?????? ??? ? jeremiah fisher x reader

the boardwalk.

I sit on one of the stools, almost falling back asleep as I rest my head in my palm. Before I know it, Jere swipes a plate and a steaming cup of coffee in front of me. It's eggs, sunny side up, the way that I like them. Bacon, buttered toast, a few french toast sticks, a couple of sausage links, a toasted english muffin with strawberry jam spread neatly across it, and a cup of fresh fruit. Susannah always keeps a bowl of fresh fruit cut up in the refrigerator during the summer, all from the local farmers market.

"Jeremiah, there's no way I'm going to be able to finish all of this. But thank you."

"Whatever you don't finish, I'll eat. I'm starving. And you're welcome. It's the least I can do for you after the whole Steven situation from yesterday."

I groan. "God, don't remind me."

When he turns back to the stove, I catch sight of the bruise deepening in color on his cheek. It looks exponentially worse than it did last night.

Jere sets down his breakfast and sits next to me. We eat together in silence, until I catch another glance at the mark on his face again and it reminds me of everything that last night entailed.

"Did Steven ever come back after I left?" I ask, taking a bite of toast.

Jere shakes his head.

"He stayed at Shayla's. Haven't seen him since but I was texting him earlier. He feels like shit about what happened. I kinda do too, I don't think he meant to make anyone uncomfortable but he definitely fucked up."

"You're right. I just hope he doesn't hit on me again. Also, what are you guys planning on telling Laur and Susannah?"

"About the bruises? We already talked about that, actually. Steven and I agreed that we're just going to say we got too aggressive while playing chicken in the pool."

"That's a good cover up," I say.

We sit together for a few moments more, and I'm used to it. I'm used to being alone with him in ways like this, having little moments with just the two of us. Like how I comforted him over Susannah, or when I cleaned up the cut on his face last night. I'm used to being with him in these ways, but at the same time, I can't shake the feeling that it's all becoming something more.

"I wonder if Belly is awake yet. I didn't get to talk to her much before I left last night."

Just as I finish that sentence, it's as if I've summoned her. Belly comes around the corner, her hair in two loose braids, wearing one of Conrad's t-shirts that fits like a dress on her. She comes up behind me and rests her chin on my shoulder.

"Morning," she says sleepily.

"Morning," I say back, finishing off my last piece of bacon. She grabs a strawberry from my plate and pops it into her mouth.

"I think I'm gonna sit outside. Y/n, you should come with me."

I don't think for another second before getting up and bringing my cup of coffee with me to sit on the pool chairs outside with Belly. I know why she's doing it. She wants to talk about last night.

I thank Jere for breakfast again, squeezing his arm as I move past him. When he looks at me, I don't let myself look back. I know I'll want to stay if I do.

Belly and I sit in the sun together, our knees curled up to our chests as we both hold our coffee mugs.

"I still can't believe the stuff with Steven last night. The bruise on Jere's cheek got so much worse," Belly says, shaking her head.

I sigh. "I can't believe it either. I wish it didn't end up turning into a fight. Jere told me that Steven feels shitty about it, and honestly, I just want to move on from it already. It was weird from the start and now that we got it out in the open, I want it to be over."