old fashioned || karl jacobs x reader

3: slow show

That night I finally had made some progress with Karl. It was insanely comforting to have him so open and giggly while we played board games under the light of hundreds of candles. He was so competitive which ignited that similar feeling in me. I noticed, though, whenever I'd get close to losing he would almost instantly start doing poorly. This subtle allowance was honestly so telling of his character, even if I wished he wouldn't just let me win. It took everything in me to keep it to myself.

The next week had far nicer weather and Karl greeted me every afternoon when I came home. Though most afternoons he suggested we order in, I cared for the sentiment of him wanting to eat dinner together. He was so peculiar about that kind of stuff. Strangely, he was such a personal individual who enjoyed the intimacy of simple activities instead of hiding away. While we sat together, he always asked about my day and kept very interested in my words. His eyebrows raised in curiosity kept me talking even if I didn't care to talk about myself. I wanted to know more about Karl despite his entire life being on the internet. There had to have been something I didn't know.

After Monday, in hopes to see Jay again, I visited the same coffee shop every day. I saw his smile grow when I pushed open the doors, all toothy, pearly, and perfect. My bank account disagreed with me visiting the coffee shop, but it couldn't convince my heart otherwise. Soon, he figured out my order and kept up that charisma by impressing me when I stepped up to the register. On empty mornings, he would spend time talking to me, making me late to work but I didn't care. I was enjoying Jay's company far more than anything in my life. When his eyes caught mine, I always melted like ice cream. His chocolate brown eyes were molten and exuding this beautiful ray that made me stumble over my words and forget my common sense. I suppose his attractiveness also aided my flustered reaction.

Saturday morning I made sure to come by, all giddy and excited as to what Jay had to say. I kept my lips tucked to hide my smile while pushing open the door, revealing an empty coffee shop with Jay cleaning glasses.

"Good morning, (Y/n)," he greeted after perking his head up to me. Carefully, he set down the glass in his hand and began to fix my cup for me.

"Morning, Jay," I hummed as I walked up to the counter, my fingers dancing across the cool rock.

"How'd you sleep?"

The question made me jump a little, not because it was startling but it was so straightforward. Perhaps it was jarring in the sense that I hadn't expected something like that from him.

"Well," I cleared my throat after a concerning, long silence, "you?" Stupid. Why did I ask that? Was it the nerves? Or perhaps the ghastly heat crawling on my skin?

His eyes perked up to mine from the coffee machine, a smirk dancing on the usually smiley lips. A curt chuckle blew from his lips, "pretty good. I finally finished my sleeping playlist."

My flushed cheeks soon cooled as he let the tension go. "I'd love to hear it—is it on Spotify?" I inquired curiously.

"It's on a cassette, actually. I've got this crazy sound system set up in my room," Jay's eyes fell back to the coffee as the dark liquid finally finished dripping, "you should come check it out sometime."

The flush I had pushed down came back with a vengeance, playing a certainly embarrassing red color across my cheeks. I couldn't even begin to form words because of course, I wanted to go to Jay's apartment and sit in his bedroom while listening to his cassette tapes. How does one gently put that, though?

"Sure," I let out a sharp exhale, forcing myself to accept his casual offer with whatever grace I had left.

Jay's hand casually gestured the coffee to me from over the counter. I took it from him, leading him to run over and grab something, leaning over the counter and his tan forearm fidgeting with each visible muscle moving. Standing straight up, he placed a napkin between his fingers and handed it to me.