#abrams x reader

That deep voice spoke up, you could almost hear how his lips curved into a smile as he nodded at the server who nodded back and walked off. He released your hand and guided you back to your seat and sat down opposite you, simply smiling and taking in your appearance after a good week of not being able to catch up due to his case load in the office. Your lips moved but you made no sound, too surprised as your onlookers quickly lost interest and returned to their meals and conversations. "Abrams?" "I happened to see you while passing by and you looked miserable and since its my day off I figured I would pop in, seeing as whoever was meant to be here clearly hasn't shown up." He traced a circle with his finger over the table before reaching over and pinching the menu off of the stand on the side of the table, it looked comedically small in his hands as he flicked though the pages and grumbled, too classy for him personally, and in all honesty for you too, who pays 40 dollars for a damn piece of steak?? Your companion turned to you, giving a small awkward smile. "Hey so, I can see we both don't appreciate whets up for offer here... maybe we could head to the local bar? It's got a billiards hall build into it as well if you're interested?" He tilted his hand to the side as he made the suggestion. "Oh? Is it Jezebel's?" "Yes actually, how'd you know?" "I assumed so, the bartender mentioned knowing you." You chuckled as Abrams huffed "All good things I assume?" "Of course." You reassured as Abrams nodded along, collecting your stuff and shrugging it off when you told him you could carry your own stuff, mumbling 'I can too' under his breath as you swiftly exited the restaurant to avoid the wrath of the servers.

The sound of Abram's drink being poured and smooth jazz from the jukebox in the corner of the bar filled the area where you sat at the bar, the admittedly very handsome bartender gently tilted his head and cap towards you as he passed your companion his drink. "And for your lovely partner here? Anything I can serve you tonight?" Abrams glared daggers into Infernus "Just a friend Infernus, don't get in over your head." He retorted before turning to you, softening his voice. "Have you chosen yet...?" His lips quivered slightly for a second as if he wanted to add something to the sentence but stopping himself with a content smile. "Uhm yeah, I'll have..." You named the drink you wanted of your own preference and Abrams paid for it as Infernus prepared it, can't really argue about wanting to pay for your own drink if a hulking blue best friend of yours blocks your hand with his much larger one. Infernus engaged you both in some small talk before you received the glass of your chosen beverage with a napkin under it, Infernus then started chatting up Abrams about work and his latest case, giving you ample time to read the small writing on it. 'You're lucky, don't mess this up.' You slipped it into your pocket, leaving Abrams unaware of its existence. Time flies when you're having fun, and the bar began to close up for the night in what felt like minutes instead of hours, Infernus showing you and Abrams out politely with the bigger man offering to walk you home, or well, carry as you were tipsy and your brand new shoes were hurting the back of your ankle, he settled your legs over his forearm as he curled his hand to hold the side of your thigh, letting you sit on his bent arm as your head rested on his shoulder (the forearm forklift) as he carried you home, humming a tune of the last song that played at the bar, you were worried about limiting his balance but he said it'd just help counterbalance the book in his other arm, and insisted it really wasn't an issue.

He set you down at your doorstep, careful while helping you unlock your door. He smiled at you and waved, expecting you to disappear inside and be on his merry way home, but was caught by surprise when you pulled him down by the sides of his coat, lips crashing together before pulling away, tipsy giggles erupting from both you and him the moment he finally processed what has just happened. "Well, this is a good way to end the night, no?" "Oh absolutely, I'm actually kinda glad I got stood up now??"

ཐི♡ཋྀ The big and tough detective doesn’t do Valentine’s Day, or at least that’s what he tries to convince himself. He’s bashful, but he knows you’re someone he deeply cherishes.

You’re someone who lingers in the forefront of his mind when he knows he should be focusing on whatever case he’s picked up. You’re the brief coffee run he makes before he starts work, the relaxing break that finally arrives that he’s been waiting for. Someone’s left an imprint of themselves in his heart, and you’re the prime suspect.

A week before Valentine’s Day, Abrams scans the shelves at the store for any gift he can get you, but none of them feel suitable for you. You, the person who’s granted him endless inspiration, his driving motivation, and the person he can feel the most vulnerable with. He needed to give you something special that fully reflects his feelings towards you.

That’s when a brilliant idea pops into his head: a fancy fountain pen and a blank journal feel like the perfect gift. The pen is nicely weighted and stable in your hand for whatever new creations. The journal: blank, and just the right canvas for anything your heart desires. Before checking out, Abrams includes a murder mystery game kit that he hopes you’ll want to play with him on the special day.

Fast forward, it’s Valentine’s Day, and Abrams is just now coming home from his work. He brings home your favorite takeout food, setting the food containers down onto the coffee table in the living room. There you were in the corner of the living room on one of the seated chairs, because you were always someone in his corner. The night is filled with both of you chowing down on delicious food, laughter that makes your stomach ache, and smiles that make the corners of your lips hurt. Classic Abrams is taking the mystery kit way too seriously, bringing out a corkboard, red string, and pins. He rips off his glasses, jokingly scolding you with his finger for not taking him seriously as you try to write down the notes of the case in your new journal. You laugh so hard you can feel tears forming in your eyes.

The sight of your smile, the sound of your laughter: it makes Abram’s heart flutter. In the afterglow of your dying laughter, the soft look in Abrams eyes, with half-empty food containers surrounding you: Abrams promises to be your rock. He may be in constant danger, but he promises to keep you safe. When you feel like you have no one, know you can rely and depend on him. His love and care for you are strong, stable, and secure.

☕︎ Abrams isn't as closed off as one may initially think. He's open to socializing, though his circle of people he considers real friends is very small. Wraith barely makes the list, and she's the closest thing to a friend he has really. He also won't soften his demeanour for anyone, so only those who can handle him how he is get to stick around.

☕︎ He hasn't had much romance in his life in years. I personally see Abrams as being around 40-45 years old. When I say he hasn't had much romance, I mean his last romantic endeavor was in like, his early 20's. His work quickly became a huge part of his life and a high priority in it, even before the tome reached his hands.

☕︎ People have been interested in him before, and he's found some people attractive of course, but he's just never focused on any of that. No one has yet to enter his life that has made a case for why they should become a high priority in his life; he likes things as they are for the most part. He doesn't want to be emotionally responsible for someone else, and doesn't find it fair of him to enter a relationship just to be unavailable. He's not the gentlest of people, but he isn't cruel in that way, either.

☕︎ All this to say, I think the person he finally does enter a relationship with would have to be someone who matches him in terms of their ambition and emotional needs, at least at first. This could manifest in a variety of ways, but they need to handle him how he is, not add strain to his work or life. They need to be able to challenge him though, without threatening his goals or the integrity of his job. You'd also have to be someone who is toughened enough to not trigger one other worry he has; the danger he may put someone in because of the tome. He'll never fully stop worrying about whether it's fair to be in a relationship, and possibly endanger his partner just by association, but you need to be capable enough to soften the voice in his head that screams about that fear.

☕︎ That doesn't mean he'll never make changes for someone, but those changes won't, under any circumstances, happen until the person who proves they're worth a spot in his extremely limited inner circle comes along. Getting there would be a slow process, and would have to be natural. The idea of someone pretending to fit the shape of his life until they get what they want doesn't sit right.

☕︎ Acquaintances to friends to partners is how it would go. There's no way in hell Abrams would ever meet someone with the intention of dating.

☕︎ The friendship would start out entirely casual, once it crosses that fuzzy line between friend and acquaintance. Slowly, though, he'd be more open to seeing you, minding less when you're in his space.

☕︎ You'd have to invite yourself into his space, though, and you'd have to do it carefully. Slowly, gradually, and in a way that doesn't disturb his peace or get in his way. You'd also have to do it in a way that makes it silently clear that you're doing this with his knowledge; if it feels like you're being sneaky or trying to trick him, it'll rub him the wrong way.

☕︎ Quality time and acts of service would be two key ways to start winning him over, though again; not in a sly or underhanded way, nor in a pathetic or desperate way.

☕︎ Once you've established the permission to continue inserting yourself into his space, keep the intensity. Find a pace and keep consistent once you've hit a milestone; trying to always do more and more with no flatlines won't achieve what you want it to.

☕︎ When you can show up and read a book on his couch as he mulls over case work, or he actually cracks a small grin when you join him for a coffee run once in a while, keep it that say. Then, you can slip in small favours. Every so often, you're already waiting for him outside the coffee shop, both of your coffees in hand. When you're over, silently existing in each other's space, take his empty glass and replace the ice, but don't pour the whiskey for him; just give him fresh ice so if he wants more, he has a few steps cut out of the process for him, but not every time; sometimes, just let it sit there.

☕︎ Abrams is so straight forward and yet so incredibly complex. A walking oxymoron. This is a huge part of the reason why no one has been able to find a spot in his heart; the very few who have had the chance have cracked; existing in tandem with him hasn't come natural in the way that's required.

☕︎ But, achieving what no others have will open up a new part of him. Slowly, a tension will start to grow.

☕︎ He'll have noticed every little thing before, including your intention, that's why not being sneaky about it is so important. But, when he realizes that you're the real deal, he'll let himself start to sink. Sink into the possibility.

☕︎ The tension comes from the feelings he starts to develop. He'd obviously find you attractive and interesting, but he would have refused to let himself start to form any actual feelings for you until this point. He'll lean in ever so slightly, testing the waters.

☕︎ After another slow burn, eventually that tension will burst. There will come a moment where he, while never directly asking, does or says something that all but suggests the idea of "you're in, want to do this?"

☕︎ And, with confirmation, that's that; you're together. The blunt 'yes, we're partners' comes a little later, but he's loyal even before that of course.

☕︎ Affection comes slowly, but not as slow as the buildup to the relationship itself was. He's not ignorant to romance or affection, though he's not usually sappy. There may be rare moments, but most of his affection comes as more obvious, mutual acts of service, and closer quality time. Abrams also doesn't dislike physical affection; lean on him, take advantage of his massive size, rest on him. He enjoys those things.

☕︎ A soft headbutt or a hand on your waist, or back, or around your shoulders; they're common. Kisses and sweet words aren't non existent, but they're less common.

☕︎ He's more likely to offer blunt but oddly gentle comfort when needed, or tell you things that to others just sound like sarcastic banter, but you both know its an unspoken 'I love you'.

☕︎ Because of his job, especially regarding the tome, Abrams, even if he wants to be honest, has to maintain some secrecy. Though, once you've gained his trust, he will be straightforward with what he cannot tell you.

☕︎ You know he isn't telling you everything, but you know he isn't lying to you, if that makes sense.

☕︎ At this point, he can and will offer reassurance if you ever become worried about this aspect of being with him, but you must communicate this with him. And if you ever try to sneak your way to answers? It's game over; he's as honest and open with you as he can be, and if you can't respect that, then he cannot have a relationship with you.

☕︎ You need to be someone who is independent: someone who doesn't expect him to drop everything for them every single time, someone who understand his obligations, believes in him, respects his boundaries but pushes him when and where he needs pushing.

☕︎ This isn't to say you can't be clingy; hell, I think he is, but you need to be able to function alone. He will miss you when you're gone and think about you often, but the empty space you leave will not and cannot impede how he functions in his life; its a longing he can push off when he needs to focus on other things. You need to be similar. That doesn't mean he wants you any less, though.

☕︎ He does struggle with jealousy at times. Worry that you'll get tired of how he is, find someone more emotionally available or easier to deal with. And, depending on your job or hobbies, he may also worry about the danger you get yourself into. He just worries about losing you. He'll soothe himself enough, but you always know when something's been on his mind, as the next time he sees you he engulfs you in a hug and refuses to let you go for a little longer than usual.

☕︎ In a relationship, actions speak louder than words do; fixing problems, protecting, showing up when needed etc. Big flashy romantic gestures aren't for him.

☕︎ This doesn't mean he shies away from PDA; he's not afraid of a small kiss or holding you close. You're his, and he kind of likes when people know it, but deeper affection isn't for the eyes of others.

☕︎ Small romantic rituals are his jam: sharing a glass of whiskey, reading together, helping each other with burdens, emotional or physical. Intimacy for him isn't flashy, it's shared silence or mutual support.

☕︎ Besides secrecy or being sneaky or disrespecting firm boundaries, Abrams doesn't take well to romantic drama of any kind. He'd resent being manipulated, or having his loyalties tested. If you have worries within the relationship, that's a two party discussion, not a game. If you can't accept that, it's time to hit the road.