#caleb headcanons

[maimaily]

sleeping habits.

midnight thoughts turned into headcanons.

a/n: wanted to finish some drafts to get out of writer's block before starting two recent requests!

headcanons masterlist

Zayne — Light sleeper. He always takes a shower before going to bed; he can't fall asleep otherwise. Has plain pajamas in cool tones, but in summer, he can sleep shirtless (🫦). Doesn't move much during the night and breathes softly, letting soft sighs pass through his lips when he's fully asleep. As a doctor, he is aware of the rule of no screens before bedtime, but 1) sometimes he goes straight to bed after typing reports, and 2) he likes to chat with you before going to sleep, so he doesn't follow it that much. When you're sleeping by his side, he either lets his arm open so you can cuddle beside him or he fully spoons you.

Rafayel — Heavy sleeper, but he wakes up at random noises, yet NEVER the alarm. He doesn't set alarms unless he has plans with you, and yes, he goes 5:50, 6:00, 6:10, 6:20- it's a nightmare. Can sleep very still and stiff when he finally rests after overworking himself (meaning he doesn't fully rest, but sleep is sleep), or in starfish mode. He has a huge bed for a reason, y'know? Gets tangled in the sheets, his pillows get all messy, and he can sleep in the weirdest positions when he's sleeping by himself. If you're with him, he needs to hug you or touch you in any kind of way.

Xavier — HEAVY SLEEPER. I don't think there's much I can say about him. We know he can sleep on the sofa, the bed, his bean bag... and he's definitely a pretty sleeper most of the time. Key word: most. When he's been sleeping for over 12 hours, his face gets all smushed on the pillows, his lips a little puckered, and cheeks squished oh so cutely, you have to take a photo! If you tease him too much, he won't wake up, but will start mumbling and bury his face in the pillows. Cuteness aggression goes hard with him. Rewarding of his clothes... whatever is comfy and warm will do. If you're sharing a bed, ditch one of the pillows; you're either sleeping on top or underneath him, so no more than one pillow is needed at this point.

Sylus — Oh, he's big. He's taking up a lot of space on the bed, that's why he has a custom-made mattress: perfect size, perfect cushioning. Wears fancy pajamas/robes or sleeps straight up naked/in underwear, on his stomach and face smushed on the pillows too... but he's too handsome, even his smushed face looks handsome, and kissable, too kissable... Don't kill me, but I think he snores a little bit, but it's more like a low grumble. He's a heavy sleeper, but his senses are too sharp; he will wake up if he perceives any weird noise. Most likely to sleep on top of you and bury his face in your neck. Sleeping on your bed will force you to snuggle closer, but oh well... can you reaaaally complain?

Caleb — My poor baby is a light sleeper :( I think it's rare if he gets to the REM phase, so he's always alert and frustrated because he can't fully rest. When he was younger, even if he had nightmares, he could sleep a bit more soundly. Of course, his sleep quality goes exponentially up when you sleep by his side. Spooning you is enough for him, and he likes it when you cling to his arm or put a hand on his chest. He feels like he can finally relax.

Tag list: @hirayalia @totallyuniquenut @foxfairylights @cherrysherryblossom @hilliserose @emowitchwithatwist @violasepals @animegamerfox

I hope that tagging you for headcanons is also okay !! If you don't want to be tagged, just tell me :)

[awwgasm]

꩜ trigger warnings | this is 18+ content. contains mentions and/or descriptions of man handling, choking, size difference if you really squint

caleb definitely gets off by using his strength on you. it really gives him a kick knowing he's stronger than you, faster than you, that he can manhandle you in whatever position he pleases with little to no strength even needed. whether it's letting you sit on his back while he does pushups or throwing you over one shoulder when you whine about not getting your way, caleb loves the idea of it. even more so when he's got one thick arm wrapped around your throat in a headlock while he pounds you from behind, the soft coo of his voice a stark contrast from the way his cock assaults your poor fluttering cunt, murmuring, "look at you take it like such a good girl, huh? you like it when I get a little rough with you, hm? yeah, you do. I can feel you clenching around me." you can hear the smirk in his voice. "nasty thing."

[mwphisto]

Your poor living room couch, honestly you don’t know how it’s surviving as long as it is without any breaks or stains.

Caleb is sitting dead center, not a single shred of clothing left to cover any of his skin. Legs spread, face relaxed. He has you right on top of him, sweaty chest pressing against your back, your neck craned all the way back to rest on his shoulder. Mouth agape as pleasure overwhelms every part of your body.

Still, you feel incredibly exposed. Those muscular legs are spread wide, as result he has your legs spread just as far. Each one hooked over his, keeping you on full display as he uses the ground and back of your couch for leverage. Hips raised slightly so he can pound up into you without any resistance. It’s nearly mind numbing.

“C-ca-caleb…” a pathetic little choke of his name, accompanied by a moan that could make a sailor blush.

You feel his fingers twitching in the fat of your thigh, the urge for his hands to move and touch every part of you. But you can’t be obedient, you can’t keep your legs spread nice n’pretty for him. Every time he lets go, they involuntarily try to shut.

The pleasure is too much.

“Gotta keep it down, baby. Don’t want noise complaints, do we?” His voice is thick with lust, slightly strained from the movement of his hips. A choked gasp follows right next you your ear making you squirm in response. “You want to get complaints, naughty girl. I felt you clench around me like a vice when I mentioned it.”

You could only gasp, back arching off his chest as another orgasm teetered right on the edge. “You want all your neighbors to hear how good I fuck this pretty pussy, huh? Want all the aunties downstairs to know their sweet little upstairs neighbor likes to get fucked hard?”

You’re panting, hands clawing at his forearms and thighs fighting against his grip to snap shut. “S-stop talking liiike that…!” Every word was a struggle, as if you had sand weighing your tongue down. Your face burned, abdomen tightening as yo ur orgasm neared.

“Bet they wish their husbands fucked them this good, huh? They’re probably so jealous… their innocent little neighbor is secretly a pervert who likes getting her pussy pounded, isn’t that right?”

You’re cumming, a silent cry leaving your lips as your entire body tenses in his lap. Not once does caleb stop, hips thrusting into you erratically as every connection turns wetter. You barely register the spray of liquid that gushes out of you, covering his lap and the floor below. “Shit, baby. You’re makin a damn mess f’me.”

Every word is guttural, vibrating his chest as he struggles to hold off his impending orgasm. He’s already filled you four times, he’s positive this next one will force him to tap out. But he’s not quite ready to be out of your slippery cunt just yet.

“Still struggling to keep these thighs spread, huh? Begging me to fuck you and then you can’t take it?” You barely have the energy to struggle anymore, legs feeling like jello in his grasp. The words you mumble are incoherent, a slur of his name and several other words he can’t quite decipher. “Fucked your brains out, pretty girl?”

God he can feel himself twitch violently inside of you, a deep rumble of laughter shaking his chest as he forces his hips to slow. “Gonna fill you up one more time, nice and full, kay?” The nod is barely visible but he feels it. “Thaaat’s my girl, takin me like a fuckin champ.”

Caleb hauls your legs up, until your thighs are pressing into your chest. Using one arm to keep you snugly in place as he picked up his pace again. “Gonna cum inside this pretty pussy one more time, okay? Just one more time, promise. You can do that for me right?”

You barely manage to stop the drool from slipping past your lips.

Getting an after care / morning after card for Caleb before a full blown spicy card is diabolical on infold’s part

[lotusapple-xia]

Thinking about Caleb spoiling you with his colonel salary.

As children he worked hard earning what little money he could to buy you sweet treats and little toys at the local convenience stores.

You were overjoyed with everything he bought you. It didn’t matter if it was cheap or fixed together with glue after the flimsy plastic broke. Caleb was the one who gave it to you so it automatically meant the world to you. Even if you broke the toy or craved more sweets, Caleb would smile and give you more.

But now, with his extremely generous pay, he can spoil you all he wants just as he’s always wanted too. Don’t get him wrong, he’s loved giving you your hearts desires as a kid. But that’s just it, he could only give you so much. Grandma didn’t always pay for everything, mainly the necessities. So he couldn’t always throw his money around.

Now though, he can buy you those designer bags, expensive makeup, artisan craftsmanship tools, the latest gaming console, high quality sports equipment or anything else you desire. His card knows no limits.

It took you a while to get used to it. Going from budget dinners as a kid and instant food when you were grieving his death became luxury banquets. Of course, all paid and provided for by Caleb. It was foreign. But not unwelcome.

He always reassured you that he wants to pay for you. It makes his heart grow three times seeing you scarf down premium meets, fresh vegetables and decadent desserts. Providing for you and ensuring you’re well taken care of is all he wants and needs.

Whatever hobby, beauty service or vacation you want is paid by him. You couldn’t be happier.

And all he asks in return is for you to stay with him and spend the next hundred years together.

Sorry for the little hiatus I’ve been so busy recently but! I have brain rot of rich Colonel Caleb Xia 😝 oh to have Caleb pay for your hair appointments I didn’t know it was that expensive 😞 will get back to proper writing soon 🫡

🪷🍎 Tag List: @michexoxo @xxvendettaxx @maimaily @noxus123 @starryeyed-apple @riakuro0 @junni-berry @ultimateweaponx01

Divider credit

[reit0o]

caleb gets cuteness aggression whenever he sees you

caleb tries and I mean he tries to take you seriously when you complain about him taking the last slice. but he won't ever admit that he does it just so to see you all riled up. the way your eyebrows furrow and face pouts while you try to lecture him is almost too adorable

caleb loves when you spend the day helping him build his new airplane model. he purposely picks a difficult design because he loves seeing your concentrated expression as your hold the pieces together, waiting for the glue to dry. and when you get frustrated, he just chuckles softly and holds it together with you

caleb needs to see you in clothes all the time. he almost gets offended when you sit down on his couch after a long day instead of immediately changing into his soft cotton shirt. he goes through his wardrobe once a month, looking for things he doesn't wear anymore just to see what he can add to your side of the closet. there's nothing like seeing you in your most vulnerable state, dressed in his clothes, thinking all mine

caleb loosens the jars in his house ever so slightly just so you can get the satisfaction of opening them yourself. you boast about how you don't need his help anymore because you're a strong hunter now. but he just looks at you lovingly, because he loves celebrating your victories

caleb adores watching you struggle to not fall asleep during late night movies. he doesnt say anything of course, just nudges you into his chest and strokes your arm until your breathing slows down. he feels like the luckiest person with you curled up against him, quietly counting your lashes as he pulls you in closer like his own plushie

[khioneee]

TAPPING OUT

synopsis. caleb graduates from the academy, but when you unexpectedly tap him out, a tradition where loved ones step forward to formally release a pilot from their duty, he realizes no achievement compares to having you by his side. (based on this.) word count. 1.1k an. loved doing this for codghost so i might as well do it for this man. lets pretend they have the tradition in their universe. okay? okay.

caleb stood in the crowd, his posture rigid and form still with precision despite the celebration around him. cheers echoed through the room, but they sounded distant, muffled. he watched as pilots, one by one, were tapped out by their loved ones. parents embracing their children, lovers reuniting in tearful hugs.

his chest tightened as his eyes scanned the room. he was waiting for gran, the one person he knew would come. gran had always shown up, had always been his anchor. he learnt not to expect anything more, not to hope for anyone else.

but then, like a shift in the universe, caleb felt you before he saw you.

when you stepped into the room, it was as if the entire world faded away. time slowed, the noise dimmed, and the lights seemed to soften, catching on the edges of your features. you looked beautiful, achingly so. heartbreakingly out of reach. you weren’t supposed to be here, not after the fight, not after the cruel words you’d both thrown at each other before he left.

you moved toward him with purpose, cutting through the room like you were meant to be there all along.

caleb couldn’t breathe. he couldn’t think.

his hands trembled at his sides as he watched you close the distance between you. he could act all stoic, but his heart didn’t feel stoic enough to make him calm.

when you stopped in front of him, there were tears already brimming in your eyes. his carefully constructed control, unshakable during training, steadfast through every grueling challenge, began to crumble.

caleb had faced impossible physical challenges, the grueling expectations of training, and the endless psychological evaluations that pushed him to the edge. but none of those had broken him nearly like you did. you, standing here, looking at him like that.

you were his undoing.

you should be his first sign. the first sign that there was something wrong with him. because you were his obsession. the one he was slowly losing control over.

caleb was not allowed to fall in love with you.

he trembled as your fingers brushed against his, tapping him out of his frozen misery. the soft touch was meant to symbolize recognition, acknowledgment. but to caleb, it was so much more.

you were here. you were real.

there was no second-guessing, no hesitation. before he could stop himself, his arms were around you, pulling you into him with a force that left him breathless. a strangled sigh escaped his lips and found its home in the crook of your neck, right where your heart beats: friends, friends, friends.

he held you like a man drowning, and you were the only thing keeping him afloat. he felt the soft shake of your shoulders, the warmth of your tears against his neck, and he couldn’t hold back any longer.

‘i didn’t think you’d come,’ he whispered, his voice low and raw, breaking under the weight of his emotions. you pulled back slightly, just enough to meet his eyes. there was something in his gaze, but before you could respond, he spoke again, quieter this time, like a vow. ‘i’ll never let you go.’

the words made you shiver. they were so soft you almost didn’t catch them.

‘you can try,’ you joked, your voice trembling slightly as you tried to lighten the mood. a nervous laugh escaped as you gently pushed against his chest, pretending to escape his embrace. ‘you love me, i get it.’

but caleb didn’t loosen his hold. instead, he pulled you closer, his lips brushing against your temple. there was a quiet laugh, quiet and unsteady, before he murmured, ‘you have no idea, pipsqueak.’

his voice was filled with something raw, something deeper than you could fully understand. it wasn’t just love. it was obsession, devotion, a yearning that had no end.

you smelled like honey. like the same thing you’d been smelling your entire life that made you feel like home in a way that hotels and dorm beds could never manage.

he reached into his pocket and pulled out the small, shining pin they’d given him for finishing aerospace academy. it gleamed in the light, a symbol of everything he’d fought to achieve. without a word, he placed it carefully in your palm.

your fingers brushed his as you took it, and the touch sent sparks up his arm. with careful, deliberate precision, you pinned it to his chest. caleb didn’t move, his gaze fixed on you, watching every motion, every soft touch of your fingers against his uniform.

‘they should give you a medal instead for doing so well,’ you teased softly, smiling up at him.

once the pin was secure, you smoothed down his uniform, your fingers lingering against the fabric. it was such a small gesture, but it felt so intimate that caleb’s breath hitched.

he tried his best not to be frantic, but it was almost impossible when he was overloaded with want, want, want, and with the feeling that this might not happen again, with the fear that if caleb thought about it too hard, he’d stop himself before he did too much.

he couldn’t stop himself any longer. leaning down, he kissed your cheek, his lips lingering on your skin. he didn’t move away immediately, letting the moment stretch as he closed his eyes, savoring the warmth of you.

he felt like a criminal on the run, but it was too good to withdraw from. so, he overdosed on unrequited love.

when he finally pulled back, there was a soft, almost shy smile on his lips. his voice was low, but full of meaning. ‘i already have my reward.’

you looked up at him, your cheeks warm, his cap still sitting crooked on your head. for a moment, neither of you spoke, and the weight of everything unsaid lingered between you.

and caleb, looking at you, standing there with your fingers still on his uniform, knew it was the absolute truth. you didn’t realize it, but you were the center of his universe. his greatest test, his deepest weakness, and the one thing he could never, ever let go of.

i’m a fool, he decided. damned in the bits of exhaustion at pulling and pushing at whatever’s left of trying.

the noise of the crowd finally broke through the haze, the sound of laughter and celebration pulling you both back to the present. caleb stepped back slightly, watching as you adjusted his cap, your smile soft but hesitant.

you didn’t have to know the struggle he’d endured to get here, the battles he’d fought within himself.

you were his obsession. his reason for everything. and he was losing control, but he didn’t care. because having you here, now, was all that mattered.

[naomiarai]

riding caleb’s coke can cock :3

the tension has been building up all evening, but in the best way possible. it started at the restaurant, with caleb’s foot playfully tapping yours under the table, his eyes crinkling at the corners with a lazy smile when you tried to steal a bite of his food. then came the drive back in his car, he kept his hand on your thigh the entire time, his thumb tracing light teasing circles into your skin while he casually talked about his schedule like he wasn’t driving you out of your mind.

you kept shifting in the passenger seat, laughing softly and leaning over to whisper something entirely too close to his ear, loving the way his jaw tightened even as he laughed and shook his head. got him.

by the time he pulled into his driveway, your heart was doing flips and your panties were most definitely soaked. caleb’s usually easygoing grin had softened into something warm, dark and hungry. the second the front door clicked behind you, he doesn’t even give you a chance to take off your jacket before pulling you into his chest.

you laugh as he pushes you back against the wall, his body crowding you with a low, happy chuckle that vibrates against your lips. caleb’s hands were warm snd impatient as he slid your jacket off your shoulders, eyes glinting with pure affection in the dim lighting.

“you think you’re sooo funny, don’t you?” he murmurs, his voice a sweet raspy rumble. his thumb catches your chin, tilting your face up to press a quick bruising kiss to your lips.

“maybe i am,” you giggle, your arms wrapping around his neck tightly as your hips press against his. “you always act so collected infront of me. i wanted to see you lose a little.”

“yeah? well, you’ve got your wish, baby,” he chuckles warmly, a sound that makes your pussy throb.

caleb dosen’t even take you to the bedroom. he hauls you straight up to his living room couch, scooping you up effortlessly as you laugh and cling to his broad shoulders. he strips you both down in a flash with his evol, his large hands tracing every corner of your naked body until you’re shivering and pulling him closer. caleb drops flat on his back against the cushions, his abs flexing. his cock was full hard, thick and leaking with shiny pre cum that catches the light from the window. your eyes widen slightly as you stare at it. it’s not the first time but it still manages to shock you how big caleb really is.

caleb grins as he catches you staring, grabbing your waist and lifting you up, positioning your wet, swollen folds right over the head of his cock. but he just holds your there, his warm, slick tip teasing the entrance of your cunt, rubbing against your clit with every small twitch of his hips.

“caleb, please,” you sob happily, head dropping to his shoulder as you try to force your hips down, but his grip on your waist is like steel. “don’t tease me. put it insideeeee. i’m so wet, it hurts.”

“not yet, pips,” he whispers, a smug, adoring smile on his face as he intentionally rubs his cock back and forth against your soaked folds, swearing your own wetness all over both ofyou. as you twist desperately above him, caleb catches the silver chain around his neck, lifting the cold metal of the tag up to your lips, pressing it down against your bottom one. “open up, baby. suck.”

you part your lips with a soft gasp, letting him slip it into you mouth. your tongue slides over the metal sucking down on it, tasting silver as caleb’s eyes darken at the sight. “good girl” he murmurs, thumb catching a bit of saliva at the corner of your lips. “hold onto that f’me while i stretch you out. let me hear you beg through it.”

you let out a muffled, desperate whimper around the metal, your gummy walls clenching around nothing, desperate for him to fill you up. he releases his grip just enough, and you slide down, taking him all at once. your walls stretch painfully wide, fat cock practically splitting you open. a loud, breathless shriek leaves your throat, your whole body shivering as he fills every corner of you, plugging your pussy. you feel so full. so, so full.

“oh god...c-caleb, god, s-so big..” you choke out, your hands pressing hard against his chest for balance as your thighs tremble violently. “you’re stretching me out so m-much.”

“i’ve got you baby, just breathe,” he coos, voice softening with adoration even as his purple eyes burn with hunger. he reaches up, large hands cupping your face, his thumbs wiping away your tears of pleasure. “f-fuck, look at how pretty you look, pips”

you lift your hips, sliding up to the tip before slamming back down, the sound of your ass hitting his thighs fills the room, a loud, flithy rhythm that has caleb groaning out loud. you shift your weight and bounce on his cock, taking him entirely each time. the feeling as your toes curling into the couch, your clit rubbing against the base of his shaft.

“mm....just... like that,” caleb grunts, eyes closing and his muscles flexing beneath your hands as you ride him. “you’re doing so good, pips. so fucking tight, squeeze me.”

“i....hnng!..am squeezing you,” you cry out, pace turning wild and frantic as his mushroom tip keeps abusing your cervix. “ca—leb! look at me.....watch me do this to you.”

he opens his eyes, his pupils completely blown as he watches you above him. his hands fly to your waist, completely taking over the movement. he doesn’t let you set the pace anymore. caleb starts shoving his hips upward to meet your downward slams, his dick driving deep into your cunt, bottoming out inside you with intense pressure. with every drive of his cock upwards, the pressure in your stomach builds up, eyes rolling back as his cock rubs against your wet fluttering walls.

“you feel like heaven,” he rasps, breathing heavy and completely ragged as he fills his tip knocking against your limit. “soakin’ my thighs, pips. come for me. let me feel your cunt clamp down on me.”

“c-can’t.. too much! mmmh, oh fuck, i’m gonna-” you scream, head forwards as your vision goes blurr. you feel like you’re floating, his heavy thrusts hitting your sweet spot snd cervix over and over until you can’t take it anymore.

“yes you can, come on, give it to me,” he coaxes, his hands slamming your hips down one last time before pinning you against him, as your body completely shatters.

you arch your back, a loud and desperate whine ripping from your lungs as your orgasm washes over you. the walls of your pussy clench down on him in pulses, pouring your white slick all over him. caleb lets out a satisfied hum at your squeeze, his body going rigid for a second before he shoots his thick, hot cum deep inside you. he holds your down against him, groaning loudly as he spends himself inside your clenching cunt, his seed dripping and overflowing between your legs.

you collapse forward into his chest, burying your flushed face into neck with raggd breaths. caleb wraps his arms tightly around your naked, sweaty body, rolling you both over until you’re tucked securely against him. he peppers your tear stained face with soft, sweet kisses, chest rumbling with a quiet laugh as he buries his face in your hair.

“all that teasing in the car just for you to pass out against my chest like this,” his whispers, a soft chuckle vibrating against your skin. you swat at him. he loves it.

“goodnight, pips. let’s see if you’re still this brave in the morning.”

mimi : can y’all believe i didn’t just dive straight into the smut and actually waited before i let caleb put it in? me neither.

[deepspacenova]

DILF neighbour!Caleb Headcanons

➻➻ I recently spiraled about dilf neighbour!sylus and zayne and @blessdunrest said 'spiral more' and who am I to refuse that? So here's some thoughts and headcanons about your dilf neighbour!caleb.

UPDATE: there are now spin off fics for this here and here

Your tall, charismatic, older neighbour, Caleb (who wears a uniform), has been your neighbour for years, both of you having inherited your homes from your family a few months apart.

You two pretty much click instantly, never running out of things to discuss, dissect, or argue about.

There's an inherent magnetism about him as well; in the way he grins at you from across the yard, boyish charm blended into lines of age and life's experience; in the way that he winks at you when you're out watering your plants, shoulder propped against the post of his front porch; in the way that he casually drapes his arm over your shoulder to pull you into his side when the creepy neighbour from down the block refuses to take your hints to end the small talk.

Although he's friendly, he also tends to keep to himself and never seems to have much company over. In fact, since the first time Caleb invited you to take your pick of his apple harvest a few autumns ago, you're pretty sure you're the only person who's been inside his home.

Despite this, however, Caleb is undoubtedly the most popular guy on the block. The ladies of the neighbourhood walk slower as they pass his sidewalk and ask him about his day, the men of the neighbourhood loiter to have a chat about this vehicle or that yard project.

Even the neighbourhood dogs make themselves at home on his beautifully trimmed lawn, bounding happily over to collect their treats from him when he whistles for them between two fingers.

Unfortunately, you're no better than any of them.

You don't even know how many times he's caught you sitting under the shade of his apple tree in the summer, reading a book. Then again, instead of politely waving you off like he does with others, he always offers you a glass of his freshly made soda with a flourish and a, "Would my lil trespasser care for a refreshment?"

You also start timing your departure for work to match the exact moment he leaves for his morning run, just so you can watch him greet you in his thigh-hugging running shorts and admire his backside when he opens the door to your car for you with a, "Knock 'em dead today, angel."

Your reaction to 'angel' must give you away because that's all he calls you now — "Mornin' angel." "Angel, you alright?" "Let me help with that, angel." — voice lower and rougher around the syllables in a way that makes your knees melt into liquid each time.

And you're not entirely sure, but you think he might have his own version of this, which is 'keepin' your mail safe for ya' while you're out, just so he can knock on your door before you go to bed with nothing but bare chest, grey sweats, a few envelopes, and a crooked grin.

The day you knock on his door with fresh lemon bars from the lemons on your tree, though? When you answer his questioning stare with a stammered explanation that you'd noticed he preferred sour treats? That's the day the playful glint in his eyes deepens into something affectionate, something more intent, something darker and more... possessive.

From then on, all he does is work on projects around your house (around both of your houses, really) on the weekend.

You've come home from both days and nights out to find everything from a new sprinkler system and an upgraded porch swing to cobblestone pathways that lead from your back door to his, and even a newly planted apple seedling in your backyard.

That's only the improvements on the exterior of your house. You've lost count of all the things Caleb's helped you with on the inside (that you aren't even sure you've mentioned to him).

At least twice a week, you open your door to Caleb in ripped jeans, a muscle tank, and a toolbelt, ready to fix your garbage disposal, change out your alarm system, update your smoke detectors, or start on some other project that ends with you talking the day away until dinner.

Though you usually spend dinner together, the meal itself is always a playful argument between you and Caleb. Mainly, who's cooking for whom since you insist on repaying him for all his help, and he insists on you sitting comfortably and sharing your day with him while he helps you out.

Regardless of who cooks, though, Caleb even makes it a point to take care of your kitchen, helping you change the hardware, update the light fixtures, and even bringing his knife sharpener with him every few months, "so you're not losin' any of those pretty fingers of yours."

You haven't really asked about his previous jobs, but you know it must've involved engineering, since he's really good with machinery. So good, actually, that you haven't needed a new mower, furnace, or oil change for your car in months.

When you don't feel satisfied that you've shown him enough gratitude for all he does to help you, you make sure you send him home on Sunday night with a full week of meal prep so he has a filling lunch at work. You also bring over pillows and curtains and throws to help make his bare living room more lively.

Everything and yet nothing at all seems to change the night he spots you pulling into your driveway past 1am, though. When you don't question why he's waited up for you as he opens your car door and his irises go from sparkling to concerned to deadly when he catches your red-rimmed eyes. When you explain the way you were stood up on your date.

Because that's when he calmly locks your car, takes your bag, and leads you to his living room, marked with your signature in every corner, to settle you with warm tea and open arms and a murmured, "c'mere, angel."

Because that's when you press against his chest, settle into his heartbeat, and let him take care of your mind and your body as securely and attentively as he's cared for each inch of your house for years.

Because that's the first of many times he watches your short trek home from his front porch in the middle of the night, arms crossed, sharp, affectionate possession carved into his face, refusing to go inside until he sees you through your living room window.

Because that's the first of many times you leave your mysterious, handsome, attentive, and much older neighbour's home with some undiscovered crack in your heart filled with molten gold the colour of his eyes, and you realize: you're so fucked.

➻➻ MORE CALEB FICS