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The band’s just finished playing, but the pub didn’t get any less crowded. People are chatting, drinking, dancing. You sit at the table sipping your beer, alone - no, your friends didn’t abandon you, it’s just that you felt like you had enough social interactions for tonight, so you just thanked the band and politely declined their invitation to have a drink or two together. You’re about to finish your beer and already thinking of leaving, when suddenly
“Holy shit, y/n! Is that really you?”
You turn to the sound of a familiar voice and see his grinning face. Shane Walsh. You know this man since what seems like forever. You went to the same school, and he often used to hang out with your older brother and cousins. Shane left the town soon after school, but he visits his parents here from time to time, and you always know when he’s around - you work in a coffee shop, rather small, but it’s known for serving the best coffee in town. Shane simply didn’t have a chance not to visit it.
“What are you doin’ here, princess?”
He sounds genuinely amused and it makes you roll your eyes. Boys never change indeed. Shane always enjoyed teasing you for being shy and quiet. Not in a mean way, but considering the fact you had a crush on him since school, it made you all uneasy and flustered. You thought you grew out of it, and yet tonight this familiar mischief in his voice made your cheeks burn slightly, like in those old days.
“Hey, Shane. Uh… My friend is dating the bass player, and it’s the first big gig of their band, so… I got invited too,” you shrug with a smile. “Why are you so surprised?”
“Are you kidding me? You, in a pub full of drunk rockers? That’s an unexpected turn.”
“I… actually really enjoyed the show.”
“Yeah, okay. The band’s not all that bad, I got it. But the party… I mean come on! I remember that time at Fred’s birthday, you got all drowsy after like a couple of beers!”
“That was ages ago, Shane. We were in high school! Obviously I have a way better tolerance to alcohol now, things change,” you retort.
“Really?” there’s a wicked smirk on his handsome face, which makes you remember why you used to drool so hard over him. And it actually irritates you big time that he makes you feel like an awkward teenage girl again. “Bet I can get you drunk in no time, sweetheart.”
“Cool. Try me,” the sudden boldness of your tone surprises the both of you.
“Seriously?” Shane cocks his brow. “You really wanna bet?”
“Yeah, what the hell.”
“Okay then, uh… If I win, you owe me free coffee.”
“Deal.”
Shit. What the hell are you doing, y/n? And this smirk of his, it’s definitely gonna be the death of you.
“Alright, so… What do you think of shots?”
Everything seems fine at first, except it’s getting warmer, and Shane’s jokes become funnier. But once you stand up to get to the bathroom, you realize you’re fucked. The room’s still spinning when you make your way back to the table.
“You alright?” Shane’s eyes examine your posture and expression. He’s a bit tipsy as well, but sure as hell not as much as you are.
“It’s fine, totally, I’m… I just need some air,” you reply, and nearly trip as you make a move towards the exit.
“Whoa, easy there, princess,” Shane is quick to catch you, his hands holding your waist in a firm grip. “C’mon, hold onto me.”
You don’t protest, simply don’t feel like it. Not when his palms are so pleasantly warm against you. You let him lead you out of the bar, and you both land on a wooden bench nearby. It's a beautiful summer night, you inhale fresh air deeply and let out a content hum, as you absentmindedly lay your head on Shane’s shoulder. You stay like this for a while, his hand slowly snakes to stroke your upper arm causing you shiver. You giggle softly, shiftling a little and nuzzling somewhere into the crook of his neck. Somewhere in the back of your mind you know you’ll most certainly gonna regret it, but this drunken haze is so relaxing and deliberating that you can’t stop yourself.
“You smell nice,” you blurt, and he laughs softly under his breath.
“Really, princess? That’s cute,” he turns to look at you, reaching to brush your hair from your slightly flushed face, his eyes so impossibly dark and beautiful when he utters quietly “You too, actually.” The next moment Shane suddenly leans in and his lips softly peck yours. It’s quick and gentle, and definitely not enough, so you return the action, pressing your lips to his. You feel his thumb brushing against your cheekbone before cupping the back of your neck to get you closer. When he kisses you, really kisses you, it’s like your whole body is melting. Reaching your hand to caress his hair, you sigh, parting your lips, and simply let him explore your mouth the way he wants. It’s slow and deep and tastes like honey, and you’re quite disappointed when he pulls back.
“Stay here, darlin’, okay?” Shane’s voice is unusually hoarse but filled with sudden… tenderness?
“Wh-where are you going?” you mumble, blinking in confusion.
“Gotta pay for the drinks and then get an uber to take you home like a nice guy.”
“What if I don’t want you to be nice?” you try to say it in a sultry tone but it doesn’t quite work. “Can we just… keep uh… doing this?..”
You hear him chuckle softly as he shakes his head.
“Not this time, sweetheart.”
You hope he forgot, but he appears at the end of your working day.
“Hey there,” he greets you with a soft smile on his lips.
“Hey,” you smile back as you turn to the coffee machine.
“Wait, what…”
Shane stares at you in slight confusion as you place a papercup on the counter.
“Here. You won this,” you shrug.
“Nah, come on. I-I was just kidding, really…” there’s something unusual about the way he stutters, as if you swapped places with him, and now he’s the one who feels awkward. “It actually was a pretty asshole move on my part, I’m sorry.”
“Oh… Why are you here then? Just to apologize?”
“I uh… Well,” he runs his fingers through his hair, pausing for a second. “You remember yesterday, right? I mean… The kiss and all.”
Oh hell. You really wish you didn’t, but nope - you remember it very well. You still can feel the sparks of arousal somewhere down your spine when you think of it. Lowering your gaze, you just nod, heat creeping over your cheeks.
“So um… I figured you deserve a proper date after all.”
“What?” you raise your eyebrows in surprise. “Shane Walsh, honestly… When did you become such a gentleman?”
“I dunno, guess you’re making me a better man or somethin’,” he shrugs, grinning at you. “But if you just wanna get straight to the make out part I don’t mind either, you call the shots this time.”
“Ugh. Could you please not mention shots ever again,” you mutter, making him snort a laugh.