REVERSE ISEKAI'D IN AN OFFICE ROMANCE? chapter six! (Patreon)

synopsis: who'd wanna trade a fantasy world for a studio apartment and a shitty job? well, you when you've got a ridiculously hot coworker you're sure is your new prince charming! it's just, uh, you didn't think you'd get caught up in a love triangle when your new neighbor starts noticing your new behavior!

pairing: dorky!coworker x isekai'd!reader x grumpy!neighbor

content: light angst and fluff, reverse isekai, slow burn, (POTENTIAL SPOILER FOR THE UNNAMED EXTRA SO MAKE SURE YOU ARE CAUGHT UP HERE FIRST) reader is the og priestess from tue in that reader's body, tension, domestic fluff, flirting, fluffy date, reader has a big fat crush on her coworker hehehe, some suggestive stuff

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Using a kid that wasn’t even your own to get yourself a guy was probably against all the morals that had once been drilled into you the fiber of your being. 

Did that stop you though? 

Nope. 

That was one of the many nice things about your new life. How free you were to forget about them and find yourself all over again without the words of other people poisoning your ear. 

“Did you wear that dress for me?” Your neighbor whistled as you opened the door to let his son in, your mouth curving up as you rolled your eyes anyway, palm smoothing out the skirt of your short sundress you found tucked away in the back of your closet. 

It was cute. The kind of thing you had seen other girls get dolled up in on the shows you’d been watching, your makeup carefully done to look pretty, but not over done.

You didn’t want to feed any man’s ego by making him think you tried too hard for him.

Even if it was true. 

You’d been studying in your spare time. Pouring over social media and staying up late surfing tv channels to learn as much as you could about modern day dating. 

“Do you always flatter yourself so much?” You huffed at the beefy guy leaning into you, just for his son to snort in response. 

“Yeah, he does,” he dryly muttered. 

“Watch it,” his dad huffed, scowling at his son while you held in a small laugh. 

“Do you care if I take him to the park?” You asked, although you knew what he was going to say before he said it. 

“Whatever you want to do.” 

What you wanted was to show a certain coworker of yours that you could be more than just a clueless fool fumbling her way through everything. You had a picnic packed, a cute little first aid kit slipped in your bag in case one of the kids scraped their knee, a list of icebreakers in the notes in your phone in case it got awkward. 

“Great,” you grinned, promptly shooing him back out of the door before he could second guess anything. 

Your plan was simple. Turn your playdate at a park into a proper date. 

Or well, it would’ve been if someone didn’t have like, a billion complaints about it when you broke the news you wouldn’t just be sitting around watching cartoons this time. 

“I don’t need a friend to play with,” your petulant ward whined, folding his arms across his chest as you shrugged your bag over your shoulder and picked up your picnic basket, glancing down at the text from your coworker that he and his brother were heading up the stairs now. 

“It’s gonna be fun,” you promised, a little tempted to pinch his cheek as he grumpily pouted at you. Dark green eyes glaring at you right as a soft knock echoed on the door. “Play nice.” 

“I know how to play nice, I’m not stupid,” he dismissively muttered. 

“I didn’t say you were,” you shook your head. 

He pouted, but he stayed polite when you pulled open the door and peeked out to find your coworker standing there, his hands shoved in the pockets of his hoodie and a small boy standing in front of him, hanging onto his leg. 

“Hi,” you greeted, holding your breath as you internally debated on letting them in or just insisting on going now. 

“Hey,” your coworker cleared his throat, nudging his brother forward as the kid looked up at you all expectantly. 

“You’re pretty,” he smiled at you, warmth radiating off of him. “My big brother talks about you a lot.” 

“Thank you,” you returned his easy affection, cheeks heating up at the thought of what your coworker might have to say about you. Was it good? Bad? Annoyed at how much he was helping you out or glad to get to spend time with you? The safest option felt like changing the subject, so you bent down and held out the picnic basket. “Are you hungry?” 

“I don’t think he’s ever not hungry,” his older brother commented, his eyes drifting down to where you prepared food. “You, um, really didn’t need to make all of that-” 

“It’s just a picnic,” you hummed, shrugging your shoulders as you started to shoo your own kid for the day forward out into the hall. You needed him to think you were capable. Competent. “I thought it would be fun.” 

“I can’t wait,” his brother chirped, bouncing with every step he took towards the stairs. 

You couldn’t wait either. 

Wasn’t the way to a man’s heart through his stomach? 

Well, that was what you’d heard on TV anyway. 

If this didn’t work, surely you could come up with some more creative means.

“Introduce yourself,” you leaned down to whisper to the dark-haired boy by your side, tapping his shoulder to goad him into it. 

It was kinda cute to watch him grumpily shuffle up, awkwardly giving his name and watching them start to talk, your stare quickly shifting back up to the man you’d really orchestrated all of this for. 

“It’s nice of you to babysit for your neighbor,” he commented, his hip almost brushing into yours as you started down the stairs, deliberately slowing down so he could be by your side. 

“They took me grocery shopping earlier this week,” you shrugged. “I try to be helpful.” 

It just happened to benefit you too. 

He didn’t need to know you were doing favors for a hot single father. 

Just that it brought the two of you together. 

There was a second booster seat in the back of his car, like he’d gone out of his way to make sure they’d both be safe as he buckled his brother up, but your kid had fastened himself in just fine, like he was used to doing it on his own.

“There’s a pretty nice park not too far from here,” he murmured under his breath when he got the car started, pausing with a hand on the wheel as his brows knitted together when he looked at you. You blinked back at him, your heart thumping hard as you waited for him to say something, but then he just leaned across, snagging your seatbelt and pulling it across your chest with a soft sigh. 

“Oh thank, I, um, forgot,” you awkwardly excused, sweat pricking underneath your arms already as his fingers wrinkled your dress before he clicked it into place. 

He could’ve told you about it. 

But he’d done it for you instead. 

Wasn’t that a good sign? Or did he just think you were stupid? 

“It’s okay,” he hummed, like it hadn’t meant anything. 

It wasn’t okay. Or fair for him to sit there so casually cool, pushing his bangs back off his face as he clicked his own next, his sharp side profile illuminated by the light filtering through the window as he started the car. 

You weren’t used to wanting someone like this. 

Were you getting carried away? How did people just go from friends or coworkers to something more? 

Would any of your million questions actually get answered? 

Daydreaming about how soft his lips might be certainly was not getting you any closer to discovering it. 

“Did you really get hit by a car?” A little voice chirped from the back, snapping you back to right now as you threw your head back over your shoulder. 

“Yep,” you smiled, grateful that most of your bruises and cuts had faded or healed enough to be concealed today as you tilted your head to the side. “That’s why you have to be super careful to look both ways before crossing the road.” 

You had no idea if that was actually how it happened. 

But you were really just trying to score some bonus points by pretending to be a responsible adult. 

You’d like to think you were one. 

In your old body. Before you were basically reborn. 

Forced to start over and relearn all the petty rules of this different society. 

“That’s what my big brother says too,” he exclaimed, his knee bouncing up-and-down in his seat. 

It only took five minutes in the car for you to come to the conclusion they were nothing alike. 

They had similar eyes, you guessed. The same pretty shade of brown that sorta looked hazel or almost amber when the sun struck it just right. 

But his hair was a completely different color, his mouth curving up into a big, gap-toothed smile as he chattered on endlessly from the backseat, asking you all sorts of questions before moving on to his new friend. 

Who, uh, still wasn’t super pleased to be in the backseat of some stranger’s car as he got dragged into a conversation about some movie that apparently was just released. 

You nearly intervened a few times, but you didn’t know what you were supposed to say to smooth it over – especially when the boy in the back barely let there be so much as a pause in the conversation. 

And before you knew it, you were at the park anyway, the car coming to a slow stop as he threw a warning look back across his shoulder. 

“Remember, you have to stay where we can see you,” he sternly instructed, his mouth pressing together in a serious line as you tried not to smile at how mature he sounded. 

Finding a grown man adorable was surely a clue that you were getting too sucked into this. 

Too wrapped up in the idea of a whirlwind romance with the first man who waltzed into your life. 

Reeling yourself back into reality as you helped him get the kids out of the car, your stuff slung over your shoulder as his sibling started sprinting towards the playground, half-dragging his new friend with him. It had rained last night, the damp grass already leaving dirt splattered on the hems of their jeans as they crossed over to the mulch, a few other younger kids already there and playing. 

“He’s excited, huh?” You remarked, purposely letting your arm brush against his, craving the small touch as you watched him keep a close eye on his brother. 

“He has trouble keeping friends,” he muttered, your palms starting to get sweaty too before you brushed them off on your dress. 

“Yeah, I get that,” you chuckled, your sympathy coming out more awkward than bubbly. 

So far, he was pretty much your only real friend here. 

You were pretty sure you were just a glorified babysitter to your neighbor. And someone he could potentially plow into a bed if he was bored. 

“So, um, what about you?” You cleared your throat, looking up at him as he paused by a wet bench, taking off his jacket and placing it down on the slightly damp surface before gesturing for you to sit first. 

Of course he was that kind of guy. 

Thoughtful. Generous. 

Not caring if his coat got wet when it meant making you comfortable. 

“All I’ve ever really needed is my family,” he spoke slowly, sure of what he was saying, but not sure of how you’d receive it. Giving you a curious glance, his mouth quirking down as he started to bounce his leg the way his brother had. “Do you have any siblings or-” 

“No,” you answered, feeling kind of clumsy as it struck you that you had no idea if the girl you were actually did. 

No one claiming to be family had called you. 

No mother or father named in your contact list. Or even an emergency contact at all. 

Hell, the hospital had to call your coworker just to get someone to show up. 

You were used to being lonely though. 

“Oh,” he muttered. 

“I kind of thought your brother would be like a mini-you,” you leaned back, brushing your hair off your shoulder as you studied the differences between them. 

It was like looking at the sun and moon. 

You wondered what it was like to have a big family. To have people waiting for you when you returned home or someone you knew could call or count on. 

“Half-brother,” he clarified, not going into any more details as you nodded along as if you understood. 

“You love him the same,” you observed, shrugging your shoulders. 

“Of course,” he replied, not even thinking about it. 

You watched the kids play, sliding down the big green slide and running between the structures, your gloomy little neighbor finally lightening up a little in the company of another child his age, the kind who could probably chase away storm clouds with one cheesy grin. 

Was it weird to feel a little content hearing him let out a laugh?

Sure, you were kinda sorta using him, but it made you feel good to see him having a good time too. 

“You seem happier,” your coworker quietly commented, looking at you with a softer expression than you expected when you turned to him. Small crinkles in the corners of his eyes, thoughtfully studying you before you shyly swallowed, flustered as you shifted forward back to where the kids were starting to warm up to each other more, feet dangling off the edge of the playground set where they had apparently paused to chatter. 

“I still don’t really remember anything from before,” you admitted to him, shrugging your shoulders like it didn’t bother you. 

It did. 

You just did your best not to think about it. 

About the girl you replaced. About the life you left behind. 

“You were quiet,” he offered. “Couldn’t really imagine you doing stuff like this back then.” 

“Oh,” you mumbled. 

“It’s nice though,” your coworker quickly added, and perhaps it was your imagination, but you were pretty sure he scooted slightly closer. “Talking to you.” 

“I like talking to you too,” you murmured, stealing another peek at him as the corner of his mouth curled up.

“I don’t think anyone’s ever said that to me before,” he admitted, although he almost immediately looked like he wished he could take it back. Shove all the words back inside his mouth once they were hanging in the air. 

“Well, I guess they’re just missing out,” you relaxed, leaning towards him as he let out a short laugh. 

You liked how easy this was. 

Yeah, it could be awkward. But it was the type where it stirred butterflies in your stomach and made your heart skip a beat and not the kind where your skin crawled and you wanted to hide yourself away at home. 

He gave you something to look forward to. Kept you hanging onto his soft-spoken sentences and deep stares. Calmed you, as strange as it sounded, comforted your soul in a way you weren’t accustomed to. 

Conversation came naturally. 

You liked asking him questions. Listening to him talk about the rest of his brothers, slowly cracking open his hard outer shell to find out how soft he was inside. 

And every new thing you learned only made you like him more. 

His resilience, his responsibility, the way he knew all his brother’s favorite movies and foods and talked about how he was trying to save money to send him to a good university someday. 

What was that like? 

To know exactly what you were building your life towards? To have someone you cared about so deeply you’d devote your life towards making theirs better? 

You wanted it. 

For someone to love you like that. 

Maybe just to love you at all. 

You had no idea how much time had passed, preoccupied with his gravelly voice in your ears as your eyes followed the kids back-and-forth across the playground, the sun drifting up higher until they eventually came scampering back. 

“I’m hungry now,” his brother begged, eyeing the picnic basket with big brown eyes as he pulled on the hem of your dress. The man by your side tried to swat his hand away, but that only made him try to snatch the food himself. “Can we eat?” 

“Sure,” you smiled, opening up to proudly present the assortment of sandwiches and snacks you packed. 

He greedily snatched one off the top, plopping down between the two of you on the bench as your own ward sat on your other side, hesitantly pulling a second bag out and inspecting the sandwich before he dared to take a bite. 

“I wasn’t sure what everyone liked,” you started, nerves returning when you had to pass your coworker one, chewing on the inside of your cheek when he opened the bag it was in. 

“S’delicious,” his brother mumbled, his mouth completely full as the compliment came out all muffled. Immediately shoving more in, devouring it in less than a minute, your hand reaching into the basket to pull out the one you would’ve had and giving it to him instead. 

“You think so?” You happily hummed, warm and fuzzy hope blooming behind your ribcage as your stare darted over to his older brother, aching for his approval too. 

“It’s good,” he solemnly agreed, taking a much more conservative first bite. 

“What about yours?” You murmured, gently knocking an elbow into your neighbor’s kid as he tried to pretend he wasn’t having a good day. 

“It’s okay,” he grumbled. “I guess.” 

He still ate all of it. 

And chased after his new friend once he polished off his second one. 

It was fun watching them. The sun shining down, a soft breeze in the air and a warm presence by your side. 

“What are you doing after this?” He eventually asked, his question coming out all low and thick as you found yourself hoping that he’d want to do something with you if your schedule is free. 

“Probably nothing after I return him,” you confessed.

But before he could propose, or possibly change the subject, there was the sudden harsh screech of wailing, and both of your heads snapped towards the sound. 

His brother had tripped. 

Big fat tears welling up in his eyes and rolling down his cheek as he cradled a scraped knee to his chest. 

“Shit,” he muttered, already standing in less than a second. “Guess we should call it here.” 

Oh. 

Yeah. 

That made sense, you supposed. 

You weren’t well-versed in kids enough to debate it. 

Getting up after him, shrugging your stuff back up over your shoulder and starting towards your kid for the day, finding him solemnly watching the scene play out from behind a slide. Discomfort was obvious on his face as withdrew away from the crying, covering his ears as you approached. You squatted down to get on his level, apologetically smiling at him. 

“I think we’re gonna head home now,” you hummed, unable to stop yourself from ruffling his hair as he reluctantly moved his arms back down to his side. “You tired yet?” 

“No,” he muttered, only to yawn a couple seconds later. “Is he okay?” 

“Just a scraped knee,” you nodded. 

But he didn’t immediately start to walk with you, still stuck in place as he watched your coworker wipe away his brother’s tears and easily lift him up. You stared too, your mouth going dry at the way his dark t-shirt clung so tightly to his shoulder blades, biceps bulging as he balanced him on his help like he didn’t weigh anything. 

“Come on,” you coughed, clearing your throat and placing a hand on his back to push him forward. But his green eyes had narrowed accusingly, looking over at your coworker before he focused his frown on you.

“My dad likes you,” he commented. “But you like him, don’t you?” 

Well, that was uncomfortable. 

Awkwardly shaking your head and squinting as if the idea was absurd.  

“He’s just a coworker,” you shrugged your shoulders, wishing he was a little less astute. “And your dad is, uh, your dad.” 

What else were you supposed to qualify him as? 

But when you made it back to the car, he was watching you accusingly using the rearview mirror, arms folded across his little chest once again until the bumps of the road lulled him back asleep, his head lolled to the side as you tried to return to some normalcy. 

Was your crush that obvious even a child could see it? 

Hopefully, he hadn’t noticed. 

But you weren’t so sure when he once again pulled up in front of your apartment building. Catching the way his stare lingered on your face when you reached for your seatbelt buckle, sure that his dark eyes drifted down to your lips for a few seconds too long before you spoke up, “Thanks, for, uh, keeping me company.” 

“We should do this again,” he awkwardly said, tapping his fingers against the steering wheel as he watched you gather all your stuff back up. 

“Yeah,” you smiled, sincerely meaning it as you glanced back to where both the kids were snoozing in the backseat. “This was fun.” 

You paused, praying he would add that it would be more fun if it was just the two of you. 

But he didn’t, and you unfortunately had to open your own door and shuffle out with that shitty ending – nearly forgetting the fact you were supposed to be babysitting before you stopped yourself and opened the back door. 

“So, I’ll see you Monday?” You hopefully called out as you finagled with the seat belt, having to press the button and pull on the straps to get him undone, face flushing with embarrassment as he watched you from the front. 

“I’ll be here.” 

And you would be thinking about him until then. 

Although, you were regretting this whole playdate when it meant you had to carry the kid up all the stairs to your floor, huffing and puffing out of breath by the time you finally made it there. God, that fucker was heavy. 

Complete dead weight in your arms, limp as you hoisted him up, his head resting on your collarbone as he drooled on the strap of your dress. 

To your surprise, your neighbor was waiting outside your apartment, leaning against the door with an irritated scowl until he glanced over to see you standing there with his son in your arms, his harsh features scrunching up in surprise. 

“Took you long enough,” he grunted, walking over faster than you expected, picking him up off of you and huffing as his son readjusted in his muscled arms. Did he have to make it look so effortless? 

“He was having fun,” you shrugged. 

He paused. 

Stared at you and squinted straight through you, his mouth twitching as you just sighed and pulled out the key to your place. He didn’t manage to get his mouth working until you were turning away, calling out as you feigned disinterest, “You let him fall asleep? I thought we were gonna go out and-” 

“You should just let him nap,” you exhaled, taking another few short steps towards your apartment and away from theirs. “Maybe we can get some ice cream another time.” 

You would actually prefer to spend your afternoon curled up in bed daydreaming about the way your coworker had glanced towards your lips earlier and watching whatever was on television. 

“You’re rainchecking me?” Your neighbor grumbled, and you could only bob your shoulders up again. 

“Sorry, I don’t know what that means,” you chirped, plucking your key from your purse and unlocking the door, stepping in before he could drag you into some drawn-out conversation about you ditching plans you technically never committed to anyway. 

You doubted he’d give a shit. 

Someone that looked like him probably had a million options when it came to women. 

Why would he care if one didn’t want him? 

That was probably why you were so surprised to overhear his voice through the thin wall of the bathroom you supposed you shared half an hour later. About to get in the shower to scrub the smell of grass and outside off your skin when you thought you heard your name, brows scrunching together as you looked around only to hear it again. 

Gruff. Hoarse. 

Your eyes slowly turning towards the plastic shell of the shower, your mouth dropping open as a gritty moan drifted through, your hand clamping over your own lips to not risk any noise bleeding over to his side. 

Brain already conjuring images of him in a mirrored shower, his head resting against the wall and those pretty green eyes scrunched shut, a veiny fist stroking a thick cock as water droplets rolled down his defined muscles. 

Was that asshole masturbating to you? 

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