The Ruiz Brothers - Part 6.5 Bonus Scene

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「 ✦ Ongoing ✦ About me ✦ Table of Content✦ 」

Mornings aren’t just for coffee—sometimes, they’re for discovering what really matters.
Rated M - language, suggestive content, mature theme

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Cracked Open

Perched at the kitchen window in Stevie's apartment with a cup of coffee, Braydon watched the city come to life with the rising sun. He would be late for work either way, but that wasn't the reason he stayed. He kept surprising himself, and frankly, he didn't know what else to make of it — other than to ride the rhythm of the present. He made the deliberate choice to stay, perhaps as an apology for the many times he left. He still wasn't about the "boyfriend thing," but he had made a commitment to simply show up — not just for her, but it inevitably started with her. She was a kind and caring person who deserved more than he ever offered. 

He stayed to brighten her day — and of course, he always enjoyed her witty company. In a way, he valued the fact that she still didn't judge him, not even after yesterday — or the countless 'yesterdays' before.

Ultimately, he stayed to thank her for who she'd always been — even if it had taken him that long to see it.

A tired grumble came from the doorway. Stevie leaned against the frame rubbing her eyes, making sure the morning light wasn't playing tricks on her. She paused there for a moment, combing her messy hair down with her hand, chemise practically undone — but it didn't bother him, his mind was still focused. She glanced at him with a small smile. He glanced back smirking. They both quietly acknowledged the shift.

“…Morning,” she said softly, as she finally stepped into the kitchen stretching.

Her eyes flicked to the mug of coffee in front of him.

“You made coffee or is that just another new post-sex feature?” she teased, still groggy.

"Morning, you." A smile spread across his lips.

The awkwardness of a post-hookup morning still lingered, but something about 'this' morning was entirely different. The night before was not just 'any hookup' either. It was charged with emotions and vulnerability, as if they had both lost their virginity all over again. It was unclear which label best described their relationship from that point on, but they held no regrets.

He took a sip of coffee and grimaced slightly. 

“Nothing too fancy, it tastes like crap.”

“Mm. Bitter and mildly disappointing? Just how I like my mornings.”

He gave her a soft amused laugh and a sly glance.

"When have I ever left you 'disappointed'?" he flashed a playful wink.

 

Stevie chuckled and slowly reached for his cup, “Oh, never,” cradling it in both hands. She took a sip without asking, locking eyes with him over the rim and slowly licking her lips afterward.

“Satisfaction guaranteed, but...”

Her tone shifted a little.

"You still being here… I wasn’t sure what I’d wake up to... that’s all.”

He grinned and briefly leaned down into her lips — still sweet-tasting in spite of the coffee's bitterness, to which she barely flinched, surprisingly.

"Then don't make it weird."

She smiled against his lips. Her eyes fluttered open as he pulled back.

“I’m not,” she murmured, “I just—”

He interrupted her with another kiss. This time a little more layered.

"Relax, I meant everything I said yesterday."

She swallowed lightly, nodded and gave him a small, earnest smile.

“For the record... I’m really glad you’re still here.”

He knew she would be. A single morning would not wipe the slate clean, but it was a start. A small step towards showing her he could be trusted.

She set the coffee down and lightly nudged his hip with hers.

“Do you have time for breakfast?”

Catching her by the waist mid-motion like a reflex, he teased.

"Well," he glanced out the window then back at her raising an eyebrow, "I'm probably going to be late for work since 'someone' refused to let me drive my car yesterday." He gave her a sly smile, "So I guess I'll stay for a bite."

A playful hum caught in her throat.

“Mhm… excuse me for not wanting Mr. Tequila to wrap us around a lamppost.” 

Braydon laughed genuinely. "To be fair, I was buzzed, not blitzed."

“Yeah right." She chuckled then turned to the fridge, pulling it open.

Sit, Romeo. I'll throw something together.”

She paused, then added with a sly glance,

“Unless you’d rather eat me.”

He smirked, "You already know the answer to that." He said leaning against the counter.

Arms loosely crossed, he watched her grab a couple of eggs and bread. He settled in the moment, taking in the tranquility of the scene. She was more excited than she let on — and so was he. It scared him a little, but he refused to overthink it just yet. Answers would eventually come — one morning, one coffee, one joke at a time. He also thought about the reason that now tangled them tighter together — the baby. A light smile tugged at his lips just thinking about it. He wondered if the shift in their dynamic was solely based on that extra variable. The truth was, their child only cracked open something that was already there. Braydon already cared about Stevie in his own broken ways. The prospect of a child only drove him to grow further towards becoming worthy— of the both of them.

"How far along are you?" He suddenly asked.

The question took her by surprise. It also grounded her because it showed he cared under the surface. Stevie took a breath, pausing halfway through mixing the eggs for an omelet.

“Almost eight weeks now,” she said quietly, glancing at him over her shoulder,

"Time’s moving fast, huh?”

"Eight weeks..." He echoed. His voice remained steady yet curious, "and you only told me now?"

A hint of vulnerability flashed in her eyes.

“I wanted to tell you... I just didn’t know how,” she admitted, voice quiet.

"I was scared — of how you’d react, or if you’d even want to know.”

"I'll be honest, that wasn't my finest hour..." he said, voice low.

It definitely wasn't. He hadn’t meant to dredge up the past, but it crept in anyway — like an unwanted reflex. Stevie didn’t know the full story, but as insightful as she was, she could sense the weight behind his reaction last night.

She set the whisk in the mixing bowl as she turned to face him.

"Bray, you don't have to tell me what that was really about... not until you're ready."

"Maybe one day, I will..." He muttered, stepping closer to her,

"But like I said..." He cupped her cheek, scanning her eyes. "I've got you."

Stevie's eyes shined with a mix of relief and something warmer.

“Good,” she whispered.

He pressed his lips onto hers before effortlessly lifting her off her feet, her legs curled around his waist. She gave him a surprised laugh and wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing closer. She leaned down, kissing him tenderly.

“Guess I’m not the only one who can’t stay away,” she whispered.

He laced her mouth with kisses, each one more layered than the other.

"Did someone mention breakfast?" 

“Breakfast, huh?” she smiled teasingly.

“If you’re planning to ‘eat breakfast,’ I’m definitely not complaining.”

Her hands tightened slightly around his neck as he carried her back into the bedroom.

He may have been late for work that morning, but he was right on time for her.

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