𝐀𝐏𝐇𝐌𝐀𝐔 One Shots | x ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ

Out of His Comfort Zone ❀ᘔᗩᑎE ᙭ ᖇEᗩᗪEᖇ ❀ 𝐌𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐭 ❀

Title: Out of His Comfort Zone
Setting: Mystreet
Pairing: Zane x Cool!Female!Reader

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✿*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ♡*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✿*:･ﾟ✧

I leaned against the counter at Rizzo's, casually sipping my drink as the late afternoon sun filtered through the windows. The place wasn't busy yet, which meant I could get away with hanging around, waiting for my favorite form of entertainment: flustering Zane Ro'Meave.

Don't get me wrong—I liked him. A lot. Maybe more than I should've. But watching the most intimidating guy in the neighborhood completely lose his cool around me? Yeah... I lived for it.

Right on cue, the bell over the door jingled, and there he was.

Black hoodie, dark hair slightly messy, that permanent scowl like the world had personally offended him. His eyes scanned the café, landing on me.

I smirked, tilting my head slightly. "Took you long enough, Ro'Meave."

Zane stiffened, clearly debating an escape route. To his credit, he walked over, clutching the cup in his hands like it might save him. "Y/N," he greeted, voice low, careful—like saying my name out loud might detonate something.

It might, honestly.

I gestured to the empty seat across from me. "You hiding from Garroth again, or do you actually want to hang out with me this time?"

He sat down, mumbling something under his breath that I couldn't catch. His pale cheeks flushed faintly, though he tried to hide it behind his cup.

I leaned in, resting my elbow on the table, chin in hand. "You're terrible at being subtle, y'know."

Zane's eyes darted to mine, and for a second, I saw the panic flash behind his usual grumpy exterior. "Subtle about... what?"

"You've been avoiding me all week," I teased, swirling the straw in my drink. "I thought maybe you didn't like me anymore."

His jaw tightened, and for a heartbeat, I wondered if I pushed too far. But then, his shoulders slumped, and he let out a quiet sigh, eyes softening behind his bangs.

"I wasn't avoiding you," he muttered. "I was... figuring stuff out."

I arched a brow, amused. "What kind of stuff?"

Zane fidgeted with the sleeve of his hoodie, eyes flicking away. "The kind where... being around you makes my head weird."

My heart stuttered. Okay, didn't expect that level of honesty today.

I played it cool, letting a smile curl at the edge of my lips. "Weird how? Like... headache weird, or... butterflies weird?"

Zane groaned softly, hiding his face in his hands. "You're impossible."

I laughed, nudging his foot under the table. "Yeah, but you like that about me."

Silence stretched for a beat, his hands slowly lowering to reveal the faintest smile ghosting across his face. It was small, but it was there—a quiet surrender.

"Yeah..." His voice dropped to barely a whisper. "I really do."

The warmth bloomed in my chest, but I kept my cool, taking another sip of my drink, my smile never faltering.

"Good," I said simply, letting the silence linger, letting him sit with the fact that I noticed, that I wasn't running, and neither should he.

For once, Zane didn't argue. And honestly? I kinda liked seeing him out of his comfort zone.

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✿*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ♡*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✿*:･ﾟ✧

Hey Everyone! This one shot was requested by @purplebunnywitch

I hope you all enjoyed! Byeee