Temperance pov
It's early evening when i hear the familiar sound of keyes in the lock. Y/n walks through the door, balancing two bags of takeout from Mila's, that tiny restaurant we love to much. My heart flutters at the sight of her. After her first day back at work, she looks tired but happy, like she's right where she belongs. I can't help but smile.
"Brought dinner!" she announces with that grin i love, holding up the bags as if they're a trophy.
I walk over to greet her, and the moment i'm within arm's reach, Y/n sets the bags down on the table, then pulls me into a hug that practically lifts me off the floor. "Missed you," she murmurs into my hair before pressing a kiss to my forehead.
I laugh but quickly push against her chest. "Y/n! You shouldn't be lifting me like that. Your back- remember?"
She lets out a sheepish chuckle, placing me back on the ground. "I know, i know. I just... couldn't help myself."
I raise an eyebrow, crossing my arms, but there's no real annoyance in my tone. "Well, i'd rather you help yourself. I'm not in the mood for another hospital visit."
She grins, then pulls me in for another kiss, this one softer, slower. "Alright, Doctor Brennan. No more lifting, i promise."
We settle into the routine we've formed over the past few weeks - Y/n sets out the food, and i grab the drinks. It's comfortable, easy. It feels... like home. And it hits me again, how Y/n has been spending more and more time here, almost every night. She has a place with penelope, but she's rarely there anymore.
As we sit down on the couch, side by side, digging into the food, the thought lingers in my mind until it finally slips out. "You know... you're practically living here now."
Y/n pauses mid-bite, looking at me with a mix of surprise and something else, something deeper. "What do you mean?"
I gesture around the apartment, feeling a bit self-conscious now that i've said it out loud. "I mean... your things are here. You've been staying here almost every night. You even leave your jacket on the chair. It's like..." i hesitate, feeling the awkwardness creep in. "It's like this is your place now, too."
Y/n's smile fades into something more thoughtful. She sets her food down and leans back, running a hand through her hair. "I guess... yeah, i kinda have been living here, haven't i?"
The air between us thickens as we both sit with the unspoken implication hanging over our heads. Moving in together. It's not like i haven't thought about it. I have - more than i'd like to admit. But now that it's out there, it feels... bit. Too big.
Y/n looks at me, and i can tell she's feeling the same tension. "Is that... a bad thing? I mean, do you want me to go back to Penelope's more?"
I shake my head quickly. "No, that's not that i'm saying. I like having you here. I just... didn't realise how much it felt like you were already... here."
We fall into an awkward silence, both of us unsure of what to say next. I can feel my heart pounding in my chest, and i know Y/n feels it too. We both want this, don't we? But neither of us is ready to say the words.
Y/n clears her throat, forcing a smile as she grabs her food again. "Well, we can talk about that later, yeah? Let's not make it weird."
I nod, relieved but also a little frustrated. "Yeah. later."
With that, we turn out attention to the TV, flipping through channels until we find something to watch. We settle back into the comfort of each other's presence, but the conversation still lingers in the back of my mind. Moving in together... it's a step we'll take eventually. But tonight, it feels too soon to confront it.
Instead, we sit side by side, eating dinner on the couch and watching some mindless show, the warmth of her body next to mine enough to keep the rest of the world at bay for a little longer.
***
A few hours later, as we're getting ready for bed, the conversation that lingered in the air earlier seems to resurface. Y/n is sitting on the edge of the bed, her expression thoughtful, almost hesitant. I'm brushing my hair by the vanity, trying to act casual, though i can sense that something is about to bed said.
"Hey, tempe," she starts softly, her voice cutting through the quiet of the room. I glance at her reflection in the mirror, waiting for her to continue. "I've been thinking about... what we talked about earlier."
I set down the brush, turning to face her fully. "About you practically living here?" i ask, my tone light but my heart already pounding.
She nods, rubbing the back of her neck in the way she does when she's unsure. "Yeah... i was thinking, maybe officially moving in together isn't the best idea right now."
I feel a pang of something - disappointment? Relief? It's hard to say. But i know she's right. I've been used to being alone for so long, and we're still finding our way in this relationship. Maybe moving in together would be too much, too soon. Even after everything.
"You're right," i say, my voice steady even though my emotions are swirling inside. "It might complicate things if we rush into that. We've only just..." i trail off, not really sure how to phrase it.
"Yeah, exactly," Y/n agrees, looking a little more relaxed now that i'm on the same page. "I mean, i love being here with you, but maybe we shouldn't make anything too... official."
There's a beat of silence between us, and i nod, agreeing with her. But then, a small smile tugs at the corners of my lips as i cross the room toward her. "But just because we're not making it official doesn't mean you're off the hook."
She looks up at me, focused. "What do you mean?"
I stand in front of her, leaning down slightly so our faces are inches apart. "You still have to stay with me, here," i say, my voice low but firm, my fingers brushing her cheek.
Y/n's lips curve into a smile, her hand coming up to cup my waist. "Oh, do i now?" she teases, pulling me closer, her breath warm against my skin.
"Yes, you do," i whisper, ad before i can say anything else, she leans up and kisses me. It's soft at first, tender and warm, but quickly deepens as her arms wrap around me, pulling me onto the bed with her.
I let out a small laugh as we tumble onto the sheets, my body pressed against hers, my lips never leaving hers. "So, we're agreed then?" I manage between kisses.
Y/n grins against my mouth. "Agreed."
Her hands slide up my back, holding me close, and before long, all thoughts of conversation of awkwardness are forgotten.
YOU ARE READING
The Nights We Stay Awake (TemperancexReader)
Fanfiction"My favourite place in the world? My favourite question... it's right next to you." No one has ever really understood how their friendship came to be, but Y/n and Temperance have always spent every free moment together. Even when Y/n is away on case...