Help, I’m stuck in limbo

Riza: Why? Military rules don’t even allow us to have a relationship.

Brief encounters 🐾

𝘱𝘢𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨: Nicolas Brown x Reader

𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘳𝘦: fluff, hurt/comfort, established relationship

𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴: canon-typical trauma, protective behavior, emotional constipation

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-Dating Nicolas means accepting that he’s one of the hardest people in Ergastulum to read. Half the time you’re convinced he doesn’t care, and the other half he’s doing something so thoughtful it leaves you staring at him in disbelief.

-in public, he’s distant. Not cold, not uncaring, just reserved. He isn’t the type to hold your hand while walking down the street or keep an arm around your waist. Most people probably wouldn’t even realize you’re dating.

-despite that distance, he’s constantly aware of where you are. He knows when you’ve fallen behind, when someone is staring too long, or when you’re uncomfortable. He doesn’t hover. He just quietly keeps an eye on things.

-if someone is bothering you, Nicolas doesn’t make a scene. He doesn’t threaten them or start a fight. He just looks at them. Usually that’s enough to make them rethink every life decision they’ve ever made.

-Being deaf has made him incredibly observant. He notices every little change in your mood, your posture, your facial expressions, and your habits. You can tell him you’re fine all you want, but if you’re upset, he’ll know.

-nicolas remembers everything about you. Your favorite food, your favorite drink, the side of the bed you prefer, the songs you replay constantly, and random stories you mentioned months ago and forgot. Somehow he remembers all of it.

-learning sign language for him means more than he’ll ever admit. Every time you learn a new sign or try to communicate with him in his language, he feels it. He may only raise an eyebrow or give a tiny nod, but inside he’s melting.

-nicolas doesn’t express affection with words. His love language is taking care of you. If you’re cold, you’ll suddenly have a jacket. If you’re hungry, food appears. If you’re sick, he somehow already bought medicine before you even realized you needed it.

-the biggest shock is how different he is once you’re alone together. The second the apartment door closes, all that distance starts disappearing.

-he slowly gravitates toward you without realizing it. You’ll be watching television and suddenly he’s sitting beside you. Then his shoulder is touching yours. Then somehow his head is resting in your lap.

-he follows you around the apartment without meaning to. If you’re cooking, he’s leaning against the counter watching. If you’re folding laundry, he’s sitting nearby. If you’re reading, he’s occupying the other end of the couch. He just likes being where you are.

-After difficult days, he becomes noticeably clingier. Not verbally. Physically. He’ll quietly seek you out and stay close, almost like he’s grounding himself with your presence.

-you’ll be laying in bed scrolling through your phone and suddenly he’s pressing his face into your shoulder, one arm wrapped securely around your waist while he refuses to move.

-Nicolas absolutely loves having his hair played with. He’ll never admit it out loud, but the second your fingers start running through his curls, his entire body relaxes.

-scratch his scalp and you’ve basically won. He becomes ridiculously calm and comfortable, even if he’d rather die than admit how much he enjoys it.

-When you’re upset, he isn’t the type to ask a million questions. Instead, he’ll bring you your favorite drink, sit beside you, and stay there until you’re ready to talk.

-Arguments with Nicolas are frustrating because he gets quiet. Very quiet. He’ll leave to cool off, gather his thoughts, and come back later ready to communicate instead of saying something he’ll regret.

-He’s protective but not controlling. He trusts you completely. It’s everyone else he doesn’t trust.

-sleeping beside him is one of the few times you’ll see him completely vulnerable. In his sleep he’ll unconsciously reach for you, wrapping an arm around your waist or tangling your hand with his.

-Some nights old memories and nightmares catch up to him. He never talks about them, but afterward he always ends up closer to you, as if he needs reassurance that you’re still there.

-The first time he signs “I love you” isn’t dramatic. There’s no speech, no confession, no grand moment. You’re probably doing something completely ordinary when he signs it like it’s the most obvious fact in the world.

Which makes Fullmetal Alchemist so much funnier because Edward Elric very very much does join The Organization. He’s in fact quite famous for joining The Organization. Where The Organization is a hostile fascist dictatorship with immense military power which is good at both giving orders and punishing defectors.

the last time I reblogged this post right before I got a great job, in a permanent work-from-home position, with benefits, retirement, and a salary literally 3x what I was making before, doing something I really like. 

So you know. 

direct orders of "you really really need to kill this guy" ignored: 1

"Ya know... Fatherhood really suits you, you know that?" You murmured, resting your head against his arm.

Nanami looked down at you, his eyes- always so tired from the cruelties of the world and working far too much, were now soft with affection, "I never thought I would have a life like this... I always felt it was far out of my reach..."

"Kento..."

He brought his daughter up to his face, his lips pressing a kiss to her forehead. His voice was a low whisper, yet you still managed to hear his words, "I love you. Both of you. More than anything in the world."

You could see it, not only in his smile, but his eyes as well... they held some fear. Afraid of the life he led, afraid of it coming to take the family he had so lovingly built away from him. Nanami had seen much in his time as a sorcerer. The loss of people dear to him- their deaths never failing to haunt him... He was scared... Scared of leaving you both behind, scared of the what-ifs...

"Kento, you worry far too much. I promise we'll be here, right by your side. Always and forever, okay? You're always going to awaken to me in your strong arms." You give his bicep a soft squeeze, "no way anyone could get past these bad boys."

A low chuckle rumbled in his throat, holding his baby girl in one arm, he used the one you squeezed to bring you into a loving embrace, drawing you even closer to his body. Drawing you closer into his world, a world he once thought would be forever in solitude. This was all a simple moment, but Nanami felt the full weight of this newfound joy- the joy of being a father and a loving husband to you. No could've prepared him for this profound privilege.