#in case you forgot how madly in love i am with jake

[ofnifflersandkings]

Title: Settle For Me Character: Jake Peralta A/n: I listened to the “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” soundtrack and for some reason this song just screamed Jake to me, I dunno why. Give it a listen and lemme know if you agree.

•

“You’re staring at him again.” Your chin fell from your hand and you looked up wide eyed at Rosa who was staring you down with her usual unamused expression.

You sat up in your desk chair, smoothing out your hair and presuming your case report as you cleared your throat. “Maybe I was.”

Rosa clicked her tongue, reclining in her chair as she folded her arms, the leather material of her jacket making small squelch noises. “Why don’t you just ask him out, it’s obvious you have a thing for him.”

“I can’t! Then he’ll know!” You told her with a distressed expression as you cast a small glance over at the cute detective across the room.

His name was Josh and you had been harboring a small crush over him ever since he started working at the precinct a couple months ago. On his first day, he accidentally spilled coffee all over your new white blouse, and after dozens of apologies he told you to take his NYPD jacket to cover the mess.

He was just so dishy, a kind smile, the most dazzling blue eyes you’d ever seen on a person, and one of those jawlines that looked like it could cut butter.

“He’s too good looking for me,” You reasoned, the speed of your typing increasing the more you thought on it. “I’ll just admire from afar.”

Rosa exhailed sharply and rested her elbows on the top of her desk she was intimidatingly close. “Look, I don’t care but you should know that anyone would be lucky to be with you,” Her eyes took one glance at how your eyes lit up and she went back to her work.

“And I don’t care, just man the hell up and ask him out.”

You smiled at her, knowing she was trying to be supportive the best she could.

Just a couple feet away from your desks was Jake Peralta, unhappily switching gaze between you and Josh, noticing the doey look you were giving him much to Jake’s annoyance.

Jake let out a sigh, starting to fill out some forms and not-so-subtlety looking up at Amy, waiting for a response.

When he got nothing he sighed again, louder this time and dramatically tossing aside his pencil. Amy gave him one glance before going back to her work.

Jake frowned. “Alright, you obviously can tell I’m in a distressed state and want to vent, the least you can do is pretend to care.”

Amy rolled her eyes. “Why don’t you go find Boyle or Gina?”

“Boyle’s on that family trip and Gina found a new place to practice her dance moves.” Amy followed his hand and saw Gina sparatically dancing in the evidence room with a huge pair of headphones on.

“Okay,” Amy said quietly, pushing away her keyboard. “I’m just gonna pretend I didn’t see that, what do you want?”

Jake pretended to toss back his hair. “Thank you, it’s nice to feel appreciated,” He said, taking a great deal of pleasure in her annoyed scowl. “I’ve been into (Y/n) for over a year now, why does she like that tool more than me?” He asked, throwing a quick gesture over to Josh.

Amy looked over at him and smiled. “Oh yeah, the cute one.”

Jake groaned, falling back into his chair. “What is wrong with you two! I’m a catch!”

Amy snorted, folding her hands neatly on her desk. “Well let’s start with the easiest things. For one, he is exceedingly more handsome than you, definitely more in shape, he’s sweet and charismatic, doesn’t have a weird attachment to the one nice jacket he owns and his credit is impeccable.”

Jake looked at her with his mouth agape. “Well glad to know you put a lot of thought into this, Santiago. And for the record! I have tons of jackets.” He said, grabbing his leather jacket and tossing it onto the floor behind him.

Amy stood up from her seat, grabbing her coffee mug and looking at him with an unimpressed expression. “I guess add that he’s less petty than you onto the list now too.”

Jake pouted. “Dammit, she got me.” He looked over at you again, noticing the small peices of hair falling out of the updo your hair was in and how your fingers tapped on your desk and he found himself smiling softly.

Jake stood up, quickly plucking his jacket off the ground. “I’m sorry, she made me do it, just ignore her.” He whispered to it before putting on and adjusting his hood over the collar.

“Hey, (Y/n)!” He said, casually strolling up to your desk and attempting a charming smile. “Wanna go grab a coffee with me?”

You looked up at him and smiled. “Yeah, sure. I could use a break.”

Jake smiled and offered his arm to you. “After you.”

•

The whole walk to the coffee shop, you and Jake talked about everything under the sun, cracking small jokes to one another and just having a lovely little moment together.

Jake just couldn’t stop thinking about how great a couple the two of you would make.

You and him just understood each other and for him, you were the most easiest person in the world to talk to.

Not to mention he felt his entire insides turn to jelly when you leaned into him after a particularly hearty chuckle, still having your arm linked with his. He wanted to be that close to you all the time.

Then he would remember you had a crush on someone else and it really killed the mood.

But what really bothered him was that Josh never really seemed to notice you the same way, he was polite to you but never went out of his way to talk to you.

And Jake couldn’t understand how someone lucky enough to hold your affection would just ignore you.

The two of you sat down at a little table near the window and continued to talk about small things while you waited for your coffee. Jake watched how your fingers would sometimes tug onto your lips when you were trying to think of something or the way you tapped your foot to the beat of the music playing in the background.

“Can I confess something?”

You were about to respond when a barista came over and set down two mugs of coffee on the table.

“A secret from Jake Peralta? I’m all ears.”

Jake laughed, twirling his mug by the handle. “I just wanted to tell you that I really think the world of you, I think you’re brilliant at your job.”

He looked up and saw you eyeing him curiously over the brim of your mug and he cleared his throat before continuing.

“And I know that you have a thing for Josh,” You choked a little on your coffee, placing the cup down before covering the lower half of your face with your hand.

“How did you know that?” Flushing when you heard him chuckle. Jake looked at you with such fondness it almost took you back a little.

“C'mon, I know you better than anyone in 99, plus you’re really not that subtle.” He shook his head. “Not the point though, what I mean is I’ve had a crush on you for forever and I wanted to know if you would give me a shot,” Jake said quickly, noticing the surprised look on your face. “I know I’m literally nothing like Josh, word around the office is that he’s a dreamboat but don’t take my word for it.”

Your brows furrowed. “You have a crush on me?”

Jake nodded and looked down at his coffee. “Yup, I mean I totally don’t mind being your second, I just can’t shake the feeling that we’d be really good together. So, I was uh, hoping you’d let me at least give me a try. I mean we’re great partners and I like being with you” He laughed. “Call it a sad version of fate.”

You smiled at him and shook your head. “I can’t believe I didn’t notice, I must have been pretty oblivious.”

Jake scoffed dramatically. “God, you were the worst! I was worried I’d have to go full Boyle or have Gina come up with an interpretive dance to tell you.”

You laughed, taking a moment to look at him. “You deserve a lot better than to be a second choice, Jake. Tell you what, why don’t we go out somewhere Friday night, maybe we could see a movie?”

Jake gave you smile that just beamed happiness and he held out his hand. “(Y/f/n), are you asking me out?”

You took his hand and kissed the back of it, causing him to let out a totally manly squeal. “Yes, I am.”

Jake was properly blushing, but he cleared his throat and wheezed. “Thought you’d never ask.”