γππΆπ²πΉπ± πΌπ³ ππΆπ²πβγ
βπ Μ synopsis: abby is completely normal about you (Sheβs not). obviously.
βπ Μ content warnings: fluff, pining, abby has a crush on reader, WLF setting, awkward Abby, mild language, crush is reciprocated.
Abby never meant to notice you.
At least, thatβs what she tells herself every time her eyes drift across the training yard and land on you without permission. Youβre not loud. Not particularly flashy. You donβt draw attention the way some people do. And yet, somehow, you manage to sit right at the center of Abbyβs focus like gravity decided you were the only thing worth orbiting.
It starts small.
Sheβs running laps along the outer wall, breath steady, boots thudding against packed dirt. Mannyβs beside her, talking about something β sheβs not really listening β when she hears you laugh. Itβs soft, almost swallowed by the wind, but itβs enough to throw her off her pace. Her stride stutters. She nearly clips Mannyβs heel.
βWhoa,β he says, glancing back. βYou good?β
βFine,β she mutters, pushing ahead like nothing happened.
But she looks.
Youβre leaning against the fence with a couple others, head tilted, smiling at something someone said. Abby looks away too fast, jaw tightening, like sheβs been caught doing something she shouldnβt.
It keeps happening after that.
She notices the way you tuck your hands into your sleeves when itβs cold. The way you listen more than you talk. The way your expression softens when you pet one of the WLF dogs, crouching down like youβve got all the time in the world.
Abby talks to everyone.
Sheβs easy with people β clapping shoulders, trading jokes, throwing out casual greetings. She doesnβt think about it. It just happens.
Except with you.
When you pass in the hallway, she goes rigid. Her usual βheyβ gets stuck somewhere behind her teeth, and all that comes out is a quiet grunt that sounds harsher than she intends. You nod politely and keep walking, and Abby immediately regrets existing.
She tells herself you probably didnβt notice.
She also tells herself she doesnβt care.
Both are lies.
The first time you actually speak to her, she almost drops a crate.
Sheβs hauling supplies into storage, arms full, when you step aside to hold the door open. βYou want help?β
The question is simple. Harmless.
Abby freezes.
Youβre close enough that she can see the crease near your eyes when you smile. Close enough that she forgets how to breathe properly. βUhβ¦ no,β she says, then winces internally. βI got it.β
You nod, still holding the door. βOkay.β
She walks past you, painfully aware of how stiff her shoulders are. Her ears burn all the way down the hallway.
After that, she notices you noticing her.
Not in a big way. Just little things β your gaze lingering a second too long, the way you hover nearby during group conversations, the occasional quiet βheyβ that you offer first.
It makes her worse.
She fumbles words. Misses cues. Manny starts side-eyeing her every time she goes quiet when you enter a room.
βYou got something in your throat or something?β he asks once, watching her stare at the table while you sit two seats away.
βShut up,β she mutters.
The turning point happens in the gym.
Sheβs finishing a set, muscles burning, when you step in. You donβt see her at first β youβre focused on filling your water bottle, humming under your breath. Abby sets the weights down harder than necessary, and the clang makes you look up.
Your eyes meet.
You smile.
Itβs small. Soft. Just for her.
Something in Abbyβs chest does a weird, painful flip.
She wipes her hands on her shorts and, before she can overthink it, says, βYou, uhβ¦ you training today?β
You blink, surprised she spoke first. βYeah. Trying to, anyway.β
She nods, suddenly hyper-aware of every movement. βI canβ¦ show you some stuff. If you want.β
The offer hangs between you.
Your smile widens. βIβd like that.β
And just like that, Abbyβs completely doomed.
She keeps it professional at first β correcting your stance, adjusting your grip. But the first time her hand closes gently around your wrist to guide you, her brain short-circuits. She pulls back too quickly, clearing her throat.
βYouβreβ¦ doing good,β she says, voice quieter than usual.
βThanks,β you reply, and thereβs something warm in the way you look at her that makes her stomach twist.
after that, she starts seeking you out.
saving you a seat without thinking. calling your name across the yard. lingering in conversations longer than usual. people notice. manny definitely notices.
βyouβre subtle,β he tells her, smirking.
she elbows him hard.
but she keeps doing it.
because when you laugh at something she says β really laugh, bright and warm β it feels like she won something she didnβt even know she was competing for.
one evening after training, you walk beside her, close enough that your shoulders brush. neither of you move away.
βyβknow what,β you say quietly.
βhm?β abby glances down at you.
βyouβre way less intimidating than i thought.β
abby lets out a soft huff of laughter, ducking her head, a faint flush creeping into her cheeks. βoh yeah? i had a reputation or something?β
βwellβ¦ youβre big, quiet, and you carry a rifle around like itβs an accessory,β you tease. βitβs a little scary.β
she nudges your shoulder lightly with hers. βand here i thought i was being charming.β
βyou? charming?β you hum, pretending to think about it. βjuryβs still out.β
abby raises an eyebrow, finally looking at you properly. βwow. tough crowd.β
βiβm just saying,β you continue, smiling, βyouβre actually kindaβ¦ nice.β
βkinda?β she repeats, mock-offended.
βdonβt push it,β you grin.
she shakes her head, smiling to herself. βgood to know iβm moving up in the world.β
βyeah,β you say, softer now. βyou are.β
thereβs a beat. neither of you look away.
abbyβs voice drops just slightly. βwellβ¦ iβm glad i donβt scare you anymore.β
βwho says you donβt?β you reply, bumping her shoulder again.
she smiles at thatβ slow, warm βand this time, she doesnβt look away first.
a/n: had to write for my girl Abby again I just love her so much. Sorry it takes forever for me to update I hate myself tooπ anyway my requests are open and Iβm in an Abby mood, if you send some I might get to them some time this century;)
