#Welp. I just spelt Mississippi with two i's so that's me done for the day

[smolbeandrabbles]

You Kissed Me First - Gerry x Reader (Mississippi Grind)

Moderation / Somethin’ I’m Good At

Gif Credit: X

Author’s Note: 

SO... Over 4 pieces of writing, and 14,631 words I haven’t actually ever written Gerry a kiss...  😁😁😁 It actually makes me really happy to present you with this one because, for me, Gerry is not the easiest character to write for. But two in a matter of weeks has even me shocked. I guess the songs are just getting me right... It’s nice. I will continue to follow the Mendo inspiration right now - that’s for sure!

You Kissed Me First - Carly Pearce

@sufferthesea​ @mandy23b​ This is for you, my darlings 😘💜

Disclaimer: Mississippi Grind characters not mine / gif not mine / lyrics not mine. 

Premise: On your first girls night out in months, Gerry is the last person you’d expect to walk into this bar...

Words: 4254

Warnings: Drinking 

_______

I know I put on that dress And painted my lips red I know I walked in this bar With a couple of my friends I know that I told you The barstool was free I know that I smiled back When you smiled at me

I know I laid my head On your shoulder in the dark I know I took your hand Under the neon stars I know I told myself Let's see where it goes I know I didn't pull back When you pulled me close But you were the one that got me a drink Champagne glass full of sunset pink You asked me to dance, Then you paid the bar band to play One more slow song before last call Then you leaned in so it ain't my fault If I wake up in your t-shirt Just remember, you kissed me first And I won't be the one to blame, If this is meant to be And I won't feel guilty, If you fall in love with me

---

It was the first time in a long while that you'd been out with your friends to a bar. All of you had different work schedules, so getting everything to line up perfectly was hard. Also at least a handful of you had significant others, yourself now included. Well, at least you guessed you were dating - from your perspective that made you exclusive, but, you supposed it wasn't 'official' yet. And you were still edging on the this could go anywhere side of caution. It wasn't like Gerry didn't spend his time warning you how bad he would be for you. And you always had to counter with the fact you wanted to take that chance...

As you'd all finally managed to settle on a free date, that meant you were determined to not waste tonight - considering it wouldn't be easy to predict when the next time you may get to do this would be. You all had a favourite bar downtown that you liked to frequent. And that was where you found yourselves now. Perhaps a little overdressed for a little bar with a nearly empty dancefloor in the middle of your little Iowa town, even on a Friday - but it wasn't like any of you cared. And you'd be rectifying the dancefloor situation by the end of the night. All you were looking to do was have a good time - and unwind a little from the day to day. You'd been catching up for a good long while and been through a few drinks when the bar started getting busier. Still not overly loud, and with a comfortable ambience that allowed you to enjoy the cover songs from the live band - but the dancefloor did begin to fill with couples and friends also looking to loosen up after a long hard week.

When Gerry walked into the little bar, you were the last person he expected to see there. Not that he didn't know that you were out with friends today - he would just have expected you to have chosen literally anywhere else in town. It wasn't exactly lacking in choice for those around your age group. Though he also supposed there was a big difference between dance clubs and quiet bars where you could actually hear each other over the music.

That didn't mean he didn't linger in the doorway for a little while, smile on his face just watching you. He had half a mind to turn and walk out and find somewhere else, but if he went over the other side of town that could quickly lead to bar encounters he didn't need, or something much worse... And he was supposed to be over card games. So Gerry bit his lip gently through his smile, and made his way confidently through the bar and over to you.

You almost had to do a triple take. So involved in the conversation were you that when someone asked you if the seat next to you was taken, all you did was simply relay the truth. No it's free! The glance over your shoulder to them lasted barely half a second. And upon turning back to your friends to tune back into their chat, you lost your train of thought. Pausing, you blinked a couple of times; wait...! You swivelled back to him slowly as he sat, small smile on his face. "Hi!" "H-Hi!!" Your face quickly changed from surprised to amused, and lit up sweetly, "What are you doing here?!" "Pretty great coincidence, right?" He leant on the bar, smile turning into a grin, "I'm just here for a drink, I promise!" He turned to the bar tender who had noticed his presence - "Ah, first off I'll buy a drink for the lady..." He pointed to your glass, "Another or..?" "Gerry-!" You giggled, "Okay, yeah sure!" But then leant in towards the barman too "He'll probably have a Woodford, you can put it on my tab." "No, no..." Gerry waved a hand to dismiss you "Let me get you a drink!" You shook your head, knowing that once your friends became interested in the man buying you rounds, they'd want all theirs on his tab too. "Ger-" "Just one. Then you can do the rest if you insist..." You sighed gently, unable to look away from his pleading eyes "Okay, one." He celebrated like he'd just got much more out of you than one drink and turned straight to the bar; "Sorry, you- you're probably having a great night..." He cleared his throat, "I'll have one then I can go." "Gerry..." You touched his arm gently, "What do you mean? You just made my night even better; I didn't think I was going to get to see you-! How lucky does that make me?" He giggled then, almost lowering his head completely to the bar as blush crossed his cheeks; "Oh, okay!" You shook your head gently at him as the smile remained on his face but his eyes didn't flick back to yours until after the barman had poured your drinks. "Cheers-!" He clinked his glass to the one you raised, arm brushing yours. That had him smiling again, but you knew exactly why. Gerry liked to be close to you, politely, and a little bar like this afforded just that amount of intimate touching - although he didn't want to get too into your personal space - it did mean that the little affectionate points of contact that occurred couldn't really be helped - and he lived for them.

**

You continued a brief conversation about how each of your days had been, and future plans. Before your friends realised that you weren't hanging onto their every word anymore. "Y/N-!" You received a gentle nudge to your back which made you turn to face them, "Yeah?" All three were staring at you with the same expression. Your eyes flicked between them; "What-!?" Sadie was the one to begin the questions, leaning across the others; "First off, whooooo is the cutie pie!!?" "Second off - are you not gonna introduce us-!?" Nicole gasped "OH MY GOD! Did he buy you a drink already-!?" "OH!" You laughed, a little embarrassed, and pressed your back against the bar, "Sorry, I realise I've not done this before-!"

Gerry had really come here to think a couple of things through over a drink, but he'd been glad of your company, even in the vicinity. But in the fact that you were now addressing him and your friends, he was pulled away from his bourbon again, right to three women staring at him with various levels of interest. He realised immediately that meant introducing himself to them first; "Oh! Hi! I'm Gerry-!" They all turned from his sweet as sugar little smile back to you, of course they knew as much as you'd cared to tell them about the man who frequented your cafe so often, and had admitted his crush on you. Only for you to end up dating - at least casually – and silence hung in the air for a moment, before Jen punched the top of your arm; "THE GERRY!? YOU DIDN'T SAY HE WAS AN ABSOLUTE CUTIE-!?!?!” That only made you go redder, "Yeah..." though she didn’t have to make it so obvious that you spent a lot of time talking about him-! Eyes flicking between the four of you, the look on Gerry’s face read that he didn't think that his night was going to get any better. You were here, three girls he'd never met were suddenly calling him cute (and yes, he would take it! That was the friend seal of approval and was a great honour!), he had his favourite drink... And a dance floor. He'd utilise that one a little later though. The girls all introduced themselves to him one by one and suddenly he was the complete centre of attention, he wasn't exactly used to something like that - but his shyness just made him even more adorable to them. And finally, you got them all to settle down and go back to it being a girl’s night out. That didn't mean you, nor he - with the way he read everything - missed the looks that every man in the room was giving him. And the way that Gerry let you cuddle into him as he wound an arm around your shoulders. Eventually you let him get back to his drink, but he at least acted reluctant. If he'd come here for quiet you didn't exactly want to distract him from that - but as you continued your evening you kept your hand in his as he made his way through another glass.

 **

 Eventually he slid off the bar stool, and let his hand delicately leave yours, as he paid his tab. You thought that would count Gerry's night as over, and you were about to turn to wish him goodnight, and while he was here, figure out when the next time you would see him would be. It didn't sound like he was so busy this weekend, so maybe it wouldn't have to be at the cafe, maybe you would get to go on a date.

Gerry had different ideas, because although he was now standing, he was shrugging himself out of his jacket to put over the back of your chair. He was determined to make tonight a date if you would let him. Your friends weren't about to deter him from doing so either. So when he held his hand out for yours and asked you to dance, you were only a little hesitant. "Of course she will-!" The girls answered for you, and you had to laugh again as they did almost everything apart from literally pushing you onto the dancefloor. You let him take your hand and raised your eyebrows to your friends with a wink; liquid confidence... Or maybe something else - unless Gerry used this demeanour as a facade for his gambling, you doubted this was the man that people at his usual tables knew. He got his conviction from somewhere...

 His confidence was still gentle as he laced his fingers with yours, confessing that he wasn't the best dancer - but that because he had you, it probably didn't matter so much. You were hardly one to care about that, more that he would want to take your hands in his, or you in his arms and pull you closer to him out here on the floor at all. And not just for one song. This wasn't unnoticed by your friends of course, because their eyes were glued to you. And their phones too - "Oh my god..." You whispered but with Gerry this close, he heard you; "What?" "Well don't look at my friends now, but this is gonna be all over social media tomorrow..!" He laughed softly; "Is there a problem with that?" Your smile was a little absentminded before you turned your eyes on him; "No...It’s the least of my problems. A little like getting to be here with you at all." Again he acted bashful, blue eyes hitting the floor, voice soft; "You don't need to say that..." "I mean it-!" You kept your eyes on his until he raised them back to you, and then he smiled gently pausing the sway of your dance Gerry made a firm decision and slipped his hands from yours; "Wait here..."

You barely had time to respond before he approached the band winding up their current song. He took out his wallet and added to their tip jar, beckoning the singer in closer to whisper a song and pointed at you through the crowd. Upon the band’s agreement, Gerry made his way back to you with a smile on his face. You eyed him warily; "What have you just got me into-!?" "One more slow song before they head for last call..." He took you back in his arms, and let you entwine your fingers with his - recognising the song as one of your favourites. That made you bite your lip as you beamed, unable to look back into his eyes for fear of becoming something akin to a blushing mess. But when you finally felt like you could, you thanked him. And then your eyes didn't leave his for the remainder of the song. And you were aware that he continued to pull you closer inch by inch - and that excitement ran over your body as you realised what he was about to do, and that you knew you wouldn't stop him from pulling you in.

 Gerry's eyes flicked from your eyes to your lips far too often, and it was almost a little too much for him as he took a deep breath and looked away "...Y/N..." He paused again, like he was trying to get a grip on the situation, "...Y/N... I think I..." He bit his lips together and his eyes widened slightly, "I'm..." When those beautiful blue eyes looked back in yours, he realised that all you were doing was waiting for him now. And that maybe saying it just wouldn't do the moment justice. Gerry closed what was left of the gap, and his lean in was slow, enough for you to read every second of the situation, and grip his hand tighter, hold him as close as he was holding you. Your eyes closed as his lips touched yours, sweet and hesitant at first, as unsure as he always seemed. The way he'd look at you in the café, like he didn't believe you could possibly feel the same way about him. So you kept him close, the pressure of your hand on his back encouraging. That injected confidence into his kiss immediately - but it was still soft and gentle, tasting a little like a hint of his favourite Kentucky bourbon. Not a kiss you wanted to end in a hurry - and a damn good first one.

 He pulled away looking at least a little guilty, was that okay? Are you sure? And you couldn't help but fall harder for that charming innocence he had - no matter what you knew about his past. You just beamed in response, but shied away from anything he might wish to say to you now, nestling your head in his shoulder. You could feel your face heating up already - and wanted to hide that from him as much as you did your friends. Who, hell yes, had just witnessed that. Then you smiled to yourself - Gerry had made a hell of a move to kiss you first, but he'd just done it in full view of your three best friends. He deserved a little something for that, when it could also have gone so wrong. You leant up and kisses his cheek, returning to your position on his shoulder. For a moment he looked surprised, before he turned to you, gentle heart-warming smile on his face - and Gerry knew he'd made the right choice.

 ***

 When last call did eventually come you evacuated the dancefloor, with all of your friends looking both enamoured with the two of you and overly smug. "What-!?" "Do you realise how cute you two are?!" You hid your face in his arm for a second, met with his nervous giggle - "Shut up!" "Nope. It's totally true-!" The girls hugged you both close and continued teasing you - but in an affectionate way. Before they all decided to call it a night; "Y/N? Are you coming with us or..." "Uh..." You turned to Gerry, now shrugging his jacket back on. Going back to his place? That felt like rushing something... As much as it felt right... "I..." Jen shook her head, "If it's hard for you to decide then you've already decided." She hugged you once more, "He seems very sweet. You know I'm still gonna ask you to be careful. But, you're a smart girl!" You grinned "Thank you! I will I promise!" When Gerry twisted to you again, he realised you were alone; "Oh... They left?" "Mhm." You gave a gentle shrug, "Guess it's just us!" He held his hand out for yours "Should I walk you home?" You bit your lip, as hesitant to say this as he was to kiss you, "I don't... Think I want to go home just yet..." "Oh?" He gave a smile, leading you from the bar "Well, I guess there's always my place..." Although that thought crossed your mind probably more than it should have your mood had completely changed by the time you walked through his front door. "Drink?" "Actually water wouldn't go amiss..." "Good call. Smart girl." He gave a gentle hum, pouring you and himself a glass. Then paused, like he realised the significance of you standing in his house and whirled back around; "O-Oh... I-- I guess you'll be staying, huh?" Then watching the way your face changed, like you felt guilty for assuming it. Gerry held his hands out, feeling like he'd probably just put his foot in it "Oh! God-! No! It's okay-! I-I want you to stay-! Y/N...!" He crossed his kitchen to you, hands on your arms, forehead against yours, "Please... Stay..." As if he thought a simple mistake like that would cause you to walk out on him. Your heart skipped, with him this close to you, and your smile was shy and delicate against the assuring look on his face. “…I will…” And you knew you didn’t just mean tonight.

He gathered you a shirt, and everything he thought you might need to stay at his for an evening, certainly not wanting to force anything upon you that you didn't want. And left you to get ready for bed. However the second you slipped his soft T-shirt on the only thing you wanted was to be wrapped up in his arms. And you stood looking at yourself in the bathroom mirror for an inordinate amount of time. It smelled like all his clothes did – and although he wasn’t holding you, it was like you could feel his body warmth wrapping around you protectively. Your eyes welled up, seemingly for no reason, and suddenly you wanted that feeling more than anything.

By the time you'd finished he was also changed, and waiting for you to say goodnight. And also by the way that his eyes never left your face, was trying to be a polite gentleman about the whole situation - though you wouldn't have minded him running his eyes over your body just once... It wasn't like you weren't together; "Well... Goodnight, Gerry. Thank you for asking me to stay..." "You're welcome... Thank you for…uhm, accepting. Maybe we can do something together tomorrow?" The sweet, gentle smile he was falling so in love with was back on your face "I'd like that." "Good..." He agreed with a nod "Goodnight, Y/N..." You gave a nod of your own, and turned to pad back down the hall to his guest room. When he didn't call you back, you turned back and took a deep breath; "Gerry?" "Uh huh?" He stood and tipped his head, that same clueless innocent look on his face that he liked fixing you with. "Can I... Stay with you?" Both of you went red - you for asking, him for having you be so direct. "Oh, I..." You could feel your heart thump loud in your chest - and once again his face changed from shock to beaming realisation, "I just..." You tried to put it another way, and realised how sweet you were making your voice, "I just want you to hold me..."

 ***

 Being wrapped up in his arms provided you with an ultimate moment of realisation. That you could quite happily do this for a very long time - for as long as this relationship was likely to last. For all Gerry’s warnings you already hoped the answer to that would be a good long time... You didn't want to hope too much that that might end up the case. And yet you did.

Gerry held you close, but not too tight - his touches comforting as you spent the majority of it in silence. Conversation didn't need to pass between you, and your fingertips ran the arm he'd curled beneath you. You wanted to tell him that you didn't usually do this, not stay with someone this early into the relationship... But there was something about Gerry that made you so comfortable... That maybe he knew that already, and you didn't need to use your words. That this tender intimacy was enough. But the more he relaxed you the more you drifted off. And you fought that for as long as you could; wanting nothing more than to stare back into his loving blue eyes.

 You had obviously failed at that when the next thing you knew you were waking up to daylight. Still in the warmth of his arms, however, which made you smile and cuddle further into him - returning the hold he had on you. Gerry smiled absentmindedly in his dreams and he squeezed you tight, making you giggle, before you decided you'd much rather stay here in bed with him than get up and start the day.

Meaning you were well rested by the time you did wake up - but alone. ish. He was already dressed and sitting up on the bed, running his hand through your hair; "Oh... Sorry..." He mumbled sheepishly, withdrawing his hand as your eyes adjusted to the light. You rubbed them and stretched - "Well... That's one way to wake up..." This time Gerry offered you a bashful giggle; "I just wanted you to sleep for as long as you needed..." He still wasn't really looking at you, and his fingers tapped nervously against his knees; "Uh. I guess you might want to borrow some clothes?" You sat up, with a nod; "Thank you..." Then folded your arms with a grin "I mean I have always wondered what it'd be like to cuddle you in those sweaters... But if I get to wear one!" This time he did go red and almost spluttered; "Well I... I guess you're gonna get both." Your gasp was gentle, "I would very much appreciate cuddles." "Haha, I bet..." He stood and opened his dresser... Again he tapped a rhythm against it before turning back to you. "Maybe I should just let you chose one?" You rolled yourself out of bed and wandered over to him; "Your T-shirt and your sweater, I should be so honoured." He laughed; "It's like you practically live here." "Trust me - half your wardrobe would go missing if I did." You perused his extensive collection, before selecting one and kissing his cheek. "Thank you-!" "You're welcome..." You'd already made him smile, but now he was gently rubbing his cheek. "I'll uh, wait for you downstairs, okay?" "Mhm-!"

***

Gerry busied himself in the kitchen whilst he waited for you, and in turn whilst you waited for him you curled yourself up on the sofa - checking your phone for messages. "Oh God..." You whispered to yourself, head very nearly in your hands as you realised just how many messages you had received from your friends, nearly all pictures of course, from your friends in the aftermath of the previous evening. All with various comments that all said the same thing: OH MY GOD YOU TWO ARE SO CUTE--!!! And trying to come up with a good sounding ship name for you.

You sighed gently, knowing that this would probably go on for at least the whole of today. They definitely were going to love to tease you about this. Still, at least you knew the pictures were very cute; they did have that right. Before long, you were joined not by Gerry, but by a ginger and white cat. Who eyed you with as much curiosity as you did it. Gerry had never mentioned a cat, but you would assume it was his. Curious and friendly, as it leapt onto the sofa and then onto you. "Oh! My god, you're gorgeous! AW! Hey---!!" The affection you gave and in turn received resulted very quickly in purrs. "We'll I'm very happy to meet you too-!" Gerry stood in the doorway for a moment, watching with a roll of his eyes; "Hey, Jasper, come on, leave her alone-!" He received a meow back, but Jasper definitely didn't move - "I think that's a no! Jasper?" "Mhm..!" Gerry was carrying two mugs, which he placed carefully on the side table before joining you, scratching behind Jasper's ears - making the purring even louder. "He's very cute." "Yeah-! I mean... I've had him a little while, he's a good cat." "I bet..."

Gerry pulled you closer to him winding an arm around your waist as you propped your head on his shoulder, still stroking a hand through Jasper's fur. "Can I ask you something?" "Yeah?" He turned his eyes to you, "Anything..." "How do you do that?" "Do...what?" "Switch between confident and shy in a matter of seconds. I'm not even sure you realise you're-" you paused your sentence just by the look of surprise on his face; "C-Confident? Me!?" Your folded your arms in defiance of his protest; "Yes! Don't act like that, how can you not call yourself confident!?" He gave a shrug, "I... I dunno I guess it's just a remnant of the way I used to play... You gotta have confidence at tables. Like no matter what your play is. You don't want other players to think they can rattle you easily. So, I guess..." He smiled "That's why. But then, you're giving me signals that make me confident with you... So... Again, maybe it's you too..." "You're very sweet to say that." You brushed your lips to his cheek again and nestled into his sweater; "Sweet maybe, but also true..." He let you settle yourself; "We need more weekends like this." "I second..." You smiled, "We need more nights like yesterday." Gerry laughed, but said no more, and you sat in silence for a few moments more before you glanced to the mugs on the table. Then your smile grew, in realisation of what he'd done; "Is that hot chocolate?" "Yeah..." His smile was sweet "Bout time. I figure I owe you that..." Then he got a flash of confidence back; "And our first kiss-!"

And with him looking at you like that; you were about to make it two.

---

@happyskywhale @wltz-bby​ @3134045126​ #MendoTagSquad.