"I was in Germany with Rafa when she FaceTimed me and..."
                          
He chokes on his words and you take his hand in yours to soothe him. Daveed wipes a tear.
                          
"...she told me that she had influenza and that she was gonna die."
                          
Daveed barely finishes his sentence before a rush of tears stream down his cheeks. He releases your hand to wipe them and lifts his glassy eyes up to the stars while taking deep breaths. He begins again. 
                          
"I cancelled the rest of the tour and went straight home, no questions asked. I spent every day with her until I woke up one morning and she was gone. It happened so fast."
                          
"I'm so sorry," you whisper, soothingly rubbing his back. 
                          
"She told me that I could have Soccer when she was gone and I didn't think she was serious. I didn't even think she was going to die but she did. That's why Soccer means so much to me. He's literally all I have left of Stephanie."
                          
You thought Daveed just really cared about his dog but it made a lot more sense to you now. 
                          
"I thought I was ready to find someone and I wasn't doing a very good job on my own so I decided to be on this show but I'm realizing that I'm not really ready for another relationship," he says, his voice trembling.
                          
"And that's okay," you reply. "Don't rush yourself."
                          
"But everyone's watching this show because Daveed Diggs is on it and to quit would make everything worse than it already is."
                          
"No it wouldn't, Daveed," you assure him. "If you're not comfortable here then you need to quit. People would understand, especially after what you've been through." 
                          
"It's just a struggle everyday and I'm loosing sleep over it and I'm getting all emotional over it and I just want it to be over." 
                          
You're both quiet for a while. Daveed sniffles every couple seconds and you try to comprehend everything that he just told you. It's amazing that he came onto this show after what he had been through.
                          
"Y/N?"
                          
"Yeah?"
                          
"Wanna hear something crazy?"
                          
"Sure."
                          
"You look exactly like Steph. I mean, it's as if she never died," Daveed says, his eyes glimmering.
                          
"Really?" 
                          
"Yeah. I guess that's why I've been so attracted to you. That's also why everyone was looking at you weird. They saw it too I guess."
                          
You nod and remember anyone who might've done a double take in your direction and it was almost everyone. 
                          
No wonder Daveed wanted to spend more time with you out of everyone else. He wanted to be with Stephanie. Was your entire time here a lie?
                          
"Look, Y/N, I like you a lot, okay? Don't take this the wrong way..." Daveed begins. 
                          
"No, it's fine," you interject. 
                          
Daveed suddenly leans in and smashes his lips against yours, kissing you with so much passion it's almost overwhelming. You kiss him back after the shock wears off. 
                          
"What if I told you that I love you?" he breathes in between kisses.
                          
"What if I told you that I love you too?"
                          
He grins and closes the gap between you two once again. He holds your waist while your cup his tear stained cheeks and the kiss deepens by the second. 
                          
"Thank you for understanding," he whispers, pecking your lips one last time. "You're amazing."
                          
You're speechless at this point and all you can do is smile, nod, and stand to your feet. There was so much going through your head at the moment. 
                          
"Goodnight, Daveed."
                          
"Night, baby girl."
                          
Your heart flutters at his nickname for you but the high doesn't last for very long. All Daveed sees when he looks at you is Stephanie and that makes you feel some type of way. How can you make him see Y/N and not her? 
                          
*******
A/N
                          
Thoughts? Comments? Concerns? 
                          
Y'all finally got a kiss but is this how you imagined it??? 
                          
Also, I feel very bad for not putting my father Chris Jackson in the previous chapter. Forgive me, Jesus.
                          
After I collect myself, I'll write more🦉