Pairing: Lars Lindstrom x reader (gn)
Warnings: None, reader is mentioned to briefly look like vintage actresses + Lars being a sweetheart.
Prompt: Lars tags along while you indulge on a shopping spree after being fixated on winter fashion
An: I would love for cold weather right now (˃̣̣̥ᯅ˂̣̣̥) Plus I just wanna buy cute clothes for myself.
Lars Lindstrom hated shopping malls.
It wasn't the stores. It was the people. The crowds. The way everyone seemed to bump into each other. The overwhelming sensory nightmare that made him want to crawl into a quiet corner and never come out.
Gus and Karen had tried to drag him along on weekend shopping trips before. He'd lasted about twenty minutes before he'd found a bench and refused to move.
"The mall is a nightmare," he'd told them flatly.
"It's just shopping," Karen said.
So when you'd asked him to come with you, like it wasn't a big deal, he'd hesitated.
"To the mall?" he'd asked.
"To the mall." You'd smiled softly at him,. "I need to get some things. Winter stuff. Boots, a coat, some accessories."
"Sweetheart...there's a lot of people."
"I know." You'd reached over, your hand finding his. "But I want you there. And I promise," You'd squeezed his fingers. "we'll get you some new sweaters. And takeout after. And then we'll go home and decompress."
Lars had looked at you, at how hopeful your expression was,and felt his resistance crumble.
"Okay," he'd whispered. "I'll go."
"But if it gets too much," you'd added, "we can leave. No questions asked."
"Really." You'd leaned in and kissed his cheek. "Your comfort matters more than shopping."
Lars smiled. It was the slow, sweet smile that made gave you butterflies.
"Okay," he'd said again. "Let's go."
The shoe store was first.
You'd dragged Lars through the entrance. The store was quieter than the rest of the mall and Lars felt some of the tension leave his shoulders.
"Boots," you'd stated. "I need new boots."
He'd watched as you made a beeline for the knee-high section, your eyes scanning the rows of boots. Black. Brown. Beige. White. A pretty blush pink pair that caught your eye.
"Those are cute," he'd said, looking back at you.
You'd looked at the selection, then at him. "You think so?"
"I think." He'd shrugged, his ears going pink. "They'd look nice with…you know. Long socks. The ones with the lace ends."
"Lace ends?" you'd repeated.
"You have a pair." His ears were definitely red now. "The white ones. I saw them in your drawer."
"You went through my drawers?"
"I was folding your laundry and put them away."
"And you saw my lace socks?"
You'd laughed and Lars had felt his face get even hotter.
"Those are my favorite socks," you'd giggled. "And you're right. The pink boots would look amazing with them."
He'd smiled, relieved that you agreed. "Good."
You'd grabbed the pink boots, plus a pair of black ones, and headed for the fitting area. Lars had followed, settling onto the bench outside the curtain.
"Okay," you'd called. "First pair!"
The curtain had swished open, and Lars had looked up.
You were wearing the knee-high black boots with just enough heel to make your legs look incredible. You'd paired them with whatever you were already wearing, jeans, a cozy sweater, and Lars felt his mouth go dry.
"Thoughts?" you'd asked, spinning around for him.
"Good," he'd managed. "Really good."
You'd grinned and disappeared back behind the curtain.
The brown boots came next. Then the white ones. Each time, Lars gave his honest opinion, "Those are nice," "Those are okay," "Those make your legs look really long", and each time, you'd smiled and disappeared back into the fitting area.
You'd stepped out in them. "Wellllllll....?"
Lars had looked at you, the pretty blush pink, the way they'd look with the lace socks he'd mentioned, and felt his heart flutter.
"...Those," he said softly. "Those are the ones."
You'd smiled. And it was the smile that made him feel like the luckiest person in the world.
"Okay," you'd said. "I'll get these."
You'd led Lars through the racks, your fingers brushing against the fabrics. Coats of every color, every length, every texture. You'd been looking for something specific, a full-length coat that would actually cover you.
"All my old coats stop at my waist," you'd explained. "Which is fine, except for the whole 'freezing my thighs off' thing."
"That sounds unpleasant," Lars said.
"It is." You'd sighed. "And once your pants get cold all over, it's just…your ass is frozen."
Lars huffed with amusement. "That's not good."
"Not good at all." You'd pulled a coat off the rack, long, beige, with a fur-lined hood. "So I need something that actually covers me."
He'd watched as you held it up. The coat was elegant, classic, even. The fur lining was a soft white, the coat color was a warm beige that would be incredible with your complexion.
"That one," he'd said without thinking.
You'd looked at him. "This one?"
"Yes." He'd stepped closer, his fingers brushing the fur. "It's…it's pretty. Like you."
"That was," You'd shook your head, grinning now. "That was really sweet."
"I just meant," His ears were red again. "It would look good on you."
You'd tried on the coat, and when you'd stepped out of the fitting area, Lars had felt his mouth go dry.
It was perfect. The fur collar framed your face beautifully and the color made your skin look warm and golden. You looked like a vintage actress, the kind from old movies, with beautifully curled hair and a timeless beauty to them.
"You look like a movie star," he'd said quietly.
"One of those old ones.- not like an old person." He blinked nervously while trying to find the right words. "The actresses with the curled thick hair. You look like them with it."
You'd looked at him softly. "Lars..."
His ears went red. "I'm just telling the truth."
And then you'd dragged Lars to the accessory section; hair clips, scarves, gloves, and jewelry. You'd shown him each thing you picked up.
"What about this?" you'd asked, holding up a sparkly hair clip.
"And this?" A scarf in deep burgundy.
"This?" A pair of gloves with little bows on them.
"You're just saying that."
"I'm not just saying that." He'd reached over, his fingers brushing against yours. "I like everything you choose. It's all…you."
You'd smiled happily and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek.
"Aw baby, you're the best shopping partner ever."
"You do more than that." You'd squeezed his hand. "You make it fun."
The sweater store was his favorite.
You'd led him to the men's section, your eyes scanning the racks over. "Okay," you'd announced. "Your turn."
"I promised you sweaters, remember?"
Lars had blinked. "I thought that was just,"
"Just a thing you said to get me to come."
"It wasn't just an empty promise." You'd turned to him with a small frown. "I wanted you to come, but I also wanted to get you something nice. You deserve nice things, Lars."
He'd opened his mouth to protest, but you were already pulling a sweater off the rack. It was a very soft material, cream-colored, with a pattern of little foxes on it.
"This one's cute," you'd said, holding it up.
"I know. You like foxes, right?"
Lars had stared at the sweater.
"Yeah," he'd nodded. "I like foxes."
You'd grinned and shoved it into his arms. "Great. Now find more."
He'd found three. A soft blue one with little owls. A warm green one with tiny pine trees. A deep red one with a pattern of hearts that you'd blushed at when you saw it.
"Lars," you'd teased. "Hearts?"
"They made me think of you," he'd mumbled.
You two grabbed Chinese food from a place you both loved. Lars's got his favorite noodles, you were able to get dumplings, and an order of crab rangoon that you'd split between. The drive home was quiet, the shopping did drain him, but he was happy he got to experience this with you.
"Thank you," he said suddenly.
"For today." He'd glanced over at you. "For making it okay."
"Lars, I'm always going to make it okay. That's my job."
"My job." You'd grinned. "Being your partner. Taking care of you. Making sure you're comfortable." You'd squeezed his arm gently. "That's what I signed up for."
"I love you," he'd said quietly.
At the end of the day, you two were both cuddled up in bed. His hand gently smoothing out your hair, sleepily staring at your face.
"Thank you," he'd whispered. "For today."
You smiled, then kissed his jaw. "You're welcome, baby."
"I love you too." You'd snuggled closer. "Forever."
"Forever," he'd repeated, his arms tightening around you ❤︎
