request: 🌙 1989-8. "did you have to hit me where i'm weak?" with seb or chris
pairing: chris evans x fem!reader
word count: 223
warnings: chris calls reader "clingy", angst, pet name (baby)
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"I just need my alone time, you know?" Chris was saying. He was on the phone, with Scott, you think. You weren't sure. You'd gotten up to get started with fixing dinner—it was your turn today—and you'd come back to Chris talking to someone. You hadn't meant to listen in, but...Something made you stay. "Any time I think I can just relax, she's there and I just...I'm suffocating."
You'd always known that Chris valued his alone time. He was the kind of person who could lock himself up for days, weeks, on end and be totally content. And so were you. But, you also loved affection. Giving it, receiving it—it meant everything to you. So, while you tried to respect Chris's boundaries, you also needed affection to thrive. You tried to not go too overboard but...It seems you failed.
And he didn't even have the guts to tell you himself.
"I don't want to say she's clingy but...God, it feels like she's clingy, you know?"
You squeezed your eyes shut, letting out a shuddering breath, before turning around and going back to the kitchen. It was tradition that, while you or Chris put the food in the oven to cook, the two of you would cuddle on the couch until it was time to finish fixing the meal. But, maybe that was disrespecting his boundaries. Maybe that was going too far. So, you just went back, grabbing plates and utensils and getting everything ready, pretending that your heart wasn't shattering.
He didn't even notice you hadn't came back.
He only came over when you called for him, saying dinner was ready. Dinner was eaten in silence. And, when you both were finished, you grabbed the dishes, ready to just finish the chores and go to bed as quickly as possible. He had other plans.
Chris came behind you, wrapping his arms around your waist. "Hey baby."
"Please don't."
He pushed on your waist, making you turn. "Hey, what's wrong? You don't seem like yourself."
You shrugged, turning back to the dishes. "I'm just not feeling well."
"Do you need me to do anything?"
You shook your head.
You'd hoped he would leave it be, but you saw one of his arms reach around you, shutting off the water. You let out a sigh, grabbing a towel and drying off your hands.
As you turned, he said, "Seriously, are you okay?"
You knew he wouldn't drop it, so you said, "I just...I thought we could tell each other anything. I guess I was wrong."
His brows furrowed together. "What are you talking about?"
"I...I overheard you, on the phone. I thought...I don't know. I thought we trusted each other enough to talk these things through. That you wouldn't go complain about our relationship to other people, you know?"
"Baby, I...I didn't know you were listening."
You blinked. "Seriously...Is that all you have to say?"
"I don't know what you want me to say."
"Maybe that you're sorry for complaining to other people instead of talking to me? Or that you think I'm clingy and just talk that out so we can fix it? I don't know, Chris, but just saying that you're didn't know I was listening isn't okay!" You shook your head, before pushing past him.
"Where are you going?"
"I'm going to go stay with a friend. Give you your space, you know. Maybe with all of the space you'll figure out how to have an adult conversation."
"Wait, don't go—"
"No. I'm going. I'll...I'll be back tomorrow. Maybe. I don't know. I'll text you before I come over." You took another step, before deciding you had one more thing to say. "You know, I just have to ask: Did you have to hit me where I'm weak? You knew that I was always worried about bothering you. And to go complain to someone else instead of coming to me? It fucking hurts, Chris. It hurts."
"I'm sorry."
"You know, I don't think you are. I just...I need space. Goodnight."
"I love you."
And, perhaps for the first time since you started dating, you didn't say it back.
