Imagines For Me & You

Domestic Fears: Dr Jonathan Crane - Nolanverse

Dr Jonathan Crane x gn!partner!reader, romantic

Jonathan comes home late and hears something he thinks he shouldn't from your shared room.

TW/CW: Mentions of potential cheating.

Wordcount: 769 (hehe) words

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Jonathan walked into his house, tired from the long day at work and his after-hours sessions. Setting down his keys and briefcase on the kitchen counter, he made his way to his bedroom. Light peaked out from under the doorway and he heard laughter on the other side.

A part of the good doctor thought his partner had finally decided to find someone else. The thought made him angry. But he pushed it aside, hoping, praying, begging for it not to be true. He checked his watch.

2:38 AM.

If they were happy now, they certainly wouldn't be when he opened the door. Whether it be from cheating on him or from the fact he was coming home so late.

Still, Jonathan carefully opened the door. He wasn't necessarily fearful of them cheating on him, more being unsure if he should interrupt. A part of him thought he should just sleep on the couch and avoid it altogether. But that's not healthy.

What he found wasn't at all what he was expecting. Instead of another person in their arms, it was a book in their hands. He was definitely glad that they weren't cheating on him, other than with a new book.

Their old books definitely won't be happy about that, he thought to himself, chuckling slightly.

They looked up at him and smiled. "Hey."

Forcing a smile, he avoided their gaze. "Sorry, I'm late. I had a little after-hours work to do."

He looked over at them. They kept smiling but looked pained.

"It's okay. I know how important work is to you."

Jonathan quickly changed out of his work attire and into pyjama pants and a t-shirt. If he could go a night without becoming cold without the shirt, he would. But he can't so he shan't.

He leaned over them as they kept reading.

Gently, he kissed their forehead. "I really am sorry. I wasn't expecting it to take that long."

"It really is okay. You're married to your work, not me."

Instead of getting situated under the covers, he snuggled into their lap, using their thighs as pillows.

"Jonny!" they said, laughing. "I'm trying to read!"

He snuggled closer. "And I'm trying to sleep," he said. "Turn the light off will you."

"Jonathan."

"I'm exhausted."

"Then maybe you shouldn't work yourself to the bone every day," they snipped.

After hearing this, Jonathan abruptly got up and looked at them.

"I'm, I'm sorry. I didn't mean it like that," they said. "I know how much your work means to you."

Instead of getting angry, he kissed them. "My dove, don't ever apologize for speaking your mind. That's why I love you."

"I love you too."

Sitting in front of them, he spoke again, "My dove, when I came home and heard you laughing at nearly three in the morning, I thought you had found yourself with someone else. I was so caught up in the thought of you loving someone, I wanted to sleep on the couch or leave and pretend it didn't happen. So I could keep believing that you loved me." He twisted the ring on his finger, his great-grandfather's ring that he had stolen away from rusting in the attic.

Shocked by this sudden confession, they didn't say a word. Their mouth hung open and eyes wide. They couldn't form the words they wanted to reassure him.

"I know it's stupid. I know I was being stupid. I know I'm not the best partner in the world, I know I stay late and often forget things, things like birthdays or anniversaries or holidays. I can be downright idiotic and sometimes I insult you without realizing it. I love you, more than anything and the thought of you leaving scared me. It still scares me." Admitting how he felt was a huge relief, though he hadn't held it long.

They covered their mouth, laughing slightly. Leaning forward, they kissed his cheek. "You are an idiot if you ever think I'd do that to you, my raven." He smiled at the nickname. "I thought that with all the late nights, you had found comfort in someone else." He frowned at the mention of him cheating on them.

"Never, Dove, never."

"I love you. Even if you do sometimes forget to eat a proper meal."

He kissed them again and pulled them down to the bed. "Let's get some sleep. It is way too early for anything at the moment."

They reach over for the lamp and shut it off. Quickly, they snuggled back into their lover, their fears calmed. Soon, both found themselves asleep.