"Here."
You jumped as a voice interrupted your studying. Turning around, you saw Derek awkwardly standing behind you with his arm outstretched, a cup in his hand.
You regarded him skeptically, your fingers brushing across his as you took the item out of his grasp. It was a Starbucks frappuchino, but had no additional labels. You looked up at him, your features twisted in confusion.
"Uh, what's this?" you cautiously prodded, unaccustomed to Derek bringing you things outside of special occasions. Maybe you would've received his gesture more freely had it not been for the frown adorning his expression.
"It's a... Pumpkin Spice frappuchino," he finished lamely, looking pained at the terminology. Your forehead scrunched up in thought, wondering why Derek would bring you a frappuchino of all things out of the blue. A memory suddenly resurfaced of you two walking through the mall together, Derek scowling at all the brands and supposedly staged glamour. You had passed by a Starbucks, but whined that you couldn't go in there until summer was over. You were waiting for the Pumpkin Spice frappuchino to return.
"You're going to wait five months for a drink?" Derek had scoffed, judgment laced through his tone. He generally disdained large franchises, Starbucks in particular. He also couldn't comprehend your fixation with creamy, sugary drinks that "may as well be ice cream."
"I'm saving myself for something special," you had lamented wistfully, earning you an eye roll from your boyfriend.
Five months later, here you were with the coveted drink in your hand and a visibly tense Derek before you. You blinked a few times, processing his actions before your cheeks stretched into a smile.
"Oh my god. Are you serious?" you gasped, standing up to hug him, drink forgotten on your desk. "I can't believe you actually remembered!"
He wrapped his arms around you, his posture relaxing from his previous stiffness.
"Of course I remembered. You wouldn't shut up about that stupid drink," he defended, a smirk forming against your shoulder. "I just wanted to do something nice for you. I know I don't always tell you how much I care about you. But I do. A lot. And lately I've been feeling like a jerk because you just seemed so stressed all the time..."
You pulled away amidst his rambling, still locked in his embrace. Floored by Derek's surprising admission, you tried to shower him with reassurance.
"I didn't know you felt that way," you mused. "Honestly, things have been pretty stressful lately, but that has nothing to do with you. And you don't need to prove anything to me. I know what we are."
"Yeah?" Derek pouted slightly, prompting you to draw in a deep breath as your heart rate spiked. He'd always been about the simple gestures, letting actions demonstrate his thoughtfulness in lieu of verbal declarations. You could understand why he was closed off sometimes, his love life not exactly romantic comedy material, but you didn't mind drawing him out. You would give him whatever he needed if it meant he could be happy.
"Duh," you responded matter-of-factly. You never doubted that he was end game.
"I just think sometimes that you deserve more than this."
You snorted. "Well, maybe you should think about something else, babe. Put that pretty little head to good use." You fondly patted his hair.
"I think we came up with enough uses last night," he muttered slyly, causing you to gasp and turn red.
"See?" you laughed, placing your forehead against his. Derek grunted, making you giggle as he rubbed his nose against yours in an eskimo kiss. "That's why I keep you around. Because you give good head," you bluntly stated.
He scoffed a breath of laughter, glancing up at the ceiling as his tongue dented the inside of his cheek. "That's so gracious of you. I'm such a lucky guy."
"And don't you forget it," you chimed jokingly, grinning as you turned around to take a sip of your blended coffee.
Your senses buzzed as synapses recharged your brain following the rush of sugar and caffeine. Sighing in contentment, you pressed your lips to Derek's, sneaking your tongue out to meet his, suspecting he could taste the lingering flavor coating it.
"So, how is it?" you mused teasingly, watching as his tongue flicked out against his bottom lip.
"Not... terrible, I suppose," he relented. You laughed at his response, shaking your head. "Way too sweet."
You gasped, feigning shock. "How dare you?"
Snaking your arms around Derek's neck, you brought your lips against his once more. Smiling into the kiss, you softly mumbled, "'S perfect."
"Mm," Derek acknowledged against your mouth. "You're perfect."
"Shh," you giggled into the kiss, delightfully content and brimming with adoration. "Thank you. For everything."
Derek beamed proudly. He slid his hand down your arm, lifting your hand to his lips to graze your knuckles.
"Anything for my baby."