old fashioned || karl jacobs x reader

15: lump sum

Everything was going well for us. Nothing was too slow and nothing was too hasty. For a few weeks, Karl and I had tried to make a habit out of sitting down on the couch with me and watching television, whether it be the newest episode of Survivor or whatever may have been on the TV at that time. He was really sweet and patient about this new routine of ours.

The night would start with us sitting near each other, maybe half a foot away. Karl sat with his knees pulled to his chest or with one knee up while he kept his entire focus on the show. When something funny happened, we would both laugh and Karl would look over at me like he wanted to see the look on my face. It was endearing, strangely enough, having him watch as I enjoyed myself.

As the night went on, the both of us would gradually scoot closer and close the space between us. Eventually, we'd end up with our shoulders touching and unmoving smiles across our lips. His hand would carefully snake its way over to mine and gingerly intertwine our fingers. He was always cautious as not to scare me or catch me off guard. I always welcome his hand in mine, though, and his head on my shoulder as he tried to make our bodies impossibly close. With his head on my shoulder, I leaned mine on his and felt the softness of his hair against my cheek. More than ever, I had that unrelenting rosewater shampoo flood my senses and it nearly lulled me to sleep.

A few times he did fall asleep cuddled up against me (I was guilty of this as well), but I found that the most comforting thing of all. He was so comfortable with me that he could fall asleep in my presence, and I the same. Whatever position he had decided on that night was perfect; arm around my shoulder or both delicately around my waist while we laid back against the couch or his head in my lap as it served as a pillow for him. It was all perfect.

"(Y/n)," Karl murmured, half awake with his leg strangely positioned between mine, crossed over my right. His head was on my shoulder, rubbing it gently against me to get my attention.

I nudged him back with my head with a quiet hum of recognition.

"I've got this thing tomorrow with Jimmy," he began as the drowsiness started to lift from his voice, "you should come with."

I stitched my eyebrows together at the suggestion. It didn't make sense for me to go by there and interfere with whatever the Mr. Beast crew was working on, especially since I was a nobody in comparison to them. "Why? I mean, wouldn't he have an issue with me coming over?" I asked.

His head lifted and he looked over at me. "No, not at all. We're just gonna talk over some ideas and stuff," he replied while shaking his head, "and I wanted you to meet them. They're like my family."

I smiled a little at that. In a way, it would be like meeting Karl's family to get their approval. "Are you sure I wouldn't be intruding or anything?"

"Positive. They won't mind at all." His blue eyes bled with sincerity at that. I couldn't refuse, especially with that look on his face. This would be the true test to see if I was approved by Karl's closest friends. Better yet, I would get to meet a literal millionaire, a successful one at that.

—

I sat in the car with Karl, twiddling my thumbs anxiously as he drove us down to Jimmy's office. The heat from the vents was warming my already hot palms and making the nervous flush on my cheeks feel even more ferocious. It was the middle of January, though. There was so sense in turning on the AC.

"Are you alright, (Y/n)?" Karl looked over to me for a moment noticing my likely prettified look on my face.

I breathed out after holding that puff of air for so long. "Yeah, I'm fine," I assured him with half-honesty.