#jesse mccree

[cringebuthappy]

Thank you, Matthew Mercer, for giving me another obsession with fictional hobo-looking man

[pridewishes]

♔ || COLE CASSIDY ICONS

250x250 || aroace bi || bordered circle

like / rb + credit + read dni if using

requested by anon !!

[galaxiadecima]

you’ll always be Jesse McCree in my heart cowboy

[maud305]

“Memento Mori leaves a debt.”

You have no idea how much this lore drop of Cassidy and Ashe got me fucked up. Gabriel Reyes when I catch you-

Anyways, thought of this angst piece right off the bat the moment I saw that frame of Cass looking distraught in the lore video (where Ashe basically tells him about her and the gang looking for him EVERYWHERE when he was captured by Overwatch/Blackwatch). Not only does this lore video serve as a reminder of how complex Cass’ character is, but it also gives more into perspective on why Ashe feels betrayed. The angst hurts, but this lore is JUICY. I also think this is one of my favorite pieces I’ve done for 2026 so far, pretty proud of the rendering for this especially since it took lesser time than usual haha!

Anyways, enough of my rambling, hope you guys enjoy this piece and have a good day/night! 💜

(Alt versions under cut)

[songsforotpshit]

https://tidal.com/browse/track/77922335?u

[eressoft]

Loving Jesse McCree (Cole Cassidy)

Tags: Fluff and Angst

CN/TW: Please be advised that for a realistic portrayal of the character, this text includes mentions of heavy smoking, alcohol consumption, blood and injuries in the context of missions, as well as rough language and blunt honesty reflecting his outlaw-style habits and emotional defense mechanisms.

🌵I’m still used to calling him McCree, so I’ve used that name throughout. Please keep that in mind while reading!

What do you think Jesse McCree would be like if he fell in love? Let's talk about it.

First Stage: The Awkward Attempt at Flirting

Sarcasm. His compliments would sound like jabs, delivered with warmth and maximum awkwardness. McCree would never say, "You look nice today." It would be more like, "What are you wearin'? Looks like one of old Joe's potato sacks back at the ranch... I mean, if you were a potato... It, uh, suits you."

Jokes. He'd start including her in his inner circle through humor. Telling ridiculous raunchy tales from his past, joking about mutual acquaintances or situations, expecting her to get the subtext and banter back. If she parries—that's a huge plus.

Acts of Service. McCree is a man of action. He won't talk about feelings, but he'll subtly cover her on a mission, silently hand over a spare magazine, or "accidentally" end up in the same bar where she's drowning her sorrows after a failed op.

Non-Work Questions. For a man who lives for the mission, the most personal gesture is to ask about something unrelated to the job: "Did you have that same dumb habit [some mundane detail] as a kid, or is it just me?"

Second Stage: "Courtship," McCree-Style

Flowers and fancy restaurants? Definitely not his scene. But he might:

Offer her a mug of his terrible, strong liquor with a, "This swill's better than what you're drinkin'."

Defend her reputation. McCree might be getting into it with someone criticizing her behind her back. Not in her presence, but somewhere in the smoking area. And he'd never admit to doing it.

Show vulnerability (extremely rarely). Jesse might share something non-traumatic but personal from his childhood. Not about betrayal, but something silly or warm.

Find excuses for touch. Very careful. At first, it's a casual brush—guiding her arm so she doesn't bump into something; a light, joking shoulder bump. If she doesn't pull away, McCree might allow for more sustained contact—holding her elbow to get her attention as she walks away.

What happens if she shows interest back?

The defense mechanisms kick into high gear. McCree might, after a particularly warm moment with her, suddenly vanish for a couple of days on "business."

He might say something like, "Don't go gettin' ideas, darlin'. I'm a bad bet." It's his way of giving her a "last warning" and seeing if she gets scared off.

McCree will ask a direct question if he's finally cornered by his own feelings: "Do you have any idea what you're signin' up for? With me? Seriously?"

Third Stage: The Confession

It would most likely happen before, during, or after a dangerous mission. Possibly with both of them covered in blood and dust. 

McCree stops her. Awkwardly, almost business-like.

"Hey. Hold up. We need to talk."

"Look, I know I’m... a far cry from a good man. Just a gritty old gunslinger with one arm and a trail of bad calls behind me. My life’s mostly been one long stretch of dirt and trouble."

"But with you... Hell, I’m making a mess of this."

"Point is, you’re the only one I don’t feel the need to play the 'poster-boy' for. You see the grit under the spurs and you don’t blink."

"I can’t promise you white picket fences or flowers. But I’ll promise you this: I’ve got your back. Always. And... I’d mighty well like to know you’ve got mine."

Having said it, McCree won't wait for an answer. It's too agonizing. He'll likely turn away sharply and busy himself.

"There. Said my piece. Now you can call me a fool and walk away, or stay and finish that swill I brought you."

The First Kiss

Very spontaneous and awkward. 

It probably wouldn't happen in a romantic moment, but in a moment of extreme emotional tension and danger. They just cheated death, the adrenaline is still buzzing. 

She says something, and McCree, unable to bear the weight of his emotions, pulls her to him roughly, almost desperately, and kisses her. 

The kiss would be hot, desperate, and imperfect. 

Afterward, he'd jerk back, adjust his hat in embarrassment, and mutter, "Sorry. Lost my head." 

Or maybe the kiss happens right after the confession.

Jealousy?

The main trigger for McCree's jealousy wouldn't be the attention from other men, but her potential naivety.

He wouldn't police who she talks to, but if McCree senses someone is fake or a threat, he'd tell her something like, "Be careful with that intel guy. Got a shiftiness in his eyes. I know the type."

McCree would address that other man with exaggerated, sarcastic politeness, as if he's a naïve child.

He'd watch closely how she reacts to another man's advances. Is she irritated? Politely brushing it off? Or is she flattered? Her reaction dictates his next move. If she's clearly not interested and just being polite, McCree's anger would be directed at the man who won't respect her "no."

That man would start having minor problems: his vehicle keys go missing, a supply shipment he needs gets "delayed," he's called away on urgent but pointless busywork at the worst time. All of it would look like bad luck.

But if even that doesn't get the persistent guy to back off, then McCree goes for the direct approach: 

"You know the difference between you and me? I'm a problem people try to avoid. You're a nuisance people remove so they don't trip. Get my drift? Need it simpler? Back off. Vanish from her sight. 'Cause you won't appreciate the next warning."

Cons of a Relationship with McCree

He smokes. A lot. Indoors, he constantly smells of tobacco, gun smoke, and leather. Ash will be everywhere: on the windowsill, the table, even in the sink. All their clothes will carry the scent.

Drinking for McCree isn't about pleasure. It's not romantic wine-sipping, but the silent consumption of whiskey, after which he either gets pensive or falls asleep wherever he is.

Order is not his concern. Dirt, dust, a revolver on the dinner table, dirty mugs—it's all background noise to him. He only notices clutter if it blocks a path. He might go out to "clear his head" and come back a day later, smelling of cordite and booze. Questions about "where were you?" get an evasive answer or a joke.

Trying to plan anything long-term is futile. You can't make 5 or 10-year plans with McCree. He doesn't believe he'll live to see old age. Talks about kids, stability, a quiet life will earn a sad smirk.

He doesn't fit into normal social settings. She'll either constantly be apologizing for him or gradually drift from a conventional social circle because there's no place for McCree there.

Home can become a target. Their routine can be shattered by a sudden firefight or the need to immediately relocate. They will always be on guard.

Pros of a Relationship with McCree

He will always come back. For an eternal drifter, this is the ultimate gesture. Not with loud declarations, but just appearing on the doorstep, tipping his hat, tossing out a, "So, how'd y'all manage without me? I know you missed me."

Fixes the loose strap on her gear without being asked.

Stashes an extra magazine with her primary kit before a mission.

Brings her coffee just how she likes it, though he'll grumble that it's "too sweet for a grown person and tastes like donkey piss."

They develop their own inside jokes no one else gets. He'll call her ridiculous nicknames that only make her blush. His sarcasm softens, directed outward at the world, not at her.

Every word he says, even a harsh one, is genuine. If he's silent, he's silent. If McCree speaks, he means it.

He is on her side. Always. Even when she's wrong. He might grumble and say "told you so," but in a conflict with the outside world, he'll stand by her without hesitation.

McCree doesn't have a home, but her presence becomes home. The fact that she lets him into her space and doesn't chase him away, seeing all his flaws, is an act of the greatest mercy and love he believes he doesn't deserve. His loyalty will be absolute precisely because he has nothing and no one left to lose but her.

Being with Jesse McCree is hard. He's like strong whiskey—it burns, it's bitter, and it can knock the wind out of you if you're not used to it. You can't build a conventional "nest" with him. 

But McCree is incredibly worth it. 

Because underneath that rough exterior is a peculiar, but utterly genuine, loyalty and love. 

He would be her cowboy, her most dangerous and most reliable fortress, all at once.

═══════════════════════════════

Hey everyone, eressoft here! Sorry for any inaccuracies you might find. Please don't copy!

[magnetic-maverick]

Mchanzo 2026

[magnetic-maverick]

I wanted to make this edit for weeks