Dad!JJ Maybank on Easter Headcanons
Author's Note: This is my first time writing headcanons. Let me know what you think or if I should make more! I hope everybody enjoyed Easter this past weekend, if you celebrate :) Want to see more from polaroidpankow? Check out my masterlist.
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Dad!JJ wakes up at 5:00 AM with more energy than the kids, moving through the house like he's on a covert Pogue mission. He spends an hour meticulously crafting "bunny tracks" across the hardwood floors using a pair of his old boots and a sifter full of flour. When the kids finally stumble out of bed, he acts completely shocked, pointing at the floor and swearing he saw a flash of long ears and a white tail darting into the backyard, successfully convincing them that the Easter Bunny is real and currently on the run.
Dad!JJ treats the backyard egg hunt like a high-stakes scavenger hunt, hiding the "Golden Egg" in places that require actual athletic maneuvers to reach. You'll find him scaling the roof of the shed or shimmying halfway up the old oak tree to tuck an egg into the birdhouse. He doesn't just watch; he narrates the whole thing like a sports commentator, eventually hoisting your daughter onto his shoulders so she can "climb" to the high-altitude treasures he's hidden, making her feel like the ultimate explorer.
Dad!JJ is in charge of the "Maybank Morning Feast," which consists of bunny-shaped pancakes that are wildly disproportionate but made with a lot of heart. He gets your son and daughter involved in the kitchen, letting them go heavy on the whipped cream and chocolate chip eyes, creating a sticky, chaotic mess that he promises you he'll clean up later (though you'll definitely find syrup on the cabinets for a week). He puts on a playlist of upbeat songs, dancing around the kitchen with a spatula in hand to keep the holiday vibes high.
Dad!JJ actually gets emotional when it's time to get dressed for church or a family brunch. He'll spend a solid ten minutes in front of the hallway mirror with your son, teaching him exactly how to "feather" his hair so they look identical. He might complain about the starch in his button-down shirt and the "girly" pastel colors, but the moment he sees your daughter in her floral dress and your son in a tiny matching bowtie, his tough-guy exterior completely cracks, and he's reaching for his phone to take a thousand blurry photos.
Dad!JJ sneaks off to the local store the night before to buy the most ridiculous, oversized stuffed bunnies he can find, despite your agreement to "keep it small" this year. He hides them in the shower or behind the curtains, waiting for the kids to find them so he can see their faces light up. He loves being the "fun" parent who breaks the rules, whispering to the kids that the Easter Bunny left the giant toys specifically because they were "the coolest kids in the OBX."
Dad!JJ becomes the ultimate "Sugar Enabler" once the baskets are open. While you're trying to encourage a balanced breakfast, JJ is sitting on the floor with them, showing them the proper way to eat a hollow chocolate bunny (ears first, obviously) and negotiating complex candy trades. He'll trade his son three jellybeans for one Reese's egg, teaching them the "art of the deal" while making sure everyone ends up with their favorite treats, even if it means he ends up with a stomachache by noon.
Dad!JJ insists on a family "Egg Toss" competition in the yard once the formal festivities are over. He gets way too competitive for someone playing against a five-year-old, diving into the grass to save a falling egg and coming up covered in dirt and yellow yolk. He laughs harder than anyone when an egg finally breaks, using the opportunity to get a little messy, eventually turning the whole thing into a game of tag that leaves everyone breathless and grinning.
Dad!JJ finds a quiet moment in the middle of the afternoon to pull you aside while the kids are distracted by their new toys. He'll wrap his arms around your waist, pulling you into his chest and resting his chin on your shoulder as he watches them play. He'll whisper something about how he never thought he'd have a "real" family holiday like this. You can feel the sincerity in how tightly he holds you, making it clear that this domestic life is the greatest treasure he's ever found.
Dad!JJ rocks a pair of fuzzy, pink sequined bunny ears all day without a hint of irony because your daughter asked him to. He'll wear them while grilling lunch, while talking to the neighbors, and even while taking out the trash. He's completely unbothered by looking "silly" because he knows it makes his kids laugh. JJ secretly loves the attention–especially when he catches you looking at him with that specific "I love this man" expression.
Dad!JJ inevitably spearheads the "Great Sugar Crash" of mid-afternoon. After a day of running, eating chocolate, and chaotic energy, you'll find him passed out on the living room sofa with both kids tucked under his long arms. There are probably half-eaten Peeps on the coffee table and crumpled foil everywhere, but you couldn't care less. JJ looks completely at peace, snoring softly with your daughter's head on his chest and your son curled up against his side, fulfilling his role as the ultimate protector even in his sleep.
