I CAN FIX HIM ! by KissLeclerc
February 3, 2023 # "Don't Worry About It."

      "OKAY!! BYE, ILL SEE YOU TOMORROW."  Adeline called out as she waved her mother off from the patio door. Mrs. Huang was headed for another long night shift at the hospital, and, as usual, Adeline had the house to herself for the evening. It was perfect timing—tonight was the night she'd planned a surprise birthday dinner for her and Paul.

Mrs. Huang, however, wasn't in a rush to leave just yet. She hovered by the kitchen, checking her purse for the hundredth time, making sure she hadn't forgotten anything for work.

"Are you sure you don't need anything else?" The woman asked, her voice thick with that classic, maternal concern as she slung her bag over her shoulder. "Your father and I will be out all night, so if you think of something later, it'll be too late."

Adeline was half-distracted as she set up the fairy lights out on the patio deck. She smiled and shook her head. "No, I'm good! Everything's perfect, don't worry."

Pausing through her steps, Mrs Huang gave her daughter a curious glance. "You've got the candles? And the food is all set?"

"Yeah, it's all ready!" Adeline nodded confidently.

"And you've made sure Paul's not allergic to anything?"

"Mum, yes," The younger girl groaned. "I've known Paul for years. I know his allergies, I know him well."

Her mom happily smiled, a smirk so soft, but then her expression shifted into a look of... hesitation? Concern almost?

Adeline couldn't quite place it. Her mom raised a finger thoughtfully, as if she were about to give one of those last-minute "motherly warnings" that always seemed to come out of nowhere.

"You have rubbers, right?"

Adeline froze mid-step, her eyes widening. "W-What?!"

"Rubbers," Her mom repeated casually, as if they were discussing grocery items. "You know, condoms?"

"WHAT?" Adeline's voice shot up several octaves as she felt her face burn bright red.

"Wh-WHAT?? Why would I—? What?!"

"Well, you've been with Paul for quite a bit now. You're getting more serious, and, well, hormones are real. So, if things ever do... you know... escalate, I want to make sure you know the importance of being safe while having...

"... well, sex." The woman causally said, practically leaving her daughter mortified.

"MUM, oh my god, we are not gonna do any of that—" Adeline felt sick, shocked that she was even having this conversation with her mother to begin with.

Mrs. Huang, completely unfazed by her daughter's reaction, gave a knowing smile. "I mean, you're throwing a private dinner for your boyfriend, with all these fairy lights and candles. It's very... romantic, darling. I can only assume what might come next—"

"Oh my GODDDDD, MUM! Stop! Why are you assuming that!" Adeline practically screeched, rushing over to cut her off before this conversation spiraled any further into mortifying territory. "We're just having dinner!"

Her mother raised an eyebrow, giving her a skeptical look up and down.

"Dinner... sure."

"Yes! Dinner! Just dinner! We're not—ugh—none of that is happening!" Adeline waved her hands frantically, trying to physically swat away the embarrassment. "It's a special night, yes, but it's not like that!"

Mrs. Huang smirked, clearly enjoying her daughter's discomfort. "Uh-huh, I see. Just a lovely dinner, hmm?"

"YES. Just a lovely dinner," Adeline insisted, her voice still slightly nauseous from the shock. "There will be no need for any... rubbers."

Mrs. Huang paused for a moment, her smile growing wider. "Well, I just thought I'd ask. Besides, you never know when these things might happen."

Adeline slapped her hands over her face, wishing for the floor to swallow her whole. "Mum! Go to work!"

Her mother laughed, patting Adeline on the arm. "Okay, okay, alright. I'll stop. Just be safe, okay? I'll see you tomorrow."

As the woman headed for the door, Adeline tried to regain her composure, breathing deeply to get the color to drain from her cheeks.

But just as Mrs. Huang reached for the doorknob, she turned one last time, a mischievous twinkle in her eye.

"Adeline?" She called out.

"What now?" The younger girl groaned, peeking down the hallway as her arms crossed over her body, embarrassment swallowing her body whole.

"Just in case, check the top drawer of my dresser," Mrs. Huang said with a wink. "You know, for emergencies."

"MUM, GET OUT."

Laughing even more, the woman soon left it at that note, closing the door behind her as she left, while Adeline stood frozen, mortified beyond belief.

She made a mental note to never bring this up with Paul.

Continuing with her evening after she eventually calmed down, the debate captain was practically buzzing with excitement as she finished the final touches on her dinner setting.

She had spent days planning this night. It wasn't a crazy party like the one Dino and the guys were throwing for him tomorrow, but something quieter, more intimate.

Just the two of them, tucked away in the beautiful ambiance of her familiar home.

It was perfect. The fairy lights she had strung along the patio twinkled softly as the evening appeared with the dancing colors of the sunset.

A small table was set with candles and Paul's favorite dishes, all of which she had cooked herself. She had spent hours in the kitchen, determined to make this night special, to show him how much he meant to her.

Paul had always been great at planning romantic moments, and Adeline loved it. He showed his affection in these ways, like small gestures, gifts, random acts of kindness and beautiful dates.

And tonight, she wanted to return the favor. She wanted him to feel cherished, to know that she had put everything into making this night about him.

She hadn't been the one to plan a date or anything of that sort since they've gotten together, so she felt happy to be doing this for him.

She's never done anything like this ever, considering he was her first boyfriend.

As she straightened the napkins one last time, she heard the doorbell ring, causing her heart to race with excitement and joy.

Turning on her heel, she headed straight for the front door of her house, but quickly checked her appearance in the hallway mirror, wiping away a bit of smudged eyeliner around her eyes.

Glancing down at her outfit that consisted of a romantic white backless top with a red and pink satin skirt to match, she happily straightened down her clothes before fixing her hair, and finally opening the door for Paul.

"Sup." She leaned against the frame, acting like a douchey fuck boy as she looked him up and down with a cocky smirk, her tongue poking at the inside of her cheek.

Paul stood there, his eyes sparkling with affection as he looked down at his girlfriend and letting out a laugh which caused her to break character as well.

"Come in!" Adeline reached out, lacing her fingers with his and pulling him into the house.

As they moved through the hallway and toward the patio, she tried to lead the way, but Paul suddenly yanked her back, drawing her in close by the waist. The sudden closeness sent a thrill through her, and she looked up into his eyes, surprised, but pleased.

"Hi." Adeline felt her heart race under Paul's intense gaze as he took in her features, his eyes filled with warmth and admiration.

"Hi." He grinned, his focus drifting to her lips, sending a flutter of nerves through her despite the fact that they had kissed countless times before.

With a charged silence enveloping them, Adeline's breath caught as Paul leaned in closer, their faces just inches apart. She could feel the warmth radiating from him, a magnetic pull drawing her in.

"You look beautiful." He smiled. His voice barely above a whisper as they lingered in each other's arms.

"Yeah?" She quirked a brow as Paul's grip on her waist tightened and he nodded.

Adeline looked away shyly, "Thank you." She grinned, slowly admiring his appearance of a white button up and formal slacks.

"Is it just me, or is there a lot of tension in the air?" He said playfully, his eyes twinkling with mischief as his eyebrow raised sarcastically.

"Oh, I definitely feel it," She replied, a breathy laugh escaping through her lips. Her own voice barely above a whisper while her heart pounded in her chest.

Paul's grin widened, and he brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering against her skin. "Then we should probably do something about it."

Before she could respond, a laugh escaped from her as she threw her head back at how smooth he was.

Soon, Paul closed the distance, capturing her lips with his. The kiss was soft, a gentle exploration filled with the warmth of their shared moments. Adeline melted against him, her nerves dissolving as she leaned into the kiss, deepening it as their connection ignited.

Time seemed to fade away as they got lost in each other, the world around them falling silent. The taste of strawberries lingered on their lips, mixing with the sweetness of the moment. Adeline's hands found their way to Paul's neck, pulling him closer as if to bridge the gap between them entirely.

When they finally pulled away, both breathless, Adeline couldn't help but smile at the admiring look on Paul's face.

"Come on, let's go." She smiled, placing her hands into his, soon dragging him further into the house.

Paul followed Adeline's lead, the warmth of her palm sending sparks through him. The lights twinkled overhead, casting a soft glow around the house. It felt magical, as if they had stepped into their own little world.

Once they reached the patio, Adeline gestured toward the table she had meticulously set. "Ta-da!" She announced with a melodic tone, a mix of pride and excitement coloring her features and voice.

"Happy birthday!" She continued.

Paul stopped short, his eyes widening slightly as he took in the scene. The fairy lights, the candles, the food—it was clear he hadn't been expecting this.

"Oh, wow."

His voice trailed off, and for a second, Adeline's heart swelled with pride. She was sure he was about to say something sweet, something that made all her effort feel worth it. But instead, Paul stood there, a little too quiet, his expression unreadable.

Adeline bit her lip, suddenly unsure and nervous. "Um." She cleared her throat. "Do you like it?"

Paul blinked, and his mouth opened slightly, but no words came out. He glanced from the table to her, back to the lights, and then down at his shoes.

"Yeah! Uh—You did all this?"

Adeline nodded, her smile faltering just a little. "Mhm, I wanted to surprise you. I thought we could have a nice dinner, just the two of us..." She shrugged. "I cooked your favorite food and everything!"

There was a pause, and Adeline watched as Paul shoved a hand into his pocket, still not meeting her gaze as he looked around the setting.

"Thank you.. But, you didn't have to go through all this trouble!" He finally said, his voice awkward.

Trouble? The word hit her in a way she hadn't expected. Adeline tried to brush it off, but the sting was there, subtle and sharp.

She had spent hours—no, days—planning every detail of this night. She had wanted it to be perfect for him, something memorable. But now, looking at Paul's uncomfortable posture, she started to doubt everything.

"I wanted to," She said, trying to keep her tone light. "It's your birthday tomorrow. I thought this would be... nice?"

Paul gave a quick, tight smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. He stepped forward, glancing at the table, but his movements felt stiff, unsure.

"It is. I mean, it's beautiful. I just, uh, I don't really know how to react."

Adeline blinked, confused. "Uh.. That's okay.. You don't have to react. Just... enjoy it. This is for you."

Paul scratched the back of his head, clearly uncomfortable now. "I'm not great at... receiving this kind of stuff..."

"... You know, big gestures."

Adeline's heart sank a little more. "But? It's not that big of a gesture," She said softly, nearly laughing a breathy laugh. "It's just a dinner. I thought... I thought you'd like it?"

He glanced at her, and for a moment, she saw the guilt flash across his face. "I do! I love it. I just—" He broke off, taking a deep breath. "I don't know. I'm not good at this. I don't really know how to... feel when people do stuff like this for me."

Adeline felt her chest tighten. She had been so excited, so sure that this would be something Paul would appreciate. But now, standing here with him awkwardly shifting from foot to foot, she realized she had miscalculated.

Paul wasn't used to this kind of affection, and he didn't know how to receive it.

"Oh... uhh... It's okay," She said quietly, though the words felt hollow. "You don't have to say anything. I just wanted you to know I care about you.. and this was my way of showing it."

Paul stepped closer, his expression softening as he reached for her hand. "Thank you. And I care about you. More than anything... I just—" He hesitated again, clearly struggling to find the right words.

"I'm used to doing stuff for you, you know? Like, that's how I show you I care. But when it's the other way around, I... it makes me feel weird. I don't know how to handle it—Does that make sense?"

Adeline looked down at their intertwined fingers, trying to hide the disappointment that was bubbling up inside her. She hadn't expected this reaction. She thought he'd be surprised, happy even... maybe even touched by the effort she'd put in.

But instead, he looked almost... stressed?

"I get it," She said, her voice a little quieter now. "You're not used to people doing these things for you."

Paul sighed, rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand. "Yeah... It's not that I don't appreciate it—I really do. I'm just not good at being the one on the receiving end."

They stood in silence for a moment, the warm glow of the fairy lights feeling a little too bright now, the candles flickering in the slight breeze. Adeline had imagined this night going so differently, but now she felt off-kilter, unsure of what to say or how to salvage the mood.

"I wish I knew that." Her voice was clearly filled with hurt.

"Please, don't be upset." Paul quickly came to her aid. "This was just really unexpected and I'm sorry I'm not reacting how you expected." He apologized, bringing his hands to her face but she refused to look him in the eye.

"So, you hate it?" She finally glanced up. Looking into his eyes with newly formed tears.

"No, no, no!" Paul's features softened. His eyebrows furrowing with concern as he noticed the water in her tear ducts. "I love it, I swear." He said softly.

"Well, it doesn't feel like it." Adeline frowned. A tear slipping down her cheek that Paul was quick to swipe away with his thumb.

"I love it, I promise." Paul said sincerely. "Come on." He took both her hands now. "Let's eat?" He tried to carry on from their awkward exchange.

Adeline's shoulders relaxed slightly, giving him a soft nod.

Sitting down at the table, the air between them felt different now, charged with a tension neither of them knew how to address. Adeline tried to push aside her disappointment, focusing instead on the fact that Paul was here with her. He was trying, in his own way, to meet her halfway.

Eventually, their meal began and as they ate, Paul's mood seemed to lighten a little, and he started to talk more freely.

Adeline listened, laughing at his stories, but a part of her was still stuck on his initial reaction—on the way he had hesitated, unsure of how to accept the love and affection she had tried to show him.

She didn't bring it up again, though. She knew Paul wasn't trying to hurt her. She was aware he just wasn't wired the same way she was when it came to things like this.

But still, as the night went on, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was missing—that the effort she had poured into this night hadn't landed the way she'd hoped.

And no matter how much she tried to tell herself it didn't matter, that she'd done it out of love, not for any particular response, the disappointment lingered.

Because she really did love Paul.

She thought she would be able to show that.

But, it backfired.

It seemed to feel like she proved she doesn't know him at all. That her way of showing her love was pointless. Which isn't the case, but that's how it felt.

It was supposed to be a beautiful dinner, and she wanted him to feel special. But now, she wasn't sure if she had succeeded—or if maybe... just maybe, she had been asking for too much from him.

There's just a lot for her to still learn.

Dating Paul Aron was a little hard.

But that's nothing Adeline Huang can't manage.

She'd literally do anything for him.

vera's voice!
ok lmk if this chapter made sense. Idk if i did good.... bc lowk this is a REAL SCENARIO!!!!! u can love giving something but hate receiving it. (Me With Words of Affirmation. LMFFFAAOOAAO)

being in love is a learning process too Btw. Also reminder Paul is still learning how to use his vulnerable emotions. Just shut up Okay. Let me just cook. K. thanks.

okay yeah. Birthday party next chapter!!!! YAAAY!!!

Hello Elena and Belle. Ur so awesome sauce.
Love Vera.