Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Each and every part of this trip continued to leave both you and Henry in complete shock and awe. It began with seeing the Mosasaurus in the water, the two of you likely being the only ones to actually smile at the sight. How could you not? The creature was gorgeous. She looked so healthy, and was so impressively living.

And, although Henry and you had shouted the dangers and cautions to the team as you escaped the spinosaurus’ on shore, the two of you had also spent several minutes together afterwards marveling at their speed in the water, and their wits in circling prey for the Mosasaur. Excited smiles, and overlapping words as you both spewed compliment after compliment for these creatures. You’d earned several eye rolls from Martin at this point, and a handful of concerned looks from Zora.

“I don’t get how the two of you could be so excited when everything we’ve interacted with has tried killing us.” But she had a smile too. It was somewhat endearing, if she was honest. The two of you were cute enough to watch as you geeked out with one another.

You’d stayed close together on the walks in between, arms often bumping in to one another as you were hardly focused on your path. Your eyes were too distracted by trying to take in the plants around you, and attempting to spot any other hidden creatures. You squeezed his hand as you both whispered about what you hoped to see on the trip.

And as the mission continued and you got the second necessary blood sample, Zora began to understand your reason for excitement. Seeing the Titanosaurus was life changing. For Zora, seeing something so massive yet so gentle was nearly incomprehensible. The way the creatures moved together, clearly having some sort of connection that she never even considered to be a possibility.

For you and Henry, it was an exciting confirmation of everything you could ever dream of. To see them existing, and seeing the way that they were just like every living thing. Seeking love, seeking connection. Both of you were brought to tears, enveloping one another in only the biggest of hugs and warmest of kisses.

But, eventually, you had to move on. There was a final sample to get and both you and Henry found yourselves bubbling with yet another excitement at the prospect of not just seeing but holding a dinosaur egg. And not just any dinosaur, but a Quetzalcoatlus. It was another moment of complete and utter adoration even in the face of danger.

You and Henry had shared another impressed smile when she made her way to her eggs. Your smile was quickly wiped when the dino began pecking, (with her stellar beak that was nothing less than impressive to see) but both of your observations of her continued. The way she moved, her instinct to protect her eggs, the color of her eyes, her response to auditory distractions. You both wanted to soak in every possible detail you could catch, planning to pull out a notebook and write it all down.

However, your heart fell to your stomach the second that rope snapped and sent Henry over the edge. Zora was quick to react, and it was good for your sakes that the Quetzalcoatlus had left the cave, but Henry was so determined.

“It’s gonna snap!” Zora shouted to him, both your eyes glued right on where the rope was fraying.

Your palms had never felt this sore before, holding desperately on to the rope to help as best you could. But it was no use, both you and Zora hardly had a good position yourselves, and Henry was determined to get the sample as it rested just on the ledge.

The rope snapped, your stomach dropped. Henry had shouted happily about getting the sample just before plummeting to the ground. Your mind was screaming as you ran as fast as you possibly could, through ancient ruins that you otherwise would’ve so desperately wanted to explore had Henry not been in such danger.

“Fuck,” You muttered as you stumbled and nearly fell.

Zora grabbed your arm to help you keep your balance as you both bolted. “Hey, slow down. We’ll be of no help if we both eat shit on the way down.”

You could hardly hear her as you continued on. He’d hit vegetation on his way down, that was a good sign. You had hoped it was enough to soften his fall and land him safely because you needed that to be the case. You’d come too far on this mission, and loved Henry too much to have this be the end.

The sun blared through the ruin’s opening, your eyes squinting as you rushed out and immediately began looking for him. You heard movement in nearby water and went that direction with no hesitation. Zora was somehow still shocked by your lack of self preservation even after everything that had just happened. You were lucky it wasn’t something dangerous in the water.

“Henry!” You shouted, eagerly hoping and waiting for a response.

More splashing could be heard. “Did you see that?” An excited voice. It was him, you recognized him immediately.

Your heart allowed itself to slow down, and your shoulders had a weight lifted. But your brows were still furrowed with concern, and now there was an overwhelming relief washing over. Your pace quickened, if possible.

Henry was absolutely beaming with an ear to ear smile. He was sat in a small body of water, sample canister in hand and entirely soaked from head to toe. You both were laughing, likely just processing everything that happened and both glad to see you made it out. There was no hesitation as you trudged right into the water, successfully soaking your own clothes now.

“Are you hurt?” Your hands cupped his face, tilting his head in various directions as you checked for any obvious injuries.

Henry just kept smiling, his free hand resting on your waist. “It was breathtaking,” he wasn’t talking about the fall. “She was gorgeous, and those eggs. I actually held the egg of a Quetzalcoatlus.”

Zora stood at the edge of the water and watched the two of you. Henry was moving, and talking. She took those things as a good sign, and was less amazed at this point that he wasted no time in gushing about the damn dinosaur.

And the second that you knew he was okay, you jumped right in too. “She looked so much like Mark Witton’s depiction.”

“The blue pycnofibres!” He exclaimed in agreement and another burst of excited laughter.

You smiled down at him, his face still in your hands. His eyes showed no signs of regret in going for the vial and inevitably falling, just a genuine love for his work and excitement in getting to share it with you.

“Think it’s about time you thank me for convincing you to come along.” Henry joked as his hand gently squeezed your side. “After all, you have seen several dinosaurs while here.”

Another quiet laugh, your thumb skimmed over his cheek. None of it felt real. “I’ve also seen my husband nearly die, and almost died myself.”

He hummed, kissing your lips and trying to sound convincing at a whisper. “But you also saw a Titanosaurus… and Apatosaurus, Mosasaurus…” another small kiss. “Ankylosaurus, Spinosaurus, Quetzalcoatlus.”

He gave another kiss, although you accepted it you also rolled your eyes.

You hadn’t noticed, but everyone had regrouped by this point. Martin pulled you both back to your reality as he shouted to ask about the sample. The only thing that mattered to him.

You looked at him over your shoulder, letting go of Henry. Krebs was a selfish, greedy bastard. He hadn’t known what happened, and didn’t care to know. No use in retelling it to a man who only spoke one language. He wanted money. That wasn’t Henry’s reason for risking his life for that sample.

Henry leaned over to proudly show him the canister, hand still on your hip. “You thought we’d leave without it?”

Martin let out a sigh of relief, hands on his knees as he caught his breath from the run. The others were resting too, recuperating and doing their damn best to previously ignore the dino rant from you and Henry. They all hated that beast and couldn’t stomach the idea of appreciating a thing about it at the moment.

Henry finally stood from the water, holding your hand for support. Both your hands held on, and you stayed closer to him now than you had before. Just because you could still admire these creatures for what they are didn’t mean you didn’t become increasingly more cautious of their dangers. Henry too.

He squeezed your hand, giving you a kiss atop your head. His smile still had yet to falter. “Well, let’s see what we come across next, hmm?”

do y’all want a fic about medic!reader next, or a total switch up about the rock wall at his gym 🤭 let me know

The sea stretched endlessly around the boat, glassy and golden beneath the early morning sun. Wind tousled your hair as you leaned against the railing, eyes fixed on the smudge of land growing larger on the horizon.

You felt the buzz of anticipation in your chest, real dinosaur nests, finally within reach. It was the kind of research trip you’d dreamed about since grad school, and you were here, among some of the best minds in the field.

Somewhere behind you, a man stood frozen on the deck.

Dr. Henry Loomis clutched his clipboard so tightly his knuckles were white. His gaze hadn’t left you since you stepped onto the boat. His brain had completely stopped working the moment you smiled at Zora and wrapped her in a familiar hug, voice soft and bright as the sun bouncing off the waves.

“She’s studying nesting behavior,” Duncan said, sidling up beside him. “And you’re staring.”

Henry blinked, startled. “I-I wasn’t-”

“You are,” Duncan said with a smirk. “Like you’ve just seen a goddess emerge from the sea.”

“I was just...curious. Scientifically.”

“Right. Scientifically curious about her mouth.”

Henry looked away, face flushed, clutching the clipboard like it could shield him from embarrassment. “She probably doesn’t even know I exist.”

Zora, now lounging on a supply crate nearby, arched an eyebrow. “Not if you keep hiding behind clipboards.”

“She’s…stunning,” Henry whispered, almost like he was afraid saying it aloud would make it less true. “And brilliant. Zora, you said she had a paper on interspecies nesting overlap-”

“Uh huh. And you said you were going to be professional this trip,” Zora cut in. “But you’ve been staring at her like she’s the last fossil on Earth.”

Henry sighed, hopeless. “Oh, god...I’m doomed.”

The island was breathtaking, with lush foliage, low sweeping valleys, and thick canopies shadowing ancient terrain. You helped set up base camp and immediately launched into work, hiking out with a pack full of scanners, a journal already half-filled with hypotheses.

The forest air was thick with humidity and the deep, earthy scent of ancient soil. Ferns brushed your legs as you crouched beside a nesting mound, brush in hand, gently sweeping away loose dirt from the edge of a partially buried eggshell.

Henry knelt beside you, notebook open, but he wasn’t writing. Not yet.

He was watching you again.

The sun filtered through the canopy above, streaking gold across your cheek, highlighting the delicate concentration in your eyes. The way your brow furrowed, how your fingers moved with careful precision, like the egg could crumble under the weight of a careless breath. You tucked a strand of hair behind your ear, unaware of the way his heart stuttered every time you did.

“I think it’s Dryosaurus,” you murmured, brushing back a bit more soil. “The shell’s thickness, the slight green tint from the sediment...see here?”

You leaned closer, and Henry leaned in too, helpless.

He swallowed. “You’re…incredible at this.”

You smiled up at him. “Thanks.”

“Seriously,” he added, voice barely above the wind rustling through the trees. “I could watch you do this all day.”

You froze for a second, blinking. He realized what he said a heartbeat too late.

“I-I mean professionally, of course. As a colleague. From a respectful scientific distance.”

You bit your lip, hiding a smile. “Of course.”

Henry ducked his head, face pink, but the moment was interrupted by a low, throaty chirp nearby.

Both your heads turned in sync.

From the brush emerged a young Pachycephalosaurus, no taller than your chest, its curious eyes blinking as it tilted its head. Its scales shimmered faintly green and gold in the dappled light.

You stilled immediately, careful not to startle it.

Henry’s breath caught.

“She’s alone,” you whispered. “Probably ventured from her herd. We’ve seen tracks up the ridge.”

Henry’s hand drifted protectively near your back, he didn’t touch you, but he hovered close enough to make your skin tingle. “Stay still. She might approach.”

Sure enough, the little dino took a tentative step forward.

You slowly extended your hand, palm open, voice low. “Hey there, pretty girl…”

The Pachy blinked again, then, to your delight, nudged her nose gently against your palm. She sniffed curiously, then chirped once and lowered her head as if inviting more contact.

“Oh my god,” you whispered. “She’s trusting me.”

Henry was utterly silent beside you, awestruck, not by the dinosaur, but by you. The way you softened, how your voice turned gentle, your entire body becoming calm.

“She likes you,” he murmured, watching your hand stroke over the creature’s scaly brow. “Of course she does.”

The dinosaur nuzzled your knee, then turned and waddled back into the brush, disappearing with a rustle of ferns.

You stared after her, grinning widely. “That was…magical.”

Henry hadn’t moved. “So are you.”

You turned to him, breath catching at the look on his face. He blinked, realizing he’d said that out loud again.

“Sorry. I-”

“Don’t be,” you said, smiling softly. “You’re kind of sweet when you forget to filter yourself.”

He laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. “You’re going to kill me.”

You stood and extended your hand to help him up. He hesitated only a second before taking it, warm, solid, his fingers curling into yours like they were meant to fit.

When he stood, your bodies were close. He didn’t let go.

You looked up at him through your lashes. “You okay?”

“I’m great,” he said, voice shaky.

You held his gaze for a long moment. And even though neither of you said anything more, the electricity between you crackled like fire just beneath your skin.

He finally let go. You both turned back to the site.

For the rest of the afternoon, Henry never strayed more than a few feet from you. Whenever you crouched to check a nest or adjust your notes, he hovered nearby, watching, listening, burning quietly with love.

He didn’t need a dinosaur to knock into him to know he’d fallen hard.

But somehow, you still didn’t realize.

Zora did.

She approached you one afternoon as you were sketching nest layouts near camp. She plopped beside you, chin in hand.

“So,” she said casually. “How long are you going to make Henry suffer?”

You blinked. “What?”

Zora snorted. “Girl. You have to know. He’s so in love with you, it hurts to look at him.”

You stared at her, heat creeping into your cheeks.

“He’s been inventing reasons to be near you for days,” she said. “He blushes every time you say his name. He practically short-circuits when you smile at him.”

Your lips parted slightly. “I thought he was just…shy.”

“He is. But he’s also obsessed with you.”

Your heart started beating faster. All the stolen glances. The trembling hands. The way his voice went hoarse when he asked you questions.

“Oh my god.”

Zora leaned back with a grin. “Go talk to him. Or I will.”

Meanwhile, Duncan had dragged Henry behind one of the tents, arms crossed.

“She knows,” he said.

Henry’s whole body tensed. “What?! What do you mean, she...Zora told her?!”

“She did. You’re welcome.”

Henry groaned. “I-I’m going to ruin everything. What if she doesn’t feel the same?”

Duncan shook his head. “Listen, man. You’ve been walking around like a kicked puppy. Just go. Tell her. You’ll regret it if you don’t.”

Henry stood frozen for a full thirty seconds before he finally nodded.

You were in your tent when he arrived, the flap rustling softly as he hesitated in the entrance. He looked wrecked with nerves, hair mussed, glasses slightly fogged, breath shallow.

“I hope I’m not interrupting,” he said quietly.

You stood. “Not at all. Come in.”

He stepped inside like it was sacred ground. The lantern light painted him in gold and amber, casting soft shadows across his face.

“I…Zora told you,” he said.

You nodded slowly. “She did.”

He swallowed hard. “It's true...all of it. I’ve never…I’ve never felt this way before. About anyone. And I was terrified I’d ruin it if I said something. But I can’t keep pretending I don’t want you. Not just for your work. Not just as a colleague. I want you.”

You stared at him, heart in your throat.

“I noticed you the moment you stepped on the boat,” he whispered. “And I haven’t stopped.”

You stepped closer, voice barely above a breath. “Henry…”

He looked up, eyes full of longing. “Please. Just tell me you feel something too.”

You reached up, cupped his cheek. “I’ve been waiting for you to say something.”

He exhaled like you’d just granted him salvation. And then he kissed you.

It started softly.

Henry’s lips met yours with aching tenderness, his hands tentative as they curled around your waist. But the longer your mouths moved together, the more control he lost. The kiss deepened, turned hungry. Days of restraint cracked under your touch.

He guided you back toward the cot, pausing only to whisper, “Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

He kissed you again, slower this time, like he was savoring every second. His fingers slipped beneath your shirt, tracing warm lines over your skin as he murmured your name like it was something holy.

When your shirt came off, he stared like he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. His hands hovered just above your skin, hesitant, afraid.

“Henry,” you whispered. “Touch me.”

He obeyed instantly, palms sliding up your ribs, over your breasts, thumbs circling your nipples gently as you gasped. He watched your every reaction like it was a discovery. When you tugged at his shirt, he fumbled it off, blushing as you ran your hands over his chest.

You kissed your way down his neck, and he shuddered, soft moans slipping from his lips.

When you laid back on the cot and guided his fingers between your thighs, he nearly lost it.

“You’re so wet already,” he whispered, dazed.

“For you.”

He swallowed hard, eyes locked on yours as he slipped one, then two fingers inside. His touch was slow, careful, as if memorizing the feel of you.

Your back arched slightly as he slid them in and out of you. He curled them and you had to cover your mouth to stifle the moan.

“You’re perfect,” he whispered. “I want to make you feel good. Let me.”

He kissed down your stomach, spreading your thighs gently. His breath fanned over your cunt before his tongue met you, and the gasp that tore from your throat made his hips jerk against the mattress.

He worshiped you like it was instinct, like he was born to. He moaned against you when you tangled your fingers in his hair, your thighs trembling around his head.

“H-Henry...please...oh, my god!”

He slid those same two fingers back inside you, finding your sweet spot as his tongue flicked over your clit.

You couldn't keep quiet, your cries of pleasure getting increasingly more urgent as he brought you closer and closer to the edge.

When you came, crying his name, he looked up with raw awe in his eyes.

You pulled him up, kissed him deep, and reached for his belt. His hands covered yours.

“I won’t last long,” he warned, voice ragged. “Not when you look like this, not with you so beautiful beneath me…”

“Then don’t hold back,” you whispered. “I want all of you.”

He slid inside you with a broken groan, burying his face in your neck as he filled you. He stilled, breathing hard, trying to regain some semblance of control.

“Oh my God,” he whispered. “You feel…so good.”

He moved slowly at first, hips rocking in gentle waves. But when you whimpered his name, digging your nails into his back, something snapped.

He kissed you hungrily, thrusting deeper, harder, whispering things you could barely understand. “So beautiful,” “Can’t believe you’re mine,” “I never want to leave.”

Henry slid his hand to your breast, squeezing your nipple as he kissed you deeply. He did the same to your other one before he reached between your bodies to find your clit.

You came again, and the way your walls pulsed around him undid him. He buried himself as deep as he could and spilled with a hoarse cry, trembling above you.

He was gentle when he pulled out of you, peppering kisses along your cheeks, jaw, and lips. The two of you fell asleep like that, curled against one another, the sounds of the jungle a soft lullaby.

The tent was quiet in the golden haze of the morning.

Birds chirped distantly in the canopy above, and somewhere nearby, the low bellow of a herbivore echoed through the trees, but inside your tent, everything was still. Still and warm. Warm from the heat of Henry’s body, his breath ghosting over your shoulder, his arms curled protectively around your waist.

The brilliant, shy, ridiculously sweet Henry slept with his face buried in your neck, one hand splayed gently across your stomach, the other tucked under your side like he needed to be as close as humanly possible.

You couldn’t stop smiling.

Every time he shifted in his sleep and unconsciously pulled you tighter, your heart fluttered. You remembered the way he’d looked at you the night before, awestruck, feral with need. You remembered the way his hands had trembled when he’d touched you. And now here he was, tangled in the sheets with you.

You brushed a hand through his hair.

He stirred with a soft groan, nuzzling your neck. Then his lips parted against your skin.

“…Did last night really happen?” he murmured, his voice gravelly with sleep.

You giggled. “It did.”

Henry opened his eyes slowly. And blushed instantly.

His gaze flicked from your bare legs to your lips, then to your fingers resting on his chest. “You’re, um…wearing my shirt.”

You sat up, the fabric falling loosely over your thighs. It was comically large on you, soft, slightly wrinkled, and completely saturated in his scent.

You grinned. “It’s comfy.”

He looked like he’d stopped breathing.

Something hit a pan just outside the tent, followed by a very loud, very fake cough.

Then...

CRASH

Zora.

You both froze.

“I know someone’s up in there,” she called. “And I brought pancakes. If I’m gonna suffer through your post-sex glow, I at least expect to see both of you at breakfast.”

Henry groaned into your pillow. “Oh god.”

You stepped out of the tent five minutes later, barefoot, legs bare, Henry’s shirt brushing just past your knees. You’d quickly combed your hair with your fingers and tried to play it cool, but Zora and Duncan were both waiting like lions spotting prey.

Duncan was lounging at the makeshift breakfast table with a smug grin and two plates in front of him. Zora leaned against a tent pole, arms crossed, biting back a grin as her gaze immediately dropped to the shirt.

“Well good morning, sunshine,” she said sweetly.

You tried not to laugh. “Morning.”

Henry stumbled out behind you, hair still tousled, face bright red as he adjusted his pants and put his glasses on. He didn’t even look at Zora or Duncan, just mumbled something about coffee and bolted toward the brewing pot like it might save his life.

Duncan tilted his head, grinning up at you.

“That his shirt?”

You nodded, holding your plate.

“Nice,” he said. “Very…possessive. You planning on giving it back?”

“Never,” you said with a smirk.

Zora slid a mug of tea across the table toward you. “You broke the poor man.”

You sat beside her, sipping and smiling as Henry nervously handed you a napkin and sat very carefully next to you, like any sudden movement might draw more attention.

You glanced over at him. His ears were so red.

“You okay, sweetheart?”

He cleared his throat. “I...yes. Just…warm.”

Zora grinned into her mug. “Bet it was.”

Henry choked on his coffee.

Duncan deadpanned. “Glad to see the tent didn’t collapse.”

You laughed as Henry buried his face in his hands.

Zora leaned closer, mock whispering, “Was he as shy in bed as he is in the field?”

Henry actually groaned, but you leaned into it, resting your hand on his thigh under the table.

“Nope,” you whispered. “Not even a little.”

Henry dropped his fork.

Duncan burst out laughing.

You all sat there a while longer, pancakes on paper plates, syrup passed back and forth, birds singing in the trees. Henry relaxed gradually, his hand finding yours beneath the table, thumb brushing gently along your knuckles. You leaned into him, his shirt warm and oversized on your body, his shoulder brushing yours.

And even though Zora and Duncan kept teasing, relentlessly, you could tell Henry was glowing beneath the nerves. Because every time you laughed, every time you touched his knee or smiled at him over your mug, he looked at you like he couldn’t believe this was his life now.

Like you were the most precious discovery he'd ever made.

Oh he is SUCH a lover boy. He’s more focused on your pleasure than his own for sure, and my man is SKILLED and EXPERIENCED (everyone wants a taste of the fuzzy man-). His hands will be all over your body, even his tail will be wrapped around you as well, and he’ll be mindlessly blabbering on and on in English and German about how much he loves you and how beautiful/handsome he thinks you are. My dude is AMAZING at giving you head, doesn’t matter which genitals you have, he’s got experience with both and will have your legs shaking and your back arched far off the bed during round one. If you’re AFAB, he’d know exactly where the clit is and exactly how to pleasure it, rather than just roughly rubbing it and calling it good. If you’re AMAB, he’d for sure be fingering your ass while sucking you off, his other hand squeezing your thigh and spreading your legs for him while his tail holds your other leg for him, or even smacks your ass with it teasingly

You often insist on giving him head in return, which of course he doesn’t mind but HE IS ALWAYS TRYING TO MAKE SEX ABOUT YOU, when you want to make it about HIM sometimes. He’s so loving, caring and sweet to you, you just want to show him how much you love him as well and sometimes have to get that through his fuzzy head. He loves body worship for sure, so he’d love to hear you say how hot and sexy and handsome and adorable and beautiful he is while the two of you make love to each other, it’d make him cum 10x harder and faster

He’d lowkey be kind of basic and love missionary, but he’s certainly not vanilla. He just wants to be able to see your face and to hold you close to him, so missionary tends to be good for that, but he’d also love it if you rode him and watch your chest bounce and toss your head back at the feeling of his cock inside of you. I honestly think he’s got more girth and length, but definitely not too short at all and would fit perfectly inside of you. He also likes to hold your hand during sex, which may be cheesy but he just wants to make sure you’re okay the whole time

Being in a mansion with many others, it is sometimes hard to find privacy and quiet time for longer than 20 minutes, so he’ll sometimes teleport the two of you elsewhere so you’re not interrupted. When in your room at the mansion though, he likes to make you scream while teasing you to be quiet and that someone will hear you, covering your mouth with his hand or kissing you muffle your loud moans and whines for him. But when the two of you walk out to the living quarters to join some of the others, Jubilee and Roberto will not make eye contact, Morph will give Kurt a knowing smirk and a high five, while Gambit outright says “You know we could hear y’all at it all the way down here-“ before Scott gives you two the disappointed dad look and says “There are children residing here.”

Kurt: And how exactly did Jean get pregnant?

Scott: 😳

“Oh, Y/N! We’re just teasing!” Jean giggled as you pouted at all of them finding your embarrassment amusing.

“I just don’t see why you haven’t told him about her feelings yet!”

They all knew you’ve had the biggest crush on the fuzzy blue X-Man, Nightcrawler, ever since he joined the team a few months ago. He was always so nice to everyone, including you, and he seemed to always say the right thing at the right time. He even made your morning coffee sometimes when you got up late, knowing everyone’s coffee order by heart by now.

The boys were outside playing basketball with Jubilee and Roberto, showing the younger ones how it was done. You watched out the window at the court, seeing Gambit and Wolverine battling for the ball before Kurt teleported between them and snatched the ball from them, tossing it into the basket and laughing when they both started yelling about the “no powers” rule. You smiled before realizing you were staring, clearing your throat and turning to Rogue.

“You know I get too nervous around your brother, I can’t even ask him to pass the salt at dinner!”

“Yer always nervous, that’s fine! But y’know, he totally likes you too. I can tell.”

“No he doesn’t.” You shook your head in denial.

“Yes he does.” All three women said at the same time, side eyeing you or rolling their eyes.

“My dear, Kurt is a very charismatic man, but he goes out of his way to make you smile every chance he gets.” Ororo set her hand atop of yours. “I even see a flash of disappointment when you flee from his advances.”

“Really?” You asked, feeling a bit guilty about making him feel bad. You were a generally nervous person, but your anxiety sky rocketed around him, your heart always felt like it would explode out of your chest when he got close to you or touched you. It was difficult to hold eye contact with him, your nerves getting the best of you and looking down at the floor while you spoke to him. You’d give him a scared smile when he handed you things, your blood running cold when his hand brushed up against yours during those exchanges. You often found your eyes wandering to him when he wasn’t focused on you, it was easier to look at him when you knew he wasn’t aware of you checking him out. You loved the way his tail squashed playfully as he joked around with Morph, how his ear would twitch like a cats when he heard someone new enter the room, how his fangs gleamed when he smiled or how his bright yellow eyes sparked with mischief during a fight.

“Okay…you know what? Todays the day, today I need to confess to him! If I don’t today, I never will cause I’m a baby and will back out.” You stood up confidently.

“Yeah! Go get em, tiger!” Rogue cheered as you walked away, then lowered her voice. “She ain’t gonna.”

“I think Y/N can do things she sets her mind to.” Storm defended you.

“Wanna put ten bucks on it?” Rogue raised an eyebrow and cheekily grinned.

“…you’re on.” Storm nodded, shaking her hand as Jean spoke up, saying she’d bet alongside Storm that you could do it.

“You know I can still hear you all?” You crossed your arms from the window, getting a closer look and watching Kurt dodge Roberto’s lunge. Your friends all laughed as you shook your head, trying to get ahold of your nerves.

How were you supposed to tell the most handsome, heroic, sweetest, most amazing person ever you were in love with them? Kurt was genuinely the kindest person you’d ever met, giving you butterflies when you watched him comfort a mutant child during a fight, or how he helped his teammates so gently when they were injured. You couldn’t fathom how people were afraid or disgusted by him, he was the most gorgeous man in the world. How you could see a tinge of indigo under his blue fur when he blushed or bruised, how sculpted and chiseled he was yet also was so soft to look at. When he wore sweatpants and a tank top after training one day, you swore you would have a heart attack right then and there seeing how attractive he looked in the outfit. You adored sneaking peeks of him working out alone, his muscles bulging when he did push ups or pull ups on a bar, how flexible and agile he was and how effortless he made it look. You’d stand outside the door until you felt you would get caught staring, not wanting to seem like a creep.

You were suddenly pulled out of your thoughts when the door opened, Wolverine carrying Jubilee, pretending to be limp and passed out in his arms.

“What happened?” Jean asked as the girls all stood up from their little coffee and gossip session.

“She tripped and scraped her knee trying to get the ball from Logan!” Morph snickered as they all filed inside.

“I’ve been attacked! He pushed me and now I’m severely wounded!” Jubilee whined dramatically as Logan set her down on the counter. You waited for Kurt while you listened to Jubilee and Wolverine bicker about the seriousness of her cut knee, feeling your heart skip a beat when he finally walked in, chatting with Hank.

“Um…hey, Kurt?” You spoke quietly, but Kurt’s ear twitched and picked up your shy voice.

“Yes, Miss Y/N?” He asked, stopping and letting Hank go ahead of him.

“I…um…could you find a first aid kit, please?”

You blushed when you heard your friends laugh behind you and Storm and Jean handed Rogue money, knowing Kurt was looking past you at them, wondering what they were doing. You felt like a dork backing out of confessing and asking him to do something you could easily do, but you changed your mind at the last second that you weren’t ready yet.

“Sure.” He smiled, before bamfing off. You turned and glared at your friends, before walking walked over to Jubilee, seeing blood dripping down her shin and gravel from the court embedded inside of it.

“Ouch, let me clean that for you.” You said and wet a paper towel, ignoring Logan saying how she was fine and it was part of growing up and being a kid. You kneeled down and patted down Jubilee’s injury, soaking up the blood and wiping out any gravel from the wound.

“Here you are, Y/N.” You heard a familiar sweet, velvety voice beside you. You looked over and saw Nightcrawler holding out a first aid kit from the nearest bathroom, a charming grin on his face.

“Oh, um, thank you Kurt.” You smiled at him shyly, before quickly turning your attention to Jubilee. You didn’t see the look of rejection in his yellow eyes as the irritated twitch of his tail at that, before he sighed and bamfed off again.

*a couple hours later*

“Mein Gott!” The mutant shouted in surprise, also not paying attention to where he was going before tumbling backwards at the collision. You were on your way to training, focusing on wrapping up your hands to look where you were going. Now, you knocked down the last person you wanted to. You felt bad seeing the gorgeous man on the floor because of you.

“Kurt! I’m so sorry! Here, let me help!” You held a hand out to him, but he got up himself.

“It is fine.” He said simply before walking past you, then suddenly pausing and turning to you. “May I ask you something?”

“Sure.” You fidgeted with your hands nervously, anxious for the question.

“Do you…have I offended you in some way?” He asked, his eyes flashing with a bit of sadness.

“What? No? Why would you think that?” You asked, worried your timid behavior had finally kicked you in the ass.

“You tend to just brush me off, I’ve noticed. Lately you don’t really look at me, you respond with few words to me. I just thought…maybe I did something to scare you? Disgust you? Perhaps I…you think I’m a monster?”

You stared at him in the hallway, shock freezing your thoughts for a moment. How could he ever think your awkwardness around him could be because you thought he was disgusting? That he thought you found him frightening? You hadn’t realized how not making eye contact or responding curtly would come across to him, a man who’s been persecuted and attacked his whole life for how he looked. He was the most admirable, amazing person you’d ever met and you made him feel like a monster.

“Kurt, no! Not at all! I just…I do like you, I do! You just…make me very nervous. More so than I usually am…”

“How? Do I intimidate you?” He tilted his head in confusion. “I do not mean to-“

“It’s not that, really. I uh…I just really admire you, I guess. You make me more nervous than the others because…because I really like you…a lot.” You looked down at the floor, shyly looking up into his eyes. His face relaxed when he finally understood what you meant.

“Oh…I apologize for thinking so little of your actions. You are understanding and non judge mental, I should never have assumed what I did about you. How about I take you out to apologize for my ignorance?” He flashed his fangs at you in a charming smile, slowly approaching you before he was close enough to hold out a hand to you.

“I-I…okay.” You took his hand and sheepishly smiled up at him, allowing him to guide you down the hall. “I’m really sorry I made you feel like I-“

Get the strap. I will not be elaborating.

He never forgets important dates. Whether he has it saved somewhere or just remembers everything you don’t know. But he always shows up and shows out for anniversaries, birthdays, holidays, you name it. Anything you’re comfortable with he will make sure to prepare and execute to the TEAAAA.

Gets very frequent nightmares about Mr. sinister and his sickening experiments that were performed on Morph. He never quite got over it but you’re always there for him. Whether it be in the middle of the night or broad day light you made sure you were his shoulder to lean on. Morph admires you for this, wanting to help anyone you can- especially him. He falls deeper and deeper in love with you everyday.

His favorite attributes of you would be your humor and heart of gold. While your amazing looks were the cherry on top, your personality itself was the whole cake.

⌗ . ━ richie first sees you the day you come in to train - it's about a week till open and all the new kitchen staff have come in to familiarize themselves with the layout and the menu. carmy and syd have already hired you by now, and richie's taking it upon himself to get acquainted with all the new staff members now that he's committed to being a maître d'.

⌗ . ━ he walks away from that conversation shaking his head because god, you're gorgeous....and funny? and, wow, really good at your job. you studied in italy? holy shit. how are you moving faster than carmy in his own damn kitchen? and how do you look so good doing it? he needs to take a lap.

⌗ . ━ and okay....maybe once the bear is finally open, he's obsessively subconsciously trying to be in your line of vision as much as possible. he'd never distract you from your work, of course, but...if you're plating, he's walking your dishes. if you're on the line, he's walking the few extra steps to tell you about substitutions and exclusions personally. whispering snarky comments about carmy or annoying patrons in your ear if there's a momentary lull. being deliberate about including you in his jokes during moments to breathe, or after service, or before service, or pretty much whenever he sees you.

⌗ . ━ when he asks you out the first time, he's really trying hard to be nonchalant about it. as if he hasn't been smitten with you for weeks, and as if you haven't noticed at all (you have, obviously). he's leading with you ever been to a real chicago bar? or maybe you need someone to acquiant you with the city or something equally as cliché, but you do him the benefit of feigning surprise and agreeing to let him take you out on your next off day.

⌗ . ━ he's definitely asking you out on a second date the week after. which doesn't surprise you nearly as much as it surprises him, because richie doesn't do dates. date singular, maybe, but dates, multiple? not anymore. not for a long time. but he blinks and two dates turn into five, and now you're getting breakfast together, and he's bringing your coffee order to work with him, and holy shit he needs to make it official now because if it gets to ten dates he's gonna look like a douche and no way in hell is he fucking this up.

⌗ . ━ the first time you meet eva is purely by accident. it's a couple months into your relationship, and you haven't failed to notice that whenever you end up at his place, it's conveniently on days where tiff is in charge of eva. at first, you're a bit burned by that, but the more richie tells you about eva and his past relationship the more you realize that wow, he just really loves that girl. and he's freaked out by the idea of her not liking you, or worse, you not liking her, because then he'd probably just have to kill you and swear off women for life.

⌗ . ━ but a day comes where tiff's got a last-minute emergency and needs to drop eva off at the bear for a few hours before service since she's out of school. she's sure richie will be there when she leaves eva with syd - which he's not, currently off somewhere picking up something carmy asked for. but you are. syd introduces the two of you, and you immediately realize that this is a make-or-break moment. so you do what you know best: food.

⌗ . ━ and when richie comes back thirty minutes later to find eva sitting on the counter eating a bowl of the ice cream marcus has been workshopping while you show her all the equipment at your station? he's going through 25 emotions at once and ultimately settling on gratitude because eva loves you. he'd already thought the world of you, but now? he'll be damned if he's ever letting this shit go.

⌗ . ━ after that it's history. you're pretty much at his place 24/7 anyway, and now that eva's comfortable around you? he's bargaining with you just to get you to stay a few hours longer, or go pick eva up from school with him, or be here to surprise her when he brings her home from a friend's house. if only so he can watch you and eva interact while he stands there with the stupidest smile of all time on his face.

⌗ . ━ family pizza nights? check. late-night ice cream runs? check. you braid eva's hair while he lets her paint his nails. you teach her how to help you in the kitchen so you can surprise richie with dinner after work when your off days don't match up. he's bringing her into work on his days off just so she can say hi to you and you can make her something fun for lunch. it's pretty much everything he's ever dreamed of having for her and for himself, and he won't shut up about you to anyone who will listen.

⌗ . ━ his girls.

taglist :: @melonlovesthings @dumbbandpoetic

You looked at him being all dramatic, like you didn't have enough with the screaming baby just a room down. But the truth is, both of you were losing your minds at this point. Fourth month old baby Liam, had barely slept the whole week. During the day he was a normal, healthy little ball of happiness. But at night was a different story. He just kept fussing and crying until one of you calmed him down. The decision on who it was being totally up to him. Which meant neither of you had gotten any sleep those days. 

“Maybe he’s having nightmares,” you muttered, getting up to drag yourself down the hall to reach the nursery, in your mismatched socks and yesterday’s pjs. 

“Or maybe he just hates us,” Johnny scrubbed his eyes, already jogging ahead of you to try to calm the baby before you even got there. 

Which clearly didn’t work the way he expected. By the time you shuffled into the nursery, Johnny was by the crib, blonde hair sticking up in every direction, trying to cradle the baby in one arm while holding out the bottle he rejected twenty minutes ago in the other.

“Buddy, please,” Johnny begged, rocking him with a frantic bounce. “Look, I even warmed it with my own hands. I should be father of the year! You can’t get this anywhere else.”

Liam wailed louder, his stubborn little face scrunching as he shoved the bottle away with surprising strength. Clearly showing him he wasn’t the chosen parent tonight.

“Okay never mind! I am garbage!” Johnny exclaimed dramatically, as Liam kept punching his tiny fists into the air.

You stumbled in behind him, half asleep, grabbing the bottle from his hands and reaching out to take the baby with a yawn.

“You’re not garbage Johnny, quit fussing like him.”

He groaned but surrendered the squirming boy into your arms. The second you held him close and rocked him, he quieted, eyes drooping as he latched onto the bottle like nothing had happened. You smirked sleepily over the top of his tiny head, Johnny looking personally betrayed as he peeked at the boy in your embrace.

“Oh, so that’s how it is? She holds you and suddenly I’m chopped liver,” he protested, as you bit back a laugh, too tired to fight him. “Why are you even yelling, little guy? It’s bedtime! For everyone. That includes you,” he booped his nose, making the baby scrunch. 

“Johnny,” you chuckled, “let him have his bottle in peace.” 

“Alright alright,” he raised both hands innocently, crouching slightly before leaning closer to Liam’s little face, like he was about to spill a secret. “No hard feelings, buddy. When she holds me I feel safe too,” he whispered, turning his big blue eyes at you. 

If you weren’t holding a baby you would’ve jumped on his arms to kiss him all over his face. But you couldn’t, so you just settled with looking adoringly at him, all tired and messy hair, but feeling like the prettiest star in the universe under his gaze.

The little moment broke when Liam finished his bottle, latching off. Johnny just took the bottle away, thinking you could finally get some sleep tonight. You thought the same, but frowned when you noticed the baby’s face still scrunched like something wasn't right. You rocked him gently, humming, brushing your thumb over his cheek.

“What’s wrong, sweetheart?” you whispered, grabbing his tiny hand to soothe him.

At first, it was just warm. Normal warm for him. You’d noticed he always ran hotter than Franklin, but never in a concerning way. At least Reed had said so when you’d brought it up to him. But as you held his tiny fingers in yours, it suddenly got too warm.

“Johnny he’s burning up–“ You squealed before you could finish, jerking slightly as a small flame flared between his fingers. It wasn’t big enough to hurt, just enough to sting your fingertips and send your heart racing. “Oh my god!”

Johnny’s eyes went huge at the sudden flicker of light in the room, and in an instant, he was at your side again.

“Woah, woah, woah!” he blurted, hands quickly wrapping around the baby’s little fist, absorbing the flames before they could catch. The spark died out into his palms, while you looked at each other in shock.

Oh my god. Oh my god. Your baby had fire powers. An actual baby with fire powers. 

But before you could spiral any further, Liam, who got startled by his own little flame, broke into a loud cry. He looked frightened, kicking in your arms.

“Oh no, no, no,” Johnny panicked, looking between you like he wanted to hold both of you at once. “It’s okay, buddy, it’s okay … shh …oh my god–“ He turned to you, frantic. “Did he hurt you? Let me see your hand!”

“No, no I’m fine!” you said wide eyed, still processing, holding him tightly even if he kept squirming in your arms. “It just–it shocked me. Johnny, he … he’s–”

“He’s like me,” Johnny whispered, as his hands hovered protectively over him. “He actually is–oh my god,” he hesitated, like he couldn't decide to be proud or freak out.

Another cry ripped from the baby’s chest, and Johnny immediately softened, taking him from your arms.

“Hey, hey, little torch, don’t be scared …I got you. You didn’t do anything wrong,” Johnny whispered into his hair, holding the tiny bundle against his bare chest, then pressed a kiss to his head, bouncing him gently. “Fire’s our thing, remember? Just means you’re special. Just like me.”

You swallowed hard, fingers still stinging, watching as the baby’s cries slowed to steadier breaths, instantly soothed by Johnny’s steady warmth.

“Look how the tables have turned,” you said softly, swooning at the image of Liam now melting into Johnny’s embrace instead of yours. “He really is just like you, huh?”

“Yeah …god help us,” Johnny sighed, voice breaking into a teary laugh you joined in.

Johnny held him carefully, like the little boy was made of glass, even though he’d just proved he wasn’t. His tiny hand was still curled in Johnny’s much bigger one, safe now, no fire left, just the shared warmth between two human torches. 

“Oh my god,” Johnny whispered, voice hesitant as he stared at the little hand. “We … we made a fire baby.”

You let out a nervous laugh, still buzzing, leaning against Johnny’s shoulder. As much as you were his safe place, he was yours too. 

“We actually did,” you sighed, eyes checking on Liam like we would flame on again anytime now.

“He’s gonna be okay,” Johnny reassured, even if he wasn't entirely sure either. “He’s perfect. You’re so perfect,” he whispered the last words to the child in his arms. His glassy blue eyes caught the moonlight as he pressed his cheek against the baby’s soft hair. “I promise you, little man, everything’s gonna be fine. Daddy knows what this feels like, and I’ll be right here. Always. You’ll never have to figure this out alone.”

You swallowed the lump in your throat, brushing your fingers over your baby’s back. Silence finally fell in the room, heavy, like you knew this marked a before and after in your lives. But to be honest, anything since you met Johnny Storm was like that. And the latter, always impossibly him, couldn’t help himself to break the tension with a joke.

“Reed’s tests suck,” he sneered playfully, trying to shake the nerves away. “He never caught anything on Franklin or Liam. I say we should start questioning his ways after this.”

You lifted your head from his shoulder to look at him with your mouth wide open, eyes still teary, but when you caught the proud smirk on his face that dared you to defend Reed in front of him, you couldn't help but laugh, almost startling the Liam awake. You both covered your mouths to laugh, but he still whimpered softly, little face puffy from crying, and Johnny immediately bent to kiss his forehead, rocking him gently, until he relaxed again in his arms. 

You decided to bring Liam to your room so he could feel safer there. Johnny was flat on his back in bed, with the baby boy curled on his chest. The little guy’s cheek pressed against the steady rise and fall of his dad’s breathing. You turned on your side, watching them, your heart aching with love and worry. You reached out, brushing your son’s hair, but Johnny caught your wrist gently.

“I don’t think–“ he hesitated, eyes flicking down to the sleeping baby on his chest. “Maybe you shouldn't yet, babe. What if he does it again? He… he could burn you.”

“He wouldn’t,” you whispered, frowning. “Johnny, he’s just a baby.”

Johnny’s jaw tightened, his free hand cradling the tiny back protectively. 

“Yeah, but he’s a fire baby. I know what this feels like,” his voice cracked a little, guilt in his words from having to keep you from your own son but it was for your safety … at least for now, he hoped. “I don’t ever want you to get hurt because of me …or him.”

It took everything in you to not reach again. You sighed, blinking away the sting in your eyes, laying flat on your back to stare at the high ceiling.

“Everything’s gonna change now, isn’t it?” 

Johnny glanced at you, wanting to joke, to say anything just to see you smile, but this time nothing came. Instead, a more serious version of him you rarely saw came out. 

“Yeah,” he admitted quietly. “We can’t just… treat this like nothing. We can’t leave him alone near Franklin, or with anyone who doesn’t know what he can do.”

“God, Johnny,” you covered your eyes with your hands. “What if … what if he never gets to have a normal childhood? What if he always feels different, or scared, or…” Your voice trembled. “I don’t want him to grow up like that.”

Johnny’s lips parted, and for a second he stared at you, then down at the tiny boy sleeping on his chest. Slowly, he reached over with his free hand, tangling his fingers with yours to keep you grounded and uncover your face.

“Listen to me,” he said softly, but with steady reassurance in his voice. “He’s never gonna be alone in this, not for one second. Because he has us. And even if I don't know how, I swear to you, we’re gonna figure it out together. As a family … me, you, Sue, Ben, Herbert, even Franklin-”

“And Reed,” you scolded, knowing he let him out purposely. 

“Yeah,” he rolled his eyes playfully, then flashed you one of his cheeky smiles. “Especially Reed.”

You sniffled, and nodded, squeezing his hand, believing for one moment everything would be okay. 

Well, not everything was okay.

It had been four days since the baby made flames for the first time, and Johnny had not stopped talking. Every chance he got, whether it was pacing the living room in the morning, family dinner, or randomly going to Ben just to ramble about how obviously his son was cooler than any baby in existence. 

“I mean, yeah, Franklin can literally bring people back to life,” Johnny admitted one afternoon, holding Liam to his side, “but does he light up in mini flames every time he gets fussy? I don’t think so...”

“Johnny…” Sue scolded, without looking up from the book she was reading to baby Franklin.

“Just kidding!” 

He was not.

And while Johnny was busy performing his pride to the world, he’d also made a new rule on his own.No one. No. One. Was allowed to hold his baby except him. Not even you. Especially not you. Every time you reached out for him, Johnny’s arms would tighten like a reflex. 

“He’s torch jr,” he’d say, trying to keep his tone playful but his eyes were wide and nervous. “He could flare up completely any second… I can’t risk that.”

The problem was Liam did not agree with this rule. At all.

By day two, he was fussy. By day three, he was frustrated. And by day four, your sweet boy had reached the point of furious, little flames crackling from his hands almost constantly. Each time, Johnny absorbed them instantly, hands glowing faintly as he held him close, whispering reassurances while his own nerves betrayed him.

You watched from the sidelines, heart aching, as your baby grew more unsettled. It wasn’t just crying anymore, it was something desperate now. He needed you too, and he didn’t understand why his father was the only one allowed to soothe him.

You tried to convince him to let you hold him, even tried to joke how he also gets fussy when he can’t have you. But he just chuckled at the joke, and tried to fill the silence with his theatrics.

“He’s fine, babe. He’s fine! Look at him … he’s gonna be the kid everyone looks at and says, ‘wow, Storm genes really don’t miss.’” he’d say proudly, but his grin would flicker, just for a second, before taking him away from you. 

But at night, when Liam finally fell asleep draped across Johnny’s chest, you’d catch him staring at your son with worry in his eyes. He never said it out loud, but you knew he was thinking the same thing you were. A fire baby meant a fire childhood. With the risk of burning everything outside the fireproof building you lived in.

A life that might never feel “normal.”

On night three you found Johnny sitting in the rocking chair, barefoot to the carpet, shirtless, with a light blue blanket thrown over his lap. Baby Liam was curled up on his chest, in nothing but a diaper, his tiny ear pressed over Johnny’s heartbeat, almost giving in to sleep after fussing for two hours straight. Johnny’s hand moved slowly up and down his back, breathing in sync with the gentle rise and fall of his baby’s belly. 

“Once upon a time, there was a little space baby who crash landed on Earth in a flaming ball.” Johnny whispered, not noticing you were outside the room, “His mom was the strongest person in the galaxy, so gorgeous that even the stars were jealous.”

You smiled from your spot on the hallway, as he pressed a kiss to Liam’s forehead.

“His dad was... well, kinda dumb sometimes,” he chuckled. “But he loved her so much that he always had to protect her. No matter how scared he was. No matter how much it hurt him to see her upset about it.”

You bit your lip, swallowing the lump forming in your throat. The baby shifted, lifting his little head to blink up at his father, who looked at him adoringly. 

“They built a tiny planet called home … and every night, the little space baby would fall asleep on his dad’s chest, even if he missed his mom … because he knew he was safe,” he continued, telling the story more to himself now. “They eventually figured out how to let mom hold him again, and lived happy ever after … The end. Gotta wrap this up before your dad starts crying too, kid,” he laughed. 

Liam finally drifted off again, his little hands spread over Johnny’s chest like he truly believed he was safe. Johnny looked down at him, completely undone. 

“You’re not even gonna remember this, huh?” he whispered, softly rocking on the chair. “That’s okay. It’s better that way …I don’t want you to remember the fear. Not yours, not mommy’s, not mine … you’re our little flame, and I promise I’m never gonna let you be afraid of who you are.”

You wiped your own tears as you caught his watery smile, the proudest, happiest, most terrified smile you’d ever seen. And you believed every word he said. 

On the fifth day, everyone was in the lab. Reed had brought you in for a check on Liam. Sue held Franklin perched on her hip, close to Reed who was working on something he kept hidden to everyone else, occasionally throwing glances at his son. Liam sat on the examination table, making funny noises as Ben made faces at him from his spot. Every so often, a tiny flame popped from his fists, and he’d giggle at himself, kicking his tiny legs when you gasped playfully at him. Herbert hovered nearby, making silly noises that only made the baby squeal louder.

Johnny had decided to dress him up today. So your baby was rocking a light denim overall, with a striped baby blue shirt inside, and the cutest, tiniest, backwards cap Johnny insisted Liam wore even if he tried to take it off every ten minutes.

“Look at him, babe.” Johnny stood with one arm braced across his son’s tiny back, grinning down like the proudest man alive. “Already running the show!”

You leaned against the counter, smiling softly at the scene. For the first time in days, your heart wasn’t clenched with worry. Just watching Liam laugh around his family, watching Johnny beam down at him in the little outfit he chose.

Reed finally turned around from the counter, and cleared his throat, walking to the table with something small in his hand. 

“I, uh… I’ve been working on something for him,” he announced, holding something small in his hands, to which Johnny immediately straightened. 

“You’re not strapping my kid into a science experiment,” he barked, stepping in front of the kid as if Reed was holding a dangerous device.

Reed raised one brow, and asked calmly.

“Would you let me finish?”

You bit back a laugh as Johnny muttered under his breath, narrowing his eyes at Reed before stepping aside, but didn’t move his protective arm away from the boy. Reed cleared his throat again, before looking at you. 

“I noticed how worried you’ve been. And I understand how unsettling it is to not know what to do with the powers they hold. Sometimes it feels like the fears outweigh the good moments… God knows we’ve had our fair share of those.” His eyes flicked to Sue and his son for a second, softening, then landing back on Johnny. “But it took me a long time to accept it was okay to feel … terrified. Even when you still can’t say it out loud.”

He said it carefully, not accusatory, but his eyes were focused on Johnny. The blonde’s cheeks went inevitably pink, but for the first time, he didn’t argue. You nodded at Reed with a soft smile, reaching to wrap your hand with Johnny’s, giving it a gentle squeeze. 

Reed held up a small white band in front of you, like a very sleek tech bracelet, with a rounded design that made it almost cute.

“This is a dampener. His very own version of an inhibitor. When he wears it, it will suppress his fire manifestations until he’s older and Johnny can teach him how to control it. So no more flames, no accidental burns.” He paused, looking at you. “Just a chance to be a baby. Nothing more, nothing less.”

The silence that followed was heavy, but not in a bad way. More in “I have the best family in the world” type of way. You pressed a hand over your mouth, tears already stinging your eyes. Johnny didn't fall behind, his lip quivered into the softest smile, almost overwhelmed. 

“Reed you … you made him a little watch?” he asked, barely containing his excitement, glancing at the bigger watch on his own wrist.

It wasn’t really a watch, but he would give this to him.

“Yes. A little watch,” Reed nodded, a soft smile inevitably on his face.

Sue wiped her own tears, and Ben pretended he wasn't by making faces to Franklin. Johnny turned back to Liam, crouching down to show him the tiny band. His voice dropped into that silly, tender tone only reserved for his son. 

“Look at this, buddy. Your first fantastic accessory! straight from uncle Reed.”

Liam blinked at it, letting out a happy squeal even though he had absolutely no idea what on earth was going on, the little sparks coming out his hands immediately absorbed by Johnny’s hand as he placed the band on him.

And just like that, no more flames, no more sparks, leaving only your son’s sweet giggles echoing in the lab. Johnny laughed through tears, kissing the top of his boy’s head. 

“See that? That’s yours! Not because you’re scary, but because you deserve to just be a baby. And when you’re ready, me and mom are gonna teach you everything.”

You wiped your cheeks, stepping closer to press your hand over Johnny’s as he secured one more time the band gently around Liam’s tiny wrist. Johnny leaned his forehead against yours, both of you teary, both of you smiling down at the baby. Your fire baby. Safe. Surrounded by people that will always remind him he was loved beyond the universe.

Johnny pulled apart for a second, sniffled loudly, failing to wipe his face without anyone noticing. You laughed softly, squeezing his hand, while Reed pretended to be completely engrossed in adjusting some notes. Except now he couldn’t stop reaching to grab his own son’s hand.

Like he just got reminded of how crazy this whole journey had been for the family.

“Wait–hold on…” Johnny stood up from his crouching position, suddenly pointing accusingly at Reed. “You made him a cute little inhibitor, but you never made me one? What’s that about?”

“Oh, this is getting good,” Ben chuckled, leaning against the counter with his arms crossed. “Yeah, what’s that about, Reed?” he asked with mock interest. 

Reed finally looked away from his son, going back to his resting annoyed face he reserved only for Johnny. 

“First of all, you were not a baby. Even if you acted like one.”

Sue snorted, covering her mouth. You did too, but pretended to be serious when Johnny snapped his dramatic head at you. 

“Second,” Reed continued, “when you first manifested your powers, my understanding of cosmic radiation was limited. We didn’t know enough about the cosmic signatures to design a suppression device without risking permanent damage to your physiology. It simply wasn’t possible then,” he explained, then gestured at Liam. “Now, with years of data and research I’ve conducted on your own powers, I am able to give your son something safe and effective.”

Johnny blinked at him, processing, then turned back to Liam with a dramatic sigh. 

“Hear that, buddy? uncle Reed let me burn down half a block when I was your age, but you get the fancy stuff."

“You mean when you were twenty?” Ben snorted.

“Yeah yeah, whatever.” Johnny ignored him, grabbing his baby and taking your hand to get out of the lab before he got roasted any further. “Thank you Reed, love you! never saying that again.”

Now his baby, and you, the most important parts of his whole universe were safe now. Nothing else mattered.

And when the time comes, Johnny will be super gentle when teaching his little boy. He knows how scary fire can feel at first, so he’d cradle the baby’s little hands in his and show him there’s nothing to be afraid of. That he was special, just like dad.

His mini super hero. His little baby torch.

Lovely divider by @/enchanthings

But twenty minutes later, you found yourself in front of a full-length mirror in a back dressing room, laced into something soft ivory with a fitted bodice, a slightly off-the-shoulder neckline, and a gentle tulle train that caught the light when you turned. It hugged your curves in all the right places.

And you—annoyingly—looked stunning.

“Oh no,” Wanda whispered from behind you.

“Oh no,” Natasha echoed.

You blinked. “What?”

Pepper leaned in from the hallway and gasped. “Oh my God. You’re done for. If Bucky sees you in that, he’s going to—”

A sharp ding from the boutique’s front door cut her off.

You all froze.

“…Was that the—”

“Ladies?” came a very familiar voice.

“Shit,” Natasha hissed, shoving a hanger at you. “Bucky’s here.”

“Why the hell is Bucky here?!”

"Who told him we'd be here?"

Pepper groaned. “I texted him to swing by to help pick up a gift bag I left in the car, but I didn’t think he’d come in—!”

Too late.

Bucky’s boots clunked across the polished boutique floor, his voice drawing closer as he called out, “Hey, Nat, you said it was in the trunk—wait, babe? You back here?”

Before you could even shout a warning, the curtain whipped open.

Bucky stopped cold.

His mouth dropped open.

You froze, wide-eyed, one heel half off, veil slipping sideways on your head like a drunk ghost. “I swear this isn’t what it looks like—”

But Bucky didn’t move.

Didn’t blink.

Didn’t breathe.

His gaze raked over you slowly, almost reverently—like he wasn’t entirely sure you were real.

“That one,” he said hoarsely.

You blinked. “What?”

His eyes stayed glued to you. “That one. That’s it. That’s the dress.”

“Bucky, I—” you stammered. “We’re not even engaged, I was just—”

“We are now.” His voice cracked with something fierce and unshakable. “I’m not even joking. I’m gonna find a priest. A rabbi. Tony. Someone. You’re not taking that thing off until someone pronounces us married.”

Nat snorted behind him. “Jesus, Barnes, calm down—”

“I am calm,” he snapped, but his tone betrayed him—unhinged, elated, utterly overwhelmed. He stepped closer, eyes glazed and worshipful. “You—look at you. How the hell am I supposed to function knowing what you look like in that thing?”

You felt your heart trip over itself. “Bucky—”

“No, no. Don’t talk me out of it.” His hand curled gently around your waist, pulling you close. “We’re doing this. I’m putting a ring on your finger, you’re keeping this dress, and I’m legally binding myself to you before someone else sees you in it and I have to commit a crime.”

You laughed, cheeks flushing. “This is insane. We were just dating.”

“Not anymore,” he murmured, brushing your hair back. “Now I’m yours. All the way.”

Your fingers curled in the lapel of his jacket.

“You’re serious?” you whispered.

“I’ve never been more serious in my life.”

And just like that, Natasha was pulling out her phone to find a courthouse, Pepper was tearing up, and Bucky—Bucky looked like he’d just been handed the moon.

You should’ve laughed it off. Should’ve told him he was being dramatic, ridiculous, Bucky, with his hair a mess and his hoodie half-zipped like he’d run here straight from a mission. But you couldn’t move. Couldn’t breathe. Not when he was looking at you like that.

Like you were the only living thing in a dead galaxy.

“Bucky,” you breathed, eyes darting to the others—Pepper discreetly dabbing at her eyes, Wanda beaming like she already knew this was written in the stars, and Natasha grinning like she knew her dare would end like this.

“I mean it,” he said, quieter now. “You think I didn’t know? The second I saw you—really saw you—I knew. This was always gonna be it for me.”

His hand slid to your jaw, thumb brushing your cheek. “You wearing that dress just made it impossible to pretend I could wait anymore.”

Your throat tightened. “But we never talked about—marriage. Or even living together.”

“I don’t care where we live,” he murmured, forehead pressing to yours. “I’ll sleep in your damn bathtub if I have to. I just want you. Waking up next to you. Coming home to you. Tying myself to you in every way I can.”

You could feel your pulse fluttering under your skin like a moth trapped in your ribcage. You wanted to say something smart, something grounded, something that might cool the fire in his eyes—

But instead you whispered, “Okay.”

He blinked. “Yeah?”

You nodded slowly. “Yeah.”

And then—chaos.

Pepper shrieked. Wanda clapped. Natasha screamed, “CALLED IT,” and ran to grab a bottle of champagne off the nearest table. And Bucky—Bucky kissed you like you were oxygen and his lungs had gone dry.

“Wait—” you pulled back just a little, blinking. “Are we actually getting married today?”

“Yes,” Bucky and Natasha said at the same time.

“No,” Pepper said, already on the phone with someone. “You are not getting married without hair and makeup. I know a team.”

“I’ll get Tony to open the tower chapel,” Wanda said, typing furiously. “He owes me for that Sokovian dessert wine I smuggled back for him.”

“Wait, chapel—?” you blinked. “Tony has a—never mind, of course he does.”

“Dress is already picked,” Natasha smirked. “Now all we need is a ring.”

Bucky grinned, eyes never leaving yours. “Already got one.”

You blinked. “You what?”

He fished in his jacket pocket—because of course he had it on him—and pulled out a small velvet box, sheepish and smug all at once.

“I was gonna wait,” he muttered. “Till your birthday. Or Valentine’s Day. Or a meteor shower. Some dumb romantic crap. But clearly the universe decided today was the day.”

He opened it. Simple. Elegant. Yours. A platinum band, thin and glinting like starlight, set with a single dark sapphire—midnight blue, stormy and fierce, just like him.

Your hands trembled when he slid it onto your finger. It fit perfectly. You couldn’t stop staring at it. You couldn’t stop smiling. “Holy shit,” you whispered.

“I know,” he said, resting his forehead against yours again. “You’re stuck with me now, sweetheart.”

“God help me,” you murmured, and kissed him.

----

You weren’t even sure how it all happened so fast. One minute you were being dragged into a makeup chair, the next you were in a penthouse rooftop chapel lit with candles, Tony officiating in a suit and sunglasses, Steve giving Bucky his tie because his was wrinkled, and Bruce holding up someone’s dog as a makeshift ring bearer.

You and Bucky barely heard the words. You were too busy smiling. Laughing. Crying. Gripping each other’s hands like lifelines.

And when he kissed you again—really kissed you, as husband and wife—the rest of the world fell away. Just you. Just him. The dress. The dare. The forever. All of it. Yours.

--

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