#stepdad!dex

You, mortified, see Dex barely look over his shoulder and you call out their name to reprimand them

"Nah, it's okay," he chimed in as he put the knife down on the cutting board. He walked over to them and kneeled. "It does look weird, doesn't it?"

He turned around and showed it off

"Wanna feel it?"

You scoffed softly and crossed your arms while you watched from the kitchen, knowing what he was up to bc he did the same thing with you. Your kid was hesitant but goes for it anyway. Poking along his spine until he yelps to scare them. Giving them a stern look and immediately breaking to laugh

"Gotcha!"

I'm going the very basic route and saying he'd be teaching them baseball. How cool would it be if your kid had even an ounce of precision like him! He says. But for other sports he's just as supportive and he lets you take the reins for that (in terms of training)

Clean freak!! Your kid will hate it at first, it's inevitable but Dex finds his own ways to make it so much fun and convinces them that cleanliness is the coolest thing in the world. If you have a son he'll tell him its the quickest way to a woman's heart (not fact checked btw) before looking over and winking at you

If you have a young kid he can and will take over much of the parenting duty because he hates seeing you so exhausted. It's to the point where you're almost never not seeing them on his hip and sometimes you wonder where the hell your kid is

One time you actually had a full nights rest and woke up confused, shooting out of bed because you got used to your kid waking you up. Checking their room to see it's empty and very tidy. You run out to the kitchen in a full blown panic just to hear Dex talking out loud

"You said she likes pancakes," he mused. You walk further out and see your kid, peaceful, head on his shoulder as he cooks one handed no problem. "Think she'll mind a little cinnamon?"

MIND YOU. You're both still standing outside the car as parents and kids pass by. You smack his arm and have to spend the next hour explaining to your excited child why that's a horrible idea

Expect Dex to teach your kid how to fight, mostly long distance. And because of this you'll be heading to the living room and a coin flies past your face

"What the hell was that?"

Dex stands there sheepishly with your kid going to hide behind him

"That... is my fault."

Dex fidgets a lot. You've gotten used to it but it weirded your kid out at first

"Why do you roll your wrists so much?"

Dex opened his eyes to see them staring, again. A soft laugh through his nose escaped but you answered for him

"Cause he's an old man."

He turned to see you drinking tea/coffee, eyes squinting from trying not to laugh

"She's right," he said as he looked to them again. "But you two make it worse."

Trying to imagine him with a kid going through teen angst. He doesn't take a single thing they say seriously (unless it's really serious, of course)

When they had the audacity to slam their door after you told them to do chores, he stopped you from going upstairs and insisted that he'd handle it

At first you're like how would a man who's never had kids of his own know what to do, but after about an hour of a muffled conversation they both came back downstairs and they apologized with a tight hug and a pout. You hug them back, confused then you look at him

"How did you...?" You mouthed. "I'll tell you later." He mouthed back. And they never slammed their door again

So with the fbi thing, I assume he'd be out the house a lot but on the particularly long days, he always came back home with flowers and takeout from your favorite place no matter how far. If you have a daughter he'll get her flowers too

I think this would operate the same both ways but I'm going with daughter for this part. While he used to be able to get on her level and give her the world's greatest advice years ago, when she's a teen dealing with teen things, he's so lost

"And then Raquel fucked-"

"Language," he said while rubbing his temples.

"Sorry, she slept with Asha's ex the day after they split and then-"

"Wait, wait, just- slow down. Please."

"Slowing it down never helps," you chime in and curl up on the couch right next to him with a bowl of snacks. Meanwhile your daughter is cross legged on the floor in front of him talking in circles and zigzags

"Gee, thanks."

You explained he would freak the fuck out if it somehow got back to him that you went on a date. Especially with a man who was much better than him on so so so many levels. You thought you were reassuring Dex but really you put a target on Kevin's back

Dex found all his information the same night you vented about how he was stressing you out and was concerned for your kid's safety. Contemplating taking him out within the hour but waited

He staked out Kevin's house for multiple days but still kept his distance. That was until you called him when kevin got in his car and drove off and told him you were afraid he was going to come after you for moving apartments

So, naturally, Dex followed him, got his cat to crash by a dead end, and kidnapped him!

The coincidence wasn't lost on you. After a few days of silence from Kevin's end, you met Dex at the diner to talk

"...did you kill him?" You asked quietly

He took a short pause. "No."

He was being honest. You could tell. Something was telling him to not make a big decision for you without your knowledge or permission

You tapped anxiously on the booth table, he didn't push

"Can you?"

He doesn't flinch. "I can."

It wasn't dramatic or grand per your request. It was clean and he got satisfaction out of letting him know that he got lucky you still cared enough to have it be quick and painless. Okay, quick with a little pain. Okay, not so quick and a lot of pain-

Some time later you're chilling on the couch while your kid is sleeping on your lap, seeing on the news that a body was found in the river and was identified with the recognizable description of kevin. A shaky sigh of relief came as you patted their head

Dex was compelled enough to come to your door. Bold, he knows. You let your kid sleep on the couch and you answered the door in surprise

"Would you like to have dinner tonight?"

Wow.

"...I would love to."

This actually surprised him for a moment cause this was like a shot in the dark in his eyes

"But we're gonna have to take this slow. For my kid's sake."

"Of course. That's what I assumed."

A soft pattering of footsteps weren't caught on fast enough before you realized your 12 year old was standing next to you

"Is this the Dex guy?"

You facepalm, Dex smiles and gets on one knee, holding out his hand

"I am the Dex guy. Nice to meet you. I'm here to take your mom on a date, if that's okay with you."

Your kid gave a firm nod with zero hesitation and turned to you after shaking his hand. "I like the Dex guy."

And from there, you didn't have to worry about taking it so slow because your kid was very receptive to him. Always asking about him, when they'll see him again. When he'll move in...

Cue New York State of Mind playing in the back. You couldn't figure out why he seemed to have an extra pep in his step in the morning. Making everybody breakfast, tidying the house on his own. You thought it was because he got to go into work a little later so you didn't pay it much mind

It was your day off, you told him you'd be going shopping with your kid so when you left after giving him a kiss he did a short workout just to keep his muscles warm, y'all know how the rest goes 🤭

"I'm hungry. You hungry?" You said to them while driving back from the store. "I was thinking...waffles and a sundae?"

Your kid gasped and pumped their fist in the air excitedly. "Bel Aire Diner?!"

"Bel Aire Diner," You confirmed with a smile

"Can we get some waffles for dad too?"

Your heart swelled at the word "dad". How smooth it sounded like it was second nature made you smile wider.

"Yes, we can get some for dad too."

The sundae finally showed up and your kid was scarfing it down

"Don't get a brain freeze," you said with a chuckle. The sound of sirens approaching the diner made your brows furrow

"AVTF!!! everyone stay seated!!"

You instinctively put your arm around them and covered their eyes

"Keep eating," you whispered while reassuring them everything is okay

What a lie that was

"Hey! Milkshake!"

And then everything erupted into utter chaos. You kept shielding their eyes while ducking the bullets, but you couldn't say you weren't at least a little curious. The guy taking them out one by one was masked; skilled. A vigilante

You watched it all in awe. You wouldn't necessarily call yourself a fan of vigilantes...you just have an objective appreciation for taking matters into their own hands when the law fails time and time again. It wasn't like you've talked about while not agreeing with all their methods that vigilantes were important for a place like Hell's Kitchen multiple times

The masked man stopped in his tracks after hitting the counter and somehow getting two forks to fly into his hands. He was only a few booths away so it wasn't hard to see him at all now. He removed his mask and turned around to talk to the guy who came in with his dog

Your heart stopped

You already recognized those familiar blonde locks you see every night before you go to sleep. It's when he turned around that he looked so...different. It's like he had a whole different face

"Oh, don't worry," you could hear him say. Yeah. That was definitely the man your child confidently called dad earlier. He smiled--that smile, not an ounce of warmth behind it--and threw the forks in his hands really hard to strike the last officer in the knees. Your jaw was on the floor. "I'm one of the good guys."

"It's Bullseye!" The officer called out. "It's fucking Bull-"

Did... he just kill a man with a lobster?

God damn it... he looked so cool while doing it too

When he went to grab the ketchup off the table, you locked eyes. The cockiness on his face disappeared but his eyes held zero remorse. That's because he wasn't sorry. And he wasn't sorry you had to see that. Just surprised you were there at the same time he was

Your shock registered as fear to him, which is something he was a little sorry for. He never wanted to scare you. He would never want to. It was a good thing your kid's eyes were still covered

He didn't return home until way later in the evening. Like, so late your kid was fast asleep. You didn't care to check the time because you were so fixated on the news

The door opens slowly and quietly. You look over to see him, still in that navy blue uniform and black jacket you bought him just because. He stood at the door with his hands in his pockets. You haven't seen him this nervous since he took you out on your first date

"I'll be packed and out of here by morning." He said

You turned off the tv, stood and walked up to him just to stop and stare. From how the suit fit over his chest to remembering how his hands looked in those gloves. How his broad shoulders and strong arms looked while taking out those degenerates. He thinks you're terrified meanwhile it's the hottest thing you've ever seen a man do

"You are not going anywhere," you said calmly while helping him out his jacket and hung it for him. Mm. The sight of him in that suit was giving you flashbacks. Your next words were going to be "Have a shower, I'll see you in bed," but your mind was going other places

He wasn't facing you. All you were seeing was his back. That broad, muscular back under his shirt. When you were in front of him, he gulped

"It doesn't bother you?" He asked quietly. "Who I am?"

You sighed softly and grabbed his hands to put them around you. The same hands you watched kill at least a dozen men without flinching. You held his face and gave him a kiss. Murmuring

"No. It doesn't bother me."

A small muscle twitched at the corner of his mouth--not a smile but not a frown either--and he leaned back in for another one. And another. And another...

"...We're not going to sleep, are we?" He whispered

"No."

"Keep the suit on?"

"Yes."

-

It's been hot, gloomy, and rainy all day, his shift ran a little late so most places were closed (he was devastated he couldn't bring flowers and food :/), and all he wanted at this point was to just come home, see his family (he's so happy he can say that now), and rest

So when he comes through that door soaking wet from the torrential downpour, he doesn't register the smell of home cooked food until he spots the dining table all set up

"Happy Father's Day!"

He's a hard man to scare/catch off guard but it genuinely worked this time. It's the two of you with big smiles on your face, your kid runs up to hug him after he took off his jacket

"I should've known you two were up to something."

He was suspect because neither one of you mentioned Father's Day at all this year but chalked it up to finally taking his word that he didn't want anything. Sike!!!

Your kid saved up some money to get him two fidget rings for both hands and a pull up bar

"Whaaat," he laughed and put the rings on to get them a spin--no pun intended. "Never heard of these before but I'm gonna wear them everyday."

Now it's your turn!

You slide him an envelope while they scoot closer to you to get his reaction. He narrowed his eyes before picking it up

"What are you up to..?"

He shakes it for theatrics then opens it. His little playful expression dropped once his eyes landed on his gift

"Season tickets for the Mets..." he said quietly and covered his mouth. A soft laugh rumbled beneath his hand as he shook his head. Your kid was smiling ear to ear and gasped as he pulled out the other two tickets that were lying in the envelope

"It's a gift to all of us but I thought it best to get them for Father's Day," you said with a proud smile

"No way," they said, looking to you with wide eyes. "Mom! You said you were just getting him one!"

"I know what I said."

They got up and cheered after giving you a tight excited hug. You stood at the same time as Dex and he gave you the warmest hug ever. Two kisses on your cheek then resting his head on your shoulder

"I could've paid for these."

"You know I wouldn't let you," you said while rubbing his back. Everything that was getting on his nerves today was fully gone now

"And you know I'll pay you back later for this."

He lifted his head to look at you. It was your turn to narrow your eyes.

"You mean another day or..."

He didn't respond, just smiled and pecked your lips

You all had dinner together and they went to sleep after cleaning up. And let's just say Dex meant what he said about paying you back. Not another day, but tonight

Staying out later than curfew, talking back, maybe even yelling back, the whole "nobody understands me" phase. He's a more patient than you in regard to discipline but it's not like he's not stern

You're outwardly stern while he's calmly stern. Albeit despite him being bigger and taller (and has literally killed a man in such a creative way for you), you're still the "scary" parent

They've gotten a little more rebellious lately for some reason, probably their friends influence. Dex had a day off while you had to work the late shift and came to realize they snuck out through their window while he was making dinner. With an exasperated sigh, he turned off the stove, threw on his jacket, and started driving

He knew where they were. The party he and you said they couldn't go to because their grades were getting too low. It was at their friend's house, the one Dex was terrible at remembering his name but recalled where he lived

It wasn't like he didn't trust them but they snuck out the house! That wasn't to be taken lightly!

It's 11:36, well past curfew, and at first he tried to give them a chance to come clean so he called their phone, no answer. Another call, no answer, so, now he simply got out his truck calmly walked up to the door and gave 4 firm knocks

The boy they've mentioned answered the door and his face instantly drained color. The faint smell of weed passed Dex's nose but he didn't react. The boy called out to them and when they came to the door, a few more of their friends came with them to see what was up

Almost all of them looked intimidated. Some couldn't bear to make eye contact. Some whispered about his cheek scar. Dex's face held a clear fake small smile as he waited for your kid to notice it was him

With a dramatic groan went off to grab their stuff and come back. One of the kids whispered--not so quietly--"who the hell is that?" As he started to walk back to the car

Your kid slung their bag over their shoulder and rolled their eyes as they passed them by to leave

"It's my dad."

Dex almost tripped over nothing. He wanted to stop and turn around but he kept walking, pretending he didn't hear them. The playful "you're so in trouble" look he had was gone just like that

You came home at around 12:30. Dex was still in the kitchen by himself eating what he making earlier. When he looks up, you're already smiling. A quick kiss and a much needed warm hug as the smell of leftover food fills your nose

"You didn't have to wait for me," you said as you ate some of the food off his plate. It took one look to notice something was on his mind. "What up?"

"They uh...broke curfew."

"What?"

He stopped you from heading upstairs with gentle hands circling your waist

"I didn't punish them."

"What? Why?"

"Look, they were at that guy's house, uh Danny?"

"Oh...the party"

"Yeah. Anyway, I picked them up, they were fine, not under the influence or anything like that but...as they were leaving one of their other friends we know, uh...Bee?"

"B.B"

"Yeah, she asked who I was as I was heading back to the car."

"Uh huh...?"

"Baby, they... they called me 'dad'"

You gasped softly

He let you go to run his hand through his hair and take a deep breath. Even saying it out loud was a big leap

"They just straight up called you dad?"

"It might've been with irritation but, yes, they said 'it's my dad'"

You smiled even wider as you pulled him in for an embrace

"That's...amazing"

"I know," he chuckled and sighed into your shoulder. "I felt my heart drop to my stomach"

"I'm so happy for you," you murmured and rubbed his back. After like 5 seconds of silence you added in a sweet tone: "Just know they are double grounded. I'll do it for you"

He laughed this time and kissed you on the cheek before pulling away just to admire you, knowing good and well you were not joking

"I'll stand with you"