Work Text:
Lynn went to work as if it were a normal day.
In a way, it was like any other.
She woke up, texted Mandy “good morning”, not expecting a reply till midday.
Amanda worked for her ‘Father’ and since he got a soft spot for her, she could basically show up at work any time she wanted, which was usually late. Amanda talked about her adoptive guardian a lot. She was a troubled teen before she met him. She didn't get along with her brothers though, and would never ever introduce Lynn to the family. She made that very clear and Lynn respected that, her own family situation was messy too. She met Mandy when she was going through a divorce and the girl was basically the reason why Lynn decided to finally sign the papers. Maybe that sounds bad but the woman separated with her husband months before and was just waiting for the right push. One night of intense flirting and inappropriate touches and she was sold.
After the text Lynn would get ready, taking her sweet time in the bathroom with haircare and ultimately having to rush to work without even having breakfast, hoping to grab something from the vending machine. The shifts were always way too long and she had no time to think about her struggles. Today, unfortunately, everything had to remind her of how much she did not want to be working.
It was the first Valentine's Day since she left Jeff. Maybe it was not a big deal, they were never that cheesy or romantic to go out of their way with these kinds of holidays. He would just get her flowers last minute because something reminded him. Obviously, the ones left were some store half-dead tulips, but she didn't mind. It was the thought that counted.
Now, seeing other women at work getting bouquets sent to their office or finding secret cards in their lockers, she couldn't help but feel a bit guilty. Did she seriously only send a “good morning” message? Not even a “happy Valentine's?” Were they serious enough for a gift? Maybe she should have planned something? Of course, Mandy knew that Lynn was working today. Maybe they weren't that serious yet, just hanging out, hooking up, dating.. but with no label. Still, Lynn felt bad for not preparing anything. Even her weird coworkers would order chocolates for their wives. Did Lynn even know Mandy's address? They always met at Lynn's place since Amanda insisted on staying far away from her complicated family dynamic and the business she never talked about.
It was a process, Lynn finding it mysterious and intriguing, then being annoyed and needy, but ultimately accepting since she knew everything else about her lover. Mandy shared her thoughts and dreams, hobbies that she didn't like showing to just anyone. Amanda was rough when she needed and soft and gentle when she wanted. She was real with her, and that was enough for Lynn to look past a few secrets.
She rolled her eyes as another one of her coworkers picked up a phone during the shift and ended up giggling and blushing at whoever called them. Lynn was getting annoyed by it now. Sure, balloons and flowers weren't that uncommon when people visited the patients but this day it was just too much. Another example of commercial propaganda, not just because she was jealous.
When she finally finished work, she was exhausted. She picked up her phone to read just a few not-unusual messages from Amanda. “Have a nice day at work!” , “I'm super busy today too” and “Let me know when you finish your shift”.
Lynn smiled and texted back. “Just heading out” She felt like she should say something more. At least acknowledge the special day, even though Amanda didn't. “I'm free tomorrow, if you want to meet” She added.
It sucked as an invitation but Lynn still felt new to this dating thing and she was too tired to think of something better.
No answer. Mandy said she would be busy so Lynn decided to just head home.
Before getting into the car she also noticed a message from Corby. Lynn and Jeff got her a phone for christmas so it would be easier to contact her about pickups since they shared custody. Corbet sent her a picture of herself holding a card with a big heart, her hands covered in red glitter. The message said “love you mom”. Lynn smiled and replied with an “I love you too baby”. Her daughter had some event at school and Jeff was supposed to pick her up after, because Lynn was working late today and needed the place to herself after.
On the way home she got wine and bath bombs. It didn't scream ‘Late valentines’ but could be nice for a relaxing evening tomorrow and she needed that. Getting drunk and soaked with Mandy, both naked covered in bubbles while holding each other sounded better than any flowers or chocolates she could get.
When she finally got home, twisted the keys in the locker, and got in, she let out a tired sigh. All she wanted to do was take a shower and go to bed. Or even skip a shower and fall asleep, letting her makeup rub off onto the pillow. She let her bag fall onto the floor and when she headed to her bedroom something felt wrong. She could swear she could smell smoke and roses, the scent reminded her of candles or her girlfriend. Maybe the exhaustion was just messing with her senses.
She carefully opened the door and her eyes widened at the sight.
“Mandy? What are you doing here?” She asked.
Lynn's lips perked up on their own.
“Surprise!” The girl answered.
“How did you even get in?” Lynn let out a laugh.
“I just know where you keep the spare key” The girl shrugged in response.
“I don't have a spare key..did you make yourself a spare key or..” She raised an eyebrow.
Mandy cupped her cheek and kissed her, silencing her successfully. What else could she do? Gaslight Lynn into thinking she had a key all along and Mandy just borrowed it? Admit to breaking in? Convince her that it didn't really matter and ask her to shut up? Yeah, the kiss worked best, making Lynn melt thoughtlessly.
Her hands rested on Mandy's back and slowly moved down to her hips. Sliding from the exposed skin to the soft fabric.
“I love the dress..” Lynn hummed against her lips before pulling away.
“Oh really? I have one for you too, I'm taking you out..” Mandy mumbled and looked up from Lynn's lips to her eyes.
The woman's eyes seemed to soften.
“You.. prepared all this? For me?” She whispered, her voice shaky.
“What's wrong?” Amanda asked.
She turned back to study the sight of rose petals on the bed and a candle on the bedside table, a blue dress nicely laid out for Lynn, and searched for something she had done wrong.
“No.. nothing, darling it's perfect. I just.. I had a tough day at work and I.. didn't expect to..” She mumbled, not even sure what she wanted to say.
“Hey..”
Amanda stroked her face with her thumb.
“I'll cancel the reservation and we can stay in. I mean.. can I? Stay with you? We can just rest and cuddle" she asked with a hopeful smile.
“Of course I want you to stay.. but you got the dress and planned all this I feel bad just..” She struggled through her words and Mandy shook her head.
“I don't care what we do, so just get into the damn bed, okay?”
She pointed at the sheets covered in roses and how was Lynn supposed to disagree? She walked right in and was soon pulled into the warm embrace.
“If you wanna take a nap, that's okay too. I won't go anywhere” Mandy added softly.
“No.. tell me about your day, just want to stay like that and listen to your voice” Lynn murmured, with her face cuddled to Mandy's chest.
The girl smiled, a small glow of excitement showed in her eyes.
“So.. I finally showed John my designs” She said softly.
Lynn looked up at her, she tried to convince Amanda to share her drawing for so long, but the girl, usually so bold, was always unsure.
“How did it go? Did he love them as much as I do?” Lynn asked, holding Mandy closer just in case she needed more comfort to open up.
The girl giggled, she loved how supportive the woman was, Lynn even got her a fancy pencil set for Christmas after she admitted to repeatedly ‘borrowing’ John's tools.
“Well.. he said I could get a degree in Architecture, he even offered to pay the tuition if I wanted.. I don't know” Amanda mumbled.
The thing was, Mandy was terrified of ending up alone. She rarely chose anything for herself unless it benefited others. She lived and worked with John, university would eventually mean having to move out closer, for convenience. Would she still be needed? Was she ready to be on her own? So many years since escaping her biological father, grasping for any sense of safety, family.. she forgot how to just be ‘Amanda’.
Even now, cuddled up against her girlfriend she felt anxious. That was until soft lips kissed her shoulder.
“I'm proud of you..” She whispered against her skin.
Mandy blushed, she was a sucker for those words.
Lynn was proud of her. Didn't think she was a loser for being a 25-year-old who hadn't even considered higher education before. Mark would laugh at her, he already made fun of her for living with John during her adulthood while he and Lawrence had their careers and opposite social lives. Yeah, maybe she was overreacting, she was so young after all. Maybe she should be grateful that she even made it, and found more than she thought she deserved. Living in the central part of the city would also allow her to visit Lynn more, maybe even move in one day, if she was lucky. Lynn made it seem less scary, or maybe she just made her feel braver, like her dreams were worth trying. Oh, how she loved that woman.
“I don't think I ever felt more in love” she whispered.
Lynn's smile softened. She didn't know if they were there yet, the ‘I love you’ hadn't been spoken out before, at least not directly. There is no manual that tells when it is too soon, especially when you're a freshly divorced woman.
“And I don't think I ever felt so loved” She answered, placing another two kisses on Mandy's cheek.
“Yeah? I'm just getting started. I'm gonna love the fuck out of you” She said, making the promise sound more like a threat.
It would not scare Lynn, nothing could. The woman literally broke into her place, and she could call it the most romantic thing ever. If anything, those words just made her stomach twist in heat.
“Mhmm..how aggressive, please do” She murmured, before placing kisses alongside Mandy's jaw.
The woman tilted her head, and felt the open-mouth kisses trail down her neck, making her feel all warm and fuzzy. She whimpered when Lynn's hand slipped under her dress and up her thigh.
“Didn't you say you.. were too..tired?” She gasped, already shaking under gentle fingers.
Lynn bit on her skin before pulling away with a smirk to look at her.
“Not too tired to kiss you all over” She said and melted at the sight of Mandy's pink cheeks.
“Happy Valentine's, love”