Echoes of Midnight (Johnnie Gilbert x Reader)

Whispers of Dawn

Summary: After a chance encounter with Johnnie Gilbert, the connection between the two of you deepens. As you navigate the complicated emotions that come with getting to know someone famous, you find that the most meaningful bonds are often forged in the quiet moments between the chaos.

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

The days following the concert felt surreal. It wasn't just that you had met Johnnie Gilbert—it was that he had asked to see you again. Every time your phone buzzed, you couldn't help but hope it was him, and when his name finally appeared on your screen, your heart did a little flip.

Johnnie: Hey, how about coffee tomorrow?

Your fingers hovered over the keyboard, trying to craft the perfect response. You didn't want to seem too eager, but you also didn't want to play it too cool.

You: Sounds great! Where and when?

The reply came almost instantly.

Johnnie: There's this little café I like, called Midnight Roast. Noon?

You: Noon it is. Looking forward to it!

You spent the rest of the night overthinking your outfit, what you'd say, how you'd act. But deep down, you knew that whatever happened, the most important thing was just to be yourself. After all, that's what Johnnie seemed to appreciate about you in the first place.

The next day, you arrived at Midnight Roast a little early. The café was cozy, with dim lighting and the scent of freshly brewed coffee filling the air. You found a small table by the window, giving you a view of the street outside.

You were halfway through your first cup of coffee when you saw Johnnie walking towards the café, his signature dark attire standing out against the bright morning light. He spotted you through the window and smiled, a genuine, warm smile that made your heart race.

"Hey," he greeted as he slid into the chair across from you. "Sorry if I kept you waiting."

"Not at all," you replied, trying to keep your voice steady. "I got here early anyway."

He glanced around the café, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes. "I used to come here a lot when I needed to get away from everything. It's quiet, and the people here don't make a big deal out of me being here."

You nodded, understanding the need for a place where he could just be himself. "It's a nice spot. I can see why you like it."

For a while, the two of you talked about everything and nothing—music, movies, the small details of your lives that somehow felt important to share. You found yourself laughing more than you had in a long time, and every time Johnnie laughed with you, you felt a little more at ease.

As the conversation flowed, you couldn't help but notice the way Johnnie's eyes would soften when he looked at you, as if he was seeing something special in you that no one else had noticed. It made you wonder if he felt the same connection you did.

After a couple of hours, the café started to fill up, and you both decided it was time to leave. As you stepped outside, the sunlight was warm against your skin, and you took a deep breath, feeling more relaxed than you had in days.

"So, what's next?" Johnnie asked, turning to face you with that boyish grin that made your heart skip a beat.

You hadn't really thought that far ahead. "I don't know. I guess I hadn't planned much beyond this."

He seemed to consider this for a moment before his eyes lit up with an idea. "How about we go for a walk? There's this park nearby that's really peaceful."

You agreed, and the two of you began walking side by side, the conversation drifting into more personal territory. Johnnie opened up about his struggles with anxiety, how the pressure of being in the public eye often weighed heavily on him. You listened, offering quiet support, knowing that sometimes, just being there was enough.

As the park came into view, you noticed a small lake at its center, the water reflecting the blue sky above. The two of you found a bench near the edge of the water, and for a moment, you just sat there in comfortable silence, watching the ducks glide across the surface.

"I don't usually do this," Johnnie said suddenly, his voice quiet but steady.

"Do what?" you asked, turning to look at him.

"Let people in," he admitted, his eyes focused on the water. "It's hard, you know? Trusting people. But with you... I don't know. It feels different."

Your heart swelled at his words, and you found yourself reaching out, your hand brushing against his. He didn't pull away. Instead, he turned his hand over, gently taking yours in his, his touch warm and reassuring.

"I'm glad you feel that way," you said softly. "Because I feel it too."

He looked at you then, his blue eyes searching yours, as if he was trying to find the right words to say. But in the end, he didn't need to say anything. The way he squeezed your hand, the way he smiled at you, it said everything you needed to hear.

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the park, you knew that this was more than just a fleeting connection. It was the start of something real, something that could only grow stronger with time.

And as you walked back together, hand in hand, you couldn't help but feel that the echoes of midnight had led you to something beautiful—a bond that neither of you had expected, but one that you were both ready to explore, no matter where it might lead.