Warming Up
Professor Utonium x Fem!Reader | Fluff | 800+ Words
The rain had started in the late afternoon, a slow, steady drizzle that misted over the streets of Townsville, darkening the sidewalks and turning the sky into a sheet of soft gray. But by evening, it had become a full stormβsheets of water pounding against the windows, lightning flickering across the sky, and distant rumbles of thunder rolling through the air like the deep growl of some unseen creature.
You sat curled up on the couch, a thick blanket draped over your shoulders as you stared out at the downpour, mesmerized by the way the raindrops clung to the glass before streaking down in uneven lines. The house felt warmer than usual, the air thick with the comforting scent of vanilla tea and the faint, familiar spice of Professor Utoniumβs cologne.
From the kitchen, you heard the soft clinking of ceramic as he finished preparing tea, his usual meticulous self even in something as simple as steeping leaves in hot water. A few moments later, he stepped into the living room, two steaming mugs in hand, his expression as calm and steady as alwaysβthough there was a flicker of concern in his warm brown eyes as he glanced at you.
"Here you go, sweetheart." He handed you a mug before sitting beside you, the couch dipping under his weight.
"Thank you," you murmured, wrapping your fingers around the ceramic for warmth.
For a moment, neither of you spoke, the only sounds in the room, the rhythmic drumming of rain and the occasional soft crackle from the fireplace. You took a small sip of your tea, letting the warmth spread through your chest, but it did little to chase away the slight chill clinging to your skin.
He must have noticed because before you could even shift closer, he moved first.
"Come here," Professor Utonium said softly, opening his arm to you.
You didnβt hesitate. The moment you slid into his embrace, he pulled the blanket over both of you, his body heat instantly warming you. His arm curled around your waist, his other hand resting gently on your back, fingers tracing absentminded circles through the fabric of your sweater.
You sighed, pressing your cheek against his chest. Warm. Solid. Safe.
"Better?" he murmured, his deep voice vibrating against your ear.
"Much," you admitted, smiling as you nuzzled against him.
Outside, the storm continued its relentless assault, but within the cozy glow of the living room, it was as if you were in your own little world. The flickering light of the fire cast soft shadows along the walls, the scent of tea and old books mixing with the faint traces of aftershave on his skin.
For a while, neither of you spoke. You simply sat there, wrapped in each other, the silence comfortable and heavy with warmth. Every now and then, his fingers would skim up and down your spine, or his lips would brush lightly against your forehead, little gestures of affection that sent waves of warmth through you.
"I love nights like this," you murmured.
"Mm," he hummed in agreement, his voice tinged with sleepiness. "Itβs nice to slow down sometimes."
You knew what he meant. He spent so much time in the lab, buried in research, working tirelessly between his scientific pursuits and raising three energetic little superheroes. It was rare for him to just stopβto exist in the moment, without the weight of responsibility pressing down on him.
"You work too much," you said, tilting your head up to look at him.
He chuckled, the sound deep and smooth. "Iβve been told that once or twice."
"Mhm. And I bet you never listen."
"Not usually, no."
You rolled your eyes playfully, nudging him with your elbow. "Well, youβre listening now."
"I suppose I am." His lips curved into a soft smile, but then, more seriously, he reached up, tucking a strand of hair behind your ear before brushing his knuckles against your cheek. "I donβt always take the time to justβ¦ relax. But you make it easy."
Your breath caught for a moment, heart squeezing at the tenderness in his gaze.
"Good," you whispered. "Because you deserve this, too. Not just the girls, not just your workβyou."
His grip on you tightened slightly, as if your words had struck something deep inside him. And then, slowly, he leaned down, pressing the softest, sweetest kiss against your lipsβbarely more than a brush, but enough. Enough to make your fingers tighten around his shirt, enough to send warmth unfurling through your chest like ripples in still water.
"Thank you," he murmured against your lips.
"For what?"
"For reminding me to slow down. And for being here."
You smiled, pressing another kiss to the corner of his mouth before settling back against him. "Always."
The rain continued to fall outside, but inside, wrapped up in each otherβs warmth, it no longer felt so cold.
