#(sarah)

pairing: nikki freeman x female reader

warnings: bear mention, fluff

a/n: first nikki fic!!!!

Within the comforting walls of Cassell’s Music store, you sorted the vinyls alphabetically, humming a soft tune under your breath as you get lost in your own world. You didn’t even realize the stalking presence nearby until they sat themselves down beside you, and brushed their shoulder against yours.

You jumped lightly but smiled when you saw Nikki. “Hey.”

“Hey, jumpy.” She smiled that little smirk, the one that was teasing and playful but joyous at the same time. “What’re you doing?”

“Organizing the vinyls. Quite peaceful, actually.” You chuckled, tucking a strand of hair behind your ear.

Nikki scoots closer, her face inches away from yours. Your eyes are glued to the vinyls as your fingers work to correctly place them but her eyes are stuck on you, focusing on your features like she’s trying to memorize them in her brain and heart.

“Hey so, you remember the lunch we went on a week ago?” Nikki whispered, almost shyly.

You hummed, “Yes. Why?” You finally turned to her and faced all your attention towards her.

“The food was awful, surprisingly, and you had a verdict about it…” Nikki trailed off.

A smile immediately formed on your face as you burst into laughter. “I remember! I thought they’d overhear and kick us out.”

Nikki chuckled. “Well-“

“Hey, Nikki.” Bear smiled awkwardly, interrupting the moment. She jerks her head up at him, her smile becoming crooked with disappointment. “Y/N, hi.”

You gave a smile wave and a polite smile before turning back to the vinyls. Nikki sighed under her breath, “What’s up, Bear?”

“Nothing. Just seeing what you were doing. Kinda boring, huh?” He leans against a box, but falters as it falls off the table.

Nikki closes her eyes out of frustration, wincing quietly. Bear scrambles to pick up the box and stack the cd’s inside accordingly again. She turned back to see your headphones on, music softly playing now so she accepted defeat and walked away, leaving you be, and Bear watching in awkward agony.

Hours later, when it’s closing time, Ian locks the door. You linger nearby Sarah, chatting about some random, weird customer that came in today. Nikki watches you and Bear watches her.

Ian claps his hands together. “Who’s drinking tonight?”

“Yes!” Sarah cheered, pulling on Bear’s arm as he encouragingly nods.

You shrug lightly. “I think I’m gonna go home. My cat needs me.”

“He needs you or you need him?” Ian rephrased jokingly.

“Why can’t it be both?”

He laughs at the same time as you. Bear pipes up, “Okay, cool, come on, Nikki.”

She hesitates, looking at you fully now and your eyes meet hers. So innocent and unaware of the storm brewing in her head. “Actually… I’m gonna go home too, guys.”

“Boring.” Ian booed.

Sarah shoved his shoulder. “No problem.”

“Me neither!” Bear exclaimed, chuckling lightly. “I can take you home, Nikki.”

“I can.” You spin your keys around your finger, shifting to lean more on your right leg.

Ian grabs Bear’s shoulders. “No, you’re coming with us. Let the girls be, man. Come on, Sarah, we’re getting drunk as hell tonight.”

“Wooo!” She giggles, waving goodbye to you and Nikki as she claims the front seat of Ian’s car. Bear hesitates getting in, moving slowly with his eyes glued to Nikki and a frown deepens on his face when he sees her only looking at you.

They drive away and you make your way towards your car. Nikki jogs up to open your door for you and you laugh. “Thanks? I have the keys, though.”

“Let me drive.” She sticks her palm out, waiting for you to drop the keys in her hand. You glance down then back up at her. Nikki rolls her eyes playfully. “Please?”

You smile, “Fine. Just don’t crash.”

She squeals a little, watching you get in the car and she closes the door before scurrying off to the driver’s side. The engine purrs from the ignition.

The drive to her house was silent, but comfortable. Like you didn’t have to talk all the time to fill voids. Nikki slowly pulls outside the curb of her house, letting out a small sigh. You stare out the window before you shift towards her. She’s staring ahead at the steering wheel.

“What were you saying earlier?”

Nikki blinks. “Uhm, when?”

“This morning when I was organizing the records, when Bear interrupted.” You smiled sweetly. “Was there more you wanted to say?”

“Oh! Yeah, I- uh.” Nikki gets lost in your eyes, an uneasy feeling of nerves fills her body but she breathes slowly and pushes through. “I was going to say I like you. A lot. In more than a friendly way. And if you liked me too, would you, maybe, want to go out on a date? Some time?”

You stare at her and she thinks she might’ve grown two heads. But she grabs your hands gently, pleading with those sparkly eyes of hers. “What’s the verdict?”

You smiled instantly, realizing those three words. “Yes, Nikki Freeman, I would love to go out with you. I like you too.”

She crashes back against the leather seat. “Oh, thank god! I was gonna have a panic attack.”

You giggled uncontrollably. “Can I come inside?” Your head gestures to her house.

Nikki quickly nods, unlocking the car doors. “Yes, absolutely. Always. But don’t you dare open your door.”

She rushes out to open it for you and you find your heart doing backflips in your ribcage. “You’re so sweet.” One of your hands cups Nikki’s face and she melts against you. “Let’s go inside and watch a movie.”

“I’ll be nice and let you pick.” She says proudly.

“Spider-man!”