les sequelles - Eric Coulter 1

28. Hoodie

Request: Could I please request how Eric would react when he saw the reader cuddled up in his black hoodie sleeping? Thank you ✨

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It was late in the night when Eric returned home. Another important meeting ran over, discussing changes that would happen within the Dauntless faction like every yearly quarter.

Eric knew it was too late for you to still be up, and so was careful with locking the front door of his condo behind him, slightly resentful to the dangling keys for chiming in the silence of his apartment.

He considered a shower, but dismissed the idea in favour of heading for the bedroom, where he knew your sleeping form would soothe and calm him.

He'd missed you - all damn day.

Had it been three months ago, he would have scoffed at the suggestion that someone would be so close to his heart; as it was, your face had the uncanny habit of popping up in his head, and always provoked a small smile on his face, his glacial demeanour melting at the thought of you. It was most counterproductive to his stern and calculating reputation, and not always was he quick to wipe the smile off his face and sober up.

He'd asked you to move in with him about a month ago, surprising you with how quick he'd been to commit and want to take your relationship to the next step. You'd predicted your relationship would have been a slow-burn type of thing; instead, once Eric's mind was made up, he was surprisingly quick to act on it.

The Dauntless leader was surprised to see light coming from down the corridor, and even more so when he stood in the doorway and looked in.

With the nightside table's light still turned on, you'd rolled over and curled up in a cute little ball, and were most definitely asleep.

Shielding your face from the light illuminating the bedroom, was your hoodie pulled up.

Or rather: Eric's black hoodie.

The realization of his garment dwarfing you had two immediate reactions: the first, was for his heart to give a small squeeze and promptly melt (you looked so adorable and his hoodie looked absolutely huge on you)... the second, was a flash of heat to zap down his back, making his spine tingle and raising goosebumps on his arms.

He stood still, hovering at the door, for a moment frozen in place and helpless to just appreciate the sight of you and... well... how domestic the scene looked.

For a long moment, he felt insanely proud of you and humbled to have you in his life. You looked so precious and so comfortable on the bed you shared, and the realisation that you'd been sharing a bed and waking up next to each other for weeks now made all his defences crumble away, and he just stared, with a faint smile, his grey eyes warm, in a way so honest and unguarded that the outside world would never suspect the depth of his emotions, or how deeply he was capable of experiencing them.

Realising you'd rest better with the lights off, he surged forward quietly to darken the room.

He'd just stepped around the bed to reach the sidetable, when you stirred and placed your hand to cover your eyes.

"Eric?" You said, voice sleepy.

He loved your sleepy voice, but felt a bit guilty for waking you. "I'm here, kitten. Let me turn this off for you."

"M'kay," You said, and stretched, "I'm happy you're back."

"I'm glad to be back," He replied, voice soft, "I missed you."

"Me too. I left the light on so you could find your way around."

Your hand reached out for his, and he closed the space between you. His hand, big and calloused and warm, wrapped around yours, so big in comparison. "Is that why it's still on? Baby girl, you didn't have to. Thank you."

You smiled, still sleepy. "I wanted you to get back safe."

Reaching for the switch, Eric flicked it off and the room was plummeted in comfortable darkness, with the faintest glow coming from the gaps between the curtains. You felt the mattress shift slightly as your boyfriend sat down on the bed next to you, and in the darkness, began to softly massage your hands, rubbing circular patterns into the palm of your hand, succeeding in making it feel good and so comforting, too. His voice was soft and deep, "You know I'll always get back to you in one piece, kitten. And you need to rest. I need my girl to get her energy back, you have long days ahead too."

You hummed in agreement, enjoying his soothing fingers on your flesh, coaxing relaxation into your body.

After a moment, Eric's voice sounded again - this time, with a hint of playfulness.

"Is that my hoodie you're wearing?"

You started nodding, but realising he might not see, used words instead. "Yes. I like wearing it."

"You wore it before?"

"Yes, when you're not home I like wearing it. It keeps me warm."

"You know I can get you your own - all you need to do is ask, kitten, and I'll make it happen."

"I like wearing yours, though. It smells of you."

For a moment, Eric's hands stilled on yours, and he seemed to contemplate your words. Then he resumed, and the circles on your palm felt deeper, enough to make your head lull back as you focused on the feeling and enjoyed it.

It took longer for Eric to reply, but when he did, his voice was an octave lower.

"I like seeing you wear it."

And through the darkness, you sensed his smile, the mischievous little side-smile that formed a little dimple on his cheek, and sensed the flash of grey in his eyes, the slightly challenge and playfulness.

Yes: you decided there and then that you'd be sure to wear his hoodie a whole lot more often... with him around.

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From valentina-patronofthearts on Tumblr.