#gary roach

Fluff

Mentions of homelessness

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The scent of coffee and slightly musty blankets hit you as soon as you stepped through the doors of the shelter. You tugged your coat tighter, noting the faint hum of chatter and the shuffle of tired feet on linoleum. It wasn’t glamorous work, but it was the kind of work that grounded you. Every evening you volunteered, every life you touched, no matter how briefly, reminded you of what mattered.

You were setting up a small corner with blankets and toiletries when a new pair of boots clicked against the floor. You looked up, and your heart did a little hop.

Roach.

He had that same easy, slightly roguish grin, though tonight it was softened by something you hadn’t seen before, a quiet curiosity as he surveyed the room. He wasn’t here as a guest; you could tell by the way he carried himself, like he was aware of every small detail, scanning the room in case someone needed help.

“Hey,” he said, voice low but warm, as he approached. “Didn’t know you did volunteer work.”

You laughed softly, brushing a strand of hair behind your ear. “Yeah, it keeps me busy. Plus… someone’s gotta make sure people don’t go hungry.”

Roach raised an eyebrow. “And here I thought you just liked bossing people around.”

You rolled your eyes, smiling. “Very funny.”

He crouched slightly, picking up a blanket and inspecting it. “You do this often?”

“Most nights,” you admitted. “I try. I like… being useful, I guess. Making a difference, even if it’s small.”

For a moment, he didn’t say anything, just watched as you arranged items on the table, helping some of the other volunteers pass out food. There was something in his expression, a rare softness, a quiet respect that he didn’t give to many.

“You know,” he said finally, standing straight again, “I could help. Not that I do this stuff, but… maybe I could learn from you.”

You blinked, surprised. “You? Volunteering?”

“Yeah,” he shrugged, smirking again, though there was a hint of something real behind it. “Couldn’t hurt, right?”

There was a pause between you, the kind that stretched just long enough for your chest to tighten in a way that was completely new. Something told you that Roach being here wasn’t just about volunteering. Something told you that whatever this was, it was the start of something… unexpected.

“Alright,” you said finally, handing him a stack of blankets. “First rule: don’t let anyone see you grinning too much. People might start to like you.”

Roach grinned wider. “Yeah… yeah, I can do that.”

hey anon! AHAHAH yes i write for this roach right here 🪳

LMAO no but seriously, i mean, yeah, i can! ive played the og modern warfare, so i don't see why not. go ahead and send in your requests for him! (when they open, that is.)

AND might i add, i'm gonna start writing for alex keller, so same goes for him! (i'm in my alex phase... can someone tell me that i'm being delusional and that he wouldn't actually like me?)

look how handsome

- I'm perfectly sane and i will explain that to them. - How? The more you try to act sane, the crazier you start to look. If you smile too much, you are delusional or you are stifling hysteria. If you don't smile you are depressed. If you remain neutral you are emotionally withdrawn, potentially catatonic.

My silly little bugboy,,, he’s as good as done,,