Imagine Book 2

The Breakdown- Allison Grant (So Help Me Todd)

As requested by Antisuperstar! Male Y/N

The late afternoon sun was slipping below the horizon, bathing the city streets in a soft amber glow. Allison Grant was buzzing with excitement as she adjusted the strap of her glittery purse. She was ready for a much-needed girls' night out, her first in weeks. Life had been a whirlwind of double shifts at the hospital, navigating family drama, and managing her own perfectionist tendencies. Tonight was a chance to let loose, enjoy a drink (or two), and catch up with her closest friends.

Her car, a dependable sedan that she lovingly referred to as "Old Reliable," was parked in the driveway, polished and gleaming. With a final glance at her reflection in the rearview mirror, she revved the engine and started her drive toward downtown.

The stereo blasted upbeat pop music as Allison hummed along, her mood sky-high. That is, until halfway there, Old Reliable stuttered, hiccupped, and came to a shuddering halt on the side of the road.

"No, no, no," Allison muttered, hitting the steering wheel lightly as if that would coax the car back to life. "Not tonight, you can't do this to me!"

The dashboard lit up like a Christmas tree, but it was the ominous plume of smoke curling from under the hood that sealed the deal. With a heavy sigh, Allison pulled her phone from her purse. There was only one person she trusted to handle this, especially with such short notice.

She dialled Y/N.

__

Y/N had just finished tidying up his garage, his hands blackened from an afternoon of tinkering with a stubborn transmission, when his phone buzzed in his pocket. Pulling it out, he saw Allison's name flash on the screen and swiped to answer.

"Hey, Ally," he greeted, his voice warm but teasing. "What's up? You miss me already?"

Allison sighed dramatically, though there was an unmistakable fondness in her tone. "Old Reliable betrayed me! I'm stuck on the side of the road, and the girls are waiting for me at the bar. Can you save the day?"

He chuckled. "Where are you?"

Allison rattled off her location, and Y/N was already grabbing his toolbox before she finished. "Stay put. I'll be there in ten minutes."

"You're the best, you know that?" she said, her voice lightening.

"Don't worry, I'll remind you once I fix your car," he replied with a grin.

True to his word, Y/N pulled up ten minutes later in his pickup truck. He parked behind Allison's car, hopped out, and flashed her a playful smile as he walked up.

"Your knight in shining overalls has arrived," he joked.

Allison was leaning against her car, her arms crossed but her eyes sparkling with relief. "Shining overalls, huh? Looks like you've been rolling in grease again."

He winked at her. "Occupational hazard."

Y/N popped the hood and inspected the engine, his skilled hands moving with practised ease. Allison, standing nearby, couldn't help but admire him as he worked. The way he focused completely on the task at hand, the little furrow of concentration in his brow—it was all endearing.

"You're incredible, you know that?" she said after a few minutes. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

Y/N looked up from the engine, his expression softening. "Well, lucky for you, you won't have to find out." He held her gaze for a moment, his cheeks slightly tinged with colour before he returned to work.

Within minutes, Y/N had pinpointed the issue and fixed it, making it look effortless. He closed the hood with a satisfying click and wiped his hands on a rag from his toolbox.

"All done," he said, stepping back.

"Already? You're amazing!" Allison threw her arms around him in a spontaneous hug. Y/N chuckled, his hands hovering awkwardly for a moment before settling on her waist.

"Just doing my job," he murmured.

She pulled back slightly, her face inches from his. "No, really. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me." And with that, she leaned in, pressing a lingering kiss to his lips.

For a second, Y/N forgot how to breathe. When they finally broke apart, he was grinning like a fool.

"You should go," he said, his voice teasing but low. "Before your friends wonder what happened to you."

Allison gave him a playful pout but nodded. "You're right. I'll see you later." She slid back into her car, waving as she pulled back onto the road.

Y/N watched her go, shaking his head with a smile. "That woman," he muttered to himself before heading home.

__

Hours later, Allison returned home, her heels clicking softly on the driveway. The night out had been fun, filled with laughter and dancing, but the highlight of her evening was waiting for her inside.

She found Y/N in the garage, hunched over a workbench with a set of car parts spread out in front of him. His hands were deftly scrubbing grime from a spark plug, his focus so intense he didn't hear her approach.

"Hey, grease monkey," she called softly.

He looked up, startled, but his face softened when he saw her. "You're back. How was your night?"

"Good," she said, stepping closer. "But it would've been a disaster if it weren't for you."

Y/N waved her off. "It was nothing, really."

"Stop that," she said firmly, coming up behind him and sliding her arms around his waist. "You're my hero. You saved the night, and I didn't even get to thank you properly."

"You already thanked me," he pointed out, but the blush rising in his cheeks betrayed him.

"Not enough," she said. Tugging him gently, she guided him away from the workbench. "Leave the car parts for tomorrow."

"Allison—" he began to protest, but she silenced him with a kiss.

This one was deeper, more passionate, leaving no room for argument. Y/N melted into her, his hands finding their place at her hips as she pressed against him. Her fingers threaded through his hair, and for a moment, the world outside the garage ceased to exist.

When they finally broke apart, both slightly breathless, Allison rested her forehead against his. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice filled with love.

Y/N smiled, his hands still holding her close. "Anytime, Ally. Anytime."