Pairing | Steven Grant x Fem!Reader
Warnings | None
https://64.media.tumblr.com/fc891e70bab2736dba978bed9c6ec5c5/bf76376120fb614d-56/s540x810/8872d5a478304c73a5d72d0450b8ec3be58528c0.gif
"This is ridiculous," you huffed as you tried to use your crutches to get up the stairs to your flat. You tried to unsuccessfully get up the first step before stopping and almost throwing the stupid things down and trying instead to hobble up the steep concrete stairs.
You just had to go and break your dumb foot. You just had to be clumsy enough to trip over yourself and land just wrong enough to go and create a fracture. Who does that? Who breaks their own foot?!
You were tired and worn down, exhausted enough to just plop down on the front step and wait a few minutes. You pulled out your phone to see if you could call someone to try and help you but unfortunately your phone was dead. In your current state, it didn't take much to push you over the edge. Tears rolled down your cheeks as you tucked the phone back into your pocket. This was quickly turning into a horrible day - worse than horrible. Terrible.
"Excuse me?" The soft voice was enough to pull you out of your little pity party as you wiped away your tears. You looked up and blinked away the remaining tears to find your neighbor looking at you with concern, "is everything alright?"
"Yes," you said without even thinking about it, "I mean no, not really at this moment. But I guess overall I am. I'll move out of your way."
"Oh no," he insisted as you raised an eyebrow at him, "I was...do you need help? I've never had a broken foot but it looks like it'd be quite a pain, yeah?"
"I don't think the pain's fully set in yet," you sighed lightly, "I just left the hospital and they gave me some pretty heavy pain meds. But it's still a hassle so far."
"Did no one come to help you?" a genuine note of concern colored his voice as you just shrugged your shoulders. Did you really want to admit that you had basically...no one? You didn't need even more of his pity; not that you thought he was trying to be anything but kind. You'd seen him around the building often enough and spent some time talking to him and he had never been anything but sweet when he saw you.
"It just happened this morning, so fast," you explained, not ready to admit the full magnitude of your clumsiness, "so I just took myself in-"
"How did you manage that?"
"Hobbled to the elevators and out here and then to the cab?" you replied unsurely as if you hadn't just gone through it a few hours ago, "to be fair, I didn't really know it was broken. I just thought it was a bad sprain or something."
"Oh dear," he opened and closed his mouth a few times, almost as if unsure of himself. You couldn't help but smile lightly at the flustered expression on his face. Before he said anything else, he picked down and picked up your bag, and slung it over his shoulder, "at least let me help you up to your flat so you don't hurt yourself more. Last thing you need is a broken arm on top of it, love."
"Are you sure?" a warmth bloomed in your stomach and slowly radiated out to your entire body as he just nodded and smiled. He was so kind when he had no real reason to be like that; it was a nice change of pace compared to how cold and horrible people could be, "you really don't have to. I can...manage. Just have to take a few moments to rest before going up."
"I insist," he picked up the crutches you had discarded in haste before offering you his hand to help hoist you to your feet - well foot. He was gentle in his touch and movements but still felt solid and strong. Before you could find your balance, you started to fall forward and he quickly caught you by wrapping an arm around your waist and holding you to his chest, "easy there."
"Thank you, Steven," your whole face felt warm under his intent gaze and you had to look away from his soft eyes, "I tend to be pretty clumsy...almost took you right out too."
"You know my name?" his eyes widened as you laughed before nodding. He didn't think anyone paid him enough attention to actually know his name. The thought alone made him feel...something.
"Of course," you grinned, "Steven-with-a-v Grant. You work at the museum gift shop."
"How did...you know that?"
"You've told me," you reminded him, giving him a curious expression. Did he think he was just as invisible as you felt?
"You remembered..."
"Yes," you promised, giving his arm a gentle squeeze, "I wouldn't forget something like that. You're always...nice when we see each other. I like talking with you."
For a moment it seemed like his brain was nothing but fuzzy TV static as he watched you with soft eyes. He whispered your name, and for a moment you were surprised he knew it, but then again if you'd remembered his, naturally he would remember yours. You were starting to feel like you were more similar than you originally thought, "come on, let's get out of the cold and upstairs."
"Yeah, okay," you bit your lip and looked away for a moment before letting him take your hand and slowly help you up the hard concrete stairs. It was difficult with his assistance, you couldn't imagine how hard it would have been without his help. You already felt winded once you were at the top, taking a moment to catch your breath before stuffing the crutches under your arms. Steven held the door open as you slowly (painfully slowly) made your way inside and to the elevator.
"Slow, love, easy does it," he matched his steps to yours, his hand on the small of your back just in case something happened. The kindness and care he showed you was enough to make you want to cry - you knew it wasn't just the pain medications doing that. How wonderful it was to have someone carry out such an act of kindness without asking for a single thing in return.
Once you arrived at your flat - which was conveniently just down the hall from his - he pulled out your keys before fumbling with the lock. It was the first time you genuinely laughed that day; he was so flustered but looked so cute as he tried his best to keep his cool. He finally managed to get the door open and held it so you could make your way in.
His eyes immediately flitted around the flat, taking it all in. It was filled with warm colors, and everything looked so cozy and inviting. He thought it suited you perfectly. You noticed him studying everything with interest, which caused you to immediately wonder what he would be like to spend time here with him. What would it be like to be curled up on the couch and watch a movie with him? How would it be to make dinner with him in the kitchen?
"You can just throw my bag anywhere," you pulled yourself out of your little daydream fantasy. It was better not to let yourself get too far gone, "you've been absolutely wonderful, Steven. I really appreciate your help."
"Don't mention it," he set your stuff down on the small table by the door before coming to help you settle on the couch, "how are you feeling?"
"Tired," you admitted, "sore. I wish I could sleep and wake up to find that this was all a bad dream. But...then you wouldn't be here and...you've been the best part."
"Maybe I should have found an excuse to come over earlier," he joked lightly as a flush of crimson crept into his cheeks. He moved the crutches out of your way so there was no possibility for you to hurt yourself - he was a quick learner. You couldn't hold back your yawn, which prompted him to pull the blanket from the top of the couch and draped it over you, "you should try and take a nap and get some rest."
"I have things-"
"You need to rest," he insisted softly, but with a firm enough edge to where you didn't argue, "I'll go and make you some tea and then you rest. Whatever you need to do, let me know and I can help."
"Really, I'll be okay. I'm sure you've got plenty to do-"
"I want to do this," he whispered, "let me take care of you."
The simple words washed over you and caused emotion to well up inside of your heart. No one had said anything like that to you in so long. It was easy to try and be independent and strong all the time but it was even easier to let those walls come down. You blinked back a few tears before shyly nodding, pulling the blanket tighter around you.
"What kind of tea do you like?" he headed toward the kitchen before stopping suddenly, "wait a moment. I've got some I know you'll love. I swear it could solve any of your problems. I'll go and grab it and come right back."
He was out the door and gone before you could even say anything else. You settled into the couch and let yourself relax. Even if this was all temporary, lasting only for today, you decided that it was okay to let yourself enjoy it - enjoy his company.
By the time Steven came back a few minutes later he found you already half asleep. He was going to say something, but stopped himself, opting instead to let you rest while he prepared tea.
"Steven?" you sounded half out of it and he couldn't help but smile as he busied himself with the kettle and getting some mugs.
"Yes, love?" the term of endearment came out without him even needing to think about it.
"Thank you for everything," you said in between a yawn, grabbing a pillow and tucking it under your head, "no one's done anything like this for me for a long time."
"It's my pleasure-"
"And you're really cute," were the medications making you loopy or your half asleep state speaking what was on your mind? Either way, you weren't with it enough to care about your confession, "I'm just going to close my eyes for a few minutes."
"O-of course," he was properly flustered now but peeked over to find you bundled up. You thought he was cute? That alone seemed like a miracle, coming from the neighbor he'd pined after for some time. He stood there silently as he listened to the water boil before meticulously preparing a cup for himself and for you.
When he came back into the living he set the cups down on the table. You didn't seem to be deeply asleep and he contemplated waking you up, but decided against it. The tea could wait, but you needed to rest. He couldn't stop himself from gently pushing a few strands of hair out of face and tucking it behind your ear.
Before he could sit down in the armchair next to the couch, you opened one eye and caught his attention, "will you stay? Please?"
"Yes," he grinned, "of course. Whatever you want."
"You," you smiled lightly, "make yourself at home. Thank you for the tea. I'm sure it'll be great later."
"I'll even make it fresh for you then."
"I know," you whispered, "that's just the type of person you are. So kind."
"Just rest now," his whole body felt like it was on fire and before he could overthought everything, he leaned down and pressed a gentle kiss to your forehead. You were already asleep but he could see the way your lips curved into a small smile, "I'll be right here when you wake up."
"Thank you."