#hournite secret santa 2023

[canary-warrior]

thank you, i loved it!

I wrote a fic about Jennie and Courtney freaking the f out over the status of Rick and Beth's relationship because I am @canary-warrior secret santa!!!!

[samarasketch]

One More for the Road

Hournite Secret Santa for @gertstarlight from the Hournite Discord group!! 

Hope you enjoy it and have a wonderful 2023!!

--- 

"Rick! What are you doing here?"

"Beth!" He stepped forward to greet her, but was careful to stay close to the walls so that they wouldn't obstruct the already-too-busy ER or delay anyone from getting the medical attention they needed.

He needed attention, but not that kind of attention.

"I've been looking for you all day."

Her eyes widened, jumping straight to the worst conclusion. Clearly, he was not reassuring enough. "Did something happen? Are you hurt? Do you need help--"

"No no no," he scrambled to relief her. "Nothing happened. I just wanted to see you."

Her expression shifted from confusion to surprise, then as his words sank in, a shyness took over her face.

"Oh."

Rick’s eyes darted to the gravel floor as he felt a heat rush up his neck. 

They’d been dating for a year, but he still wasn’t used to saying words of affection. Beth had been working him up towards it for the past few months, but ever since she took up the internship at the hospital, Rick had barely had the chance to see her. When he woke up today, he felt it deep within his bones that if he didn’t get to see her today, he’d probably combust. So, he came down to the hospital as early as he could, on the off chance that he could catch her on her break.

A crash of thunder jolted Rick from his thoughts. "Oh right, I almost forgot. I have something for you." He fished out a little box from his back pocket.

"Oh?"

“Is that all you’re going to say from now on? ‘Oh’?” The corner of his lips couldn’t help but lift up at the adorable look of bewilderment in her eyes.

"Oh. I mean-- No, I just--"

"I’m just teasing,” he chuckled as he fished out the small box from his back pocket. “Here.”

“For me?” she looked at it with wide eyes, gingerly taking the box from his hand. “That’s so thoughtful, Rick. But... what’s the occasion? It isn’t Christmas, or my birthday, or our--”

“Anniversary.” They said at the same time.

“Wait, it’s our anniversary?! So soon?” 

Rick nodded, rocking on the back of his heels. 

Her face fell. She pulled out her phone from her back pocket to check out the date. “Oh my gosh, you’re right! I can’t believe I forgot!”

He gave what he thought was a reassuring smile. “It’s okay. You’ve been so busy with your internship, I figured it would slip your mind.”

“I’m so sorry, Rick. I’ll make it up to you, I promise.”

He shrugged. “Don’t worry about it. Now, open it.”

“Here? Now?”

He nodded.

She pouted. “But I wanted to open it when I get home--”

“I wanna know if you like it.”

“I love it!” She looked at him in that How dare you? way she had whenever anyone dared to talk bad about her boyfriend.

He couldn’t help laughing. “But you haven’t even opened it yet!”

“It’s from you, Rick! You know I’d love it no matter what it is!” She beamed reassuringly. 

“Open it. I want to see your reaction before I go.”

Thunder crashed and a light drizzle began.

“Come on,” he coaxed. “We don’t have much time if I’m going to make it back to the Pit-stop before the storm goes full swing.”

She huffed. “Oh, alright...”

A little owl pendant sat on a delicate gold chain. Tiny green gems lit up its eyes, giving it a look of gentle defiance as it caught the light and winked at her.

Beth gasped.

“D-do you like it?” He bit his bottom lip.

“I love it! Thanks Rick!” She beamed, the warmth of her smile radiating through every inch of her body. 

“Here, let me help you put it on.” 

She happily obliged, glad to have a piece of him with her after spending so much time apart.

He turned back to her. “Happy anniversary, Beth.”

“And happy anniversary to you too, Rick,” she said, reaching out to thread her fingers through his.

Another crash of thunder cracked through the air and the light drizzle became a heavy downpour.

“I should go now. I’ll come see you again soon, okay?” 

“Okay,” she sighed, letting go of his fingers reluctantly.

He took off his jacket, intending to use it as a makeshift umbrella, and stepped out into the rain. “See you soon, Beth!”

Just when he was about to take his third step in the rain, he heard a faint call of his name, nearly drowned out by the thundering storm.

“RICK!” 

He turned, only to see Beth hurrying toward him.

“W-wait, Beth! The rain! Your hair--”

“I don’t care,” she grinned, sidling up towards him. 

He held the jacket over her, “What...?”

“You forgot this!” she pulled his collar down towards her, leaned up...

... and kissed him.

Her lips felt warm in the cool rain, and he could taste a hint of... strawberries?

She was about to break apart when he caught her lips again between his own, and this time, he could taste the smile that cracked across her lips, the heat of her radiating through him, down to his very bones.

They broke apart after a few minutes, both completely drenched despite Rick’s jacket-umbrella.

He stared down at her dazedly and watched as sudden shyness overcame her.  Her eyes darted everywhere except at him, and for a moment, he couldn’t believe he was lucky enough to call this bold but shy woman in front of him his girlfriend. 

He breathed in a deep breath of the cool air, then asked...

“One more for the road?”

[hournites]

I wrote a fic about Jennie and Courtney freaking the f out over the status of Rick and Beth's relationship because I am @canary-warrior secret santa!!!!