Adeline's Protectors

1

"God dam-stupid cap," the oil cap falls from her deft fingers and drops to the ground under the engine. Adeline wipes her sweaty palm on her mechanic's jumper and crawls under the car to get the oil cap. With a sigh she puts the cap in its place and shuts the hood of the car. Wiping her hands on the oily rag hanging from her belt loop she walks back into the main building, "All done, sir, just come back in a few months for another check up," "You work too hard Adeline, thank you again for doing this last minute," "We can't have you being late for work, Mr. Brown," Adeline drops Mr. Brown's keys in his hand and stands behind the counter, flipping through her appointment book. More and more clients keep piling up, and Adeline is happy but also nervous; can she handle so many people at one time? 

Sighing, she closes her book and watches the street from inside; foot traffic and car traffic seem to fly by as she waits for a new client or maybe a call. A familiar beat up Ford pickup passes by and Adeline fights a smile. Oh here we go. The door swings open and there he is; tall, witty, stupid Cole. "Aye, Addy wassup? How's business?" "Perfectly peachy, C," "Awe, is the poor baby mechanic annoyed with me?" She rolls her eyes, once again trying to hide her smile. Cole comes around the counter and takes her face in his hand, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "I see that smile, Ads, don't try to hide it."

She finally smiles and leans into his touch. He rubs her cheek and his smile softens to one of adoration. Never making things official Adeline and Cole have always been a sort of "couple" but with Cole being busy with school and work, Adeline running her shop and picking up night shifts at the diner down the street there just wasn't time for them to really be an official couple. Cole comes on his longer breaks in between classes just to see Adeline. On the rare occasion they're both off for a night they always watched a movie with popcorn at Cole's school apartment and cuddling under the blanket until Cole went to class the following morning and Adeline would soon leave after him to open her shop. 

It's the small comforts for now that keep them happy to wait until everything gets sorted out with their lives. "Movie night tomorrow right?" Adeline nods her head, smiling, "I'll bring over the popcorn and snack," "And I'll make dinner...hmm Chicken Paprikash?" Adeline's stomach rumbles, and Cole laughs, "I'll take that as a yes," he leans down and kisses Adeline; wrapping his arms around her. Adeline wraps her arms around his waist and smiles as he breaks the kiss; resting his forehead against hers.

"I have to go back to class, little rose, I'll see you tomorrow," he whispers, "Okayyy, tomorrow." Cole smiles and kisses Adeline one more time before leaving. Adeline doesn't stop smiling the rest of the day, especially with Cole texting her little GIFS. She waves bye to her last client and locks the doors to the shop before trudging upstairs to her somewhat homey apartment above her shop. Going to the bathroom she turns the shower on piping hot and lets it steam up the mirror. Peeling off her sweaty, oily jumper and her under-clothes she steps into the shower. The tension in her shoulders releases once the hot water pounds against her muscles and her head starts to feel less jumbled.

Turning the water off, Adeline sits in the steam for a few minutes before tying her hair up in a towel and getting ready to lay down and be comfortable for the rest of the night. Taking her time, taking care of herself, Adeline french braids her hair and starts washing her face and uses a cooling gel on her shoulders, neck and wrists to avoid muscle cramps and spasms. Finally plugging in her phone and getting under her covers Adeline turns on a nightime sound simulator to help her fall asleep.  

~A/N~

Very short and sweet <3