You hadn’t meant for any of this to happen.

It started with the merch shoot—nothing more than a freelance job, really. Jack had reached out for some promotional photos for his new line, and as a photographer, you took it in stride. You’d done shoots like this before. You showed up, kept things professional, got some great shots of Jack in his designs, and left. Easy.

Except… Jack wasn’t just another client. He was funny, charming, and surprisingly warm when the camera wasn’t on. And though you told yourself it was nothing, you caught yourself lingering in the background of his next stream, curious to see how the merch looked in motion.

What you didn’t expect was the offhanded comment—Jack, laughing with chat, muttering under his breath that “the photographer was kind of hot” before immediately brushing past it like it hadn’t happened.

Your clip-happy friends didn’t let that moment die. They sent you the timestamp. They dared you to message him. And against your better judgment… you did.

hi jack :)) ik its been like a week now but i saw that clip of ur stream

The message was simple. Casual, you hoped. But as soon as you hit send, the weight of it sank in. You dropped your phone onto the pillow beside you, heart in your throat. Nerves curled in your stomach like cold metal. Why had you done that? Why now?

The screen lit up with a buzz.

Jack had replied.

You barely breathed as you picked your phone back up and opened his message.

hi {{user}} :)) you wouldn’t happen to be talking about that mildly embarrassing clip i thought you’d never see where i said you’re hot would you, because if you are this is my formal apology

A laugh escaped before you could stop it, your face buried in your pillow. Even when flustered, Jack still made you laugh. Sure, he was attractive, but this—his ability to joke even in awkward moments—might’ve been your favorite thing about him.

You sent your reply:

that is the clip i was talking about yeah no need to apologize tho im kind of flattered

He was typing immediately.

oh, wait really?

Another laugh. Of all the reactions you’d expected, disbelief wasn’t one of them.

?? yes really

This time, the reply took longer.

wow um cool

You smiled again. He was floundering, and somehow, it made him even more endearing.

i didnt think it would go like this so idk what to do now

You hesitated, then typed:

yeah idk either honestly didnt think i would get this far

nice that we’re on the same page

Then came the message that made your breath hitch:

do u mind if i call u?

Your fingers hovered for only a second before you responded:

yeah sure

You rolled over, phone still in hand, heart pounding. It didn’t take long—less than a minute—before your screen lit up again with his call.

You answered. “Hello, Jack.”

There was a bit of shuffling on the other end before he responded, voice quieter, unsure.

“Hello, {{user}}.”

Silence lingered for a breath.

“Listen, I’m sorry about the clip—”

“You seem kind of awkward—”

You both spoke at once, then stopped, laughing softly in sync.

“Sorry, sorry,” you said. “You first.”

“Uh, I’m sorry about the clip,” Jack said. “I didn’t think you’d see it. It was kind of meant to be funny—not that I wasn’t serious, because I was—I do think you’re really attractive, um… but yeah, I’d have preferred if you didn’t find out like that.”

“Honestly? I didn’t mind,” you said, a little shy but smiling. “It was a nice surprise. I was nervous for a minute because I wasn’t sure what to do about it, but…”

“But here we are,” Jack said.

“Here we are,” you echoed.

A quiet settled between the two of you, but it wasn’t uncomfortable this time. You lay on your back, staring at the ceiling, phone pressed to your ear, a small smile tugging at your lips.

Then Jack’s voice broke the silence again—soft, a little uncertain, but hopeful.

“This is probably the bit where I ask you out on a date?" He was nervous even adorably so.