A Man Named John Smith (10th Doctor x OC)

Chapter Nine

As Willow and John returned to their apartment floor, they heard the sound of people in the apartment across from theirs.

"New neighbors," John said with surprise, as he pushed their key into the lock. "We should say hello."

Willow, not exactly being a social butterfly, vigorously shook her head.

"How about later?" She asked. "They might be busy with unpacking and-"

Before she finished her sentence, John was already knocking on their door with a big smile.

"For fuck's sake, John," she grumbled, turning around and making for the door. "I'll be in the living room."

As she said this, the opposing door opened, revealing a kind eyed woman with sandy blonde hair tied in a ponytail. Farther back in the house was a well built man with a brown beard cutting open a taped box.

"Hello there! I'm John and that's-" he pointed at Willow, putting all eyes on her. With a strained smile, she begrudgingly inched away from the door and slowly went to John's side.

"Willow," she said, flashing a thumbs up before trying to slip back to the apartment.

John quickly looped his hand around her waist and pulled her to his side.

She yelped at this gesture and tapped his wrist. With a sigh, John removed his hand from her waist and rested it on her shoulder.

The woman stood with a polite smile on her face as she watched their odd interaction.

John self consciously tried to play off Willow's outburst by awkwardly putting his free hand on his own hip.

"Anyways, we're your neighbors-" he tilted his head towards their half open door- "We just wanted to stop by and make sure both of you were comfortable."

"That's so kind of you," she exclaimed with a bubbly voice. "I'm Jamie, and that man back there is my husband Scott."

Scott looked up for a moment before waving to the two of them and smiling at Jamie.

"We moved in yesterday, so we've got a lot more boxes to go," Jamie explained.

This time, it was Willow who butted in. "That sounds like a lot of work. We should leave you to it."

Jamie nodded. "I probably should get back to unboxing," she agreed. "It's quite the process, isn't it?"

With a beaming grin, she added, "Thanks for stopping by," before closing the door.

Willow looked up at John with a smirk as she turned to go into their apartment. "She was nice."

John tried to scowl, but he couldn't help but smile.

"Goodness, you're antisocial," he laughed, halfway through the door.

Willow shrugged as she went into the living room and flopped on the couch. "I don't need your judgment, John," she replied sassily, sticking out her tongue. "Also, I prefer the term ambivert. I socialize when I want to, thank you very much."

John was about to respond but the telephone mounted above the counter rang. He reached for the phone and brought it to his ear.

"Hello? This is John speaking."

Willow mouthed along with him, making John have to hold back a grin. He fiddled with the cord and leaned against the wall, deliberately facing away from Willow.

He waited for a moment as the person on the other end spoke, absorbing everything they were saying. His expressions rose and fell multiple times until he had the opportunity to speak.

"So... I got it?" He finally asked, his mouth forming into a massive smile.

The person on the other end said something, making John jump up from the wall like a child.

Willow couldn't help but watch him with a fawning gaze. He was absolutely adorable. Of course, in an innocent, non attractive way.

"Y-yes sir, of course," he exclaimed, pacing back and forth as far as the cord would allow him. "Yes... right..."

John grabbed a pen and a notepad sitting on the kitchen counter and put on his glasses from his back pocket.

He tucked the phone between his ear and shoulder as he uncapped the pen with his teeth and scribbled whatever the man on the other end was telling him to.

With bright eyes, his gaze met Willow's. He lifted his hands and gave her an enthusiastic thumbs up, pen cap still between his teeth, before returning to the call.

"Tomorrow. Monday morning, 8 am," he recited off the paper as he put the cap back on the pen. He paused for a moment as the man said something else.

"Oh I will!" John replied, beaming. "Thank you sir. Alright, bye."

He slowly put down the phone with a smile.

"So...?" Willow asked, still not knowing what this was about.

"I got it, Will!" He laughed triumphantly. "I got the job!"

"Oh... Oh!" Willow cried, finally remembering. Her smile faltered when she realized she hadn't even asked him how it went.

"I thought I wouldn't get it, I thought they'd chosen someone else. There were so many people that applied for that position, I didn't think they'd even consider me with everyone's qualifications," he rambled. "I-I mean, god! They could've chosen anyone in that office! And then- I've been going on for a bit too long haven't I?"

Willow cocked her head. "A little, yeah," she said. "But... I'm proud of you."

John bounced on his toes, like he was about to explode from pride. He ran over and embraced Willow before lifting her off of her toes and twirling her around. Willow giggled as John hooted with happiness after setting her down.

Before Willow could process what was happening, John cupped her face and planted a warm kiss on her lips. Her arms dangled by her side as her eyes watched him kiss her. There were freckles dotting his nose and cheeks that she'd never noticed before. The way his eyes closed and his brow furrowed into a line as he pressed his lips against hers made her heart jump.

It wasn't overly passionate and it wasn't rushed, like he'd done it a thousand times before.

Willow paused, but John didn't seem to notice as he gave her a tight hug and fell over onto the couch with her. She sat there quietly, letting John do the laughing and celebrating as she tried to register what had just occurred.

It only took a moment, but a moment was all she needed. A big smile spread on her face, and she began to cheer and hug John tighter than she'd ever before.