𝐅𝐎𝐎𝐓𝐁𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐑 𝐈𝐌𝐀𝐆𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐒

all the signs - dean huijsen

You always thought Dean Huijsen was quiet.

Tall, calm, the kind of guy who didn't say much unless it mattered.
The opposite of the loud, chaotic players on his team.

but he wasn't quiet around you.

that was the first sign.

The first sign

You were sitting on the bench outside the training center, scrolling your phone, waiting for your friend to finish practice. dean walked out first his hair a little messy, shirt stuck to his chest, bag slung across his shoulder.

He saw you.
Paused.
Then smiled, small, soft, like he tried to hide it.

"You're early" he said.

You raised a brow. "How do you know what time I usually come?"

He froze for half a second, then shrugged casually.

"I just...notice things."

You didn't know why that made your cheeks warm.

The second sign

T

wo weeks later, you came to watch a scrimmage and dean didn't know you were there.

Or so you thought.

You were talking to one of the wags beside you when dean scored a clean, smooth header and the first thing he did?

He looked for you.

Straight to the stands his eyes scanning until they landed right on yours.

And he smiled.

She elbowed you.
"Girl....he likes you."

You pretended not to hear her but your heart definitely did.

The third sign

After practice, you found dean waiting by your car.

"Hey" he said, rubbing the back of his neck like he practiced what he wanted to say.

"Hey is everything okay?"

He let out a breath.
"Not really."

Your heart dropped.

"What happened?"

He hesitated, eyes dark and serious.
"It's about you."

Your breath hitched.

"Me?"

He nodded, stepping closer.

"Players were talking today about you, about...us they were saying I only play well when you're watching."

He looked down, jaw tight.

"And I didn't like it."

You blinked.
"...why? That's not even a bad thing."

"It is," he said, voice low "if it's true."

"what do you mean?" you swallowed.

He looked up and there it was the real reason he was upset.

"Because when you're there" he whispered

"I can't think straight."

Your heart pounded.

"dean-"

"I don't like when other guys talk to you." he added, the honesty spilling out faster now.
"I don't like when they look at you. And I hate that you don't notice."

You stepped back slightly, caught off guard.

"so you're....jealous?"

he didn't even deny it.

"I know I know" he said quietly.
"It's stupid."

You stared at him.
Then, without thinking, you moved closer.

"It's not stupid," you said.
"It just means you care."

dean shook his head, frustrated.

"No, it means I don't know how to tell you I like you without messing it up."

Your breath caught.

"You like me?"

He let out a shaky laugh.
"Yeah pretty sure the entire team knows except you."

Silence.
But not the uncomfortable kind the good kind.
The kind where one move could change everything.

You stepped closer, your voice barely a whisper.

"You didn't mess anything up."

Dean's eyes dropped to your lips for half a second that slow, careful look that made your whole body warm.

"Can I-" he started, then stopped himself.
"actually no, I don't want to assume."

Your heart flipped.

So you took the last step.

You lifted your hand, placing it gently on his chest. He inhaled sharply, leaning into your touch like he'd been waiting months for it.

"It's okay," you whispered.

Then he kissed you slow at first, gentle, like he was afraid you'd break but deeper when your fingers curled in his shirt.

and you knew right there:

quiet boys fall the hardest