doll face - vance hopper x plus size!reader (prequel to cariño)

chapter four

i didn't tell finney about what happened between me and vance. for now i just wanted it to be private, something i had all to myself. it was much more intimate than a simple kiss, it was a connection on a level much more real and serious than simply swapping spit. it was love.

"so what'd you do last night?" finney asked. "go to see your lover boy again? taste his tonsils some more?" he laughed hysterically, so, naturally, i had to shut him up. "nope. but i did hang out with donna. she says she finds it very interesting that you say her name longingly in your sleep and doodle pictures of her in your journal." his demeanor changed immediately as he became flushed red with embarrassment. "shut up, meanie." he grumbled. now it was my turn to laugh. as i was giggling and smiling at finneys expense, i saw vance out of the corner of my eye. he was staring at me intently, as if enthralled by my existence. i'd be lying if i said it didn't make me giddy.

when lunch came i was getting ready to find finney, but i was pulled into an empty classroom by a not-so mysterious hand.

"heya doll face." he said kissing me. i smiled into the kiss and pulled away. "hey, you." he looked down at me and started playing with my hair. "i had a good time last night. it really meant a lot to me." i met his gaze bashfully and replied, "me too." he grabbed my hands in his and asked, "can i see you tonight?" his voice was casual, but his eyes were pleading. "i'd have to sneak out. do you think you're worth the risk?" i smirked. he held my face and whispered, "i know i am." and kissed me again. jesus christ, this boy will be the death of me. how can he never fail to take my breath away? "all right, then. see you tonight." i grinned before leaving the room and heading for the cafeteria.

we usually met around eight, so that's when i climbed out my window, almost falling and breaking my ankle because i was born without the luxury of having grace. he was already there when i came strolling down the gravel driveway, my hair flowing with the breeze and a goofy smile plastered across my face. "hey." i said, making my way to the bleachers. he looked up and smiled. "hey." i sat next to him and laid my head down on his shoulder. i heard a soft chuckle escape his mouth as he grabbed my hand.

"what'd you wanna see me for?" i asked. sitting up straight and looking at him. "nothing. i just wanted to see you, is all." he shrugged. i smirked and replied teasingly, "y'know, if i didn't know better i'd say you're a bit obsessed with me." he looked right at me and narrowed his eyebrows. "i am not! but so what if i was? would that be so terrible? i can have feelings too, ya know." he grumbled. i laughed and put my hand on his cheek. "i know. and no, it wouldn't be terrible. it would actually be kinda perfect, because i think i might be a bit obsessed with you, too." he cracked a side grin and looked away for a moment. "i wish it could always be like this." he mumbled. "what do you mean?" i asked. he turned to me and answered, "this. just me and you, together. doesn't matter where we are, i just want it to be us. it's been what, three days since we started this relationship? yet somehow i can't remember my life before friday night. and i don't wanna know a life outside me and you. i don't wanna see anything besides the night sky and you looking up at it adoringly. this is what i want. and i don't care if this makes me sound like one of the brontë sisters, because i'm allowed to feel these things too, no matter how weird it sounds coming from my mouth." at this point we were both standing because vance started pacing in the middle of his confession. i walked up to him and wrapped my arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. "i want that too." i whispered.

we spent the next few hours in each other's arms talking. it felt nice, and the longer we stayed there the more i understood why he said what he said. we felt right together, like everything was finally making sense.

we met up every night for the next three weeks. some nights we talked, others we made out, a couple times we did things i'd never tell finney about, but my favorite nights were the nights we just sat with each other and watched the sun go down, hands intertwined and my head on his shoulder. i had never felt better than the way i felt when i was with him. he made me happy.

on the last night of july, we met up like normal, except it was his birthday, so i brought him a present. i don't think he knew i was getting him something, or that i knew it was his birthday. it was small enough to fit in my pocket, so i didn't look suspicious walking up to him. he simpered when he saw me and gave me a quick kiss. "what's up, doll face?" i giggled and said, "nothing much. happy birthday." the look on his face was precious, i wish i had a picture so i could see it whenever. he looked so happy and proud that i knew it was his birthday, like i was the only one who had said it all day long, and who's to say i wasn't. it's not like he was necessarily mr. popular. sure, he had his little posse of cronies, but i seriously think they only hung around him for status. "thank you." he was acting so sheepish, as if i hadn't said more intimate things to him.

"i have something for you." i confessed, tired of the anticipation. "you didn't have to-" i cut him off. "i know, but i wanted to." i pulled out a cassette tape from my back pocket. "it's a mixtape. all the good songs are on it. runnin' with the devil, kashmir, slow ride, the joker, piece of my heart, who'll stop the rain, light my fire, fox on the run, pinball wizard, of course, and some more, but you'll have to listen to it to find out the rest." he looked down at the tape in awe. "no one's ever done anything like this for me." he smiled so big and seemed at a loss for words. "thank you so much, you're amazing, i love you!"

we both froze at the same time. i stared at him wide eyed as i replied, "you love me?" i know we had been acting like we were in love since practically the day we first started talking, but acting in love and actually being in love were different. "what? no. i didn't say that." i looked at him and smirked. "i didn't! clean your fucking ears or something 'cause i didn't say that!" i kept smirking and crossed my arms. i was gonna stay like this until he said it again, and he knew it. a few painfully long moments went by before he caved. "fine, i did, okay? i said i loved you. and i do. happy now? y'know, it's my birthday y/n and i shouldn't have to explain mysel-" i cut him off by kissing him. i wrapped my arms around his neck and he hugged my waist with his. i pulled apart and said. "i love you too, dummy." he sighed in relief and muttered a quick, "cool." but i could hear him say under his breath, "best. birthday. ever."

hey loves, sorry for not updating in a hot minute, i hope this made up for it!!
also lemme dedicate this chapter to roadkll i've missed you bestie 🥹🫶