What Does Love Look Like? (Eyeless Jack X Reader)

Chapter 8

Your cheeks flushed a deep red as you felt his arms reach around you. They held you so close and you fit so perfectly it was a wonder how much of your life you spent outside of them. His scent filled your senses, making you keenly aware it wasn't your own. The friction between your bodies was tantalizing you in ways you never knew possible, despite the fabric of your clothes separating you. The whole experience was making you dizzy, your movements faltering. Your ears were filled with the sound of your heartbeat getting louder and louder and louder. But you could've sworn you heard his trying to catch up to yours.

You slapped your cheeks and shook your head violently, ultimately ending your little daydream. The pancake batter laid in front of you furiously mixed like you preemptively murdered it. When you looked around, you found yourself back in the kitchen, by yourself with no EJ wrapped around you.

The incident at the library had been plaguing your mind for days. It was odd, being able to sleep so peacefully at the time yet all the same being flustered everytime you recalled it. EJ was no help at all either, since he didn't say a word about it after he left, nor have you two talked about it since.

Not that the thought bothered you, of course.

You sighed as you refocused back to making breakfast. Sally was still asleep this early in the morning, and you made it a habit to wake up before her to cook up some blueberry pancakes. On an odd day, you might find Slenderman in his study working hard but never sleeping. Such mornings would have you gleefully humming as you cooked an extra serving. Today, however, it seemed that Slenderman would be out for business.

A fruity aroma filled the air as you started cooking the first of many more pancakes to come. Your stomach gurgled in anticipation, but you were patient, steeled with the self-control of a proud chef.

"That's looking pretty good."

You spun around, startled, and almost knocked the pan off the stove. A small gasp escaped when you saw who appeared behind you.

"EJ! You surprised me!"

There wasn't any sign that he had entered the kitchen in the first place.

You heard him chuckle a bit at your reaction, "My bad. I just smelled breakfast and couldn't help but follow."

"What brings you here, by the way?"

"Me and the gang finished the job early, but Slender had to stay behind. Told me to go check up on you guys, on account I'm your trustworthy part-time tutor."

"Ah, I see." You gave him a nod and smile of acknowledgement. Hastily, you turned back to your cooking as you felt your cheeks flushing. It seems seeing EJ brought back some embarassing memories, your reaction of which you hoped he wouldn't notice.

An awkward silence settled in. Outside of tutoring, it was hard to find something to talk about. You racked your brain for something, anything, to say, but it was no use. Fidgeting a little in place, you caught a glance of EJ leaning against the counter beside you, looking at the ground. Intuition whispered that he maybe was struggling just like you, and the thought gave you a bit of courage to speak up.

"S-stho, will you be joining us for breakfast?"

Sadly, courage could not stop you from biting your tongue.

At least EJ didn't notice, or pretended not to, as he quickly acknowledged your question. He seemed a little flustered that you broke the ice so suddenly, but perhaps that was just your imagination.

"Uh, the boss might..." He faced you as he was about to decline, but the face of anticipation (you did little to hide) stopped him. He dwelled on the thought for a bit, before finally drooping his shoulders in defeat.