Since the moment we first met, you have always been an important part of me. The half that makes me whole. When times are darkest, you are my light. When I am lost, you are my guiding star. You are just what I need. You are all I need. You are the greatest gift.
i feel a bit awkward making this post but i’ve seen a few of my dividers (shown below) used in many posts without my permission—and while i understand dividers get shared very rapidly, i don’t really feel comfortable with people taking pngs + dividers i made with no credits whatsoever. i also know people aren’t doing this maliciously ofc. fortunately, there are mutuals who do credit me. i understand if my dividers are simple in style, but they are still mine. i’ve seen that crediting is a common practice with other creators, so i so just want to ask for the bare minimum.
again, i feel very awkward writing this. i apologise for clogging the tags (it’s just the fact that my dividers usually get shared around the dcu batboys x reader tag). i just ask for credit to me if you want to use these dividers (which you’re free to! i genuinely enjoy helping others w/ setting up w themes, pngs, writing programmes and such!)
A/N: Okai, this is (technically) my first official Carlos post. So I am kind of nervous… idk how to feel about it. We’ll see if I don’t hate it enough to delete it after a few days :P
NSFW version coming soon…
𝐀𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
Carlos does naturally come off as warm and nurturing, despite being a soldier. I think physical touch is probably one of his biggest love languages, though early on it’s expressed in small, subtle ways. Even before getting together, he’d find little excuses to stay close to you, a hand brushing against your shoulder, guiding you somewhere with a touch against your back, checking your injuries before anything else
Once the relationship becomes official, the physical affection becomes much more noticeable. Hands resting on your waist absentmindedly, fixing your collar before heading out, pulling you a little closer whenever you’re standing beside him
Carlos especially loves keeping you close in private. He’s the type to pull you onto his lap while relaxing together, arms loosely wrapped around your waist while he quietly enjoys your presence (sometimes when he wants kisses from you too without verbally asking)
Physical reassurance comes far easier to him than verbal vulnerability. It’s not that Carlos refuses to communicate, but more so he struggles with the idea of burdening you with everything he’s seen and experienced
Carlos uses humour as affection almost instinctively. Teasing you lightly, throwing out playful comments, trying to make you laugh when he notices your mood dropping. Sometimes it's his way of showing care without making the moment feel too emotionally heavy.
A lot of affection comes through protectiveness and acts to service too. Fixing things before you ask, making sure you’ve eaten, checking if you’re warm enough. For Carlos, caring for someone and loving someone are almost impossible to separate
𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝
After learning about Carlos' lore and everything he’s experienced in the guerrilla group followed by the T-virus outbreak, you’d expect him to be colder or more emotionally closed off. The type to isolate himself, bury himself in work, and keep everyone at arms length
Instead, Carlos feels surprisingly warm and approachable. Even from the first interactions with Jill, there’s an easy charm to him— the subtle flirting and the way he talks to people like he genuinely wants them to feel safe around him. Even his voice sounds inviting (but that might just be my attraction to him talking)
There’s something refreshing about the fact that he never lets his experience turn him cruel or emotionally distant
According to research and sources I’ve picked up, his personality type fits ESTP— known for their adventurous and bold nature, as well as ability to think quickly on their feet under pressure. He’s the kind of person who naturally keeps morale up in bad situations
I think outside of the U.C.B.S, he would definitely be the one friend in the group constantly making jokes, encouraging everyone to loosen up, and somehow dragging people into spontaneous plans. With nuance, you could call him the ‘life of the party’ friend.
He has a strong team-player mentality that carries over into friendships too. He noticed when someone’s feeling left out or overwhelmed and always tries to pull them back into the group, even if it’s just through a dumb one-liner or a casual shoulder bump
As a best friend, Carlos would be dependable in a very natural way. Not overly dramatic about loyalty, but always there when it actually matters
The friendship wouldn’t start through one huge defining moment. Matter of fact, in the beginning, his teasing actually got on your nerves, but you never admitted to it. He talked too much, joked too often, and seemed way too relaxed under pressure. You initially thought he was unserious
“You always talk this much (ಠ_ಠ) ?”
“Only around people I like ( ◠‿◠ )”
“That’s unfortunate for me, then.”
“Awh, c’mon. You wound me.”
But over time, you started noticing how observant he really was. How emotionally intelligent he could be under all the quips. Somehow, Carlos always seemed to show up exactly when you needed someone, even before you realised you needed the support yourself
You eventually realised his humour wasn’t just for entertainment, it was his way of keeping people grounded and sane during stressful situations. Beneath the teasing and easygoing attitude, he genuinely cared about the people around him
The friendship develops naturally over time. Small conversations during downtime, dumb jokes thrown back and forth, quiet moments sitting together after exhausting days. Before you know it, he becomes the person you instinctively look for first in the room
Your friendship solidifies when you realise Carlos is dependable when things matter most. He’s someone who stays when things get ugly
𝐂𝐮𝐝𝐝𝐥𝐞𝐬
Considering that physical affection is one of Carlos’ main love languages, cuddling is absolutely no exception. More than anything, it’s one of the few things that genuinely helps ground him after constantly living in survival mode
Being hyper vigilant all the time, surrounded by danger, gunfire, and constant stress, takes a heavier toll on him than he usually admits. So whenever he finally gets downtime, even if it’s only for a little while, being close to you becomes one of his biggest source of comfort
Carlos naturally defaults being the big spoon most of the time. Partly because he likes holding you close, but also because somewhere in his mind, he feels like he’s supposed to be the protective one given his size and role
But over time, you slowly coax him into letting himself be held too. Being the little spoon feels strange to him at first, almost vulnerable, but once he gets used to it, he quietly starts seeking it out more often
Carlos doesn’t even realise how tense he usually is until you start rubbing his back or running your fingers through his hair. His entire body gradually relaxes without him noticing until he’d practically melting into you
Sometimes, after especially exhausting days, Carlos ends up falling asleep mid-conversation while cuddling. The warmth, physical closeness, and simple feeling of safety knocks him out fast
On nights after nightmares, he becomes even clingier without directly explaining why. Holding you tighter, burning his face against your neck or shoulder, reminding himself of your presence
“You okay?”
“Yeah.”
“Carlos…”
“Just…hold me for a minute.”
Most of your cuddling ends up happening on the couch rather than in bed. Half-watching TV together, tangled under blankets, Carlos slowly dozing off with one arm wrapped securely around you
𝐃𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜
Realistically, the idea of actually settling down wouldn’t happen anytime soon during the events of Racoon City. Survival was the only thing keeping him going. But post-canon, after escaping the city and finally ending up somewhere safe, the idea slowly starts becoming more plausible
Even then, I don’t think Carlos would expect himself to adapt into a domestic life, a lifestyle he wasn’t used to, so naturally. A quiet home with stability and a routine was never really a consistent part of his life growing up. But coming home to you somehow makes the foreign feeling feel easier
Mundane chores become grounding for him. Grocery shopping together, cleaning up and arguing what to make for dinner. All of these remind him that there’s more to life than violence, ammunition and the smell of gun powder
That doesn’t mean his old habits disappear completely, though. Carlos still checks locks and windows out of instinct, even when he knows the neighbourhood is safe. Sometimes nightmares drag him back to Raccoon City, leaving him disoriented for a few seconds before realising he’s home beside you
There are moments where happiness makes him feel strangely guilty too, like some part of him still struggles to believe he deserves peace after everything that happened
I think Carlos would be a decent cook. Not because he’s some hidden culinary genius, but because survival forced him to learn. His meals are practical and filling more than fancy, though cooking together eventually becomes one of your shared routines after moving in together
He gets surprisingly attached to routines, too. Taking turns deciding dinner, running errands together, small habits that slowly become comforting
I can’t really say the same thing about cleaning, however. It is more sporadic— Carlos tents to clean in bursts rather than maintaining things regularly. A lot of domestic chores just weren’t things he grew up learning properly
I saw a headcanon stating that Carlos only rinses the dishes with water until it looks visibly clean and would use it to eat with again…
You ended up teaching him proper cleaning habits over time. He’s not lazy, but because domestic life and maintaining a home is still something he’s learning how to navigate
One thing he is naturally good at is fixing things. Carlos becomes the type to repair almost anything himself before considering replacing it. It's another survival habit that follows him into civilian life
Overall, Carlos is a man who survived horrors and learning how to live gently again
𝐄𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠
This is one of my least favourite headcanons to write </3 (because why would I want to think about ending things with my man ;-;). Carlos wouldn’t be the type to end things with you lightly or impulsive. If things do reach a breaking point, it would most likely be a build-up of circumstances and a lot of internal conflicts rather than a single defining moment
One of the few reasons Carlos might end things is because he genuinely believes loving you means letting you go. He carries a strong protector mentality, and if his life feels too unstable or dangerous, he might start to see himself as a risk to your peace rather than part of it
It would be a huge over-sacrifice, but in his mind, he’d convinced himself it’s the most responsible choice, even if it hurts him. Because knowing you’re safer without him is what he thinks love looks like in that moment
Another reason could be his fear of loss. Carlos cares about you deeply, and sometimes that kind of attachment can become frightening for him. The thought of losing you completely might push him into self-sabotage or pre-emptive distancing before things get worse
If it was you who broke things off, one reason might be the emotional absence during missions. Maybe you entered the relationship not fully prepared for the long periods of silence and uncertainty, and over time, the emotional strain becomes too heavy to carry alone
Another reason I find the most heartbreaking is that his “protector instincts” become too overwhelming. He might over-prioritise your safety to the point of forgetting emotional balance. Constantly checking in, constant worry, always anticipating danger. And even though it comes from love, it can begin to feel like pressure without him realising it
Either way, he would be absolutely heartbroken that things didn’t work out with you. But even in that state, he can’t afford to let it affect his ability to function while on the clock
On the outside, he would look composed and in a flow state, almost like he’s switching to autopilot. But internally he’d be struggling to hold himself together
And in the quieter moments, when everything finally stops moving, that’s when it would really hit him. Memories of you would surface when he least expects it, and it would take him a second longer than usual to push them back down and keep going
𝐅𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞(𝐞)
Okay… wow. Fiancé. That’s a huge word. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that Carlos struggles with commitment. If anything, once you become officially involved with him, his loyalty is like iron
Carlos loves deeply and seriously once he lets someone into his life, and he becomes incredibly devoted to the relationship
But realistically, the thought of engagement or marriage probably wouldn’t fully settle into his mind during the middle of the Raccoon City outbreak
And it’s not like he doesn’t want to either, but if it was something you would consider, he really wants to get it right
The last thing he would want is for the two of you to take such a huge emotional step together only for tragedy to tear it away afterward. Even thinking about losing you that way would genuinely terrify him
Just like the idea of domestic life, marriage probably only starts feeling possible after the destruction of Raccoon City, once the two of you are finally somewhere safe enough to actually breath again
Even then, Carlos would probably need time to fully reflect and process the idea. He knows he loves you. He knows he wants to spend the rest of his life with you. But there’s likely still a small insecure part of him that wonders whether you deserve someone “easier” than him. Someone who isn’t constantly carrying trauma with high cortisol levels and the exception that disaster could happen at any moment
Deep down, Carlos probably worries that you deserve peace more than a life tied to someone like him. Which is exactly why your reassurance means so much whenever you tell him you wouldn’t want anybody else.
Marriage is something Carlos takes very seriously, especially because permanence is something he values far more deeply than people initially realise
The idea of building a home, creating routines, growing old beside someone once felt completely far fetched to him… until he met you
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐞
With everything that Carlos has experienced throughout his life, it makes sense that he approaches people with a certain level of care and gentleness. Growing up surrounded by fear and loss made him deeply empathic toward other people’s pain
Because he understands what grief, exhaustion, and fear feels like firsthand, Carlos naturally becomes someone who tries to ease tension and comfort others whenever he can
Emotional gentleness is where Carlos shines the most. His survival instincts and emotional awareness make him quick to notice even subtle emotional shifts in people. He takes fear seriously and never treats distress like something embarrassing or weak
He would never weaponise vulnerability against someone he cares about. He’s lived through enough pain himself to understand that sometimes people don’t need solutions, they just need softness. He’d be especially gentle when you’re overstimulated, scared or emotionally shut down
Physical gentleness is also a huge part of him. Carlos is very aware of both his size and strength, especially because he knows he can unintentionally come across as intimidating. So he adjusts himself around you without even thinking about it
You’d notice how carefully he handles you, gently checking for injuries, instinctively supporting your weight, guiding you safely, or wrapping his arms around you with restraint underneath all the strength. Even his hugs and cuddling carry the same carefully
Years of combat medic experience probably made gentleness with his hands feel almost instinctive to him
𝐇𝐮𝐠𝐬
So, basing off the one scene where he was getting close to Jill before she stopped him with her arm. I know he wasn’t going for a full on hug but you could tell that he was trying to comfort or at least get close
Carlos definitely does like hugs, though early on he’s not usually the one to initiate them. Not that he’s detached or trying to be nonchalant (far from it). He’s just careful with physical boundaries and doesn’t want to overwhelm you, especially in stressful situations.
The first time you hugged was probably far from ideal. Maybe after seeing something horrific that you couldn’t scrub from your mind, the after shock settling in your bones, you stumble into him without thinking. Your hands clutch at his vest as you try to make sense of the situation, your whole body trembling against him.
He froze for half a second out of surprise before wrapping his arms around you securely. One hand settled at the back of your head while the other rubbed slowly along your back, grounding you. For once, he doesn’t immediately fall into humour. Not until your breathing evens out and your grip loosens enough for him to notice
Once the tension eased slightly and you pulled yourself away enough to look up at him, he would probably crack a quiet joke to lighten the mood and distract you from the situation. Not to dismiss your feelings, he just hates seeing you distressed
And Carlos needs hugs just as much as he gives them, though he’s much worse at asking for comfort directly. Early on in your relationship, he would rather silently lean into your touch than admit he needs reassurance— putting his needs to the side to comfort you.
His favourite hugs are the exhausted kind. They feel more rewarding and carry more weight in his heart. Him slumped in a chair after a long day, arms wrapped around your sides while you stand between his knees, his forehead or ear resting against your stomach while he finally lets himself relax
Another favourite type of hug for Carlos is when you’re venting to him after bottling everything up for too long. He listens quietly, all traces of teasing gone from his face, looking at you with nothing but concern in his eyes.
He doesn’t interrupt much. Usually it’s just a soft “come here,” before pulling you against his chest. Somehow, the simple gesture alone is enough to loosen the tight feeling in your chest
Given his size and physique, his hugs feel safe. Warm. Solid. His strong body around you feels like a protective shield, like you’re in your own bubble, where the world outside can’t reach either of you.
𝐈 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮
If you could see me right now, I’d be giggling and kicking my feet with the thoughts in my head about this headcanon. Given what we’ve talked about so far, I don’t think it’s hard to believe that Carlos would be the first to say I love you.
Carlos is emotionally driven and once he realises how deeply he cares about you, those feelings would slip into words and actions. I don’t even think saying it as part of a confession is a stretch either. He doesn’t seem like the type to endlessly dance around his feelings once they become too real to ignore
But despite his confidence, I just KNOW he’d get awkward immediately afterwards
“… Damn. That sounded so much smoother in my head.”
And hearing you say it back would send this man over the moon. He would be smiling so hard afterward.
That being said, Carlos wouldn’t throw those words around carelessly. To him, “I love you” carries weight because love also comes with vulnerability and attachment, two things he doesn’t take lightly after everything he’s been through
Still, once the relationship becomes more comfortable and settled, the phrase starts slipping into every moment naturally.
A quick ‘Love you’ before hanging up a call. Mumbling it half-asleep. Saying it before leaving the house or before another mission like it’s become second nature to him
𝐉𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐲
Carlos isn’t the type to get jealous easily over a harmless interaction. He has a healthy amount of confidence in both himself and your relationship. He trusts you wholeheartedly to not jeopardise that so he doesn’t feel threatened when someone gives you attention
Sometimes, he even finds it entertaining watching people fumble over themselves and unsuccessfully try to flirt with you when he already knows you won’t give them the time of day. If anything, it boosts his ego a little
Having said that, Carlos definitely isn’t completely immune to jealousy either. He can be surprisingly territorial when he needs to be, especially when someone crosses boundaries, making you uncomfortable or simply refusing to take the hint. His protectiveness tends to kick in very quickly once he realises someone’s behaviour is disrespectful
At first, he would watch the interaction carefully, assessing the situation rather than acting aggressive right away. He might take it a step further and hover nearby, maybe an arm around your waist to pull you closer. He knows that you can handle yourself, so he doesn’t immediately jump unless he feels like he genuinely needs to
He usually tries to keep things lighthearted on the surface
“You know, babe, I think your fan club’s getting a little bold.”
But if someone genuinely disrespects you or ignores your boundaries after being warned, Carlos' protective side would quickly take over. He has no problem becoming confrontational when it comes to your safety or comfort.
But jealous Carlos while he’s still pining would be different. Instead of becoming assertive, he gets noticeably quieter which is not normal for someone who talks your ears off. He tries to act casual about it, but you can tell something’s bothering him
He overthinks more than he lets on, quietly trying to suppress the feeling rather than admit to it outright
𝐊𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬
Oh, Carlos is definitely not shy when it comes to kissing you. Physical affection like kissing is one of his favourite ways to express love, right behind cuddling, that is.
He especially loves kissing your cheeks and forehead. Half the time, he’ll purposely tease or say something that he knows will get a reaction from you first, only to immediately follow it up with a kiss afterward.
His beard lightly tickles your skin too, especially when he keeps peppering your face with multiple kisses in a row.
The first time he noticed you trying to laugh when his beard brushed against your skin, he mentally stored that reaction away immediately before doing it again on purpose just to hear you laugh harder. He even goes to kiss your neck the same way too. (It worked)
Forehead kisses feel much more tender and more intimate coming from him. They usually happen during quieter moments, maybe when he finally comes home after being gone for so long, when you’re upset, or after a particularly stressful situations
Carlos would gently hold your face, murmur something comforting under his breath, then press a slow kiss against your forehead— a reminder that he wasn’t going anywhere
As for himself, Carlos absolutely loves being kissed around his face and jaw by you, especially after a long day. He secretly LOVES when you initiate affection first because he spends so much time being the giver of comfort.
So when you’re the one pulling him close first, it affects him way more than he lets on. He always acts smug afterwards, but the slight grin he tries to hide gives him away everytime
Your first kiss together wouldn’t happen during the middle or chaos or missions either. Carlos would want the moment to happen somewhere private when neither of you were distracted by the world around you
𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬
I’m literally cheesing thinking about writing this up because the scenarios in my head are making me want to burst, oh my gosh. Just like settling down, having children wouldn’t cross Carlos’ mind until long after the destruction of Racoon City, after he’s finally somewhere quieter and safer
I really think that Carlos would make an amazing father. We already see how naturally protective and attentive he is in the game— helping civilians reach safety, constantly checking people, keeping morale up even under pressure. He’s naturally engaging and emotionally responsive, so kids would gravitate towards him quickly
And I don’t think it would take much convincing for him to want children someday. Maybe he causally brings it up after stumbling across an old family photo or seeing a parent playing with their kid somewhere. Or maybe you ask him first, expecting hesitation, only to be surprised by how soft and thoughtful he gets about the idea despite everything he’s been through.
He gives off huge “fun dad” energy. Playful, physically active, outdoorsy— the type to teach his kids soccer in the backyard and get way too invested in family games. I saw a headcanon stating he would make a good boy dad, but he’d also adore daughters just as much and end up completely wrapped around their fingers
As a father, Carlos would be incredibly physically affectionate. Carrying kids on his shoulders, letting them climb all over his back, act dramatic when toddlers ‘injure’ him during play fighting. Half the time he acts like he’s losing battles on purpose just to hear them laugh
He would love to live in a home that feels lived-in, chaotic and loud. Roughhousing in the living room, toys scattered everywhere, everyone talking over each other at dinner. After growing up around so much instability and violence, creating a warm and secure home for his children would become deeply important to him
And then there’s you in the middle of all of the household chaos trying to maintain some level of order while Carlos… accidentally encourages the nonsense instead
“Babe, I got it under control.”
One of your toddlers is trying to climb him like a tree.
“Papa said burping louder means I’m getting stronger :D”
You slowly turn to look at Carlos
“…Carlos.”
“Okay, okay, maybe I took it a little too far.”
The kids inherit his habit of talking constantly, which can be both endearing and a punishment for you specifically
𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠
There is no doubt in my mind that Carlos is an early riser. During the canon timeline, Carlos' mornings would be much harsher and more survival-oriented. He's so used to unstable sleeping schedules and dangerous environments that waking up becomes almost mechanical for him.
Years of military schedule and inconsistent sleeping patterns conditioned his body into waking up early automatically, even long after everything in Raccoon City is over. It’s just a habit he can’t give up
So even post-canon where he technically has nowhere to be, Carlos would still wake up before you. After waking up, he probably spends a few quiet moments mentally orienting himself and planning out the day ahead
Some of his old habits would stick, like checking his surroundings, listening for noises. But the moment his eyes land on you beside him, you’d notice the tension in his shoulder ease almost instantly.
Waking up somewhere peaceful beside the person he loves instead of in survival mode is something that quietly affects him more than he knows how to explain. Ironically, mornings are probably one of the rare times where Carlos becomes naturally quieter.
For once, he’s not yapping your ears off. It might be because he is finally basking in the calmness without the chaos he grew up with. That doesn’t mean the teasing disappears completely though (can’t get rid of him that easy). You’d still hear sleepy comments in that low morning voice of his while he slowly gets ready
“C’mon. I already made coffee. Don’t make me drink yours too.”
Carlos physically cannot sit still for long. Eventually he’d get up to stretch, do light workouts, check the house or start making coffee while you’re still trying to drag yourself out of bed. Physical activity probably helps regulate a lot of his stress
Something as simple as getting ready in the morning affects him more than he realises. He’s not waking up in a dangerous place with noisy barracks or in a combat zone and that’s something he won’t ever take for granted
𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭
Night times aren’t always soft or romantic, especially while he’s still working as a mercenary for Umbrella. It’s literally anxiety-inducing, especially for you.
Missions could last for days at a time, sometimes several nights without hearing from him at all. All you could really do was wait and hope he came back in one piece. Even worse when there’s no real way to communicate with him while he’s gone
But on nights when he is home, you’d get to see a much softer version of Carlos. Once everything quiets down and there’s nothing left distracting him, a part of his guard lowers around you, though never completely
Some nights, he comes back not just exhausted but emotionally devastated too. Maybe a mission failed. Maybe civilians got hurt. Maybe he couldn’t save someone in time
Those nights, Carlos becomes much quieter than usual. He might not immediately talk about what happened, but you’d feel the heaviness of the day lingering on him anyway.
Even then, he would still instinctively seek you out. Arms wrapped around you, face buried against your neck, holding onto you like a lifeline and grounding himself in your warmth helps silence everything else for a little while
And on better nights, while he’s still exhausted, his lighter side slowly comes back again. Sleepy teasing, low murmuring, quiet conversations while you trace shapes along his back and help him unwind after a long day.
Some nights, Carlos would probably wait until you fall asleep first before finally allowing himself to relax
𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧
We already know how extroverted and sociable Carlos is. He’s emotionally perceptive and good at making people feel comfortable, so people might assume they know him quickly. But there’s a huge difference between being personable and emotionally vulnerable and Carlos definitely keeps those things very separate
Even after trusting you, Carlos still wouldn’t immediately open up about heavier parts of himself. Humour remains one of his biggest coping mechanisms, and he often hides his stress behind teasing, casual conversations, and a brave face meant to reassure everyone around him
He tells stories easily, keeps conversations flowing and always tries to lighten the mood whenever things become too emotionally sensitive. Sure, it’ll work for a little while but even he knows he could only be brave for you for so long
When he finally does start to open up, it isn’t one dramatic confession all at once. It happens gradually, usually during quieter moments when exhaustion finally catches up to him and everything piles on his shoulder. I imagine him slumped back in a chair during downtime after a particularly difficult day, too mentally drained to keep deflecting everything anymore
He would start with practical things first— talking about the mission, the people he couldn’t save— before slowly admitting how much guilt he actually carries underneath it all. Even then, he might still crack a joke halfway to soften the weight of what he’s admitted
When it comes to his early life, Carlos would take much longer to talk about it. His childhood and experience back in South America feel far more personal and painful to him, especially being marked for execution before Umbrella gave him another way to survive
Those are the kinds of things he only reveals once he truly feels safe with you
𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞
Carlos withstand a surprising amount of patience and endurance considering the environment he works in. He’s used to dealing with stress and difficult personalities without immediately escalating the situation.
Even during tense moments, Carlos usually tries to calm people down first rather than react aggressively. He assesses the situation before jumping straight into confrontation
It’s very telling in the game through his relationship with Jill in the beginning. Jill is understandably blunt, suspicious and guarded toward him because of her hatred and distrust toward Umbrella. She brushes off his flirting, questions his intentions, and keeps him at arms length for a while
Yet Carlos never becomes genuinely cruel, defensive or hostile towards her because he understands why she struggles to trust people. Instead he approaches her with the same lighthearted persistence and humour.
Another good example is whenever tension rises with Nikolai. Despite clearly disliking his attitude, Carlos still attempts to keep situations from spiraling unnecessarily.
When he threatens and pressures Jill, Carlos immediately steps in to defend her. Even then, he initially approaches the situation with restraint and calmness rather than matching Nikolai’s aggression
Because Carlos understands fear and survival instincts so well himself, he's actually much more tolerant of emotional reactions and difficult moods than people initially expect. And if he’s patient with the people he works with, you already know that it’ll increase tenfold since he’s in a relationship with you
Carlos understands that loving someone means accepting difficult moments too. Disagreements, emotional baggage and bad days don’t scare him away. They make him more determined to be your anchor to lean on during those moments
Carlos doesn’t strike me as someone who enjoys dragging arguments out for the sake of pride. Once the emotions cool down, he’d much rather talk things through properly than let resentment sit between you
“I’m staying. We’ll work through this.”
However, he is not infinitely patient. His anger would spike specifically when innocent people are harmed, someone abuses power, or when someone threatens people he cares about. We saw hints of this throughout the game whenever Jill is endangered, but it would become more intense if it involved his partner. Carlos is hard to anger personally, but very easy to anger morally
𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐳𝐳𝐞𝐬
This kind of goes much deeper than Carlos simply remembering random facts about you. With everything we’ve covered about him so far it’s no surprise that Carlos becomes extremely attentive toward people he cares about— especially you. He’s emotionally aware and always tries to make sure you feel safe and comfortable around him
He picks up on behaviour patterns, subtle mood shifts, routines and small changes in your demeanor. You could argue that part of him comes from years of training himself to assess people and situations quickly, but when it comes to you, it goes beyond survival instincts
His memory of you feels deeply personal. He remembers how you take your coffee, little comments you made in passing weeks ago, specific foods you like, or habits you don’t even realise you have yourself
That also means he notices the things you try hardest to hide. Your stress habits, the way your voice wavers when you're upset. Even old injuries, insecurities or moments when you pretend you’re okay when you’re really not
Carlos especially remembers the things you tell him during the vulnerable moments. Small confessions made while exhausted, emotional or half-asleep somehow become things he remember the most
𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫
It would be difficult for Carlos to pick a single favourite memory from your relationship because every new moment you share together becomes something he treasures deeply. He's never experienced a connection quite like this before, so even the smallest moments end up feeling meaningful to him
But if he absolutely had to choose, one of his favourite memories would probably be during a rare period of downtime when were temporarily quiet and there were no infected lurking nearby
The two of you ended up messing around at one of the abandoned playgrounds scattered around the city. Most of the equipment was old, rusted and creaky, but still barely functional. Surprisingly, it wasn't even Carlos' idea. It was yours.
He still remembers the way you struggled trying to push him on the swings because of his weight, which he found way too funny and laughing the entire time.
Even the seesaw barely worked because of how much bigger he was, forcing him to push himself off the ground with his legs while laughing at your increasingly annoyed expression.
It wasn’t some huge romantic moment, but Carlos loved it because for a while, the world almost felt normal again
Another memory he secretly treasures isn't nearly as lighthearted, but it stayed with him just as deeply, was the first time you took care of him when he got injured
You were patching up one of his wounds carefully while softly scolding him for being reckless, and Carlos couldn’t stop watching you the entire time. Part of him barely focused on the pain at all, too distracted by your closeness and the careful way your hands moved against his skin.
Even while getting lectured, he still cherished every second of it because in that moment, he had your full attention. Moments like that quietly became home to him
𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲
I don’t even know where to start with this because there’s genuinely so much to cover. Carlos is both a soldier and a medic, so his brain is constantly scanning for danger: exits, injuries, changes in your expression, stress levels, anything that could put you at risk.
We see this clearly in the game itself. The second Carlos learns that Jill has been infected, he immediately goes off course to retrieve a vaccine without hesitation. Despite the chaos happening around him, his focus narrows entirely onto saving her. And afterwards, he still stays by her side
If you were in a romantic relationship or just someone important to him, that protective streak only intensifies. It shows in almost everything he does— checking rooms before you enter them, instinctively positioning himself positioning himself between you and danger, touching your shoulder or back to guide you somewhere safe
“Look at me. You’re okay.”
Even when he’s terrified himself, Carlos tries to stay calm for your sake. Not because he’s pretending not to be afraid, but because he wants you to feel safe enough to keep going
His protectiveness isn’t only physical, either. Carlos would protect your dignity just as fiercely. He’s usually the first to notice when you’re overwhelmed socially or uncomfortable in a conversation. Before things escalate too far, he’ll redirect the attention away from you or casually step in to diffuse the situation
After a particular bad close call, his protective tendencies probably become even stronger. Especially if he nearly loses you. Something like finding you infected and racing against time to secure treatment would leave a lasting mark on him emotionally
Another incident that deeply unsettled him was when the two of you got separated during a mission. Even if it was only for a few minutes, the silence over the radio and not knowing where you were nearly drove him insane. When he finally found you alive, the relief on his face was almost painful to look at. After that, his habit of checking in on you constantly became noticeably worse.
At times, his constant vigilance can feel a little overwhelming. But beneath it all, you understand it comes from a place of care. Carlos had spent most of his life surrounded by death, and losing someone he loves is one of the few things that genuinely shakes him
Ironically, he struggles with being protected himself. Carlos is used to being the caretaker that accepting help, especially from you, feels a little unnatural to him at first. It takes time, usually exhaustion or injury forcing his hand, before he finally lets himself lean on you too
𝐓𝐫𝐲
Spending time with Carlos comes naturally. He’s easy to be around, engaging, and always tries to make you laugh no matter the situation
Even while dating, his attention shifts toward making sure you’re okay first. Whether you’ve eaten, whether you're cold or stressed. Carlos notices those things almost immediately
A lot of his love shows through consistency, physical presence, and acts of service rather than huge extravagant gestures. Everything he does feels intentional. He remembers small passing comments you made days or even weeks ago and quietly incorporates them into the way he takes care of you
I think he probably finds comfort in focusing on those little details about you. It’s a relief from constantly needing to stay alert and watch his back
But I’ll be honest here, trying to properly date someone during a viral outbreak while civilians are actively dying around you makes romance a little difficult. But that doesn’t mean Carlos won’t try
Your “dates” probably aren’t traditional candlelit dinners or overly polished romantic gestures. Sometimes it’s sitting together during rare moments of quiet time, sharing food, talking, or just finding temporary normalcy together in the middle of chaos
Carlos isn’t flashy with romance, but he genuinely puts effort into making things work with you. He’d probably rub the back of his neck awkwardly and admit that he’s “not good at this romance stuff.”
“…but I’m trying here.”
The sincerity behind it makes those moments feel even more special.
Speaking of, as confident and socially smooth as Carlos usually is, there are rare moments where that confidence noticeably wavers around you. Especially whenever he's trying to do something genuinely romantic or emotionally sincere. Just seeing that softer uncertainty from someone usually so composed somehow makes his affection feel even more genuine
𝐔𝐠𝐥𝐲
We’ve touched on Carlos’ odd dishwashing habits when we talked about domestic life with him (which, to be fair, isn’t entirely his fault). A lot of these habits comes from practicality
This also ties with other things. Carlos is weirdly messy in very specific ways. As mentioned before, he cleans in bursts rather than consistently. The house can suddenly go from spotless to chaotic domestic clutter within a few days.
One of the more serious bad habits is how often he puts other people before himself. It comes with the territory after spending so much of his life protecting civilians and constantly prioritising everyone else’s safety all while nuking zombies.
Sometimes he pushes himself far too hard, insisting he’ll rest “after everyone else is okay”. You end up being the one reminding him to slow down and actually take care of himself too.
How was he supposed to keep protecting everyone else when he was barely holding himself together?
Carlos also has a habit of masking his own stress with humour. Sometimes he jokes his way through situations that are clearly affecting him emotionally rather than openly admitting something’s wrong
And finally another habit that does get on your nerves… this man swears like it’s a second language. It’s something he genuinely tries to work on, especially after having kids, but he does still occasionally slip up without thinking
“Oh sh—”
A tiny voice out of nowhere: “Papa, did you say a bad word O_O ?”
The way he immediately freezes afterwards kills you every time
𝐕𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲
Carlos is fully aware that he’s capable, attractive and good under pressure. He has a healthy ego and sometimes that confidence can come across as a little cocky, but never arrogant. No matter how confident he is in himself, he always has humility and never treats people like he’s above them
His confidence goes beyond just appearance too, Carlos is genuinely secure in himself. The way he carries himself feels approachable rather than intimidating.
Once you're together though, that cockiness can definitely come out more often. Teasing and flirting becomes second nature around you, mostly because he enjoys making you laugh and seeing your reactions rather than trying to feed his ego
“Are you checking me out again?”
“I was literally looking past you…”
“Mhmm sure.”
Carlos isn’t overly obsessed with his appearance, but he does take care of himself. Staying physically fit and presentable matters to him, especially after years spent relying on his body and endurance. Like, let’s not forget that this man is built like a unit. Carlos is VERY aware of how strong he is— we’ve seen the way he lift heavy weapons and carries people over his shoulder
He’d never outright flex for attention, but he absolutely uses it to his advantage sometimes. If he catches you struggling to lift something, he’ll casually pick it up with ease before glancing back at you with the most smug, lopsided grin imaginable
𝐖𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐞
As extroverted and people-orientated as Carlos is, I don’t think he’s the type to believe he needs another person to feel complete. Not because he’s emotionally distant of incapable of deep love, but because life forced him to emotionally prepare for loss from a very young age
Growing up surrounded by instability and death around his wake taught Carlos early on that nothing is truly permanent. As a result, he became used to carrying things on his own and slipping into the caretaker role rather than allowing himself to fully rely on others
Even so, that doesn’t make his feelings any less genuine or meaningful. Loving someone becomes even more important because he understands how fragile life really is
Carlos may not view you as the missing piece that makes him whole, but he absolutely sees you as one of the best parts of his life. An anchor into a world that once felt unpredictable and temporary
You gave him another reason to keep surviving, another reason to come home safely. And even if he doesn’t always say it out loud, he carries an enormous amount of gratitude for that
𝐗𝐭𝐫𝐚
Okay, so we know he’s born in the late 70s according to when the game is set (1998). If Carlos hadn’t joined the U.B.C.S, his playlist would probably be packed with 90s hits. Songs he swears he only listens to “ironically”
Despite only being 21 during RE3, sometimes he carries himself as someone older. Someone who’s worn down, experienced, exhausted in ways most people his age shouldn’t be. But his music taste gives away the more carefree side to him that still exists beneath all that.
He’d try to listen to almost anything at least once, though he naturally gravitates toward hip-hop and R&B. Artists like 2Pac and Aaliyah are probably a permanent staple to his playlist
He’s also the type to hum songs absentmindedly without realising, especially while cleaning weapons, driving or patching someone up (you’ve noticed a lot with the former when he’s behind the wheel). It’s one of the few habits that makes him seem his age again
𝐘𝐮𝐜𝐤
It would truly take a lot for someone to get on Carlos’ nerves, especially if he already cares deeply about them. Carlos understands trauma and fear better than most people, so he would never expect his partner to be positive all the time. However, there’s only so much negativity and hostility that Carlos can tolerate, especially when he’s already carrying so much of his own baggage internally
Carlos relies on humour as both a coping mechanism and a way to navigate emotionally heavy situations. A lot of the time, his teasing and jokes are an attempt to lighten the weight in the room, even while hiding his own racing thoughts underneath. So if someone constantly shuts that down or responds with hostility every time he tries to ease the tension, it would wear him down overtime
Another big turn off for him is a lack of empathy. Carlos is very human-oriented and emotionally perceptive. He always prioritises civilians and the safety of those around him. Someone who is unnecessarily cold, dismissive, or lacks compassion would genuinely bother him
Carlos takes emotional distress very seriously. Mocking vulnerability, humiliating people for their fears, or belittling someone for showing emotion would genuinely piss him off. If anything, it's one of the fastest ways to make him lose respect for somebody
𝐙𝐳𝐳
There are a lot of things about Carlos’ sleeping habits that reveal parts of his character. The most obvious is that he’s an incredibly light sleeper. Unfamiliar sounds or sudden movements can wake him almost instantly
Given his military background, unstable sleeping patterns became normal for him a long time ago. Sleeping in uncomfortable conditions, surviving on unpredictable schedules, learning to rest whenever possible. Carlos can fall asleep almost anywhere if he’s exhausted enough
Post-Racoon City, many of those habits still follow him. He unconsciously prefers sleeping where he can face the door, old instincts refusing to disappear. As mentioned before, he does occasionally have nightmares that would wake him up at night
There are days where he pushes himself too hard on purpose just so exhaustion knocks him out faster at night :( late night workouts, extra runs, anything physically demanding enough to quiet his mind and tire himself out
He sleeps best when there’s physical contact involved. You would find that he would always have an arm around you, legs tangled together. Sometimes he would even bury his face into your neck, just to feel your warmth even closer.
This got done quicker than I thought, still feel iffy about posting on tumblr… but I hope I haven’t ruined Carlos for anyone </3
Quick one: can I get a ‘Let’s chew ass and kick bubblegum!’ in my ask inbox if you made it this far and would want the NSFW version soon 💦 (just need to motivation to start it)
This scene between Clive and Jill is so cute and really points out the core tragedy of Clive's arc as someone too kind but never affording himself the same care.
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