Leafy love 🌿🗡️ Griefer x reader

Chapter nine point five - stupid feelings

As Brad stepped into his room, he shut the door behind him and immediately threw himself onto his bed, burying his face deep into the pillow.

Love?
No—no way. He couldn't be in love.
Especially not with them. Not with the player, of all people.

Sure, they were kind—annoyingly kind. They always knew what to say to make him feel better, to make him laugh even on his worst days...
And their smile... That stupid perfect smile—
"Ugh, get a hold of yourself, Brad," he muttered, flipping onto his back and covering his face with both hands. "You're not gonna go soft over some charming, stupidly nice—" he growled into the air, "player."

He tried to distract himself for the rest of the day, desperately avoiding any stray thoughts that might circle back to them.
He focused on what always helped: his card game. He'd just started selling it at the local game store, and thanks to some recent buzz—including from the player themselves—it was actually doing pretty well.

He set to work sketching out ideas for a new expansion set. Something cool. Maybe fire-themed, or shadow types.
But before he knew it, his hand had moved on its own.

And when he finally looked down...
He'd drawn them.

Wearing his jacket, smiling wide with that same annoyingly beautiful expression. The worst part?

It looked good. Really good.

Face flushed, he let out a strangled groan and chucked the sketch across the room. It fluttered in the air before landing perfectly—right on his desk, next to his computer.

"Come on, Brad!" he barked at himself. "You can't even think straight anymore! I'm sure they don't like me like that. I mean—come on, I still screw everything up! I'm a problem child—why would they ever date someone like me?!"

There was a quiet knock, and before Brad could hide the meltdown, the door creaked open.

Mayor Thaniyel stepped inside, a calm warmth in his presence. Brad sat up quickly and wiped his eyes, trying to look busy.

But the mayor didn't say anything at first. He just walked over and gently sat beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Hey..." he said softly. "There was a time I felt something similar, for someone I... no, that's a story for another day."

Thaniyel paused, collecting his thoughts before continuing, voice calm and full of care.

"What I'm trying to say is—it's okay to feel this way. I know it can be scary. Overwhelming, even. But those feelings? They're valid. You don't need to run from them."

Brad stayed quiet, eyes low. The mayor gave his shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

"You're a wonderful young man, Brad. Don't let fear convince you otherwise. And whatever you decide to do with these feelings—confess them, or just let them be—I'll be right here, supporting you."

Brad stared at his dad for a long moment, emotions swirling in his chest. Then, without a word, he reached forward and hugged him tightly.

Thaniyel blinked, startled at first—but then his expression softened, and he wrapped his arms around his son, gently pulling him in.

Muffled in his father's chest, Brad finally spoke.

"...You always know what to say, Dad. I don't think I could do this without you."

The mayor just smiled, running a gentle hand through his son's hair.

"You've made me so happy to be your father, Brad. And whenever you're ready... I'll be there to help you tell them."