumbling a breathless yes. Grace slowly leaned forward – he wanted to give you plenty of chance to move away if you wished – until his lips finally reached yours. Your grip on his neck tightened slightly as you pulled his lower and his hand that rested on your cheek began to caress the skin. His head tilted to the side to gain better access to your lips and he shuffled closer towards you, your bodies practically touching.

Beep, beep, beep.

…?

Beep, beep, beep, beep, beep.

That beeping definitely wasn’t normal. What on Earth?

Ryland clearly thought the same as you and he pulled his lips from your own to look around in confusion. Your hand moved to his shoulder, but his remained unmoving. He was determined to kiss you at least one more time after he figured out what that beeping was.

But he couldn’t see anything.

The street you were walking across was empty, and there definitely wasn’t a fire, so what was that beeping?

Beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep.

He continued to look around for any signs of an emergency until he heard your muffled giggles. He looked back at you to see you covering your mouth as you stared at the screen of his watch.

Erratic heartrate detected.

Oh. Well, he didn’t even know that the watch could do that. Interesting.

Ryland’s cheeks flushed even darker as he pulled his hand from your cheek, trying to hide the alert that you had definitely already seen. He pushed his glasses back up his nose and the beeping continued.

Erratic heartrate detected. Rest now and breathe.

A groan sounded from Ryland’s chest. He dismissed the alert and covered his face in embarrassment.

“Deep breaths, Dr. Grace. Surely you of all people should know the importance of a normal heartrate and 125 sounds a cause for concern.”

He peaked out from behind his, now spread fingers and laughed. His hands dropped back to his sides as he took in your teasing smile. You didn’t seem upset by the disturbance. No, you actually seemed quite flattered.

He shot you a smile before speaking.

“Oh, yes, you are absolutely right, Ms. Y/N. In fact, I feel I need someone to nurse me back to health right this instance.”

“Yeah? What would that entail then, Doctor??”

You giggled as you spoke.

“Another kiss for starters. You know, just to investigate whether that was the cause of the spike. Correlation does not always mean causation- mmpfh-“

Ryland stumbled slightly as you threw yourself against him, hands pulling his face back down to yours. Your lips pressed against his once more and his hands moved to rest on your waist again, drawing you closer.

Beep, beep, beep, beep, beep.

Ryland’s hands slipped from your waist, hitting the dismiss button on the watch and quickly moved back to your waist again.