Raiah 💋

The soft hum of a distant clock filled the quiet room as you adjusted the blanket around Megumi’s small frame. His dark hair stuck up in odd directions, his chubby cheeks pressed against the cushion of the couch. You smiled, unable to help the warmth spreading in your chest as you watched him sleep so peacefully. It had been a long day of playing games and chasing after him in the yard, and though you’d been worn out hours ago, Megumi had been determined to stay awake just a little longer. Eventually, though, sleep had claimed him, and in turn, you found yourself drifting off as well.

You hadn’t meant to fall asleep, but the gentle rise and fall of Megumi’s breathing had lulled you into a peaceful doze. The next thing you knew, you were curled up on the couch, Megumi snuggled against your side, both of you tucked under a blanket.

The soft click of the front door opening stirred you slightly, but you didn’t fully wake. Toji stepped inside, his broad frame filling the doorway as he quietly kicked off his shoes. He paused, his dark eyes landing on the sight before him. There you were, curled up with Megumi, both of you completely at ease. For a moment, he just stood there, the corners of his lips tugging into the faintest of smiles.

Toji wasn’t one for sentimentality, but the sight warmed something deep inside him. It wasn’t often he saw Megumi look so relaxed, let alone with someone else. His son was usually wary of others, keeping his walls up, but with you, it seemed different. He trusted you.

Quietly, Toji walked closer, his footsteps barely making a sound on the floor. He crouched down beside the couch, brushing a stray strand of hair away from your face. You stirred slightly, your eyelids fluttering open to meet his gaze.

“Hey,” you whispered, your voice soft and laced with sleep.

“Hey,” he murmured back, his voice low and gruff but surprisingly gentle. His eyes flicked to Megumi, who was still fast asleep against you. “Looks like you two had a busy day.”

You smiled, brushing a hand over Megumi’s hair. “He wore me out more than I wore him out.”

Toji chuckled quietly, his hand lingering near yours for a moment before he stood. “Thanks for watching him,” he said, his tone softer than usual. “He doesn’t do this with just anyone.”

Your heart fluttered at his words, and you gave him a sleepy smile. “He’s a good kid.”

“Get some rest,” he said quietly, grabbing a spare blanket from the back of the couch and draping it over you both.

Toji watched you for a moment longer, his gaze lingering on the way you held Megumi so protectively even in your sleep. Something about the scene made him feel at ease, a rare sense of contentment settling over him. He leaned down, brushing a kiss to your forehead before ruffling Megumi’s hair lightly.

You weren’t quite sure how you ended up here—wrapped in the warmth of Logan’s arms, his gruff exterior melting away into something softer, more protective. It had been a rough day at the mansion. A small mission had gone wrong, and you had been caught in the middle of it, thrown around like a ragdoll by one of Magneto’s cronies. Your body ached, your mind was weary, but Logan… Logan was there. He always was, even if he didn’t admit it out loud.

“I told ya to stay behind,” he grumbled, his voice low and gravelly, a sound that usually struck fear into others. But not you. You knew better.

You glanced up from where your head rested against his chest, catching his sharp, dark eyes. “And miss the action? No way.” Your smile was small, teasing, though the pain lingered beneath your words.

Logan let out a small, exasperated sigh, but you saw the worry behind it. He didn’t like seeing you hurt. “You’re reckless, you know that?” His hand—gentler than anyone would expect from a man with metal claws—brushed a strand of hair from your face. The gesture was soft, and you leaned into it, savoring the rare tenderness.

“You would’ve done the same,” you murmured, your fingers tracing the lines of his shirt absently, feeling the strong muscle underneath. “You always jump in headfirst.”

“That’s different,” he said, his voice rough but quieter now. “I can heal.”

You huffed a small laugh. “I know. But you can’t be the only one looking out for people, Logan. Sometimes… sometimes I want to look out for you, too.”

That caught him off guard. He stiffened slightly, but then you felt him relax, his grip around you tightening just a bit. “I don’t need—”

“Everyone needs someone,” you interrupted gently. “Even you.”

For a moment, there was silence, the only sound being his steady heartbeat beneath your ear. You could feel the unspoken weight of everything he carried—the centuries of pain, loss, and loneliness. You wanted to help lift it, even if it was just a little.

“You’re too good for me,” he muttered finally, almost like he was ashamed to admit it.

You smiled against his chest, your hand resting over his heart. “Good thing I don’t listen to you much, then.”

He chuckled—just a low rumble, but it was real. The sound made your heart flutter. You had always known that beneath the hard, seemingly impenetrable exterior, Logan was more than the savage fighter everyone saw. He cared. Deeply.

Logan didn’t speak much after that, but he didn’t need to. His actions—holding you a little closer, the way his thumb absentmindedly stroked your shoulder—said everything. You knew he would always protect you, but more importantly, you knew that he had let you in, into a place very few people had ever seen.

“You’re not getting rid of me that easy, Logan,” you whispered with a smile.

He huffed softly but didn’t argue. Instead, he lowered his chin, pressing a surprisingly soft kiss to the top of your head.