Title: Introduction To Symbolic Holidays
Word Count: 500
Disclaimer: I don't own Community
Author's Note: greta_garbo's prompt for the weekly fic battles on M/M was ""I have a confession to make to you. You like me. In fact, you're crazy about me."" I don't think this really fits it, but it did inspire it. I hope you enjoy the story anyway! As always, comments/constructive criticism are appreciated.
"So, Jeff, my neighbor's recently divorced." Jeff pulled two beers out of the cooler next to the grill and turned towards Pierce.
"Okay?"
"Seriously, early 40s, absolute stunner. That's her over there, talking to Britta." Pierce said, pointing to where two blonde figures were chatting.
"Um, you do know I'm in a relationship, right?" Jeff asked, not looking.
Pierce furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. "I'm talking about for me."
"Right," Jeff nodded, before turning and walking away. He ignored Pierce's calls behind him and made his way towards Annie, who was sitting on a blanket by herself. She smiled at him as he approached. "Beer, milady?"
"Thanks," she said, taking the cold bottle from him. "Join me?" she asked, patting the space next to her.
Jeff nodded and took the seat, putting his arm around her. He smiled as she laid her head on his shoulder. "You okay?" he asked.
"Yeah," she said, a little too brightly. "Why?"
He motioned towards the rest of group, who had all gathered in Pierce's backyard for a Labor Day barbecue. "Usually at these things you're off playing with Ben so Shirley can have a break or helping Abed and Troy with one of their re-enactments. Why so antisocial this year?"
Annie turned and buried her face in his shoulder. "It's stupid," she said, her voice muffled. When he didn't respond, she raised her head and saw him looking down at her, eyebrow raised in question. "Ugh, fine. It's just… Labor Day is supposed to mean back to school. I always get really excited for Labor Day because it means classes start the next day, and you get to see everyone you missed over the summer, and that over the next 10 months you're going to be learning a whole bunch of new stuff. But this year…"
"This year you've graduated and there's no school to go back to," Jeff finished.
Annie nodded, glumly. "This year it's just another day off work." She put her head on his chest; Jeff could feel her pout through his shirt.
"Hey," Jeff said, gently lifting her chin so she was looking at him. He smiled softly at her. "You're crazy, you know that?"
She smiled back at him. "But you love me anyway."
"Yeah, well, that goes without saying," he replied, placing a gentle kiss on her lips.
She sighed happily as she placed her head back on his chest. "Thanks, Jeff."
The two sat together, blissfully cuddled up in silence as they watched their friends. "Oh, this should be good," Jeff said after a moment. Annie turned to him in confusion. He nodded to where Pierce was making his way over to Britta and a woman he didn't know, but presumed to be Pierce's neighbor. "Ten bucks says Pierce gets a beer thrown in his face in thirty seconds."
"Jeff! That's not very nice," Annie said. She turned and glanced over to where Pierce was conversing with the women. "I'll give him at least two minutes."