Echoes of Midnight (Johnnie Gilbert x Reader)

A New Beginning

Summary: The day-to-day life after your trip begins to settle, but with new challenges come new opportunities. As you and Johnnie adjust to being back in the real world, you find ways to keep the spark of your love alive, even when the pressures of life pull at the seams. But when an unexpected change arises, it forces you both to take a step forward—together.

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The weeks after returning home felt like a dream slowly fading into the background. You and Johnnie had slipped back into your old routines, but everything felt different now. There was a quiet undercurrent of change—subtle, but undeniable.

The mornings were no longer just about rushing to get to work on time. Now, they were filled with small moments, like the way Johnnie would press a kiss to your shoulder before you got out of bed or the way you'd linger at the coffee pot, both of you taking a few extra minutes to start the day. It wasn't much, but it was everything.

You both were learning how to balance your love with the demands of the world you'd stepped back into. Johnnie had taken up a new project at work, and it had begun to consume his time, but you could see how much he thrived on the challenge. Meanwhile, your own career was picking up speed, and though it brought a sense of pride, there were days when the stress felt overwhelming.

"Long day?" Johnnie asked one evening, glancing up from his laptop as you entered the living room.

You dropped your bag by the door, your shoulders slumped in exhaustion. "You have no idea," you muttered, pulling off your shoes and sinking into the couch. "I thought I was going to lose my mind in that meeting. You?"

"Busy, but good," he replied, though the slight furrow in his brow told you that his workload had its own weight. "It's just one of those weeks, you know?"

You nodded, closing your eyes as you leaned back, the stress of the day weighing heavily on you both. But then, without a word, Johnnie shifted, making room for you beside him. You crawled into his arms, burying your face in his chest.

"Tell me about your day," he murmured, his fingers gently massaging your scalp, a soothing rhythm that made your muscles relax.

You started talking, pouring out everything that had gone wrong, all the frustrations, the worries. As you spoke, Johnnie listened quietly, never interrupting, just offering small words of encouragement or empathy. It was the kind of connection that grounded you, the kind of love that made everything else fade into the background.

When you finally stopped, drained but lighter, Johnnie kissed the top of your head. "We'll get through it," he said softly. "And when things get too much, we can take a step back. Maybe even a road trip. Just you and me."

You chuckled, lifting your head to meet his eyes. "You're trying to escape again, aren't you?"

Johnnie grinned, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Maybe. But, honestly? I just want more of you. Always."

You smiled, feeling a warmth spread through you. In that moment, all the stress of the world seemed manageable. As long as you had him by your side, there was nothing you couldn't handle.

A few days later, Johnnie came home early, a rare surprise that instantly lifted your spirits. He found you in the kitchen, trying to salvage what was left of a disastrous dinner attempt. The smell of burnt garlic filled the air, and you frowned at the pot on the stove.

"You okay?" Johnnie asked, his voice light with humor as he leaned in the doorway.

You laughed weakly, holding up the charred remains of your cooking. "Clearly not. I was trying to make dinner, but I think I might have ruined it."

Johnnie raised an eyebrow, walking toward you with an amused smile. "I think you might need some help," he teased, pulling you away from the stove. "Let me take over."

He set to work with surprising skill, quickly turning the kitchen disaster into something edible. You watched him, a mix of admiration and affection filling your heart. "How do you know how to do this?" you asked, a smile tugging at your lips.

"I have my secrets," he said with a wink. "But mostly, I just like making sure you don't starve."

You laughed, leaning against the counter and watching him move effortlessly around the kitchen. There was a simplicity in these moments, an intimacy that felt just as important as the grand gestures of love.

As the months passed, life continued its natural ebb and flow. There were days when everything felt easy, and others when it felt like the weight of the world was pressing down on you both. But each time, you found your way back to each other. Through quiet nights at home, spontaneous date nights, or the simple act of holding hands during a stressful workday, you and Johnnie navigated the complexities of life together.

Then, one afternoon, as you sat at your desk, you received a phone call that would change everything.

It was an unexpected offer—a job opportunity, one that was perfect for you in every way, but it required moving. Out of the city. Far away from everything you knew.

You sat in stunned silence after hanging up, the weight of the decision pressing down on you. It was a huge opportunity, one you couldn't ignore, but it meant leaving behind everything you had here: your job, your friends, your comfort zone.

Johnnie came into the room a few minutes later, a concerned look on his face. "Hey, what's wrong?"

You looked up at him, your heart pounding. "I got an offer. A big one. But it's... it's out of state."

His brow furrowed, and he moved to sit beside you, taking your hand. "What do you think?"

"I don't know," you admitted. "It's everything I've wanted, but it means leaving here. Leaving you. And I don't know if I can do that."

Johnnie smiled softly, his thumb brushing over the back of your hand. "Then don't."

You blinked, surprised. "What?"

"If it's what you want," he said, his voice steady, "I'll go with you. Wherever you go. We'll make it work. You don't have to do this alone."

His words were like a weight lifted from your chest, and you felt a wave of emotion crash over you. "Are you sure?" you asked, voice trembling. "I don't want to hold you back."

Johnnie cupped your face gently, his eyes full of certainty. "I'm sure. I want us to keep moving forward. Together."

In that moment, everything felt clear. No matter where life took you, you would face it side by side. There were no more doubts, no more hesitations.

You kissed him, the promise of a future together lingering between your lips.

End of Chapter Fourteen