#.ೃ࿔ ✈︎ *:･𖤓 mgghoney

[mgghoney]

pairing// matthew gray gubler and reader || wc// 645

summary// disappear and... reappear!

"Dude, Twitter is crashing out."

You kick at Matt's leg from the couch, showing him the tweets as he laughs. The water from his hair drips onto the towel as he does.

"...whore."

"What did I do now?!"

"Exist." You stick your tongue out as he hands you the phone back. "Um, reappear in public at a magic show, apparently."

"Twitter crashes out regardless."

"Yes, but it was so funny." You reason. "My mutuals were screaming for me to hop on because they spotted you."

"And they didn't snap a photo of you?"

"No. Surprisingly. You weren't talking to me there."

"Oh, right." He mumbles. "Wish you'd let me talk to you more in public."

"I love you, but some of your fans would kill me."

"..."

"But I know where you live, and I will slit your—"

Matt laughs, leaning in as you scroll through the rest of twitter on your fan account. You hand the phone over to him at some point, throwing your head back to blink twice at the drawer.

"Show me a trick?" You slide out a pack of cards, and he grins.

"Your card? Or... cardistry?"

"No fucking way. You know cardistry?"

Matt grins at you, sliding the cards out as he folds them and starts shuffling.

You watch, mesmerized as the cards bend under his fingers, and you blink when you notice the count getting lower and lower.

"Pick a card. Don't tell me."

You raise a brow. "What, you going to use statistics on me?"

"We're going to charm fate." Matt lets a single card fall out, and you raise a brow.

"Is it your card?"

You pick it up, raising a brow.

"Matt, pick a card." You grin.

"Do I tell you?" He tilts his head, returning the cards to his hand.

"Was it..." You slide a card out from under your sleeve. "This one?"

You hold up the Ace of Spades, and Matt laughs.

"And if it was?"

"Then we tie," You flip your card around, Ace of Hearts.

"When'd you learn that?"

"May or may not have abused my club privileges." You laugh, handing the cards back to him. "You going to stay the night?"

"You got class in the morning?"

"At like, two."

"Brunch?"

"Brunch. Please. Oh, yes." You moan, laughing as you throw your head back. "I'll never say no to brunch."

"And if I pay?"

"I can pay another way." You wiggle your brows, and Matt laughs.

"Which would be?"

"I have a tiktok for this—"

Matt bursts into laughter, chest shaking from the intensity as you joins him, skin warm when you finally comes down from the laugh.

"I'm kidding. I can pay my share." You hum.

"Five minutes and a hair tie?"

"THREE MINUTES AND YOUR— okay, no I need to." You purse your lips, laughing. "You can take the room. Lock your door. I know I'll be crashing out on the couch."

"Not squeezing today?"

"I'm going to touch you." You deadpan, holding both your hands up like claws as his eyes go wide.

"Wh-what?!"

"I'm kidding. Not tonight, though." You tilt your head, humming. "I don't think I can survive rooming with you as much as you trust me."

Matt shakes his head. "I can head home."

"It's quite a walk." You shake your head back.

"I trust you."

"I don't trust myself?"

"Then we can both squeeze on the couch."

You huff. "Bed. You're getting old. Your back is going to break if you sleep on the couch."

"I'm forty, not eighty."

"Going on a hundred at this point." You stretch your arms over your head. "Alright, let's get you to bed, peepaw."

"You take that back."

You stick your tongue out at him.

"Sorry, old man."

[mgghoney]

pairing// matthew gray gubler and reader || wc// 942

summary// you're surprised you're being rung first for once

"Your phone's been vibrating."

You look up at the girl, holding your flour-stained hands up as she laughs. "Answer for me?"

"On speaker?"

"Well I sure hope it isn't a stalker."

"It's a facetime."

"Can you prop it up on the counter?"

"Yeah."

"Is there a caller ID?" The other girl raises a brow.

"Some... white guy."

"Well, that makes one of two people." You nod as she answers, and you raise a brow when Matt's voice rings through.

"Well what do we have here?"

"Flour-stained hands that are about to smear the screen if you say something that could get us jailed." You wave, mixture stuck to your hands as the other girl turns around at the sound of a man.

"A MAN!?"

"Oh, my god. He's white too." She slaps a hand over her mouth, and Matt laughs.

"Who are you with?"

You introduce your friends, pointing to each one of them and motioning for another to come in, hand still working at the dough as the other girls look over to see him. He waves, and you hum. "This is Matt. He's my fourty-four year old white man best friend."

"Forever twenty one, excuse you." Matt corrects.

"Yeah, yeah, and I'm pushing fifty." You roll your eyes, squeezing at the dough.

One of the girls speaks up. "Did he dethrone white boy?"

"No. Matt's a man, unfortunately." You hum, staring at the dough. "I have him saved under fav white man."

"The dough's ready to rest. Go catch up with him." One of the girls shoo you.

"So you hate me."

"How'd you know?"

"Guess I'll just go kill myself, then." You roll your eyes, reaching to the side to wash out your hands.

"Hey, that's no fun." Matt hums. "Am I on speaker?"

"Yeah. I'll grab earbuds in a second." You nod, wiping your hands clean of the water.

"No rush."

You get your earbuds and settle on the couch, curling up.

"What were you guys doing?"

"Making dumplings. One of the girls wanted to try making them for the first time. I think you can tell just based off of..." You trail off, humming. "Why'd you call?"

"Wanted to see what you were up to. I've been at home these days and you haven't been calling." He hums.

"Yeah, I'm cramming in a handful of things before I start classes again." You look up at one of the girls on her phone and poking holes into the dough, holding back a laugh. "I think I overkneaded the dough."

"Hey, nothing a little science can't fix." He hums back. "You been alright?"

"Yeah." You raise a brow when you finally catch a good look at him, raising a brow. "Are you shirtless?"

"God forbid a man be shirtless in his own home."

"This is why you're not pulling."

"Don't be mean." He points, pouting. "Don't be mean."

"Sorry, dad." You roll your eyes, catching one of the girls staring at you. "If a rumor starts that I have a daddy kink you're gonna be reading my obituary very soon."

"I doubt it." He hums.

"Are you coming back soon?"

"I'll call you when I do. Do you wanna come grab me?"

"No car." You shake your head. "I'll pick you up on the subway, though."

"Not scared of my fans?"

"I think there's a fair chance that most people know you have friends anyway." You roll your eyes. "You been alright? Not too busy?"

"Not too busy at all." He shakes his head. "A short break."

"That's good." You hum. "I'm surprised you're not out wandering."

"I wanted to call to check if you're alright."

"I'm not home, but my family's fine. We're a little more south. I have... friends, and I'm sure you do too, who have had to evacuate." You rest your cheek on the back of the couch, staring at your friends.

"That's good."

"You alright? Family and friends?"

"A lot of friends have evacuated, but everyone's safe. Recovering won't be as nice, though." He hums.

"A lot of homes are going to have to be rebuilt." He sets you on the bedside, camera facing the ceiling as you look at your watch.

"Is it not dinner time for you?"

"It is."

"Did you eat already?"

"Went out with some friends."

"And you missed me?" You raise a brow.

"Yeah. Wanted to hear your voice. We haven't called in a while."

"I suppose so." You hum. "Missed you too. Can't wait to get you back here in the city."

"You'll be my first stop, promise."

"Awww..." You hold a hand to your chest, feigning comfort. "You say that as if you're not gonna book it to the indian place first thing."

"Hey, I'll be booking it and then you'll be joining me, obviously." He rolls his eyes. "How's the camera?"

"Clicking." You hum. "I took photos earlier."

"It's nice to think that I'll get a glimpse into your life outside of our calls."

"Hope my camera's serving its purpose too."

"It is. Always." He hums. "I'll let you go. I'm sure your friends have questions."

"One of them thought you were my high school classmate." You roll your eyes, humming.

"Which account did you change?"

"My discord." You watch as he picks up the phone again, waving at you.

"Tell her I'm honored."

"Oh, I'm sure you are." You hum, waving back. "I'll see you in a bit, Matt."

"Hey, you gonna come pick me up, yeah?"

"Of course I will." You smile. "I'll go with a pick up sign too."

"Then I'll be waiting. See you."

"See you. Love you lots."

"Love you too."

[mgghoney]

pairing// matthew gray gubler and reader || wc// 282

summary// stay over... ?

"Drop by. RIGHT NOW."

"Aren't you in New York?"

"I flew home for the weekend and took a day off." You purse your lips to hide a laugh as he blinks incredulously.

He pauses to think, staring at his wall before nodding. "I'm not saying no. Stay where you are. See you in fifty minutes."

"I'm home."

"Never stopped me before." Matt hums. "Can I sleep over?"

"If you don't mind an air mattress, sure."

"Mm... can I squeeze on your bed?"

"You know, you're shockingly adaptive considering you don't seem to like living with others." You stick your tongue out when you notice him packing his stuff.

"Well you're not others, are you?"

"I've moved up to friends?" You slap a hand over your mouth. "I win. I can die happy now."

"Well, no—"

"I'm kidding." You hum. "I have toiletries if you need them. Bring whatever else you'd need."

"Clothes."

You purse your lips to hold back a joke.

"No joke about me taking my clothes off? Heard you joking about it with another friend the other day."

"I don't want to make you uncomfortable." You hold back a laugh, shaking quietly.

"Do you want me to?"

Your jaw drops, blinking. "Matthew... you freak!"

"We been knew." He raises a brow.

"Freak..." You laugh, bending over as you disappear from the camera. "Drive safe. See you in fifty?"

"Yes. Stay safe." He nods. "You want me to bring anything?"

"My camera." You deadpan.

"Do you have mine?"

"Yes." You pout. "I'd like my only film camera back, please."

"Then your wish is my command." He nods. "See you in an hour."

You wave. "Call if you need anything."

"Of course."

[mgghoney]

pairing// matthew gray gubler and reader || wc// 1,391

summary// someone always meets someone somewhere... just a matter of where

you recall very little moments when you had flashed past someone in the streets of new york and recognized them.

Well. few wouldn't quite be the right word. You recall bumping into random tiktokers and street interviewers, and on occasion when it was fashion week you'd find a model or two with shades and a mask on, but outside of that, the streets of New York were too busy for you to recognize people on the streets.

You keep a folder with a short story tucked in your tote for a specific New York resident, but you doubt you'll ever get to see him in the crowds of work. You doubt you'd be graced with the alumni from your university in the city that he supposedly stays in for the most part, but it doesn't stop you from carrying it around.

A digital camera, a folder of love, pens and journals, a device, and a second film camera for quiet moments when the sun hits right in the weed-strewn park next to university. Quiet mornings when the cold nips at your nose playfully as you fumble to get your scarf to your nose with a furrow of your brows and slipping of your cameras back into your bag, but it doesn't stop you from trying to observe mornings where the skyscrapers block your view of the sun on your way to morning classes that feel like hell or whatnot.

You think you understand a little more why your favorite resident chooses to fly everywhere he needs to despite having no need to stay here.

It's a mess, yes. Rats carrying pizza in the subways, smell of ammonia in certain regions of the city, tourists weaving in and out of the timeless square, but it's busy for a reason. You find that despite it all, the city is still home because of how busy it is.

The night ends late, and the day starts early.

You wonder if you could wake up in some strange universe in which you'd have enough joy to start your morning as nicely as he seems to start his, but you're not him, alas.

Being moderately delusional with that folder of love that sits in a tote bag as you drink coffee you force yourself to wake up early to make because the ones in New York cost less of a sweet treat and more of a small reward.

But you embrace the strangeness of living in a city that everyone knows, ID card swiped and icy breath in the air as you scrunch your nose further into the scarf as your shoulders relax in the heater of the buildings. You barely notice the strangeness of arriving earlier than usual, and you pause to consider just what you should do with the surplus of time, but you don't really need to think too hard.

It doesn't take an eureka moment for you to sit down and settle back in the warmth of one of the chairs to flip open your notebook.

You write, world at your hands, beauty at the tips of your fingers as you look up to stare at a classmate who's settled themselves across the hall from you, and you create. Quiet eyes brought to life and headphones shaded, so little that tells so much.

You don't know if you quite have that kind of imagination, but you try to take everything lightly. Criticism can be ground into dust to combine into something of more use, and a candle can be lit in the strangeness of the dark to act as a guide to somewhere with light.

The absence of light is something you don't fear, strangely enough.

You think you reflect a lot while you don't at other times. It isn't something on your mind when the dark falls over the city and the lights spark to life, and it isn't something that you really consider when you have headphones on and pass people on the street to get to —

oh

oh.

oh!

You stop on your heel and turn around, name tumbled out like you've just found an old friend, heaving as you call, nearly sliding onto your ass when you finally do get him to stop, familiar smile from photos you've seen as your shoulders sink and your breathing stems from your diaphram to catch what you lost.

"Matt." You pant, eyes sparkling with strange life as you catch your breath, face warm and no doubt flushed from nearly sliding, but you gasp. "Sorry, huge fan. Is it alright if I call you that?"

He's wonderfully sweet, sorrys strewn on your lips as you apologize for startling him and you ask for a photo with him, and you beam impossibly brighter, cheeks warm from laughing as he rambles with you, and you learn that your favorite resident in the city of dreams is just as wonderful as you had hoped, and when you find that he's ready to let go, you hand him one final souvenir from your tote bag, apologizing that you didn't have anything to let him hold it with, but giving it to him nonetheless.

"A small gift from my universe to yours." You tell him, waving as you both turn, and you think you've made your point and fulfilled your tale.

It didn't quite matter what you didn't want to do anymore. If you could tough through the complexity of your strange enamoration with your favorite resident that you'd admit perhaps wasn't too healthy and perhaps lightly parasocial, you could perhaps tough through everything, even if it meant the quiet tilting of a head of curiosity as you had handed him the folder. Perhaps it was how he felt when he had mailed those discs to his favorite director and gotten an internship in response.

The universe has worked in strange ways for him, and you find the same strangeness in your own life on occasion.

You just wonder if it is contagious or the quirk of his own world.

You go on with your day-to-day life, fingers clicking on the apps on your phone, calls with family and friends when you walk home, and you think it's quite strange to no longer feel the comfort of weight in your bag. Yet you find your shoulders hurt less because of it.

You expect to forget about the story and move on, the document tucked somewhere in a forgotten email in the past, embarrassment crawling up your cheeks when you think too hard about it.

It should all be done, and you've passed a small piece of your universe to him, and it should be done.

But it isn't, because when you step foot in the bakery by your apartment, you end up right behind him in line, and you're stuck crying to your universe that perhaps he would forget you had ever handed him a paper file in the digital age.

no, not that you were embarrassed that you'd be recognized by him for such a small act. you'd be embarrassed if that was the only thing he could recall about you.

"It's you!" He mirrors a brightness in your eyes the first time you had met him, and you blink at him as you wait for the next words. "I loved your story."

That makes your shoulders soften, and you scratch at your cheek.

"Yeah?"

"Yes. I don't think I've been gifted a personally written story in a while."

"I'm glad." You squeeze your fingers together, gloves hanging off your wrists as he tilts his head with a smile.

"Do you have time?"

You blink at him. "I was planning on getting some work done here, but I suppose it depends?"

"Would you be willing to talk about your story with me?" He stares earnestly, and you think it's a little too much for someone he barely knows. It's a little overwhelming, but you think you should've seen it coming.

When you give to the universe, you suppose it gives back in strange ways.

You shouldn't be as surprised that someone is handing a piece of their universe as a thank you for a piece of yours.

"What do you want to drink? I can pay."

And you suppose his universe gifting yours back just comes in the wonders of allowing you a glimpse into his.

[mgghoney]

pairing// matthew gray gubler and reader || wc// 355

summary// strike of joy, fix me, oh sun.

"H—"

"Don't get mad"

"That you're in Florida? Nah." You go back to writing, humming quietly as Matt goes quiet to observe you.

"Something wrong?"

"I'll get over it in the morning." You puff out your cheeks.

"You met with someone."

"Yes." You pause. "Were you stalking me?"

"Maybe."

"I'm not any better, actually." You mumble. "I was stalking you too."

"Yeah, mutual stalking or whatever."

You tap the back of your pen against your diary, and you huff. "I'll be fine."

"You want me to sing for you?"

"Matt, I love you, please don't." You grimace. "Not tonight."

"You wanna talk?"

"I'll be fine. Isn't it late for you too? Didn't call me for three days and next thing you know, you're in Florida."

"Yeah." Matt mumbles. "But you're visibly not okay."

"Realizing that I'm growing up, maybe." You sigh. "That people around me are growing up. Ugh, that's so grim. I swore I wouldn't burden you with my stuff."

"A burden shared is a burden halved. T.A. Webb." He hums.

"Okay, Doctor Spencer Reid." You laugh, humming. "I'll be fine. I promise. Tell me about your day?"

"I went wandering around the area." He hums. "Wanted to explore a little. It's super cold in New York right now and all I really wanted was a little bit more of sun."

"After I made your welcome back sign?"

"You already made it?"

"You didn't hear that from me." You mumble, looking to the side and whistling. "Nope. Not at all."

"Must've been the wind."

"Yep." You hum. "I get anxious that we'll stop being friends one day."

"Oh, don't worry. I'll be officiating the wedding, and then you'll be seeing me as your children's godparents for the rest of your life."

You blink at him, raising a brow.

"Don't give me that look. I'll live til a hundred."

You laugh, lips curling upwards fondly as Matt beams.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

"Alright." You hum. "I gotta sleep, Matt. But, thank you."

"Rest well. Text me in the morning. Or call. Maybe I'll wake you up."

"Yeah, go ahead and do that." You hum. "See ya."

"'night."

[mgghoney]

pairing// matthew gray gubler and reader || wc// 479

summary// thrifting extravaganza

"Are you home?"

"I'm at dinner with a friend?"

"Shit." You hang up, resorting to texting Matt over the phone as you snap a photo of the most heinous sweater you've seen so far. You wait for him to text back, nearly dropping your phone when the first vibration of a video call rings over.

"Aren't you at dinner?!"

"Say hi." Matt shows you his friend before flipping his camera to stay on him, and you wave awkwardly.

"I'm sorry. I saw the sweater and thought of your closet." You mumble, tugging it along with you.

"How much is it?"

"Ten?" You raise a brow. "Do you fit in a men's small?"

"A sweater or a shirt?"

"A shirt." You huff. "I found something super cute that you have to have."

"I can try squeezing." He raises a brow.

"Wait, I have your measurements."

You don't even notice the way Matt's muted himself to laugh, too busy scrolling through your phone.

"You have my what!?" He gasps, laughing.

"I've sewn for you before!"

"Oh— oh, right."

"It'd be really weird if I just had it from an internet article or something." You pause. "I should release it on tumblr."

"That is. insane." He laughs, and you shrug.

"You won't fit. Boo. I'll crop it for myself then." You raise a brow. "Nah, I'll leave it at the store. May the universe hand this to a hand that would make use of it. What did you have for dinner? Hang up whenever, by the way."

"You know that nice sushi place four blocks from mine?"

"The omakase place with a waitlist longer than the amount of student debt money I owe to the school?"

Matt hums. "Yes."

"Who are you with?"

"Promise not to scream."

"Why would I—" You blink when the camera actually locks on his friend and your jaw drops. "MATT. I AM CRASHING YOUR DINNER— okay, no, that's insane. I need to calm down. Sorry. Have a good dinner!"

Matt raises a brow at you. "You free to come over later?"

"Hm... it is a friday." You tap your chin. "Can I go early?"

"Oh, yes. You know the code and security recognizes you." He nods.

"Will your... friend be there?"

Matt raises a brow at his friend, and you chew on your bottom lip.

"I was joking, by the way."

"They have something, but they wouldn't mind leaving an autograph."

"Oh, hell yes. I'm about to make bank on ebay bidding." You lick your lips, hiding your face when the shame catches up to you. "Sorry. Insane. I'm going to hang up now. I'll see you in a bit, Matt. Have lots of fun and take all the time you want. I'll head over to the apartment when I finish up here."

"Stay safe."

"I'll call you if anything comes up. Love you."

"Love you too."

[mgghoney]

pairing// matthew gray gubler and reader || wc// 801

summary// what happened to kissing the homies happy new year?

"I heard you kissed a fan for the new years kiss."

You look up at your phone when Matt doesn't respond, and you slide open your drawer when you notice he's thinking.

"I did. On the forehead."

You rummage through your desk, blinking quietly when you realize you can't find what you're looking for.

"I saw photos... of her, I mean. Not of the kiss." You hum. "Every now and then the fan in me kicks at my rationality."

"Did you want one?"

"Don't go asking me that." You slide your hand to the parts you can't see, frowning when it isn't there either. "I don't know how you manage to be simultaneously the sweetest celebrity I know yet lack so many typical boundaries."

"I don't think it's a lack."

"I know it isn't. The universe returns the kindness you show others tenfold." You finally look up at the call, and Matt's got a brow raised as you huff at what he's holding. "I left it with you?"

"On accident. I've been making full use of the camera." He hums. "I'll return it to you with a new roll of film as long as you develop it for me."

"Of course." You nod. "That makes a lot more sense, actually."

"Oh, and another thing. Don't go—"

"sending them to other people. I know."

"No, I was gonna say you can post most of them except one."

"Will you tell me which one?"

"You'll know."

"I'm bracing myself for unsolicited dick pics right now." You roll your eyes, finding another camera as you dig through your tote. "H...uh? Oh, you swapped cameras with me!? I didn't even notice."

"I bought it back when it was newly on sale. Mine's all beat up."

"That means it's well loved." You hum, fingers smoothing over the yellow of the camera, raising a brow at the screen as Matt locks eyes with you.

"I'm excited to see what you do with it."

You laugh, tugging the drawer back open as you toss out a handful of folders, tweezers in hand as you raise a brow at him. "Yeah?"

"Expect a bit of love on yours too."

"Like biting or photos wise?" You pause to stare at the camera. "A 2016 model is kind of rare."

"I found it in Japan while out."

"Ah." You hum. "I should make you get me one next time you're there."

"You won't come with me?"

"Studying abroad is gonna cost me an arm and a leg. I'm already barely grazing by with my aid right now. Well, if you even count that as aid. My fault for picking New York." You huff, finger smoothing down the color on the dents.

"I suppose." Matt taps at the screen to get your attention, and you look up from the sheets strewn around you. "When do you fly back?"

"Why? You won't even meet up with me at the airport since we're in different cities."

"So I know when to send you stuff."

"Don't you have more recording in LA?"

"Mm, you never know where the wind brings you."

"I hope the wind blows me to early retirement." You mumble. "Doing what I love for a living would be nice too. Maybe I should mail Anderson some fanmail and beg for an internship."

"You want a call?"

"It'd be unfair to do that." You tap your desk, glancing at the tweezers. "Well, not unfair. I'll see where the wind takes me too."

"Is it sunny?"

"Here? Always." You pull the shades and let the sun spill in, humming quietly to yourself as you laugh. "Is it sunny there?"

"You know it is." He picks up his phone to walk you over to the back door, stepping out to stand in the sun.

"I bet the film will turn out super nice." You hum. "Stay still. I want a photo."

"Still thinking about starting that fanpage for me?"

"You want me to? The twitter fanpages but for you? A "what's MGG up to today?" account?" You look at the photos on your phone, and you hum. "You already have an update account. I don't need to use our friendship to tell others."

"I respect their dedication." His lip quirks upwards, and you laugh.

"I do too."

"So? I'm sure you're not just calling to talk to me about my new years kiss."

"Oh, yeah. I had a couple of questions for the story."

"I'm more than willing to answer them. I respect the dedication."

"What are we all if not dedicated to the bit?"

"Is this where the wind is taking you?"

"Yeah." You turn on the camera to snap a photo of him, humming quietly as you beam at him. "What am I if not living to entertain?"

"Living to enjoy, perhaps."

"Always."

[mgghoney]

pairing// matthew gray gubler and reader || wc// 488

summary// crashing out and shaving cream

"Hey are you—"

"Do not call me right now." You mumble, eye twitching as you click away from the facetime app.

"Are you okay?"

"Crashing out right now over your photoshoot photos from forever ago." You pause. "Actually, we shouldn't be calling at all! This is when I remember that we can't be normal friends. See you in two weeks when I emotionally recover from this crash out."

"Hey don't—"

You hang up on Matt, screaming into your pillow when you're sure you're free, groaning.

Your laptop rings with a facetime request from him again.

"I thought I said—"

"I'm due for a shave. You wanna watch?"

"I hate you." You groan, slamming your head into your desk as he laughs.

"Is that a no?"

"NO." You sigh. "Why must you torture me in this way. This is my form of torture or whatever."

"You like doing things with me on call."

"Are you not out right now?"

"Not really." He hums. "I haven't gone out as much these days."

"I figured." You hum, scrolling on your tablet.

"Let me just set you up right... there." He hums, tilting his head.

"Are you shirtless?"

"God forbid a man be—"

"I will taking screenshots and uploading them to pinterest to fuck up the entire internet. Do not tempt me." You deadpan, going back to your device. "I'm insane."

"We established that when you left me a series of short stories." He mumbles, jutting his cheek one way to get the shaving cream on. "I still have them, by the way. I bound them."

"You wHAT—" You snap to look up at him, going quiet as you let him focus on sliding the razor across his cheek. "You matched my freak."

"Yeah." He wipes the blade. "You're not taking photos?"

"Listen, there's a very specific episode of Criminal Minds that can have me crashing out, and you're much older now—" You pause to stare, blinking. "Not that you aren't hot right now, but that'd be an infringement of privacy."

"I don't mind."

"I need to run a professional fan account for you. No one would know." You pause. "I could be like, a weird throwaway account. Your burner, if you will."

Matt, washes down his face, checking his face in the mirror, your eyes looking away as his chest hovers over the camera.

"You know, I'm surprised you trust me so much."

"It's a given." He blinks at you, beaming. "You're a wonderful person, after all."

"BUCKET LIST CROSSED OFF I CAN DIE HAPPY NOW—"

"W-wAIT WAIT WAIT—"

"I'm kidding." You laugh, eyes fond as you smile at him. "Thank you, Matt. You're wonderful too, but I'm sure you hear that a lot."

"I never get tired of hearing it."

You raise a brow.

"Especially not from you."

You laugh, tilting your head. "Give us a show?"

Matt steps to the back, fingers sliding over his shaved face. "Yeah?"

"Yeah."

[mgghoney]

pairing// matthew gray gubler and reader || wc// 419

summary// ah, yes. cold air.

"Wow, you sound like a chainsmoker!"

"Thanks, Matt." You cough, huffing as you take another sip of water. "I feel like one too."

"You know, smoking's never quite been good."

"Say that when you haven't played a character like Chip." You cough. "That's why I haven't been calling."

"I'm sure it's been hell. Anyone there to take care of you?"

"My friend's been dropping off meals, but nothing else. My roommate isn't back until Sunday night."

"You want me to order you something?"

"I've just been ordering takeout." You mumble. "Ugh. I feel horrible."

"Have you been airing out the room?"

"Too cold to air out." You huff. "Almost wish I was back home with all the smoke."

"Well, too hot or too cold. Your choice."

"I love shitty city air." You sniffle. "At least my air purifier's putting in the work. How's Miami?"

"Real sunny."

"Catch a ray of the sun for me?" You sniffle, clicking mute to blow your nose.

"Oh, I'll bring a cloud if you asked."

"I think we could catch one from your apartment."

"We should go cloud hunting next time."

"Oh, we should try to make a cloud next time. Something about ice, a jar, and hot water." You hum. "Anything else fun? I brought you socks... two different pairs, since you don't like matched ones. Bought them from my undergrad's art club."

"That's sweet of you." He hums.

"Yeah. Makes up for the fact that I just watched episode 100 of criminal minds. First they take my wife then they take Gideon away and now Haley? God forbid I have one thing in my life." You break into a fit of coughs after, groaning as Matt grimaces.

"You should start hitting the gym with me."

"I really should. You've got an insane sleeper build." You mumble. "It'd definitely help my immune system too. I can't wait for you to experience twink death."

"Doesn't that usually come with marriage?"

"Age." You cough. "But that isn't working for you, so I'm willing to bet it's gonna have to come with marriage for you... whenever that happens."

"It will."

"I trust that it will." You hum. "Or maybe you just die a twink."

"That's insane."

You cough again, groaning as you do. "Matt, I'm ending call. I need to rest up for the night."

"Of course. Sleep well. Let me know if I can do anything for you."

"Of course. Send photos of the sun? And people you meet?"

"Of course. Rest well."

"See you."

[mgghoney]

pairing// matthew gray gubler and reader || wc// 352

summary// impromptu decisions include: skipping class!

Are you free right now?

Depends what for

You glance out the window of the building, glancing at the clock and back to your message with Matt.

Coffee

You tap your chin, glancing at the sign-in sheet that's already passed you with your name on it, and you glance at the door on the side.

yes or no

yes

alright. telling my prof my bsf told me 2 skip class

wait-

You slip out the door, laughing as you ring Matt on your way to the elevator.

"I didn't know you had class!"

"Well, too late." You hum. "I left. You're such a horrible influence on me."

"oh, how as I supposed to know?" He huffs. "I was going to wait for you at the park if you said I had to wait."

"Hey, you said yes." You hit the button. "Are you nearby?"

"Just hopped off the metro. Meet you halfway?"

"Meet you halfway."

You find that despite it all, you aren't really skipping class. You didn't belong in that one. You were just auditing if anything. You liked the strangeness of being in a class you most definitely did not belong in. Not that Matt needed to know. Maybe you were just too into the... reid mindset. whatever that might mean. You're definitely not giving alpha.

"Hi."

"Hi!" You breathe, laughing when Matt scrunches his nose from the cold. "No quirky scarf?"

"Left it in Vegas."

"Would you like mine?" You rummage through your bag, handing him the scarf as he tilts his head.

"You'll get cold."

"Mine zips all the way." You pull the zip up further, cheeks prickly with the cold as you laugh. "Hm?"

"If you insist." He nods.

"What were you thinking?"

"You know that new place down in Soho?"

"You're going to make us walk?!" You gasp.

"Yeah. It's not snowing or raining. It's surprisingly nice weather for once."

"Alright." You pull out the camera from your keys, tilting your head as he tilts back at you, grinning.

click.

"Oh, look. The sun's smiling at me again." You laugh.

"Well, lucky you." He beams back.

[mgghoney]

pairing// matthew gray gubler and reader || wc// 433

summary// brunch and... something idk

"Wow, that was fast."

You hand your phone over to Matt, cutting into the egg benedict to take a bite.

"I'm on a date?"

"Is thhis a dayte?" You close your mouth to chew, putting the fork down to take back your phone.

"Am I paying?"

"No." You swallow, huffing. "We're splitting."

"I can pay." He offers.

"Denied." You sip on the water, blinking as you scroll through your phone. "If I let you pay, then this tethers dangerously close to date territory, and I'd like to avoid that."

"You act like I don't see what kind of insanity you're tweeting on the internet."

"That's called a moment of weakness. My fault for wanting to jump your bones when I see specific photos. I can act normal in real life, but every day is ovulation week when I'm chronically online." You pause. "That didn't make sense"

"But I understood it anyway. I'm surprised you wouldn't actually do anything."

"I wouldn't. I'm not a monster." You mumble, putting your phone back down. "Did you watch the Grammys?"

"I heard like 90% of it through your phone last night in bed."

"Shhhhhh." You grumble. "Oh, hush. I had earbuds on."

"Volume on max."

"You should've just sat up and watched with me." You mumble.

"If I dragged an arm over your waist at like 11pm to turn you around I think you'd—"

"jump your bones, yeah, yeah. No joke on that one." You tilt your head. "Not eating?"

"Too busy chatting with you." He hums, digging in as the two of you go quiet. You finish first, sliding out a camera from your bag to snap a photo of Matt, a tilt of his head mid-bite to cooperate with you for a nice photo. You get a good laugh out of it, and he beams at you. "Do I look good?"

"You always look good." You stab at the hashbrowns on your plate, looking through the camera to stare at the photo of Matt.

In the back, the click of a shutter goes off as you blink at Matt's camera.

"Hey!"

"If I get one, you get one." He hums. "Class is in an hour."

"Shit." You mumble, checking the metro schedule. "Oh, okay. I can make it on time if I catch the one at 30."

"I'll send you to class?" Matt wipes his mouth. "I'm done."

"And get accused of an actual date?"

"Oh, god forbid I be friends with someone." He raises a brow.

"Will you defend me to hell and back on twitter?"

"Oh, you know I will."

"Alright. Let's go."

[mgghoney]

pairing// matthew gray gubler and reader || wc// 348

summary// homeward bound!

"I can't believe you were on my flight. What the hell does that even mean?!"

"You know, not that surprising." He glances at his phone, raising a brow. "What are the chances we just ride the metro?"

"High." You glance at your suitcase. "I wish I could've gotten the look on your face when you parked that rental car and everything aligned."

"Me? You were more surprised." He cancels the uber on his phone, humming. "How about a cab ride?"

"I'm not paying that fare."

"I can do it." Matt nods. "I hope it's someone who likes sharing their story."

"Can I keep quiet?"

"Of course." He waves a cab down, putting your suitcase into the trunk before forcing his in, letting you into the car. "Hey."

"Where to?"

He gives your address, and you raise a brow when he doesn't mention driving to a second location. Maybe a safety precaution? You're not too sure. But you stay quiet for the ride, watching the suburbs turn into the skyscrapers you're more used to, and you barely notice that you're home when the cab stops.

Matt pays the fare in cash, nodding and thanking the cab driver when he steps out.

"So... why my place?"

"Mainly for safety." He nods. "If I dropped you off here without security, I'd worry."

"I'm touched." You nod. "You wanna stay over? I have an air mattress here too."

"You down to wander out for a bit?"

"Too late for that." You tilt your head. "I have class and I'd like to rest up."

"I'll send you photos?"

"Sure." You squeeze his arm, pausing when you realize. "Sorry."

Matt laughs, cheeks warm with red when you pout up at him.

"No, it's alright. Can I keep my luggage at yours?"

"Of course." You nod. "I can take it. You gonna come back for it today?"

"Tomorrow." He nods. "Wanted to drop by this doughnut place. You good with that?"

"Sure." You tug his luggage with you as you swipe into your building, nodding at him when he waves.

"See ya!"

You grin back.

[mgghoney]

pairing// matthew gray gubler and reader || wc// 384

summary// homesick, quiet calls

"What if I took a shot for every single edit of me you've just sent me?"

"You'll get alcohol poisoning." You hum. "I'm surprised I only had 28 tiktoks of you saved."

"Only? Didn't it go back up today?"

"It did, but since my account was a cross-border one, I can't access my app." You hum. "my friend had to send me edits by uploading to imgur."

"Now that's funny." He laughs. "I'll send you a google drive in a bit, will you save them for me?"

"You old man." You hum. "What is it?"

"The film."

"Oh, so I don't get it back now?"

"I went home."

"Ah. Got homesick?"

"Yeah."

"I." You pause. "I miss home."

"I know you do."

"I always do." You hum, tapping your nail against the wood of your desk quietly. "Class starts in the morning."

"And you're ready?"

"I'm almost done. I think that comforts me." you pause. "do you ever consider moving back?"

"I think I'm blessed enough to feel at home where I usually am."

"Mm." You tap your desk quietly, humming. "I've been considering it."

"Well, if you save me a room—"

"You'll come visit." You laugh. "I'd love to have you in my childhood home."

"I'd love to visit."

"Maybe you can help me put the trampoline back together."

"I'd love to." He hums. "Will it fit us both?"

"Hopefully. It fit me the last time I was on it and I haven't grown since." You tap your chin. "But then again, it might be a six foot one?"

"You don't know?"

"No. It was there when we got the house." You hum. "Everyone who used to bounce on it with me are now no longer part of my life."

"Then we can replace those memories." Matt hums. "With new ones."

"I hope you're part of those."

"I will be as long as you let me."

"And then I can show you the bubble tea place my friend really likes." You laugh.

"Will you let me treat you?"

"If you'd like to."

"To pay you back for that first cup you got me."

"I thought we were beyond those formalities."

"It's not a formality to me."

"If it'll bring a little more of the sun into my life, then of course."

"Then please."

[mgghoney]

pairing// matthew gray gubler and reader || wc// 614

summary// shared trinkets, shared gifts, double the joy

"Matt I bought us trinkets."

"Wait, show me—" You hear the sound of a car as he turns on the camera, attaching you to his screen as he hums. "You're gonna hear wind."

"Wait, is that a convertible?! Oh my god!" You yell.

"You sound a lot better than yesterday." He laughs.

"Yeah. I feel better too." You peer at your screen, blinking. "Can I get a car tour when you get home?"

"Yeah." He hums. "It's dark out. Can you still see me?"

"I'll see you in the flashing lights of Miami." You blink. "That should be a song name."

"I got you a little something. Well, some... things. Different film?"

You gasp. "No!"

"Found a nice little old shop while out. Talked to one of the locals to see if she knew a camera shop around the area. Real sweet, by the way. She was a fan's mom. She also had a dog." He hums. "I ended up getting a handful of film rolls that looked nice regardless of camera. I would've handed him the film to process, but I figured you'd like to do that together."

"Ugh, you're so sweet." You mumble.

"I hit a red. What did you get?"

"Okay, so I got a bunch. You can pick when you get back." You dangle them on your fingers the best you can, holding them up as you show Matt the little trinkets.

"They're opalescent." He raises a brow.

"You know that's how I like them." You hum. "Oyumaru-looking trinkets are my favorite. Anyways, I have sea-inspired ones, and then I have a sun, a star, and a moon. You're taking the sun, no arguement. I also got this super cute star. Also this adorable looking fish with the huge lips. Anyways, you'll get to pick granted I don't give half of them away when it—"

"How heavy is your load this semester?"

"...Matt, don't clock me like that."

"Doing the math to see how much you're going to spend." He looks over the car, making a turn. "Will it help if we meet up?"

"It would help if you'd come back."

"I go where the wind takes me."

"Should intern for you." You hum, shaking the trinkets off. "Will you call me crazy if I told you I didn't actually wanna graduate so fast?"

"The luxury of time." Matt stops again, watching you. "Take it from me."

"Old man."

"Yeah, yeah." He hums. "Do you need financial help? I can—"

"No." You cut him off. "Matt, I know you're wonderful, but I can do it. Also, moving out of New York is definitely going to help."

"Yeah. Costs quite a bit, hm?"

"Beautiful city, but the prices are." You grimace.

"You won't be around anymore?"

"If I'm back home, then it won't make—"

"You wanna rent my other apartment?"

You pause, blinking at him as you hear him pull into a driveway.

"Sorry, your what? Matt, I'm not about to get anywhere involved with you financially. I don't want that." You hum. "I'll survive. I promise. I'll get my degree and I'll see where I go next."

"Will you let me visit?"

"I'll give you an air mattress if you'd like." You hum.

"The comfortable one?"

"Yes." You hum. "You're not going to leave me unless you decide to."

"I would never."

"Then you stay."

"You wanna see my place?"

"You should rest." You smile. "Please come home soon. I miss you."

"Miss you too. I mailed you a postcard. Hope you like it."

"I will."

"Yeah?"

You laugh. "I will. Rest well, Matt. Don't let the beg bugs bite."

"I'll give them a squeeze if they do."

"Night."

"Night."

[mgghoney]

pairing// matthew gray gubler and reader || wc// 354

summary// ever the party

"do you have the video of the exact moment you broke your knee?"

"no. I wish."

You hear a sigh on the other side of the line followed by the sound of a crowd, and you raise a brow at his location.

"I'm going to sound really creepy."

"You're stalking me again."

"Yeah." You squint at the location. "You answered my call in a... club?"

"At a bar right now. Wanna say hi?"

You hear the music roar behind him and squint at your screen, brow raised as you click on your phone to catch the song.

"Who is it—" You hit close camera in record speed, hiding your face in your hands as you groan. "Matt."

"Sorry. You can say hi, though. You're on speaker."

"Hi!!" You hum, glancing at the people pass Matt's phone around.

You hear a combination of greetings and you gasp when you see a particularly pretty girl, and when the phone is handed back, you tell Matt to get the phone close to his ear.

"What's up?"

"Can you get me the pretty girl's number."

"Which one? There's a lot."

"The pretty girl who's like over a head shorter than you." You hum. "Black? I think?"

"Dark colors... super short.. ah, I see her."

"Can you get her insta for me?"

"Yes, I will." He hums. "How's break?"

"I got to the episode where you broke your knee."

"Yeah, partied too hard in LA."

"Checks out. See you haven't learned."

"No one can stop me once I hit the dance floor."

"Whatever you say, pretty boy." You hum, leaning on your palm as you turn your camera back on. "Text me if you remember to get home safe. Don't text me if you find a pretty girl to take home. Send me her insta instead."

"Yes, yes." He laughs. "You want me to bring you anything from vegas?"

"I'd like a beer when you get back."

"That can be arranged." He hums, waving through the phone with a wink. "Catch you later."

"See ya." You laugh when you blow each other a kiss, and the line goes down.

You get the username shortly after.

[mgghoney]

pairing// matthew gray gubler and reader || wc// 488

summary// where the sun beams at you, bright and sugared, honeyed and kind

"you know, if I had a dollar for each time I've seen you go through it on this show I'd be rich."

Matt breaks out into a laugh on the other side of the call, lips quirking up and head tilting affectionately as he hums.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. The drug thing, the anthrax thing, the dead girlfriend thing, the jail thing... let's not even talk about the people who just keep leaving. It's a gift that just keeps on giving or whatever it's called." You pause. "It's like Spencer is just an OC and you're enjoying torturing him."

When Matt goes quiet on the line, you roll your eyes.

"At least you never die."

"Been pretty close."

"Twice." You tap the desk slowly, and you sigh. "Well, at least you're making out with people in your other roles."

"Not exactly torture, huh?"

"Yeah." You mumble.

He glances at your background, raising a brow at the gloominess. "You're back home early."

"Start in two weeks." You hum. "Wanted to be back in my apartment while no one's home."

"That's not super safe."

"I have security." You wave your hand. "Come visit me sometime?"

"I'll drop by when I'm back. Promise."

"I'd like my camera back soon." Your lip quirks up, and he sighs.

"No can do. I'm on the last roll of the box I bought for you."

You feign hurt, holding your chest as you huff.

"I promise the photos look good."

"Are they of family? My camera's pretty bad. It was clearly made more for aesthetics than use."

"Well, we all start somewhere."

"You used flash, right?"

"Yes."

"Alright." You mumble, glancing at your screen as you continue the show. "Oh, Canada episode."

"Ah, the pigs." He hums. "Remember it being pretty morbid."

"Way to spoil it for me." You grumble.

"...what."

You watch the color drain out of Matt's face, and you throw your head back in laughter, hand over your mouth as you pause the episode to disappear from the camera to under your desk.

"How'd you not get spoiled with that episode?"

"I'm kidding. I saw the pigpen scene before I even knew it. I didn't realize it was this one." You settle back in your seat, tilting your head as Matt stops mid-walk to talk to someone, and you go back to the episode.

You stay quiet despite knowing that Matt probably has you in an earbud. If you wanted to, you could speak up, but you find simple pleasures in watching Matt beam at his fans and light up the room.

You pause the video to smile with him.

A bright ray of sun in a gloomy city you both call home.

When he unmutes, you quirk a brow up at his stare.

"Hm?"

"Sorry. Just saw the sun flash at me."

He beams at you, and you laugh.

"You wanna see it again?"

"Always."

And the sun beams at you once more.