in between, kit connor

thirty seven

it was several days after the halloween party and gracie wasn't sure whether to bring up the whole i love you think to kit. it seemed like he hadn't remembered saying that to him, but she was also harping on the fact that she said it back to him. she didn't even realize she felt that way until she said those words that night.
now, the two of them were in his car driving to work.

"why are you being so quiet?" he asks her.

"just tired," she replies, still staring out the window.

"you sure? you seem off."

"i just... you said some stuff when you were drunk the other night, and i guess i'm just thinking about it," gracie admits.

"stuff? what do you mean? was it bad?" kit asks.

"no... just... interesting, i guess."

"okay, you have to tell me what i said."

"you told me you loved me," she says quietly. "like, a lot of times."

"ah."

"i just wasn't sure if you were just saying that because you were drunk, or you meant it, or what, but... yeah. i don't know."

"i do love you," kit says softly. "i do. i've been wanting to say it to you for a bit now, but wasn't sure how you'd react. i guess drunk me made the choice instead. obviously you don't have to say it back or feel the same, but i don't want to lie to you because that is how i feel."

"i love you too," says gracie, smiling. "and i did say it back to you when you said it for like, the hundredth time, but obviously you don't remember that."

"i need to stop getting so drunk at these parties," he mutters.

"you're so cute when you're drunk though!" gracie says, and he chuckles. "i love drunk kit. except when he punches someone in the face. speaking of, how is your eye doing? does it still hurt?"

"doesn't hurt too bad anymore. it honestly looks worse than it feels. i just feel bad that makeup is going to have to make sure it stays covered until it goes away."

—

gracie had fallen asleep in kit's trailer after she was done filming for the day. she had to wait for him though, since he was her ride, so she has spent the rest of her time in his trailer.

the door eventually opened and he smiled, noticing her asleep on the couch. "hey," kit says softly, his hand resting on her head. "i'm done for the day." she doesn't open her eyes and just murmurs something. "gracie, love, wake up."

"oh. hey," she replies, looking up at her boyfriend. "you're done."

"i am."

"kiss me, please," gracie tells him, pulling him down to connect their lips.

"you're so cute," kit says, pulling away.

"mm. kiss me again." he leans in again, and gracie gently makes room for him to lay atop of her. she brings her hand up to his jaw, deepening the kiss. as soon as it becomes more intense, the door to kit's trailer swings open and the two pull away from each other.

"oh, shit," joe says. "uh... my bad."

"what do you want?" kit asks, standing back up.

"was looking for gracie. she wasn't answering my messages."

"oh, yeah, i fell asleep," she says, sitting up. "do you need to talk about something?"

"um... yeah. but like, in private."

"okay... uh, let's go outside then?" she follows her brother outside, closing the door behind them. "what's up?" gracie asks joe.

"you guys seem to be serious."

"yeah, i mean... it's getting there," she says. "we said i love you to each other today, actually."

"really?"

"yeah. i really, really love him. like, i can genuinely see myself getting married to him when we're older," gracie admits, and joe widens his eyes.

"wow," he says. "that's... wow."

"is that weird?"

"no... but i would prefer to not walk in on you guys making out again. that was uncomfortable."

"okay," she laughs. "uh, we're probably going back to his for the night so i'll see you tomorrow?"

"yeah."

—

"i feel like you practically live here now," kit says, watching gracie come out of his bathroom in one of his sweatshirts.

"and are you complaining?" she asks, walking over to him in the bed as he pulls her down onto his lap.

"no... just making a comment, that's all," he says, leaning in for a kiss. "but i do want to ask you, um... how would you feel about moving in with me?"

"like, living together?" she asks stupidly, and he chuckles.

"yes."

"oh, wow. uh... that would be a big step," gracie replies, looking down at his fingers that were gently rubbing circles on her leg. "i don't know."

"fair enough," says kit. "but i did hear you talking to joe and i heard what you said about marriage so... if you're that serious, i just think this is something to consider."

"oh, you heard that?" she groans, burying her head in his chest. "i'm so embarrassed now."

"no, don't be," he laughs. "you're really cute. and i feel the same way, by the way."

"oh," gracie says, looking at him. "um... cool."

"yeah. so just keep me updated on the moving in together thing, because—"

"i want that," she says suddenly. "i want that so bad. you are right, i practically live here anyways. but also, i was thinking, like... i don't love keeping us a secret. i'm not saying we should be like, talking about us all the time to anybody but i don't know, i think it'd be nice not having to be so secretive about it."

"yeah, i agree," kit says. "i'm honestly surprised no one has posted photos of us at events or anything like that."

"oh, they have. clearly you don't keep up."

"wait, like what kind of pictures?"

"nothing like, scandalous," gracie laughs, reassuring him. "just photos of us holding hands. but our faces weren't in them, so it's kind of hard to tell."

"oh... right. yeah, i'm fine with not being so secret about it." he smiles, pulling her down towards him for a kiss. when gracie pulls away, she gives him a look. "what?" says kit.

"can i ask you something personal?"

"sure."

"i feel like you know about my relationship history but i don't really know yours," she starts. "not that like, it's super important or anything, but i'm just curious since you haven't really mentioned anyone that you've dated."

"oh," he replies, seeming caught off guard. "uh, yeah... i've dated a few people."

"yeah, kizzy told me your last relationship kind of stopped you from dating."

"yeah... it was my first serious relationship with someone, and he was just really shit to me."

"oh... i'm sorry, i didn't know it was that bad," gracie says softly, and he shakes his head.

"it's alright. it was nearly a year ago now. and then i guess i had my slag era after that, but i didn't really date anybody until i met you."

"slag era?" gracie laughs.

"it wasn't crazy! it was just a few hookups, i swear. i just couldn't get myself to date for a while."

"that's fair. i'm sorry, i didn't mean to make you uncomfortable by asking or anything—"

"it's alright, no need to apologize," kit reassures her. "besides. i have you now, darling."