Reach Out to Me: Male!Rose(Rowen) x Reader

Rowen Lalonde:

That's when you hear someone speak to you.

"Do you think doing this is a reasonable solution to your problem, whatever it may be?"

You remain unphased on the outside, but inside you just about had a mini heart attack. You know that voice. To confirm, you turn around. Sure enough, there stands Rowen Lalonde.

He's kind of gotten a title for sneaking up on people like that. He's a bit quiet. You've never really talked to him much, but you've heard rumors. People claim he's the local goth, and he's a creeper.

You find rumors and titles stupid, so you usually try not to get mixed up with those things. If he wants to wear all black, fine. It looks suitable on him. His neatly trimmed, short, light blonde hair contrasts strikingly. His skin is starkly pale, and his eyes shine like amethysts. He's rather dashing.

You suppose you can give him a chance to talk right now. You have time. You don't think you could feel any worse than you already do now. You found out that your supposed friends have started circling rumors about you behind your back. You don't care about the rumors, but the fact it's the people you called your friends.

"I think it's okay." You reply blankly.

You feel very empty right now. You've been very close to tears at least five times in the last hour, but your good for now.

"Why is it that you feel that way?"

A large handful of reasons flashes through your mind. Everything that's been sticking your heart like a needle. Mom and dad haven't called in over a week. The last time they did, all they said was to use your grocery money wisely. No 'Be safe, we love you.' The last time you saw their faces? Maybe over a month. Not a single smile. They used to always smile. Hug you and kiss your forehead. Some exchange of words.

You told one friend at school. She said you were whiny. Another spread a rumor. One told you to leave her alone. One snapped at you for saying hello. One changed lab partners leaving you on your own.

"There are... A few different reasons." You can't decide where to start, so you just summarize.

"I'm not going to judge. If you really want to tell someone, I'm right here."

"I-I don't want to talk to anyone anymore."

"Are you sure that's true? Your body language disagrees."

Did he get his psychology degree already? You know your lying, but you are shocked when he can tell. You wonder what's giving you away.

Rowen could tell you. He can see it in your eyes. Your lovely (e/c) orbs are so faded from the pain. Through that haze, he can see a spark. A last call for help. For anyone to grab your hand and pull you from the abyss.

Though so many cruel words are directed to him because of his choice to be different, he's kind. Seeing your pain, it increases the trait. Seeing your face in the hall makes his heart rush. Hearing your voice in a class makes his body melt. You're so unaffected by the throes of teenage drama, yet you still get sucked into the pain that can be caused from it. It tears at him angrily, and he knows he has to help you.

"It'll make it stop, won't it?" The last part of your words drop in strength. Rowen whips his thought distracted head to face you again. Tears are starting to cascade down your cheeks.

You weakly ease down to sit on the rail with your feet hanging over the pavement. You rub at your eyes, but the salty droplets keep coming.

"There are so many other solutions to try before you give up. (y/n), you can't give up." There's a pleading tone in Rowen's voice. Even if he can't be the one you open up to, he wants to help.

"Tell me."

You want to believe him. His determination seems like a light. You're on the edge of the shadows. You just need to hear the right words so you can take one more step.

"Tell me what to do."

"(y/n), I can't do that. I care for you more than you know, and I want to be a person you can rely on. I want you to talk it out, and rage, and cry, and let it all go. I want you to feel better and know that there so much more for you, but only you can choose if you'll believe. It all depends on how much you're willing to do."

You look at Rowen through tear blurred vision. He's standing right in front of you. His hands are clenched into fists at his sides. You slowly reach a hand out to him. You're tembling fiercely.

"R-Rowen, w-will you h-help me?"

Rowen gives you a tiny smile. His heart clenches tightly in joy and pain. He takes your outstretched hand, and gives it a tug. You slide off of the rail and onto weak knees. Rowen tugs a little more, and you stumble into his arms.

"I am going to help in every single way that I can."

"Thank you."

You rest your head into the crook of his shoulder. You just want him to hold you right now. You just want to cry it out, and Rowen doesn't plan on going anywhere.


--- Four Months Later ---

On the night at the bridge, Rowen waited for you to cry it all out. He took you home, and messaged you a goodnight online. The next day, you gave the school a wave of material for brand new rumors. Always alone (y/n) and creepy goth boy Rowen were sitting by each other and talking. You both found the spread words as a new source of entertainment.

Rowen later introduced you to some of his friends from other schools. John Egderp,uhh, Egbert, a pranking nerd who you found to be quite kind. Jade Harley, a goofy girl with an unexpected tough side. Then there was Dave Strider. You don't even want to try and explain.

So many new experiences. Friends to smile with again. A place, stability, open arms, and comfort. Rowen has given all of this to you, and you have grown to love him so much. I mean it, your comfortable ease with Rowen has turned into a awkward flusterment.

You never actually registered Rowen's confession on the bridge. To your defense, it wasn't actually all that elaborate or informing. Him saying he cared about you could be taken in many different ways. Poor guy.

You now think he just likes you as a friend, and it is driving you mad. You see him in school and you have to recoil from him to keep your heart from exploding. When you hang out with each other, you always insist on somebody else being there too.

You are in Rowen's bedroom sitting uncomfortably at his desk. John was supposed to be here, and he isn't. It is just you and Rowen and you have no idea what to do. He's sitting on the floor with his laptop. You are staring nervously at his back.

"Oh goodness, (y/n), take a look at this! Dave just sent me a rumor about us he saw on his (social media) dashboard."

You jolt when Rowen calls out to you. Oh man, you can't go over there. He'll see your blush and think you're weird.

"Uh, okay, hand me your laptop."

"No, just come sit by me."

Rowen pats the floor next to him. There is no way of getting out of this. It'll be stranger if you fight about it.

Getting up, you stagger over and flop down next to him. He shifts the computer and you read the message.

(Random Name) says: "o my gawd! can u believe tht goth boy and (y/n)?!?! i heard they r planning to get married! watch out 4 quiet goth babies!"

Your face drowns in flame as you read the little status. Rowen is beside you chuckling softly.

"(y/n), what are we to do? Everyone is talking about our love for each other! We will have to get married! There's no other choice."

Rowen bursts into another fit of giggles. You slap your face into your open palm with a groan. He's laughing at the idea of a relationship with you.

Rowen hears your groan, and looks at you worriedly. He places a hand on your shoulder, but you shrug it off.

"(y/n)? What's wrong?"

You need to kiss him. You don't want to speak right now, but he needs to know. You have to let him know.

You lift your head, and face Rowen. His brows is furrowed in concern. You frown slightly. Before he can speak again, you lean over quickly and kiss him on the lips.

After pulling away, you scramble to get on your feet and run away. You just manage to get your legs to a lunge before you feel his hands on your shoulders. A small yelp escapes your lips as he pulls you backwards. You fall to your back, head in his lap. Without warning, his lips are on yours fiercely.

When he pulls away, you having a staring contest. Your eyes wide with shock, and his somewhat glaring.

"(y/n), do you like me?"

"Yes."

"How long?"

"A few months now."

He rolls his eyes and cups your face in his hands. It's a bit awkward since your facing him from a side view.

"I like you too. A lot. Why didn't you tell me?"

"I thought you only liked me as a friend."

Your face is becoming so heated with your blush and his hands. Rowen rolls his eyes again, and a smile comes to his face. He's keeping a controlled facade, but there's a hint of a blush on his cheeks.

"I like you much more than as just a friend."

He leans down for another kiss, making it deeper. You feel his tongue flick out and you let it pass through your lips. It's sloppy and oddly angled, but you love it. You meet his tongue with your own and arch your back to push into the kiss.

When the need for air becomes to strong, you both pull away gasping. You gaze lovingly up at Rowen until you realize he's wearing a devious smirk.

"So, uh, marriage and babies then?"

Glaring, you smack him upside the head and roll off his lap. Lounging on your side in front of him, you smirk.

"I hate babies."