City Lights | Ethan Nestor x Reader

Windows

Following the unspoken rule of texting, I didn't message Ethan for 24 hours so I didn't seem too clingy. Nor did he. Although I did check my DM's every once in a while, it's not as if I was sitting around the house picking up my phone every thirty minutes. I went to a local cafe with Chris and Lindsay, then drove Chris to the airport for a three-day business trip. I drove down to the beach and got some artsy photos, made my bed and cleaned my room. It wasn't until I had finished Mark's You're Welcome video (which, by the way, I had already seen) that Ethan messaged me. 

E: Hey, are you up?

I checked the time. 12:37am. You've got to be kidding me.

Y: Are you seriously booty-calling me a day after you met me?

E: Oh fuck, I'm so sorry. It totally sounded like that. I just, there's this cool place I wanted to show you and I was kinda thinking about everything, I don't know why I thought this would be a good idea. 

Y: It's fine, I can sneak out if you really want me to come.

E: Only if you want to, I don't want to bother you...

Y: I'm always up for adventures, I'm leaving in 5. Text me directions.

I couldn't decide whether to sneak out or text Lindsay, so I ended up just leaving her a note on the counter. I slid open the window, hopped out, and left it open a crack. 

I checked my phone and looked at the directions Ethan had sent me. It looked like he was next to the Suntrust building, this huge bank with something like thirty floors. But it was closed now. What was he doing there?

I rolled down my window, letting the cool, damp air flow into the car. LA is gorgeous at night, all bright lights and 24-hour convenience stores. I stop at a red light and look into the car next to me. A boy and a girl sit in the front while two others sit in the back, laughing and singing to something on the radio. I wonder where they're going this late. 

As I pulled up to the Suntrust building, I could see Ethan sitting on the front steps. He's wearing black jeans and a dark Cloak hoodie. The light of his phone reflected on his glasses, and he glanced up at me as I parked. I quietly shut the door and step out of the car.

"Hey." My voice sliced through the peaceful silence. 

"Hi," he said, standing up and brushing off his pants. "So, uh. This isn't as weird as it seems," he says, adding a nervous laugh. "I'll explain while we get there."

"If you make me break into the Suntrust building, I swear..." 

He laughs. "It's funny, the only reason I can get in here is because I know the security guy."

"So you're taking me on a date at one in the morning. In the Suntrust building."

Ethan opens the door for me and we walk in, our steps echoing through the empty lobby. It isn't until we step into the light that I notice it looks like he's been crying. I don't say anything.

"Oh, so it's a date now?" Ethan says, his face flushing red. He looks over at me, barely holding in a laugh.

"Tch, you know that's not what I meant." I can feel my ears get hot. 

"Y/N...are you a tsundere?" 

"No, c'mon! I was just joking! Shut up..."

Ethan bursts out laughing. "You totally are!" 

I shove him playfully. "So what are we doing in the Suntrust building?"

"Oh, yeah. Here, the elevator is over here." He walks by me and I look over at him. Our eyes meet and I look away quickly, embarrassed. The elevator door opens. He clicks a button, and after less than a minute, the door opens again, revealing a short hallway with about three doors on each side. He pulls out a key and unlocks the entry closest to us, revealing an expansive room covered in floor-to-ceiling windows.

"Welcome to mi casa," he says, half smiling at me.