Karen Jones X Female Reader
Summary: After a drunken kiss, you are forced to face your feelings for Karen.
Word Count: 1500
Karen was generous enough to offer you a small wave and a smile as she passed you in the camp. You silently cursed the way that your face became warm as you returned the gestures, before returning your attention to cleaning your gun.
It was ridiculous and you knew it but, ever since that night, you couldn't even talk to Karen without becoming foolishly flustered. All because of one drunken act of affection that she probably didn't even remember, and even if she did remember she clearly wasn't as effected by it as you were.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
It was the night that Sean returned to the camp and the gang was celebrating his safe return. Everyone had been drinking, including you and, of course, Karen. The two of you had drifted away from the noisier parts of the camp, laughing at something that you both found amusing in your intoxicated states.
"Dance with me!" Karen drunkenly ordered with a wide grin on her face.
"Uh, I dunno" you voiced your hesitation but didn't fight as she took your hands in hers and pulled you towards her. "I ain't much of a dancer" you warned her.
"That don't matter. Just dance with me" Karen shrugged, undeterred, and you didn't deny her, you couldn't even if you wanted too.
So you gave in, gently placing your hands her waist, getting into a dancing position as well as holding her a little more steady as she lightly swayed. The smile didn't leave her face as she draped her arms over your shoulders, pulling you a little closer than you thought she would.
"Ya look nervous" Karen observed, her voice softening slightly, seemingly concerned with your nervousness.
"What? I'm not?" you assured her, shaking your head slightly, but even you weren't sure if you were lying or not.
Karen had always made you nervous, not in a bad way but in a stomach-filled-with-butterflies sort of way. The way that those in love describe the feeling but whenever your mind drifted to that answer you shook your head and reminded yourself that it was ridiculous. You couldn't be in love with her, could you?
"Good" Karen smiled and then her mouth was on yours.
You completely froze as you tried to process what was happening but it wasn't long before things began to become clear, this wasn't your imagination. Karen was kissing you. You weren't sure what to do, how to react, but almost against your own will you started to kiss her back. You were barely aware of your hands circling around her waist some more.
Karen's lips were soft against yours, despite the kiss being a little messy and tasting of whiskey. It was truly wonderful, something you had only dreamed of before. But then it was over, all too soon, she pulled away from you.
"I'm going to get another drink" Karen smiled at you, reminding you that she was still drunk even if that kiss had sobered you up completely, before walking away. Leaving you both more aware and more confused than ever. You were confused as to why she had just kissed you but now completely aware of your feelings for this woman.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Once Karen had walked out of sight, you dropped what you were holding onto the table before burying your face in your hands. You groaned before collecting yourself and returning to the task of cleaning your gun, ignoring the swirl of emotions that was building up within you.
It was, all too short, that had brought you to your knees. That simple kiss that tasted of alcohol mixed with something sweet, something so distinctively Karen, that told you everything you needed to know and explained what you had been feeling for so long. You were in love with Karen and there was no doubt about it.
- - - - -
You lounged back on the cot in your tent, eyes focused on the pages of your book but your mind wandering to thoughts of a certain blonde woman. As if you summoned her with mere longing alone, the canvas of your tent lifted and she stepped inside.
"Do you have a minute?" Karen asked, surprisingly polite and reserved for her usual self.
"Sure" you nodded as you sat up, placing your book down and moving to sit on the edge of your cot, looking up at her.
"I just wanted to say that I'm sorry, I don't like that you've been avoiding me" Karen apologised, for what you weren't sure.
"I'm not avoiding you" you told her but you weren't sure if you believed it. You certainly hadn't been avoiding her on purpose but you couldn't deny that you had been acting differently around her.
"Sure you're not" Karen rolled her eyes, not seeming annoyed, just not believing you. "I'm not stupid but I'm not mad either. You've been avoiding me and it's my fault. I shouldn't have kissed you the other night" she shrugged.
"You remember that?" you asked, your eyes widening slightly.
"Of course I do, why wouldn't I?" Karen asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.
"I just thought...well, you had quite a bit to drink" you pointed out.
"C'mon Y/n, you should know me better than that. I can handle my liquor, thank you very much" Karen scoffed, making you laugh a little. "Anyway, I realise now that I probably should've talked to you instead of scaring you like that. I'm sorry" she apologised again, sounding completely sincere.
"You didn't scare me" you assured her.
"Well you've been avoiding me like I did" Karen reminded you.
"Okay, so it scared me a little bit but...not the way you probably think" you confessed with a small sigh, your gaze dropping to your lap.
"In what way then?" Karen asked, trying to get to the bottom of your strange behaviour.
"I...it doesn't matter. You said that you should've talked to me instead, talk about what?" you asked.
"Oh just that I wanted to kiss you. Y'know, probably should've asked first or something" Karen chuckled a little to herself. "I mean you did kiss me back so it couldn't have been that bad, right?" she teased, gently nudging your foot with her own, but that only succeeded in making you blush. "Sorry, probably shouldn't have said that" she apologised, not wanting to make you uncomfortable.
"No, it's fine. Really" you assured her. "It wasn't a bad kiss, if that's what you're worried about. I mean, I enjoyed it...but not that I...I mean...ah, never mind" you tripped over your words, cursing the effect she had on you without even trying.
"You're cute, you get flustered so easily" Karen complimented, only making your face heat up some more. "I just wanted to make sure that we're alright" she got the conversation back on track.
"We're fine, I promise" you smiled up at her.
"Good" Karen returned your smile. "Would you shoot me if I tried it again?" she asked playfully, stepping towards you.
"Tried what again?" you asked. You knew what you hoped she would say but didn't want to get your hopes up and be disappointed.
"Kissing you, duh" Karen rolled her eyes.
"You want to kiss me again?" you asked, trying to wrap your head around that.
"Of course I do, that's why I did it the first time" Karen told you, like it was obvious. Which you assumed it would be to most people.
"Oh...well, no, I wouldn't shoot you" you assured her.
"You wouldn't stop me?" Karen asked but you knew what she was really asking, she was asking you if you wanted her to kiss you again.
"...no" you managed to speak. Your answer made Karen smile as she took another small step towards you.
Before you knew it, Karen was gently cupping your face in her hands and pressing her lips to yours in a sweet kiss. Her lips were just as soft as you remembered but this time the kiss was more controlled and gentle.
"Now that's better than the first one" Karen concluded as she pulled away from the kiss, but staying close enough that you could feel her breath on your lips.
"I agree" you breathed, smiling slightly. "Want to try again?" you asked, beginning to feel more comfortable and confident knowing that she seemed to share your feelings.
Karen chuckled before kissing you again. You were more confident this time as you kissed her back, your arms wrapping around her waist as you stood up, pulling her towards you. Karen smirked into the kiss as she wrapped her arms around your neck, carding her fingers through your hair.
"Can I be honest with you?" you asked as you pulled away from the kiss, resting your forehead against hers.
"Of course" Karen nodded.
"I've...I've had feelings for you for quite some time. I got so freaked out after you kissed me the other night because it made me realise how I felt" you confessed, hoping that she felt the same way and wasn't just trying to mess around.
"I wish you had said something sooner. Ain't ever been too good at being honest with my feelings but ya make me soft" Karen teased, bringing one of her hands to your face. She gently grazed her fingertips over your cheekbone.
"Oh sure I do" you rolled your eyes, the two of you laughing softly. "Are we...really going to try this then?" you asked hopefully.
"Try what? Being together?" Karen asked and you nodded. "I sure hope so" she smiled, making you smile as well.
You gently pulled her towards you again and kissed her, and she instantly returned your kiss. That was enough reassurance for the both of you.
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