LOVE YOU TOO – CHRIS STURNIOLO
pairing: chris sturniolo x reader synopsis: in which the reader pranks chris by not saying “i love you” back warnings: lowercase intended, no mentions of y/n, fluff!!
chris had a knack for getting under her skin—every other day, without fail. innocently, of course. sometimes it was something simple, like a crumpled paper ball lobbed in her direction when she wasn’t paying attention, or a quick splash of water from his hands after washing them. nothing that would make her seriously mad, but enough to get on her nerves. and every time, she’d swear she’d get him back, that this time, she’d win.
the thing was, chris was unpredictable. he could read her too well. he could tell when she was about to pull something, anticipate her every move. it was like he was always one step ahead, like he had some sort of sixth sense for her plans. every time she tried, he’d stop it before it even started—like catching her in the act but without her even having a chance to act. it frustrated her to no end, the way he always managed to see right through her.
whenever it happened, she’d slump into a pout, a silent surrender to his constant edge. and he'd just look at her, that smirk of his stretching across his face, like he’d already won the game, without needing to say a word. it always made her want to try harder. next time, she promised herself. next time, she’d win.
tonight was different, though. as she lay on the couch, aimlessly scrolling through tiktok, her thoughts wandered. it was one of those nights where nothing could hold her attention, but she kept swiping anyway, letting her thumb flick over the endless stream of “couple-tok” videos. most of them were the same—couples pulling harmless pranks on each other, calling each other "husband" or "wife" and watching their confused reactions. she chuckled at a few, wondering what chris would do if she tried something like that. would he play along, or would he give her that look—the one that said really?
then, she stumbled on something that made her pause. a couple where the girl didn’t say "i love you" back when her boyfriend said it. his face dropped, and she could practically feel his hurt through the screen. it wasn’t dramatic, just… quiet disappointment. and that’s when it hit her.
if there was one thing she knew for sure about chris, it was that he hated uncertainty. not returning his affection? that would get to him. no question. he wore his feelings openly, and the thought of her not reciprocating them would probably mess with his head for days. she knew she could get under his skin like that.
is it too much? she thought for a moment. but then the little voice in her head reminded her of all the times he’d pulled something on her—catching her off guard, making her pout when she was supposed to win. this is just payback, she reasoned. just a little revenge.
with a self-satisfied smirk, she powered off her phone and got up, walking toward their shared room. there was no turning back now.
“baby?” she heard chris call from inside. “yeah?” she yelled back, not moving from her spot on the couch. “can you please, pleaseee get me a pepsi from the fridge?” he asked, his voice exaggerated for effect.
she smiled to herself, already feeling the stir of mischief. she sighed dramatically, got up, and padded toward the kitchen, her feet warm against the cool floor. opening the fridge, she pulled out a cold can of pepsi, feeling the chill bite into her fingers as she cracked it open.
“here you go,” she said, stepping into the room.
chris was sitting at his desk, black headphones over his ears, eyes locked on his computer screen. without looking up, he took the can from her, cracking it open with that satisfying hiss.
“thanks, baby. i love you,” he muttered, settling back into his chair, already shifting his attention back to his game.
“mhm, of course,” she replied, already turning to leave. her footsteps were light, the door just in reach when she heard him pull off his headphones.
“babe?” he said, his voice suddenly more serious.
she stopped mid-step, glancing back at him, raising an eyebrow. “yeah?”
“i love you,” he said, stretching the words out slowly, like he needed to make sure she heard it.
she couldn’t help the tiny smile tugging at the corner of her lips, but she kept her face neutral. “mhm, i’ll be up in a little,” she said, already making her way toward the door again.
but he wasn’t letting it go. his expression shifted, brows furrowing in confusion, his eyes narrowing slightly like he was trying to figure something out.
“babe.”
she bit back a laugh, turning slowly, giving him an innocent look. “yeah?”
“i love you,” he repeated, softer this time, more serious, like the words meant something more than usual.
she held back the grin that was threatening to break through, her eyes softening for just a second. “mhm, i know,” she said, feeling the smirk finally slip through.
chris pouted dramatically, standing up from his chair, crossing his arms. “are you mad at me? did i do something wrong?” he asked, his voice already shifting into that playful whine she knew so well. he walked up to her, taking her hands in his and looking into her eyes like she held the answers.
“no, i’m not mad,” she said, trying her best to look unaffected, though she couldn’t stop the slight shrug.
“then why aren’t you saying it back?” he whined, a little more desperate this time, the playful tone still lingering but now mixed with mock frustration. “whatever i did wrong, i’m sorry, okay?”
“chris… are you okay?” she asked, amusement dancing in her voice, though she tried to keep it in check.
“no!” he huffed, still holding her hands, swinging them back and forth like a child. “you won’t say it back!”
she raised an eyebrow, lips twitching with the effort to hold her composure. “say what?” she asked, feigning innocence, though she already knew.
“‘i love you’!” he whined again, voice rising in pitch as he leaned in closer, clearly playing up the drama.
she couldn’t hold it in anymore—she laughed, letting go of his hands to cover her mouth, enjoying the sweet satisfaction of the prank.
“what? what’s so funny?” he asked, genuinely confused, his brows furrowing.
“i got you!” she grinned, her eyes lighting up. “you keep pranking me, so i finally found a way to get you back!”
his face flickered with recognition, the smallest smile trying to break through his mock indignation. “oh.” then, with a stomp of his foot and an exaggerated sigh, he crossed his arms tightly. “now i’m mad at you.”
“oh come on, chris,” she said, trying (and failing) to turn him around by tugging gently on his arm.
“say you love me, and i’ll turn around,” he mumbled, his back still to her, though she could hear the softness creeping into his voice.
she leaned in, whispering near his ear with a teasing grin, “i love youuu!”
he turned around instantly, pulling her into a tight hug, his lips pressing a quick kiss to her cheek. “i love you too,” he said, though his voice held that slight warning she knew so well, a playful scolding. “don’t ever pull something like that again.”
she laughed, shaking her head as she wrapped her arms around him. “okay, okay, i won’t! but i got you good, didn’t i?”
he mumbled under his breath, his faint grin still tugging at his mouth. “yeah, yeah, whatever.”
she pulled back slightly, giving him a teasing look. “admit it, you love me more now that you’ve been pranked.”
he rolled his eyes, but he couldn’t hide the smile spreading across his face. “you’re impossible.”
“and you love me for it,” she said with a wink, her heart light, enjoying the warmth of their little game.
wc: 1.4k
author's note — first fic everyone cheer
dividers — @toastray
© HEARTS4STURN 2025
hii posted for the first time on this acc!!
