The way he smiles (Vincent x reader)

Stay

The scene kept replaying in your head over and over again. Vincent holding the pocket knife so tightly in his hand. The way your ex looked so pitiful. I will kill you. The words sent a chill down your spine. Vincent squeezed your shoulder, pulling you out of your trance.

"You alright?" He said looking down at you. You looked back up at him, noticing that he didn't even have a scratch or bruise on him. You nod in response to his question and look back to the ground. As grateful as you were that he did stick up for you, you had a deep feeling that he may have made things worse. Being harassed by your ex was possible before, now it could very much happen. You looked up and noticed that you both had made it back to the park.

"It's ok if you aren't alright, you know?" Vincent had stopped walking and pulled you in front of him, his hands resting on both your shoulders. His eyes scanned your face. You gave him a reassuring smile.

"I am fine. I'm just... thinking about things." You reached up and softly rested your hand on his. A soft smile formed on his face and he motioned to the bench near you.

"Tell me about these things, huh?" Vincent said with a smile. You gave him a right lipped smile in return and sighed.

"It's just... I'm... My ex is kind of a dick."

"I'm aware." He said flatly, scratching the back of his head. You chuckled a bit at his reaction.

"I'm just worried... I'm crashing at my parent's place right now and he knows that. What if he shows up to harass me again? Plus, I'm in between jobs right now so it's not like I can just, get my own place soon. I just..." you pull the hood of your jacket up and pull it down over your eyes, sinking down into the bench. Tears stung at your eyes and your throat felt tight. "I'm just afraid."

There was a moment of silence between you both. You were starting to feel embarrassed for getting this upset on a first date. You force the tears back down and pull the hood away from your face.

"I'm sorry." You both say at the same time. You blink a few times in confusion and muster up a giggle. "Go ahead, I've been rambling." Vincent rolls his eyes at you playfully.

"I was just saying sorry because I feel like you feel that way because of me. I got a little rowdy. I've been trying to control my temper... but I guess it got away from me." Vincent looked down at his hand, stretched it out a few times, before making a loose fist. You looked at his knuckles, noticing a spot of dried blood. Your ex's face flashed in your mind again. Quickly, you looked back up at him. He was staring off in the distance, already lost in his own thoughts.

"It's not your fault. Well, the fight was a bit much, but I think it was warranted. He was being an ass. Im more worried about him coming to harass me when... I don't have someone to protect me." You said the last part softly, placing your hand on his. It was almost embarrassing to say but it was true. His anger was explosive, and now that he was publicly embarrassed it would only get worse.

Vincent looked over to you with his eyes wide. There was a sudden heat to your cheeks. He suddenly took your hand into his and squeezed it softly.

"I'm going to ask you something, but you can say no and I won't take offense to it. I'm just throwing it out there."

A sudden nervousness washed over you.

"Why don't you come crash at mine for a few? Nothing weird, nothing crazy, most importantly nothing that you're uncomfortable with." Vincent offered with a charming smile. "Your ex doesn't know where I live, he wont even think to check there. Even if he does, I'll be there."

"That's sounds very boyfriend girlfriend." You said playfully.

"Like I said, you don't have to do anything you're uncomfortable with."

You sat for a moment weighing your options. Everything he said would be true. But also, you just met. You barely know him, would staying in his house be the best option? But having that protection, and not having to be around your parents for a little bit. You let out a sigh.

"Sure, I'll stay with you for a few. Only a few. And I can leave whenever I want."

"Well, yeah. I'm not going to keep you hostage." Vincent said with a laugh. "I can bring you over tomorrow, I gotta clean up and get things situated before you come. Plus I have work tonight." 

You nodded in response. The nervousness now felt like a small butterfly in your stomach, but you felt more at ease knowing that you'll be safe. You squeezed Vincent's hand and giggled.

"That works fine for me. It'll give me enough to gather everything I'll need." You said. Vincent looks at the time and suddenly stands up.

"I'm sorry to do this abruptly but I have to get home and get ready for work."

"Oh! No, you're fine. I'll catch the bus home."

"Here, take this." Vincent says with his hand extended. "It's bus fare. It's the last thing I can do for you on our date."

"Oh, thanks," you said with a chuckle. As you go to grab the fare, Vincent grasps your hand softly and pulls it closer to him. Placing a small peck on the back of your hand. You felt your face become red as he gave you a sly smile.

"I had a wonderful date, I'll see you tomorrow." Vincent said as he turned to leave.

"See ya." You said meekly, watching him walk away. The top of your hand tingled where he had kissed it. You hoped that you made the right decision.