#hellboy (2004)

Hellboy (2004) my beloved.

she's a firestarter and he's fireproof

Horror movies by year:

(Side note: idk if ‘librarian in the big ass BPRD library’ is a real position in universe, but it will be today! Also- idk if you can even really call most of this headcanons- but ohhhh weeelll xo)

(Also I’m sorry if I butchered HB and/or the English language, it’s past midnight and I’m tired and delirious—)

• Ordinarily, the library was of little interest to Hellboy; he really only went in if he needed to, and the former librarian may as well have been part of the furnishings— but that was before you.

• His mission at the time was a particularly extreme haunting, and to figure out the cause, some sleuthing needed to be done… He needed some old occultist texts, well, some copies of some old occultist texts— after all, the real stuff was too ancient and delicate (and cursed) to keep around people.

• So, to the library he went— with a singular purpose, fully intending to get outta there and back on the job asap… but something threw him for an unexpected loop: a new librarian. It’s unusual to see fresh faces at the bureau; hell- he’s sure your former must’ve worked there going on 30 odd years, so seeing you was a surprise, to say the least.

• The first thing that really caught his attention was the state of your desk, seeing as you’d completely covered it in.. well, crap, as far as he was concerned— small stuffed animals and hyper-cute figures, trinkets of all kinds, toys— you’ve got a couple little... things he’s pretty sure are Hello Kitty? Maybe? He didn’t look down on it necessarily, but like... is that allowed?

• The second thing that caught his attention was the way you smiled at him; it was instant, easy—you didn’t hesitate… Nor did you hesitate in speaking to him “Hello! What can I help you with?”

• After getting what he needed, he found himself compelled to spark up some sort of conversation with you, why? Well, you were new— and certainly… intriguing…

• “So- what happened to, uh...” he gestured vaguely around you, and you took a second to work out what he was getting at “Oh! Mr. Volkov? He retired, great guy. I’m really happy for him!”

• Well, you certainly have a sunny workplace disposition— “Right, well- that’s good...” there was a brief moment of silence between the two of you before he gave you a nod “Thanks... ‘Preciate it”

• Over the course of the next few weeks, Big Red finds himself popping into the library more and more frequently. At first, he lies to himself, telling himself he’s trying to turn over a new leaf and really apply himself to increasing his knowledge of the paranormal, not wanting to always rely on Abe for it— yada yada blah blah, it’s all a racket, though— in reality, he just wants excuses to see you.

• You’re just so normal about him, so nice to him… That might seem like a low bar, but you have to remember, 95% of the people around him are afraid of him on some level, either treating him like this volatile, ticking time bomb or looking at him like he’s a one-man freak show… but with you? It’s different…

• The small talk you two share soon graduates into actual conversation, dare he say, banter, and he even becomes comfortable enough to joke around with you… not in his normal dry, defensive way either—

• He tells himself that his budding workplace crush on you is nothing more than that— you’re cute, you’re nice to chat with, you’re... so sweet…but that’s it! Unfortunately though, he realizes he’s in tremendously deep shit when one day, while laughing at one of his stories, you put your hand on his arm… It’s a small gesture; you do it so casually… but it’s enough to set his pulse racing, and when it happens, he practically has to clench every muscle in his body to keep his tail from wagging too obviously.

• Needless to say, this whole kerfuffle has made him very antsy— even more than usual, so, to clear his head, he breaches containment to go on a little unauthorized ‘patrol’ of the city. While jumping from rooftop to rooftop, he spots something out of place on the block below.. Nestled between a cafe and a bookstore, is a little stand absolutely overflowing with stuffed animals— it’s glaringly pastel against the otherwise dull surroundings, and the sight is nearly enough to give him a migraine, but…

Looking up from your work, you see Hellboy striding your way. “Hey you” you lilt, flashing him a broad, genuine smile.

“Hey,” he replies, closing the distance between you. He stands in front of your desk, the fingers of his right hand twitching at his side, a lifelong nervous habit you hear before you see, stone scraping faintly “I… gotcha somthin’”

“…You.. did?” Got you something? That’s the last thing you expected to hear— and he barely gives you time to process the news before reaching into his coat, pulling out a very obviously bootleg Sanrio plush— you’re fairly certain it’s supposed to be My Melody, but the eyes are way too far apart, and her little ears are two completely different sizes…

You take it in your hands, looking it over— it really is comical, but you don’t laugh; you’re too busy processing how sweet of a gesture this is… You turn your attention back to Hellboy. “I don’t know what to say-“

He shrugs “S’just a stuffed animal. I know you like all that cutesy crap...” he’s trying to act nonchalant, but it’s exceedingly difficult when you’re looking at him like he hung the damn moon over a stupid toy— but then, it’s more than that… and you both know it…

Your lips pull upward into a sly grin, and you hug the plushie to your chest “Sooo… you realize this means I’m gonna be hoping for a gift every time you go out now, right?” You tease, batting your eyes exaggeratedly at him.