NOPE (2022) IMAGINES/PREFERENCES

UNCHAINED MELODY - ANGEL TORRES (NOPE 2022)

Angel Torres x (fem!) reader

. . .

The Aqua Dulce Desert sand swept across Y/N's eyes, causing her to double over and ferociously rub her eyes. The wind was strong and it brought the promise of heat and sweat. Two things she didn't particularly enjoy. Luckily, she was with her favorite people who made her problems float away like the pebbly dirt that she still was rubbing out of her eyes.

The Haywood siblings and Angel Torres were Y/N's closest friends. They all bonded over the shared experience of trying to capture footage and ultimately destroy Jean Jacket. Getting footage of an unidentified flying object was not on Y/N's to-do list for the summer... and neither was falling for Angel.

Y/N thought Angel was handsome when she first met him. Being an equine veterinarian, Y/N was always being called to work on movies that included horses, and she became quite familiar with Haywood ranch and members of the family. So, she was there when he first pulled up to install the cameras to catch Jean Jacket. When Angel abruptly hollered due to "being out in the open", she along with OJ scolded him because it would scare the horses. But OJ nor Haywood caught her smirk, because she thought it was hilarious. How random and cute was that?

Now, she and Angel walked into the Haywoods' house and sat down on the couch. Em had the record player on, the sound blaring out old rhythm and blues. Em had gone to meet up with her new girlfriend and OJ was checking on the horses as the sun was setting over the plains. In an hour, they would all meet back to go to a fast food restaurant in town to eat and hang out.

But for now, Y/N and Angel were alone. Together.

Y/N noted the way his leg was bouncing and the space between them. Ever since they almost lost their lives, there had been a sort of awkward energy between them. Of course the group was close-knit and almost like family, but Angel and Y/N were different. OJ and Em noticed more than once them staring at the each other while the other wasn't looking, or them being extra polite, or body language that told anybody that they wanted each other.

Angel thought Y/N was the prettiest person he'd ever seen. The way the sunlight caught on her skin and made her glow, to the way her scent drifted on the wind. She always wore a smile on her face. Even when she was caked in dirt and blood from a close call with Jean Jacket, she managed to smile lightly although she was shaken to her core. She was a sweet girl who always cared for others and made sure a person was heard. He found himself falling for her day by day. It only helped that they both shared a monumental, life-changing experience along with their two best buddies.

Y/N thought Angel was just the type of guy she needed. He was super smart and insightful. He was also very sweet and wasn't afraid to show his emotions. She always found it hard to look into his eyes while they spoke. He was just so beautiful to her. Although she never said it to him, she would definitely give him a chance and always pined for him. His humility and transparency left a mark on Y/N, one that she would never forget.

In the comfortable, yet sort of awkward silence, the record stopped. The hum of the TV playing the news was in the background. Angel cut his eyes at Y/N, then looked at the television, suddenly interested in the weather report; which was hot, hot, and more hot weather.

The record player let out the iconic song "Unchained Melody" by The Righteous Brothers.
Y/N instantly thought of that one scene from Ghost and felt her cheeks redden with embarrassment. She then felt Angel's eyes on her and whipped her head to the side, her hair covering the side of her face. In her mind, Y/N was scolding herself for acting sort of childish at her big age. But then suddenly she had an epiphany. Angel and her had quite literally been through a life-changing experience together along with the Haywood siblings. They almost lost their lives. And now they luckily were all alive and well, and she shouldn't take that for granted. What was being embarrassed compared to not being alive? Her friends not being alive? She suddenly smiled to herself, face still turned from Angel. All of the secret feelings she shared with herself and occasionally Em needed to be out in the open. The worst Angel could say was no.

As the singer crooned the first lyric of the song, she stood up and looked down at Angel on the couch. He looked up at her, his eyebrows shooting up in confusion. She grabbed both of his hands and pulled him up to his feet. He looked around frantically, thinking that this was a joke. "Uh- Y/N? Wh- What are you doing?" He asked. For the first time, Y/N looked into his eyes without looking away. She noticed his dark brown eyes up close for the first time, and swallowed down the last ounce of nervousness. "Will you please dance with me, Angel? Please?" She asked. He nodded, unmoving. Since he was frozen in a state of shock it seemed, Y/N gently put his hands around her waist, and wrapped her hands around his neck. She noted how his warm skin felt on hers, and hoped this wouldn't be the last time they were this intimate. As the song progressed, they swayed to the music naturally. "You know, I haven't danced with anyone since my senior prom." Angel admitted, looking down on her, smiling softly. "I bet that was the highlight of your life." Y/N joked. He shook his head, chuckling. "Hardly, but-no. This could be." He said, and a tone of honesty filled his voice. Y/N smiled and found a new surge of confidence. She pushed her body closer to his and buried her head in his chest. She inhaled his scent of fresh laundry and mens cologne. She didn't hear it, but Angel let out a gasp of shock. She didn't see it, but blush crept over his cheeks and a proud smile spread on his lips. He caressed her back tenderly as the music guided them in a trance-like state, both of then dancing in unison.

Unbeknownst to them, Em was fangirling from outside with her girlfriend, looking in the window. OJ stood behind them, hands in his pockets and bouncing on his heels. " Mhm." He said, suddenly holding out his hand. "You dirty dog. I knew I shoulda never betted with yo ass!" Em laughed, and slapped a five in her brothers hand. "We shouldn't interrupt them. They're so stinkin' cute!" Em's girlfriend gushed. "Well, we're gonna have to soon, but for now they can have their moment." OJ said softly, smiling.

. . .