Oz Cobb x y/n — So Clingy
Tags: female reader, comfort/fluff, no use of y/n, established relationship, younger woman/older man, cuddling during reader's period Word count: 3.6k Content warnings: blood, period / menstrual cycle
Author’s note: My apologies for how rough this one is! I’m a bit rusty, I had taken a step back from writing and this is the fic that brought me back into it! This was comforting to write and I had a lot of fun working on it. 🥰
↓ Fic under cut! ↓
A rush was not what you wanted to be in when you were getting ready for your date and yet here you were, hurrying around your apartment like mad.
You had just been about to leave at the end of your shift when your manager had wanted to chat about tomorrow’s workload. That bit of overtime had you late for your bus, forcing you to wait for the next one. All the delays left you with just over an hour to get ready but despite the time crunch, you were still determined to go all out for your date.
Yes, it was your birthday but you wanted to look pretty, not just for yourself but for Oz. It made you feel good whenever he was at a loss for words when you got all dolled up. And you wanted to look especially pretty today. You hadn’t seen him much lately, his work had kept him busy lately. So when he had told you last week that your birthday evening was clear for him and that he wanted to take you out for your special day, it became the single thing that got you through the rough work week. You had been spending your lunch breaks thinking up what outfit you’d wear, the simple daydreams had you giddy but also made the week drag on.
But today was finally the day. After much overthinking and indecision, you had settled on a cute black dress with a low revealing back that you’d bought last year and just hadn’t found a time or place to wear it. It wasn’t anything too crazy but you got butterflies just thinking about how Oz’s eyes always travelled over you when you wore anything that revealed more of your skin and how his hands would always find excuses to brush against your knee, your shoulder, your waist. He had a way of making you feel so loved.
You had just finished curling your hair into gentle waves, they weren’t as big as you had dreamt of but they’d do, and were reaching for a pair of hoop earrings when a sharp twist of pain hit you. It came so suddenly that you had to stop what you were doing and clutch at the side of the sink, your breath shaky.
It felt like the type of pain that came with periods but that didn’t make sense. It was too early. Even though it was your birthday for goodness sake, you hurriedly grabbed your phone to double-check today’s date. Yup. You hadn’t been expecting your period for at least a few more days.
“Please be wrong, please be wrong,” you prayed under your breath as you checked. To your dismay, the blood covering your underwear said otherwise. You groaned just as the pain kicked it up a notch. “Why does it always get worse once you’ve seen the blood?”
You glanced down at your phone again. Shoot. Oz was going to be here soon to pick you up. Between cleaning up this mess and finishing getting ready, you’d really have to get your butt into gear.
You had just changed into a fresh pair of underwear when there was a knock at the door. You looked desperately at your forgotten jewelry lying on the counter and the dress hanging on the back of your bathroom door. Any thought of slipping into the dress was whisked away when there was another knock at the door. Oz wasn’t really known for being patient. “Fudge!” Clutching at your stomach, you hobbled to the door. After a quick peek in the peephole to confirm it was actually Oz waiting behind the door, you unlocked and opened it for him.
“Oz, hi,” you said breathlessly, both from the rush to get to the door and from the sight before you.
Even though he wore them often, seeing him standing there in a suit still made your heart beat just a bit faster. His dark suit jacket was open and revealed suspenders and a white shirt underneath. Honestly, it would have to be quite the present to be able to compete with seeing him in this outfit.
And then womanly pain rudely snapped your attention off of him and it took all that was within you not to whimper.
His face lit up. “Hey, there’s my birthday girl. Happy birthday, sweetheart,” he said as he stepped in.
“Thanks, Oz.” You did your best to look casual as you leaned against the wall with your arms wrapped around your middle.
He didn’t seem to notice your discomfort as he leaned over and pressed a quick kiss to your cheek before stepping back to take a look at you. You inwardly pouted, here you had planned on looking extra good for him but thanks to nature taking its course, you were still in your work clothes. They were still nice, a white wool sweater-dress and leggings but it wasn’t what you had wanted.
Still, Oz looked pleased. He grinned at you until he noticed that you were slowly sinking to the ground. Concern instantly hit his features, his eyebrows crinkling with worry. He crouched down next to you and his hands grabbed onto your arms gently. “Hey, what’s the matter? What’s wrong, are you hurt?”
Now fully on your knees in an attempt to bring the pain down, you craned your neck to look up at him. “It’s my period. It came early.”
He froze. Blinked at you. “And,” he said finally, “that means what exactly?
You widened your eyes at him. Surely he should know by now at his age what periods all entail. “Cramps. Periods come with cramps. Oz, you are a full-grown man, how do you not know that–” You stopped yourself as you noticed Oz’s eyes had a twinkle in them and the corner of his mouth was pulling up into a mischievous smile. You reached out and weakly shoved him. “Ozzzzz, stop playing around, I feel like I’m dying here.”
The grin overtook his face and he let out a chuckle. “Sorry, doll, I’m just messin’ with you. I know all about women and their monthly routines.” He let out another laugh.
You were about to continue the banter but a sharp jolt of pain stopped you. “I hate to say this but I don’t know how I’ll manage to go on our date, let alone even enjoy it.” You winced, both from the physical pain and from the disappointment of letting yourself and Oz down. You looked up at him, a tear threatening and succeeding in rolling down your cheek. “I’m so sorry. I know how hard it was to get this evening off and now I went and ruined it.”
“Hey, hey,” Oz said softly. He reached out and wiped the tear from your cheek with the soft pad of his thumb. “You haven’t ruined anything, we can go out a different time, okay?”
“Kay,” you whispered, though disappointment still seared into your heart like a knife.
You weren’t sure if Oz noticed or not but his eyes crinkled in concern. “Let’s get you somewhere comfier, how bout that?”
Without warning and with surprisingly smooth motions, he placed a hand under your knees and a hand on your back and lifted you off the floor. You instinctively grabbed at his jacket as he stood up to steady yourself, even though he held you so securely in his arms you didn’t feel like he’d let you fall. He headed over to your living room with the confidence of a man who knew where he was going, as if this was his own house, even though he had only been to your apartment a handful of times. His uneven steps caused your head to gently bump into his chest as he walked. You felt your cheeks flush, you had been this close to Oz before but he hadn’t ever held you as he was now. He held you like his prize, his trophy. He felt so warm and safe and this close proximity was pushing away most of the pain your body was experiencing, making it feel like it was all slipping away, long forgotten. You wanted to nuzzle your face into his shirt, he smelled of a deep, thick cologne and you wanted more of it.
All too soon, he was standing in front of your sofa. You felt him bend down and his hands start to fall away as he slowly dropped you down. But you didn’t want this to be over, this warmth and safety to leave you. All rational thoughts abandoned, you quickly put your hands out and clutched onto his suspenders, your legs wrapped around his midsection, like you were a baby koala holding on for dear life.
You felt Oz stop as he realized that he was not holding you anymore but rather you were holding onto him. You were dangling now, your back just brushing against the sofa underneath you. Your fingers tightened their grip.
He stood up straighter. You kept holding on. He let out a laugh, his breath tickling the top of your head. “When did you become this clingy?”
“I’m not that clingy,” you muttered, forcing yourself not to look up at him. You were beginning to feel stupid but it was too late now.
Another laugh. “You’re cute, doll.”
Now you were really blushing. “No I’m not.”
“Yes you are, now c’mon, you’d feel a lot better if you’d let go.” He tried again, bending down so low that you felt the cushion brush against your butt.
Still, you held on. If anything, you grabbed on tighter.
“Oh hun, if I had known you wanted to be carried around like a puppy, I would’ve done this a lot sooner.” You didn’t have to look at him to know he had that mischievous glint in his eyes.
Embarrassment finally kicked in enough for you to surrender. You let go, almost already fully on the sofa. Out of the corner of your eye, you saw Oz stand straighter and adjust his suspenders.
“There, isn’t that better?” He reached down and brushed a strand of hair off your face.
You forced a small nod. Yes, it may feel more comfortable but the pain in your stomach was returning now that being in Oz’s arms wasn’t distracting you.
Oz seemed satisfied. He huffed a pleased sound and patted your cheek. “Now, I’ll be back, I’m gonna run out and grab you a treat. Was going to get you one when we were out but hey, now I have two reasons to get you somethin’ special.”
You sat up and finally looked at him. “Wait, you’re leaving?”
He waved a hand at you, a “relax” kind of gesture. “Don’t sound so worried, I’ll be back. Just sit tight, it’ll only take an hour or two. I’ll try to be quick but, eh, you know how busy Gotham night driving can be.”
As if tonight hadn’t been disappointing enough, the one person that could take your mind off the suckiness of it all was going to leave. For the second time tonight, a kind of primal reaction hit you, leaving no room for thought. You lunged off the couch, half falling off of it, and grabbed Oz’s hand just as he turned away. He froze instantly and looked down at you, his eyes widened.
“Please,” you choked out. You hated that you were crying again but darn it all, your hormones were a mess right now. “Please don’t leave, I don’t care about a gift or anything, I just want you to stay.”
Oz took a step closer to the couch and his large hand encircled your small one, his thumb rubbing circles on your skin. Finally, he nodded. “Of course, of course, I’ll stay. You don’t have to cry, sweetheart, especially not on your birthday.” His eyes were full of so much sweet trepidation that it almost made you want to cry more.
You sniffed and wiped your face with the back of your hand. “But I’ll cry if I want to, right?” You gave him a watery smile.
He let out a small exhale of relief, nodded. He smiled back. “Of course, doll, of course.”
You sniffled, your nose already felt a bit clogged. “Okay but I’m done crying now.”
He let out a bark of a laugh. He shook his head. “Good, you had me worried for a second. Cryin’ on your birthday is just a darn shame.” He patted your hand before gently releasing it. “Now, don’t start the waterworks again, I’m just going to hang up my jacket, alright?”
It was your turn to laugh. “Okay but hurry back, I miss you already.”
You watched him shake his head again as he headed back to the front door and the coat rack that stood next to it. With the promise of him staying, you let yourself get settled into the sofa. You curled your legs up, giving space for Oz to sit on the side opposite to you.
You lit up as you heard his footsteps return to the living room. He stooped down to grab the TV remote off the coffee table and then, as you had hoped, sat down on the cushion next to you. He looked over at you and waved the remote. “It’s your birthday, whadda wanna watch?”
Sleepiness had begun to creep into your brain. You shrugged into the pillow. “I don’t know, you pick.”
Oz fake-scowled at you, his twinkling eyes giving himself away, and waggled his finger at you. “That ain’t right, it’s your day, not mine.”
“Hey, I trust you.” You stretched out a foot and playfully nudged his thigh.
“Ho boy, sweetheart, trusting me is an awfully bad decision,” he said, however his attention was already focused on flipping through channels.
“I don’t think so.”
He took a quick glance over at you before returning his gaze to the TV but you could see the smile tugging at his lip.
Oz selected an old Hollywood channel and, this being the first lucky thing about your day, the screen showed the opening scene for Sabrina.
You nustled deeper into the pillow. “Good choice. I love this one.”
He murmured in agreement. After a moment, his hands drifted over to your feet, still outstretched from the teasing, and he guided them onto his lap. Seconds later, he began gently rubbing them, almost in an absent way. Heat climbed your face and you stole a glance to see that he didn’t seem to realize how intimate he was being, his eyes were focused on the screen in front of them.
You forced your gaze back to the screen too, watching as Audrey Hepburn hid in a tree to watch the party. But you were having trouble focusing as his fingers rubbed patterns on your skin. You prayed that he wouldn’t be able to tell how much his touch was messing with your brain. Were your legs too stiff, too relaxed? Too heavy?
A few more minutes into the movie, he broke the silence. “D’ya think he’s right?” “Hm?” You tore yourself away from your overthinking and the movie. “Do I think who’s right?”
“Her father,” Oz said, waving a hand at the screen.
“Right about what? About how Sabrina shouldn’t go after Linus? Why?” You sat up on your elbows, turning your full focus onto him.
“Well, I dunno, he is a lot older than her,” Oz mumbled.
Did he sound… embarrassed? Realization hit you. Was he thinking about you and him? You couldn’t help but beam at him. “Nah, if I could talk to her, I would tell her to get it girl.”
He looked over at you, startled. After watching you for a moment, as if you’d change your answer, he broke into a grin. “Yeah, that’s what I think too.”
You debated holding back a comment but you just couldn’t help it. “Ozzie, you’re not that old, you know.”
He turned his head over and gave you a look.
You giggled. “Okay, well, not too old for me.” You leaned over and patted his arm. Your age gap was something that didn’t come up that often. It never really bothered you but you felt like it worried him sometimes, more for your sake than his. “I think what we have is special so screw normalcy.”
He opened his mouth as if to say something but then closed it. Finally, he shook his head, laughed under his breath. “How’d I get so lucky?”
“I could say the same.” You squeezed his arm before falling back into the sofa cushion.
That seemed to settle things. He let himself relax, sinking further in the soft couch. You smiled to yourself before turning back to the movie.
As the halfway point of the movie came and went, you started to become a bit restless. The cramp pain dulled, it was now at a much more manageable level, and now the once comfortable position was giving you an ache in your side. You looked over at Oz, he looked so at ease that it made you almost giddy but it also sent an idea into your head.
You tried to play it casual. He had never said he didn’t enjoy cuddling but still, initiating it always made you a little nervous. You slowly began to pull your legs off his lap. His fingers were quick to follow them, a mild fight to keep them where they were. Ignoring his attempts, you swung your legs onto the floor. He didn’t say a word but you didn’t have to look at him to know that he was now watching you closely. The feeling of his eyes on you made you shiver.
Before you could overthink it, you scooched yourself across the sofa, closer to Oz, so close that your thighs touched his. You let yourself fall into him, your head finding rest against his stomach, your ear pressed against him. You felt more than heard his sound of what almost sounded like aprproval, as if this new development pleased him. It sent a wave of butterflies into the pit of your stomach.
You shivered again when he pressed a soft kiss onto the crown of your head. He must’ve sensed it and, knowing how much of an affect he had on you, he greedily wrapped a hand around your waist and pulled you in closer. His hand stayed on your hip, warm and heavy. Encouraged by it, you slipped your arm out from where you had it tucked at your side and wrapped it around his waist. Being this close to him felt so right. It was soothing to hear his heart beat, feel his intakes and outtakes of breath. You nestled your head against his shirt and inhaled, his smell was intoxicating.
“Thank you for making my birthday so good,” you murmured. It felt like the stresses of the day had been melted away by the warmth of his presence. Having him next to you gave you solace and peace. But creeping in the back of your mind, you knew tonight would eventually and inevitably have to end and that thought was like a cold splash, a cruel tear in this happy memory. Trying to stay in the present, you snuggled closer to him. “I missed you so much. I wish today would never end.”
“Sweetheart?” he said, his voice muffled by your hair.
“What?” You shifted, pulling yourself up from your cuddled position and leaning into him even more, your torso now flush against him. Your hands found rest on his chest and you looked up into his eyes. It felt bold to be this close to him but the butterflies that came with it helped push the negative thoughts away.
His eyes were softened, he must’ve heard you slip briefly into nostalgia, and he reached a hand out to cup the side of your face. His touch made you soften and you instantly leaned into his palm. A burst of yearning filled you, despite the fact that he was right in front of you, you missed him. Your eyes fluttered shut, a terrible attempt to stop the single tear you felt sliding down your face.
“Hey, hey, no more of that,” Oz urged gently. He used his thumb to wipe the salty streak away. “I’m here, baby, I’m still here.”
You nodded and though his gaze was full of understanding, it was overwhelming. You pulled your eyes away, stared at the ground as you took in a shaky breath. Your fingers idly played with his shirt buttons. “I know, I just miss you already. And the end of a birthday is always bittersweet, I’m sorry, I just—“
Oz’s hand slipped from your cheek to the nape of your neck and he pulled you close, so close that your foreheads touched. “Look at me.”
The insistent way he said it drew you back to him. This close, his half lidded eyes were so dark, so intense. This close, your breath and his were shared and the same. This close, maybe you could forget tomorrow and just enjoy being here, in this moment, practically laying on top of him. His fingers began tangling themselves in your hair, their presence grounding you further.
“Baby, I promise you,” he said thickly, his eyes roaming your face, “this isn’t the last birthday we spend together, alright? We’ve got loads more to look forward to. That sound good?”
A stillness and a hope bloomed in your chest. Hearing that Oz was picturing spending years with you was heartening. Your nose brushed his as you moved to kiss his rough cheek. You pulled back and gave him a smile.
“That sounds perfect.”
Author's end note: Thank you for reading! ≧◡≦ Any comments, likes, and reblogs mean the world to me! I'd love to hear from you! 💖
