multifandom. miguel o’hara. jennifer check. hobie brown. miles morales. spider noir. peter b parker. jason voorhees. michael myers. billy loomis. stu macher. carrie white. gwen stacy. maddy perez. cassie howard. jules vaughn. rue bennet. feszco. lexi howard. chanel oberlin. damon salvatore. harley quinn. patrick bateman. omniman. invincible. atom eve. choso. yuji itadori. saturu gojo. kento nanami. princess tiana. prince naveen. charlotte la’bouff. johnny cage. kitara. mileena. nitara. liu kang. scorpion.
rules — minors are welcome, but be aware. no rape, underage, non-consent, otherwise creepy and controversial requests! no racism, sexism, or zionists are welcome here either.
Coming back to tumble briefly to say, because it’s been plaguing me, The thing that really get me about Bruce and his moral code is not the fact he is so staunchly against killing or that even he saves bad guys like the joker or stops people from killing in his presence those are all fine he is well within his rights to do those things. but god he’s so goddam evangelical about the whole thing.
It’s not enough for you to just respect his rules you have to believe and you have to believe with your being. It’s not just enough that you don’t kill you have to feel bad if literally anybody dies in your presence you have to carry that guilt no matter how terrible the person was how much evil they’d done. It’s the whole basis for the fight he had Jason had over Felipe it didn’t matter whether Bruce believed Jason pushed or didn’t push him Jason’s biggest crime that day was that he didn’t particularly care that Felipe died, he wasn’t torn up about a soul being lost and Bruce couldn’t fathom it couldn’t fathom why his 15 year old didn’t seem to care that a rapist who got of completely unpunished by Justice fell to his death.
That has always been Jason’s biggest crime in the eyes of Bruce. Not that he kills people but that he doesn’t feel particularly torn up that they are dead. And given the type of people Jason wants to kill why should he?
nobody knows how this is my fav bruce wayne animation to ever exist good godddddddd he’s so freaking fine this is the bruce wayne i envision whenever i write fics about him im going so crazy
summary: in which the Justice League notice that Batman is infatuated with Bruce Wayne’s wife, and need to help him get over her (impossible)
pairing: husband!bruce wayne/batman x wife!reader
warnings: none? maybe mentions of slight violence. fluff.
a/n: inspired by this fic by @ilianasbruce
dividers by: @saradika-graphics and @cafekitsune
MASTERLIST part two!
it started when batman and superman were at the watchtower together.
they were doing their own work silently, at opposite ends of the table.
superman was pretending that he wasn’t secretly writing an article for the daily planet that was due within the week (that he had completely forgotten about), and batman was pretending that he wasn’t secretly texting his wife under the table.
bruce: how is the opera, my love? i’m sorry i couldn’t be there, the league has demands.
a lie. he just had a headache earlier and felt like jumping out of a window at the thought of having to put on a smile for the folk and sit through an opera. he did feel guilty about you being on your own, though.
you: it’s alright. i actually know some people here, and they aren’t all bad, bruce.
bruce: you say that now, but wait until they each give you a rundown on each car in their garage.
you: like how you give me a rundown on each gadget you come up with in the batcave?
bruce: that’s different.
you: of course it is. i actually like listening to you.
the familiar ‘ping!’ of one of batman’s gadgets interrupted the silence.
superman looked up, eager to be doing something other than whatever paper in front of him that he wasn’t even focusing on.
“what is that?” his words came out immediately, and before batman could answer, he was speaking again. “robbery? alien invasion?”
“Poison Ivy in Gotham.” Batman is already standing, beginning his exit of the watchtower. Superman follows him.
“Can I come? Please?”
Batman turns, looking at him. “What?”
“It’s boring in here!” Superman gestures around. “And if I’m on my own it’ll be even more boring. C’mon, Batman, I can help you.”
Batman considers it for a moment before sighing. “Fine. But we’re going in the Batmobile.”
“But I can-“
“You are not flying me there, Superman.”
A few minutes later, they’re in the opera hall. Ivy seems to have taken over the stage, giving a speech on ways for the average person to decrease their carbon footprint.
Batman can see a few different people caught between her weeds. Long, thick plants have people in their grip. He scans the room quickly for you, breathing a silent sigh of relief when he sees that you are not captured, but instead just huddled in the corner with a group of others.
Superman doesn’t notice the way that Batman isn’t looking at Ivy, and begins his attack. Batman quickly follows. After a swift battle (turns out having Superman as an ally cuts down on battle time), Ivy is restrained and authorities arrive. The two start on recovering civilians before they both encounter you.
You’re comforting one of the women that was tangled in the weeds. You’re sitting beside her, nodding as she talked. You recognise the familiar pair of boots coming from the side of you. Your head lifts up slightly as you catch sight of the two men.
“Are you alright, Mrs. Wayne?” Superman speaks first, the familiar concern he has for everyone clear in his voice and expression. He recognises you from articles, and he’s heard enough from Cat Grant at the Daily Planet to know you’re married to Bruce Wayne.
“Yes, I’m fine,” you answer with a small smile. Your eyes move to Batman. “Thank you.”
Superman gives Batman a side glance as he hears Batmans heart skip a beat when you smile at him. He tries to not to make his suspicion obvious. However, he turns a little when he hears that Batmans heartbeat is now quicker than it had been five minutes ago.
However, nothing on Batmans mostly covered face gave away any feelings. He just nodded and said a quick: “Stay safe, ma’am.”
And Superman didn’t bring it up again. Perhaps it was just a coincidence. A heart skip doesn’t always mean feelings of infatuation, right?
The second time is with Flash and Green Lantern.
Batman is a stark contrast to the pair. Barry and Hal are close friends, and joke around when put together. Bruce will sigh, and tell them to be quiet, and then Barry tries to be serious, but Hal will mutter a sarcastic comment that makes him start laughing again and the cycle repeats.
So Batman is already tense from working with the two.
They’re investigating a case together, and encounter you somehow. (sorry that’s so vague i literally cannot think of a specific scenario here to save my life)
Flash asks you a few questions if you’ve seen or heard anything suspicious, and you shake your head and answer. Barry notices Batmans shoulders softening a little beside him.
It isn’t hugely noticeable, but Barry senses it. Batmans shoulders loose some of their tension as he talks to you, this civilian. And when Hal opens his mouth to make an implying comment, he tenses right back up again.
Barry’s eyes narrow. It isn’t often that the Bat actually feels emotions, so when he does, his friends take an interest.
On the way back, Barry nudges Hal.
“Hey, you notice the way Bats was acting around that woman earlier?” He whispers so the third man in front of them doesn’t hear.
“You mean that really hot one? Who wouldn’t act like that around her? Did you see her, Bar?”
Barry gives him a look, “yeah, but this is Batman. Brooding, stays-in-the-shadows, feels-nothing-but-rage-24/7, Batman.”
Hal ponders before shrugging. “I don’t know, maybe Spooky’s changed. Never underestimate the power of a beautiful woman, Barry.”
Barry thinks. “She looked kinda familiar, didn’t she? I can’t think of where I’ve seen her before.”
And when they see that the familiar face they were talking to was Bruce Wayne’s wife, they give each other an alarmed look before looking at Batman from across the room.
The third time was with Oliver goddamn Queen.
A charity gala. Bruce couldn’t go because he had intel that Scarecrow was planning on infiltrating the building while everyone was distracted, something about wanting to ‘test out a new gas’, and he had to be on watch as Batman for the evening.
You, however, decided to go. You had a nice dress and were getting close to some of the women there your age. It was nice to not be a total stranger in the room anymore.
So, as you filtered around the room, you met Oliver Queen. He sometimes teases Bruce on purpose by asking for a dance with you at other galas, but without Bruce he was simply a friend to enjoy a chat with.
When Scarecrow did burst in, you actually had been dancing with Oliver. A friendly turn around the room like the others were doing. By the time Batman had taken him down, and everyone emerged from the corners or hidden rooms, Oliver checked to see if you were okay. Lord knows Bruce would probably blame him if anything happened to you.
You were fine, thank God. Oliver’s sentence was interrupted by the Bat himself.
“Was anybody harmed?” the gruff voice asked, his gaze trying not to linger on you for too long.
“I don’t think so,” you replied. Oliver looked at Batman with a certain questioning that nobody seemed to notice.
“Good.” Batman was silent for a moment before speaking again. “Perhaps you all should start making your ways home. Scarecrow might return, or someone worse.”
You don’t miss a beat. “It’s a good thing we have someone like you to protect us, Batman.”
“Only a fool wouldn’t protect you, ma’am.”
Oliver blinked. Is Batman . . . flirting? With a married woman? Also, was that sentence a sneaky diss on him?
and Oliver could’ve sworn on his entire fortune that Batman’s lips were almost in a grin during his next sentence.
“Your husband is probably waiting on you, Mrs. Wayne.”
Oliver raised his eyebrows at your response. You laughed a little under your breath before speaking, “probably. I wouldn’t want to keep him up.”
Oliver looks between you and Batman. Perhaps he’s imagining things. You turn to him as if you’ve just remembered that he’s still there.
“Oliver, you have a safe way home, right?”
“Yeah, I’ll call my driver.”
He doesn’t bring it up the next time he sees Batman as Green Arrow. Batman doesn’t speak of it either. But his eyes narrow a little at the Bats whenever Bruce Wayne or his wife is mentioned.
Eventually, it comes up in conversation when Batman isn’t there.
They’re in the common room, and Diana is flipping through the newspaper. She’s on a page that features a picture of you at the latest event with a description of your outfit beside it. Beside her, Hal recognises you.
“Hey, Flash,” he begins, stabbing the page with his finger. “Isn’t that who we were talking to a couple days earlier?”
Barry is behind the couch in a second, nodding. “Yeah, we asked her a couple questions with Batman.” He looks up a takes a quick glance to see if anyone’s expression changes. “He seemed . . . different around her.”
Clark closes the book in his hand with a loud snap, looking at the three on the couch.
“You’ve noticed too?”
Hal laughs, “that Bats has the hots for a married woman? Yeah.”
Diana frowns a little. “That is unlike Batman. He’s known for his self-restraint. It doesn’t seem likely he would harbour a liking for someone else’s wife, especially Bruce Wayne’s. Doesn’t Wayne sponsor him or something?”
Oliver joins in. “Wonder Woman, you haven’t seen him with her. I mean, it was only a few seconds but he was a totally different person.”
“How so?” Diana asked curiously.
“He . . . relaxed a little.”
She raised her eyebrows. Barry cut in.
“Wonder, you need to see it to understand it. It’s like no one else even enters his mind when he’s looking at her. I think everything else sorta faded away, you know?”
“Like in those rom-coms I’ve been shown?” She suggests.
“Yeah!”
Clark thinks for a moment, wondering what to do to help his obviously hopeless friend. How do you break the news to an emotionally constipated Bat that he has to squash his feelings before anything terrible happens?
So, they organise an intervention. A very unorganised organised intervention.
Your name gets mentioned during a briefing. About how you could be potential target for a kidnapping due to your status.
Hal’s mouth works quicker than his mind.
“What about Bruce Wayne?”
“What about Bruce Wayne?” Batman asks in his low voice, his back still turned to the team.
“Just saying, he’s probably a potential target too, right?” Green Lantern points out. “He’s her husband, after all.”
Batman turns. They all seem to be looking for his reaction.
“Right, I was just getting to that.” He says stiffly. “So I think until Joker is tracked down again, a pair of eyes should be on them. Since Gotham is my city, I can-“
“Ohhhh, hold on,” Flash says, leaning forward. “Central City has been very quiet lately, so I’m free too.”
Wonder Woman joins in. “I’m interested too. I think the more people, the quicker we could get this done.”
Batman blinks. “Why the sudden interest in Gotham from you two?”
They both shrug, mumbling incoherent words that overlap each other. Something about “new environments” and “change of pace”.
Green Arrow smirks. “I wouldn’t mind accompanying. (Name) and her husband should get all the protection they can get.”
Batman isn’t showing it, but he’s confused. Less members have volunteered themselves for prison breaks. Why are three other members wanting to go to Gotham for an unconfirmed threat? And why do they keep looking at him like that?
“Yes,” Superman clears his throat. “Mrs (Name) is a kind woman who shouldn’t be in danger. And Bruce Wayne is similar in nature. He is valuable to Gotham City.”
Batman prepared his disliking-Bruce-Wayne act with practised ease. “Bruce Wayne is a spoiled idiot.”
“Of course you think that.” Green Lantern mutters with a smug smirk. Flash nudges him.
“What do you mean?” Batman asks, and Hal practically explodes.
“We know you’re attracted to (Name) Wayne!” He says, making Barry cover his eyes with his hands. Not how the conversation was supposed to go.
“Excuse me?” Batman is -frankly- appalled. Hal grimaces, instantly reminded of who exactly he’s talking to.
“You’re, uh . . .” he splutters before quickly mumbling, “you’re in love with (name).” He gains some of his confidence, and straightens up again, “and you were about to let Bruce Wayne get kidnapped, so you could swoop in and seduce her!” He tops it all off with hand gestures of the supposed ‘swooping’.
Batmans gaze sweeps the table. Nobody meets his eye except Diana, who just seems to be staring at him for his response. A few of them have to stop themselves from laughing at the idea of Batman ‘seducing’ someone.
“And what exactly gave you that idea?”
Barry is filled with a newfound confidence. “Oh, c’mon Bats, a blind man would see how you act around her!” He smirked a little. “You went a little . . . soft.”
Green Arrow snorts. “Sometimes I think you’re only protecting Gotham because she’s in it.”
Batman thinks. Has he been that transparent? He’s always careful about his expressions and body reactions. Maybe he is getting soft. He obviously didn’t take enough care.
A fleeting image passes his mind, where he declares his love for you to the team. How could he not show you off? He would love to tell them that you were with him.
But, of course, he doesn’t do that. He just blinks.
“I am not in love with (name), that’s ridiculous.” He scoffs. “Number one, I don’t fall in love with anyone. Number two, she’s married, so I think that means she’s out of the dating pool.”
Not one face looking back at him looks convinced.
However, a cold stare and a swift change of topic ensured that nobody tries to start the conversation again.
They do, however, take a bigger interest in Gotham nowadays. Whenever a mission includes you somehow, there’s always one of them volunteering to go. They all think that distance will make sure Batman goes back to his cold and steely ways of not having a crush on anyone’s wife.
Bruce crawls under the covers with a small groan, shuffling next to you. His arms go around your warm body as he rests his face near yours. He’s desperate to soak up your warmth after being out in the cold all night.
“Long night?” you ask, your voice still quiet from sleep.
“Long day,” he responds, tucking himself into you. You keep your arms around him. “The League accused Batman of being attracted to Bruce Wayne’s wife today.”
It takes you a moment to realise what he’s talking about. You breathe out a laugh. “Is Batman not in love with me?”
Bruce grins against your skin. “He might be.” He murmurs. “Just a little, though.”
You raise your eyebrows, turning to look at Bruce. “Does Batman know I’m married? And that I’m very loyal to my husband?”
“Oh, yes,” he responded, and sits up a little. he pressed his forehead to yours. “and Batman knows that there’s nobody else on this earth that loves you more than I do.”
You smile, your fingers in his hair now. he leans closer to press his lips to yours, an action that you return. Bruce keeps himself against you for a long time. He likes falling asleep with you in his arms. He likes feeling like the protector.
It’s why he needs to sleep on the side of the bed closest to the door. It’s why he needs to know where you are each night. It’s why he needs to know you’re safe. And if your safety comes along with each League member giving him looks because they think he’s harbouring a crush for another man’s wife, then so be it.
Megan cooked for that man’s family, spent holidays with him, brought his favorite artists out for his birthday, bought a house with the man, expensive gifts, had him in such good graces with female fans bases—
JUST TO CHEAT. NOW KLAY THOMPSON IS PUBLIC ENEMY #1
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)
Glaring hole in Miguel x Spider!Reader fics that's never mentioned -
Or any Canon x Spider!Reader really
HEAR ME OUT -
Miguel probably wouldn't date another Spider-person.
Cause it's anomaly waiting to happen.
If you're with him you can't have your Gwen and Mary-Jane canon events, which may cause a ripple effect (Like Gwen's dad not dying either) and destabilize your universe.
Dating someone from another universe and inviting them into yours could be super dangerous, at least from Miguel's POV
I feel like two spider-people dating would be against the rules and Miguel would try to avoid it as much as possible between himself and between others.
Like if they catch you going to Hobies world too many times - that's a risk, your watch gets restricted and no more missions with him.
He needs to be available to his Mary-Jane if she comes along.
And pregnancies? Out of the question. A baby with the DNA from two dimensions is absolutely an anomaly - there might even be a risk of the universe collapsing during the pregnancy
Etc etc
Like Spider-people dating seems like it'd really threaten the society. And something they actively have to watch for and discouraged because of course people will connect through trauma and fall for each other
But by Miguel's logic, that's dangerous as hell and I think he'd try to avoid it, if he can help it.
Never see that mentioned. But I always think about it. I be reading fics trying not to notice.
"i would kill a pedophile to protect my child" ok but would you teach your child how to say no? even to adults? even to adults you like? would you teach your child the words "penis" and "vulva" and then use them? would you let them ask questions about their body? would you answer them honestly? would you learn how to cope with your feelings when you talk about human bodies, so they don't feel ashamed? would you set a positive example for how you talk about your body? would you tell your child they don't have to hug or kiss anyone? would you tell your family the same? would you stand by them when they refuse to hug someone? even someone you know has never done anything to hurt them? would you let your child avoid food they don't like? would you let you child avoid people they don't like? would you believe them? would you sit in the discomfort of not knowing all the answers and not take it out on them? would you love your child the same if someone did hurt them? would you make them feel valued just as they are? would you let them talk to doctors or nurses in private? would you let them express their feelings? would you show interest in their life? would you let your child say no to you? would you help your child feel safe coming to you when they make a mistake? would you apologize to your child? would you believe them? would you put aside your anger to focus on what would make your child feel safe and loved? would you put your ego aside for your child? would you take your child's concerns seriously? would you listen to your child? would you believe them?
𝐂𝐖 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐖: Fluff, Fluff, FLUFFFFF, small misunderstanding, food.
𝐀/𝐍: Sorry this took so long, had a lot of irl stuff happening and been writing this in between job applications 😭
𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: After a moment that almost crossed a line, you and Miguel find yourselves circling the truth over lunch.
~
The sun hung high enough to flood Miguel’s kitchen in a warm, golden light that spilled across the countertop and caught the edges of the cabinets. The apartment was quiet, saved for the low murmur of the television drifting from the living room.
Miguel moved around the kitchen with ease, unloading the dishwater and stacking plates into their proper places.
“You make coffee yet or are you pretending to be productive?” Gabriel called out from the couch. He was half-sprawled across it, eyes on the TV but attention clearly split.
“I already had some,” Miguel responded.
“Without me? Qué traición.”
“You got here at eleven.”
“Exactly. Prime coffee hour,” Gabriel grinned.
Miguel rolled his eyes, but reached for another mug anyways. Gabreil had made himself comfortable the second he walked in— shoes kicked off, remote claimed, couch conquered. That was what happened when someone came over often enough to stop knocking.
Miguel slid the coffee pot into the machine. It hissed to life, the steady drip filling the mug as the rich scent spread through the kitchen.
For a moment, it wasn’t his apartment anymore.
It was the cafe— the one you went to on your first date. The sunlight through the tall windows, the quiet hum of the conversation, the warmth of the cup between his hands. The atmosphere was scenic.
And then there was your smile.
It lingered longer than it should have.
Miguel blinked, forcing himself back to the present. His brother was here. He needed to focus.
Strange, how something as ordinary as coffee could feel different now. Like the scent had attached itself to something softer. He wasn’t used to someone taking up this much space in his head.
“So what's on the agenda, today? Are you working?” Gabriel asked.
Miguel turned toward the living room. “Yeah. Some backlog stuff. Nothing crazy.”
“You say that every time and then you come home looking like you fought the printer.”
“The printer started it.”
Gabriel hummed but didn’t push, watching him over the back of the couch. Miguel carried the filled mug into the living room and set it down on the coffee table in front of him.
Gabriel ran a hand through his hair and grabbed the mug with a boyish grin. Before taking a sip, his eyes lingered on Miguel as he moved to sit down.
“You're weirdly energetic today,” Gabriel commented casually.
“I slept fine.”
“Didn't say you didn't.”
Miguel tilted his head slightly at the remark, suddenly feeling self-conscious under Gabriel’s gaze. His brother wasn’t usually the type to call things out like that.
Now Miguel found himself wondering what it was Gabriel was seeing.
Was it that obvious?
Before he could ask, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He pulled it out and glanced at the notification.
[Y/N]:
‘I really enjoyed your company yesterday. Could you help me with something on my laptop? I promise it’s a real issue this time and definitely not an excuse just to see you on Monday ;)’
Something in his posture softened when he saw your name. The tension on his shoulders eased, and the corner of his mouth lifted almost without noticing.
His thumb lingered on the screen a moment longer than it should have.
“That didn’t look like a work email,” Gabriel said.
Miguel glanced up. “It wasn’t…”
“You gonna tell me who made you look at your phone like that?”
Miguel hesitated just a fraction too long, his self-consciousness came crawling back. How obvious was he? He swallowed and shook his head gravelly.
“It’s nothing.”
But Gabriel wasn’t buying it.
“Come on, I know that look.”
Miguel locked his phone and set it face down on the coffee table, taking a seat in the armchair.
“She just needed help with something.”
There it was. The first acknowledgement. Gabriel’s eyebrows lifted immediately.
“Ohhh. ‘She’.”
Miguel regretted the slip instantly.
“It’s just someone from work.”
The words felt dismissive the moment they left his mouth. As if whatever this was between you could be reduced to something that simple.
But things were still new. Fragile.
And Gabriel didn’t need to know everything.
“You don’t check your phone twice for just someone from work,” Gabriel added.
Miguel tried to hide his smile, but failed.
Gabriel noticed immediately, shifting in his seat as he leaned forward, clearly entertained now.
“Go on…”
Miguel paused, debating on where to even begin.
The afterglow he felt when he left your place the previous day was still there, lingering at the edge of his thoughts. It made everything feel a little lighter, like the world had shifted half a degree in a better direction.
After sharing breakfast in your kitchen— in your space— you had insisted he stay a little longer. It hadn’t taken much convincing.
He helped clean up, the two of you ended up watching some meaningless show on the couch. Neither of you were really paying attention to it, but the quiet company felt easy.
Eventually he left, not wanting to overstay or disturb the calm you seemed to have settled into. Before he did, you both promised to meet again Monday at lunch like usual.
Miguel didn’t plan on mentioning the shared lunches.
Or the coffee date.
Gabriel would blow that completely out of proportion.
And he definitely wasn’t about to mention the part where the two of you had fallen asleep on your couch, tangled together like it was the most natural thing ever.
That was a conversation he had no intention of having with his brother.
Or anyone.
Not now.
Maybe not ever.
“There’s nothing more to say,” Miguel said finally.
Gabriel blinked. “So… someone from work. That's all you’re going to give me?”
“That's all there is.”
“So she’s not the reason you suddenly care about cleaning your apartment?”
Miguel exhaled sharply. “It’s not like that.”
“Okay,” Gabriel said, lifting his mug slightly. “What’s it like then?”
Miguel hesitated, picking his next words carefully.
He hadn’t even realised how meticulously he cleaned the apartment this morning. The whole time you were on his mind as he dried his dishes and wiped down the countertops.
At one point he’d been so distracted he cleaned the same plate three times.
Thankfully Gabriel didn’t notice.
But why was he doing that?
He hadn’t even invited you over, and yet he was rearranging things as if you were already on your way.
A smug look grew on Gabriel’s face. “Dios mío. You’re nervous,”
“I am not nervous.”
“You’re in your thirties and acting like you’re sixteen.”
Miguel shot him a look but didn’t say anything.
The truth was, he was nervous.
Not just because of the way you made him feel, but because he didn’t want to mess things up again. He’d already upset you once without realising and had only barely managed to make it right.
What if next time you weren’t as forgiving?
Gabriel’s grin didn’t fade. Seeing him so relaxed only made the contrast sharper.
Gabriel had always been like this with him— poking, prodding, trying to get a reaction.
Still, beneath the teasing they did look out for each other.
Gabriel had never been shy about sharing details of his own dating life. Whenever they met up, he talked about everything. Every date, every story. Trusting Miguel to listen.
Miguel had always been the opposite.
He hadn’t dated in a while anyways, so there hadn’t been much to say.
And with you… things were still new.
You’d only gone on one proper date— the one you initiated. He didn’t know where this was going yet. And until then, he’d rather keep it to himself.
Gabriel lifted the mug to take another sip before speaking. “You’re thinking about her right now, aren’t you?”
“I’m literally sitting here.”
“And somehow you still look like you’re somewhere else.” He set the mug down and leaned back against the couch. “So when do I meet her?”
Miguel stiffened at that, shooting him a look.
“You’re not meeting anyone.”
“Wow. Protective already.” Gabriel rested his arms behind his head. “She must be something.”
After that, Gabriel seemed to finally drop the subject the rest of the morning. But Miguel knew better than to think it was over.
The next time he came over, he’d bring you up again. And when he did, he’d have more questions. Miguel would be ready for that.
Or at least… he hoped he would.
~
The glow from your laptop screen reflected faintly on Miguel’s glasses as he worked. You sat beside him in the chair near his desk, watching his fingers move quickly across the keyboard, the soft rhythmic clicking filling the small office.
He adjusted his frames and furrowed his brow in concentration. You tilted your head slightly before looking back at the screen, fidgeting with the sleeve of your sweater.
“Please don’t judge me,” you joked, with a hint of nervousness.
Miguel’s lips twitched. “That’s never a good way to start.”
After sending Miguel that text about your laptop, you hadn’t been able to stop thinking about seeing him again. It was silly, considering you were going to see him at lunch time anyway, but something about the thought of stopping by his desk first thing in the morning made you feel fluttery inside.
So the moment you clocked in, you made your way straight to the IT department.
Miguel had only just arrived himself. You caught him in the middle of settling in, his jacket draped over the back of his chair, revealing the pale dress shirt underneath.
Your eyes lingered for a second longer than they probably should have before Miguel greeted you warmly. You quickly forced yourself to look away.
Seeing him first thing in the morning already felt like it was going to make the rest of your day better.
And now here you were, sitting beside him while he examined your laptop.
“My laptop's been making noises,” you admitted sheepishly.
Miguel glanced over. “Noises?”
“Like a tiny airplane trying to take off.”
Miguel glanced down at the keyboard, pressing a few keys.
“That’s the fan.”
“It sounds… stressed.”
“It is stressed…” He tilted the screen toward himself and squinted slightly.
For a moment, the only sound in the room was the soft clicking of Miguel typing. Every few seconds he paused, studying the screen as if piecing something together.
Until he stopped entirely.
“You have a lot running right now… including three weather tabs open,” he pointed out, not accusing.
You opened your mouth to respond but found no clever remark to defend yourself with. Mostly because he was right. You had completely forgotten how many things were running. Half the time you didn’t even remember to log out or shut the computer down properly.
Miguel huffed a quiet laugh at your gaping silence, shaking his head as he clicked through the programs.
“Your computer’s basically begging for mercy,” he said.
“So it’s not dying?”
“No. Just overheating.” He leaned closer to the screen, typing something quickly. “I’ll clean up some background processes and it should stop sounding like that.”
You nodded, watching him work for a moment. Hearing him say that he would fix something felt reassuring now, because you knew he would get it done quickly.
His concentration was intense, his brow slightly furrowed behind his frames. The quiet between you never felt awkward, especially when you watched him like this.
You tried not to stare too hard as you noticed the slow rise and fall of his chest as he breathed. The same chest you rested your cheek on, feeling his heartbeat.
Your stomach fluttered at the memory. Neither of you had mentioned that night again after that. Maybe Miguel didn’t want to make things awkward.
You remembered how wrinkled his shirt was when you both woke up that morning, the top two buttons undone and his hair unkempt— how comfortable and relaxed he looked in your living room.
Now his shirt was crisp and neatly buttoned to the collar. A contrast to what he had allowed you to see that Friday evening. There was something intimate about seeing both sides of him.
Your gaze drifted back up to the glasses resting on the bridge of his nose.
And that was when you noticed it.
A faint smudge on his lens.
You perked up. “Wait.”
Miguel halted.
“What?”
“Your glasses.”
He reached up instinctively. “What about them?”
“They’re smudged,” you paused before leaning forward. “Hold on.”
You stood from your chair and reached toward him, fingers brushing lightly against the arms of his glasses. Miguel stiffened at the sudden closeness, but he didn’t stop you.
Carefully, you slid the glasses off his face, making sure not to poke him with the frame. You wiped the lenses clean, checking for any remaining smudges before turning back to him.
You could have just handed them back.
But something came over you in the moment— boldness, maybe.
Whatever it was, it made you ignore the quiet logic nagging at you as you leaned closer again, lifting the glasses to slide them back onto his face. Miguel’s eyes fluttered briefly as you adjusted the frames until they sat just right.
“There. Better?” you asked, your voice coming out softer than you expected at that moment.
Miguel blinked once behind the lenses.
“Yeah… thanks.”
But you didn’t pull your hands away.
They lingered lightly on the arms of his glasses. You heard his breath stutter, but his eyes never left yours.
You couldn’t bring yourself to move, too drawn to the closeness now. Your gaze drifted from his eyes behind the lenses, down the line of his cheek, to his lips— lingering there for a moment before returning his gaze again.
The memory of that night surfaced in your mind again, the warmth, the closeness. It still hadn’t properly sunk in that you were even closer to him now than you had been then.
Miguel was still watching you, his lips slightly parted, as if he were patiently waiting to see what you would do next.
The uncertainty was still there in the way he looked at you. But so was the curiosity.
Just to test the waters, you leaned a little closer. Your hands slid down to rest against his cheeks.
Miguel leaned forward too, just barely, letting out a quiet, shaky breath as his hands lifted to brush against yours where they rested on his face.
And then, your phone vibrated.
The moment shattered immediately.
But for a second, neither of you moved.
You hands were still on his face, his breath warm against yours, like the moment hasn’t quite caught up with reality yet.
Then your hands dropped and you both pulled away at the same time, like you’d been caught in the middle of something you weren’t supposed to be doing.
“Shit—”
Your heart rate spiked.
How did this even happen?
How did you even allow it to happen?
Neither of you spoke for a moment. You both looked away, the heat of embarrassment crawling up your neck. Suddenly, you were fixated on the blank wall in front of you, wishing you could somehow disappear into it.
And yet you could still feel Miguel’s presence beside you, heavy in the silence.
You dared a quick glance back at his direction. He had turned his head slightly, one hand rubbing over his stubble as if he was still processing what had just happened.
Your phone vibrated again against the desk.
Right…
You quickly grabbed it, pulse still thumping loudly in your ears. A message from your manager asking you where you were.
Seeing his name on your screen suddenly reminded you exactly where you were— that this wasn’t another quiet moment where it was just the two of you.
It was an open office.
At work.
Which somehow made the whole situation even more mortifying.
Miguel adjusted his glasses again absentmindedly, still avoiding your gaze.
You swallowed and slipped your phone back into your pocket.
“Uhm…” you started, immediately regretting opening your mouth without knowing what to say.
Miguel finally looked back at you.
His expression didn’t reveal much, but you knew him well enough by now to recognise the storm of thoughts probably running through his mind.
Strangely, he looked more composed than you felt. Though maybe he was just trying to collect himself.
“I should uhm— go to my office,” you said, lifting your laptop from the desk. “My manager is asking for me.”
Miguel nodded, rubbing the back of his neck.
“Yeah… yeah, that’s fine.”
A small pause.
“We can… talk later.”
His words hung between you, making your stomach flip at the implication of them. You slid your laptop back into your bag, brushing at your clothes as if smoothing out wrinkles that weren’t really there.
As you turned to leave, you caught Miguel glancing at your lips one last time before quickly looking away. Like the sight had burned him.
~
“There you are. I was starting to think IT kidnapped you.”
You stumbled back into your designated department, catching your breath from rushing up the stairs. And of course, your manager had to throw a sarcastic remark the moment you walked in.
You placed your back under your desk, still taking a few steady breaths before answering.
“Sorry. My laptop was making…. noises.”
“Noises?”
You nodded. “Apparently it was just overheating. But it’s okay. I got IT to fix it.”
“Good. By the way, I will need those quarterly reports later.”
“Right. Reports.”
The words barely registered.
Miguel’s expression as you left flashed back in your mind— the way his eyes lingered on your, like there was something left unsaid.
You wondered what had been going through his head at that moment. Embarrassment. That thought alone eased something slightly in your chest, knowing he felt the same way you did
But there was something else too, something you couldn’t describe.
“Are you alright?” your manager asked.
You nodded quickly, trying to look present in the moment.
“Yeah… yeah of course.”
Your manager studied you for a second. “You look out of it.”
Your ears felt warm. You quickly shook off the moment and forced a wry smile.
“Just trying to get back into things after the weekend,” you said lightly.
Not a complete lie, Monday mornings were always the hardest. Your manager nodded, seemingly satisfied with that answer.
You sat down at your desk, immediately reaching for your mouse— then pausing, fingers hovering like you’d forgotten what you were about to do.
Despite trying to forget about what just happened in the IT office, you knew you were going to see Miguel at lunch. So the moment would come up again. Or at the very least, the aftermath of it would.
You couldn’t stop yourself from replaying the moment over and over. The small pause after you placed his glasses back on him. Your hands lingering on his face, fingers curling slightly like they forgot to let go.
The way Miguel looked back up at you. And then you leaned in, slowly closing the gap. Your breath caught.
Did he lean in too? Or did you imagine it?
You frowned slightly.
No— he did. He had to have. His hands were reaching for you. And the way he pulled away too like he was just as guilty.
You brushed your fingers over your lips, still feeling the ghost of his breath, warm and uneven.
Were you really about to kiss in an office on a Monday morning?
Why did that feel so much more daunting than it should’ve?
You had literally slept on the couch together, and you woke up on his chest. And yet that— that almost kiss— felt like crossing a line you couldn’t ignore.
A kiss, something that would only last a few seconds, was nothing compared to being in each other's personal space the whole night.
No, it was more than that.
Because sleeping beside him had just happened. A quiet series of moments that led there naturally. It was nothing but sleeping arrangements.
But a kiss required intention. And intention meant risk. That was why it felt more intimate, even if it were just a few seconds of spark. Once it happened, there was no pretending it was a coincidence anymore.
You exhaled slowly, pressing your lips together as your gaze flickered around the office before settling back on your screen.
You remembered the small IT office with the cables lining the walls and fluorescent lighting. That wasn’t exactly the setting you imagined for a first kiss.
Not compared to your apartment with the quiet and warmth. The soft glow of the lamps and candles. The office couldn’t compare to that romantic atmosphere.
Romantic…
No, why were you thinking about romance so soon.
It had barely been a couple of weeks. Still… a small part of you felt disappointed that it didn’t happen.
That feeling twisted quickly into something else though— relief.
At least you weren’t forced to react. At least you had time to think.
Thankfully you were interrupted by a text message, and not someone walking in. You couldn’t even imagine how it would go if someone caught you in the act. The mercy of timing, even if it did sting.
Your fingers stilled against the desk. You leaned in first. The memory twisted uncomfortably in your stomach. Miguel was reaching for you… but what if he was just reacting? What if he hadn’t meant to?
You exhaled sharply, looking back at your monitor but not really paying attention. Did you ruin everything?
You didn’t want to start falling into a rabbit hole of what-ifs. So you forced yourself to be practical, focusing on your work for the next few hours, running on autopilot. You got through more than you expected.
And then, inevitably, you found yourself zoning out again, staring blankly at the text on your screen. Your manager walked past, barely passing you a glance.
“Can you send me those updated figures before lunch? Thanks.”
“Yeah. Of course,” you replied automatically.
The words floated around in your head, not fully landing until a second later. Your brows furrowed slightly.
Wait.
… what figures?
You blinked, glancing up, but your manager was already gone. And then it clicked.
Right.
Those figures.
Your heart picked up slightly at how far gone you’d been. You opened your inbox and clicked to compose a new email, your cursor moving on instinct.
Before you even realised what you were doing, you’d typed a name into the subject line.
Miguel.
Your stomach flipped.
You froze for a split second before quickly deleting it, glancing around your desk as if someone might’ve seen your screen over your shoulder.
You stared at the now-empty subject line. This was getting ridiculous. You really needed to get a grip.
At least lunch wasn’t too far away.
~
Miguel tapped his finger on his computer mouse rapidly, the soft clicks filling the quiet of his office as he checked the time on his monitor for the umpteenth time.
Lunchtime couldn’t come any slower.
He adjusted his collar again, loosening the fabric slightly. Ever since that morning, it felt too tight around his neck, almost suffocating. He wasn’t sure if it was just something to keep his hands busy… or if it had more to do with the way his chest hasn’t quite settled since you left.
His gaze drifted toward the spot where you’d been standing earlier. Where you reached for his glasses. The way you hovered when you put them back on. The memory was still too fresh.
Your hands had been against his face, and it made something in his chest tighten in a way he couldn’t explain. You looked… close. Closer than you’d ever been.
Pretty.
He almost hadn’t even realised what was happening at first. Not until your eyes fluttered and you leaned in. His grip on the mouse tightened slightly.
There had been a moment, brief but loud in his head, where he hesitated. Too many thoughts and cautions flooded in his head all at once. Too many ways it could go wrong.
And then he leaned in too. A slow exhale left him.
And just like that, it was over.
Cut short before he could even process it properly. Since then… nothing from you. No messages. No follow-up. Even though he’d checked his phone more times than he cared to admit.
That worried him. He knew he was going to see you at lunch, yet still…
Did he make you uncomfortable?
His jaws tightened slightly.
Maybe he should’ve said something. Anything, instead of just reacting impulsively. But what could he have said?
Anything in that moment would’ve made it more awkward if he spoke. Now lunch was coming, and with it, the conversation he said he’d have later.
His gaze flickered back to the clock. How were you even supposed to bring something like that up?
Would you?
Or would you both pretend it didn’t happen?
The thought sat uneasily in his gut. Because ignoring it didn’t feel right either. Not when it loomed over him like this. He sighed quietly, running a hand over his face. He just hoped you didn’t regret it.
At last, lunch time had arrived. Miguel had never stood up from his seat so fast. He didn’t know why he was so keen to see you after what had happened earlier. Maybe he just needed to know how this would unfold.
Which was unlike him.
Miguel was never good with confrontations, especially not with people he cared about.
You were already standing outside the break room. There it was— the small, familiar smile when you saw him. But your posture was a little stiff. Just enough for him to notice.
Had the events from earlier affected you that much too?
“Hey…” you breathed.
“Hey.”
A small pause followed, the two of you slowly starting to clock each other
“You, uh… made it through the morning,” you said.
“Barely.” Miguel shrugged.
“Same.”
Neither of you said anything else as you walked to your table. Miguel walked slightly ahead, his pace just enough that he didn’t have to look directly at you.
He wasn’t sure if you were watching him from behind or avoiding his gaze entirely— and he didn’t want to think too hard about it either.
The silence wasn’t uncomfortable. Just… heavier than usual.
The scrape of the chair against the floor sounded louder than it should’ve, making him wince slightly as he pulled it out. You sat down first, pulling your lunch from your bag, but you didn’t start eating.
“Did the rest of your computers survive today?” you asked casually.
“For now, give it an hour.” Miguel reached into his bag, pulling out his food container.
“I’ll try not to break mine again,” you murmured.
Miguel glanced up briefly, giving a small smile. “I don’t think it was your fault.”
You both took a bite from your food, exchanging glances. You didn’t say anything else after that. But the tension lingered, quiet and persistent, like something waiting to be acknowledged.
Miguel shifted slightly in his seat, searching for something to say. Anything to keep the silence from stretching too far
“Did your laptop start making noise again?”
It was safe. Neutral. Something he could ask without thinking too much. But really, he just wanted to hear you talk again.
You shook your head. “No. It’s been quiet. Thanks for fixing it.”
“Anytime.”
He let his gaze linger for a moment longer, studying your expression. From the looks of it, you looked normal. At least, you were trying to be. Just like him.
He looked back at his food, taking a few bites, though even that felt like effort. His fork hovered for a moment longer before he absently turned it between his fingers, his thoughts elsewhere.
The silence crept back, but this time, he felt it. His eyes flickered up to you again without meaning to.
“You seem distracted,” you said.
Miguel met your gaze. “I could say the same.”
You only shrugged, taking another bite from your food, like it gave you an excuse not to respond. That was it.
Something in him shifted. The fork felt heavy between his fingers. He couldn’t just leave it like this. Not when it was sitting right there between you
After all, he was the one that said he was going to discuss it later
“About earlier—” he began.
You perked up immediately, your attention fully on him. Too late to take it back now. The words felt lodged in his throat but he forced himself to continue, before he backpedaled.
“Sorry… I just— I didn’t want to make you feel…”
He stopped himself, the sentence unfinished but clear enough.
“You didn’t make me uncomfortable,” you said.
He nodded once. “Okay.”
Relief came, but it still didn’t settle everything. Not even close. Because that still left everything else
How was he supposed to unpack this? What would you even say? He didn’t need to ask what you were trying to do earlier. He knew.
The way you leaned in. The way your hands stayed on his face. His cheeks still felt warm where you touched him… or maybe that was from how warm the room was getting.
He swallowed, fixing his collar again then reaching up to adjust his glasses. Only to pause briefly at the motion.
Right… the thing that started all this.
You let out a soft laugh, breaking the tension just enough.
“We’re really really good at making normal situations complicated.”
Miguel huffed quietly. “Yeah… we are.”
It was supposed to sound lighthearted. And it did… slightly. But the thought lingered anyway. Was this even a normal situation— trying to kiss your coworker while on the clock?
He finally took another bite of his food, more out of habit than anything else, his mind still circling back to the same place.
“I, um… I leaned in first,” you confessed quietly, avoiding his eyes before taking a small bite.
It wasn’t much, but it eased that tension that wedged between you, just enough.
“I know,” Miguel said. “I didn’t stop you.”
“It wasn’t accidental.”
“No… I don’t think it was.” Miguel swallowed. “I didn’t mind.”
“I didn’t want to stop.”
“Me neither,” he admitted. “I would’ve kept going.”
It was the truth, quiet but undeniable.
And yet, as the words left his mouth, a flicker of hesitation crept in. Not regret— definitely not that. Just awareness.
Maybe this was a little too fast. Not in a bad way, but just enough that it made him pause. He didn’t want to rush things with you. Not when everything so far had unfolded in a way that felt right.
Still, a kiss felt like a step neither of you had fully prepared for. His thoughts drifted briefly, recalling Gabriel unsolicited comments from the other day.
How nervous he looked.
Yeah. That tracked.
You made him nervous in a way that didn’t feel like something to avoid, but something to be careful with.
“So… now what?” you asked.
Miguel’s expression softened.
“We don't have to figure it out right now.” He paused slightly before continuing. “But maybe just... don't try to kiss in the IT office.”
You laughed again. “Yeah. Probably a good place to start.”
Miguel let out a quiet breath, taking another bite of his food. This felt more manageable. The rest of your lunch went better.
Conversation flowed easier— small, familiar things. Work, nothing important. Just enough to fill the space between you without pressing too hard on what had already been said.
He looked down at his food, pushing it around the container with his fork. His thoughts wandered again, this time, he didn’t quite stop them.
They circled back to you.
He thought about the conversation again.
From your close proximity. To the way you’d laugh just now.
He thought back to when he made you homemade food for lunch. And then another scenario popped into his head, uninviting.
Dinner. With you. At his place.
He stilled for a moment. Where did that come from?
But his imagination unravelled further. You, sitting on his kitchen countertop, the low hum of the fan overhead filling the quiet. The soft light catching along your features just right.
Him handing you a small taste test before plating anything properly. Waiting for your reaction.
His stomach flipped, almost shaking his head at himself for thinking so far. It was way too soon. Sure, you shared breakfast together but that was spontaneous.
Dinner was a chance to wind down together, be closer while he would share something he loved in his own personal space.
The last thing he wanted was to make things weird again after you’d just managed to steady them.
Still… the thought sent a pleasurable shiver through him.
“Are you alright?” you asked, tilting your head.
Miguel almost jolted at your question, but nodded quickly.
“Yeah…” he cleared his throat lightly. “Just thinking about the workload I have to do after this.”
“Hmm, me too. I probably have to head back now anyway,” you huffed.
He nodded, grateful for the shift, even if his mind hadn’t fully let go of where it had been moments ago. The thought still floated in his head.
As you both stood and made your way out of the break room, you slowed just slightly at the doorway and shared a glance
Then you both went your separate ways, the rest of your shift moving forward.