Handyman {A Dream x Reader}

002

(hello to any friends who have found this story, please don't bully me too hard)

(oh, this also doesn't take place during covid. there are events that happened during covid, but i'm writing it without. there is texting in this chapter, it's basically imessages but i have it set to where they can change each other's names and group chat names.)

TW- slight language, past relationship mentions, mentions of anxiety

"what in the world did you break now, clay?" (y/n) exclaimed with a wide grin as they watched the tall man from yesterday walk into the store. he let out his signature tea kettle wheeze, making (y/n)'s cheeks heat up slightly. "you know me so well," he replied with a grin. "i actually need some paint. the paint chipped off when i kicked my desk so i'm going to just repaint the room." clay explained, leaning on the front counter. "what color are you wanting?" (y/n) asked, leaning forward as well. they both had smiles on their face as they talked.
"well currently it's a light gray, i was thinking of going darker gray." he answered, standing up and following them as they started to walk towards and isle. "i'm thinking it'll be about one gallon." clay added on, watching as the worker crouched down to look at the paint. "what type of texture are the walls?" they asked, looking over the different gallons. eventually the two had something worked out and (y/n) stood up. they went to pick up the gallon but was quickly met with clay doing it for them. a slight pink tinted their cheeks as they watched his muscles slightly flex against the hoodie, quickly shaking it off as they started walking towards the paint counter. he wasn't bulked down with muscles, but from what they could see he was decently toned.

they reached out for the paint, sitting it up on the counter. "here's a few gray cards, do you like any of these colors?" they asked, showing a few cards with different color swatches on them. clay eventually picked one that he liked and that color was soon mixed in with the plain white paint. he also grabbed some painters tape and the recommended rollers, carrying them as well as the paint to the front counter. as (y/n) was scanning things in silence, clay quickly took his opportunity. "i happen to notice the shop doesn't open tomorrow," he started cautiously. "it is a saturday tomorrow." (y/n) replied, pausing what they were doing to glance up at him. "i do have a whole room to paint, if y'know... you'd wanna help?" he finished off, sounding unsure.
(y/n) paused slightly, their eyes wide and cheeks starting to become hot. did... did clay just ask them on a painting date? 'shit, shit, shit. too soon, clay.' he thought, trying to read their shocked expression. "it depends," they replied softly after a moment, a small smile dancing across their lips. "you're providing lunch right?" this caused a laugh and a wheeze from clay. "yes, i will feed you. i'll even throw in dinner and a movie." he replied boldly, a happy grin on his face. a shade of pink accompanied the freckles on cheeks, a shade that matched the cheeks of (y/n). "you've got a deal," they said with a smile, taking clay's receipt after he paid with his card. they quickly wrote down their number as well as a smiley face, handing it to the green eyed man. "i get off in an hour, i'll text you then." they said, waving a shy goodbye to clay as he walked out of the shop.

"a date huh?" asked thomas, making (y/n) jump and turn around to look at their boss who had just come around the corner. they had a wild red blush on their face, nodding hesitantly at him. "good for you, (y/n). i'm glad you're getting back into the dating scene." he said, giving them a pat on the shoulder. of course that probably wasn't the best thing to say, and if it were any other time their mood would instantly dampen. the wide smile however didn't leave their face for the rest of the time they worked, a happy energy radiating around them.
the same could be said for clay as he drove home, grinning madly as he sang along to the radio. he was ecstatic, calling out to the only other person who lived with him: patches. "patches, dad has a date!" he whooped happily, carrying the painting stuff to his gaming room. he quickly picked up his phone, calling the only friend he knew wouldn't tease him in his current happiness. "dream, everything okay?" darryl asked, still concerned on how quiet his friend had been. "i have a date!" dream replied happily, the wide smile on his face easily heard through the phone. "oh my muffin, yay!" darryl exclaimed with him, now smiling as well. "we're going to paint, i also invited them to watch a movie and have dinner." he grinned, squishing the phone in between his ear and shoulder as he worked on getting things set down. "i'm happy for you dream, you deserve some happiness like this. you haven't been this happy in a while." darryl chimed in, thinking back on the times that dream had been so unhappy over past relationships. but much like (y/n) dream's mood didn't damper, it only swelled in his chest. "i've got to go bad, i need to move some furniture around before tomorrow." dream spoke after a moment, standing straight up. "alrighty you muffin head, i'll talk to you later." was the reply he got before goodbyes were said and the phone was hung up.