Leafy love 🌿🗡️ Griefer x reader

chapter ten- confession day

Brad stood in front of the mirror, staring at his reflection like it might somehow give him an answer. For once, he was actually trying—hair brushed, teeth clean, face washed, freshly showered. He even "borrowed" some of his dad's cologne for the occasion.

Of course, he got caught in the act. But once his father realized what today was, he just smiled and waved it off, letting him use it freely.

Brad practiced a few pickup lines in the mirror—each one worse than the last.

"Nope. Too cheesy."
"Ugh, that's pathetic."
"Okay, now I sound like a complete dork..."

Why was he so nervous? This wasn't like him. He was confident, cocky even. So how did you, of all people, manage to tear right through that act like it was made of tissue paper?

And what if you didn't feel the same? That would be humiliating—losing the one person who'd stood by him, even when he hadn't deserved it. He didn't know if he could take that.

His father must've sensed the panic because he walked in quietly, placing a comforting hand on Brad's shoulder.

"Listen, don't stress yourself too much," he said gently. "Worst-case scenario? They say no. And then you move on. But Brad—this is someone you once literally tried to stab, and they still showed up every day to take care of you. If that doesn't mean something, I don't know what does. You've got this. I'm rooting for you."

Brad looked up at him and smiled nervously, but it was real. The mayor's heart melted just a little.

"Yeah... yeah, I got this. Just be myself. That's all I need to do—be myself."

He glanced at the mirror one more time. He looked clean, polished... too polished. This wasn't him. Not the version of him you knew.

He turned to his dad. "I think I need to change. This isn't the version of me they know."

His father gave a proud smile, happy to see Brad finally understanding who he really was. Brad changed back into his iconic neon green jacket—the one he wore when you first met him. After a deep breath and a wave goodbye, he headed out the door.

The forest felt oddly silent. Even the wind and birds seemed to know that this day meant something.

He followed the familiar path to the hotel, one he'd walked a thousand times before, but it had never felt this long. He stood at the door, hand raised to knock—then froze again.

But before he could chicken out, the door swung open.

There you were. The player.

"Brad? What are you doing here?" you asked, a little surprised, then laughed gently. "You've got your hair all combed out—what's the special occasion?"

That laugh—curse that laugh. It wrecked him every time.

He tried to speak, but nothing came out. So instead, he just pointed inside awkwardly.

You blinked but stepped aside to let him in. He sat on the edge of your bed like he was collecting every thought in his head before he finally spoke.

"I—I wanna tell you something that's been on my mind... if that's okay?"

You were surprised. He never asked if you minded. It must've been serious.

Brad took a deep breath. He opened his mouth, closed it, opened it again—then blurted it out all in one breath:

"I—I have a crush on you. I've had one for a little while now. I understand if you don't feel the same, and I'm sorry if this makes things awkward. I just—I hope we can still be friends, even if it is awkward and you say no!"

It took you a second to process what he just said. But once it clicked—

He liked you?
No—he liked-liked you.

The realization hit like a warm wave. You'd seen him grow. Mature. Try. He wasn't perfect, but he was trying, and there was something genuinely sweet about the effort he always put in when it came to you.

You smiled, reaching out and taking his hand gently in yours. He looked surprised, but you just gave it a reassuring squeeze.

"A crush...?" you echoed softly. "I think we can make that work."

His eyes widened in disbelief. And then suddenly, you were tackled into a tight, clumsy hug that sent you both tumbling down onto the bed, laughing.

From the floor, Brad managed to grab the landline, calling his dad to let him know he'd be staying the night. You couldn't hear what Thaniyel said on the other end, but judging by Brad's giddy smile, the mayor was proud.

You wrapped your arms around him as he rested his head on your shoulder, his voice quiet and content.

"You're such a nerd," you teased, brushing your fingers through his hair.

He groaned, "Ugh, I just brushed that, you know!"

You just laughed.

He didn't care. Not really.
Not when he finally felt seen.
Not when he was yours.