Unbeknownst to most, Phillip Graves is not the worst ex husband in the world.
Not the best, but the man is just shy of a B.
Theres not a doubt in his mind that he loved you, he still loves you. But sometimes love can be a little messy, adding a little too much over protectiveness with small hints of jealousy and maybe it just wasnât the right time.
Co parenting isnât a issue for him, doesnât need to be asked twice about doctors visits, or the little graduation ceremony held at the end of the year for your one year old who hasnât a clue whatâs going on at day care. Heâs recording the milestones and sending them to you when heâs not deployed, asking to hear the babies voice when heâs isâ hell, the man is still paying your bills in the house he left for you and your baby even though you told him not to.
Itâs when you bring a new man around, old habits donât die soon. Phillip Graves doesnât mind arguments in the parking lot at the meeting place, or sizing up the first guy you tried to bring around wip just couldnât handle the intimidation from Graves, randomly popping up to your house with the key he still has to see if the âcameras still workâ or the âdrain is clogging rightâ just as youâre about to make out with the person you were dating.
The bastard.
Todayâs no different, the southern man actually approved of the guy youâre seeing for once. Didnât put up a fight, had a look in his blue eyes you just couldnât read. A tension in his shoulders when he picked up your baby for his last couple of days before deploying, âoh, this might actually be the end of it.â
But after two months, all he wants to see if you and your kid. Hear the rabbles and babbles of your beautiful child you created while you smile and go through all the pics heâs missed out on. But today is quiet, babies down for a nap, Phillip can hear the rustling of laundry upstairs, the tv low to some show with 7 seasons. Youâre pretty when his eyes land on you after making it upstairs, curls in two low ponytails, small hoops in your peircings, plain violet mid sleeve tee shirt that just compliments you so well, jeans that hug every curve on you just the way he likes. Mouth watering.
He gives the open door to your bedroom a knock. âHey sweetheart.â
You try your bed to smile, but itâs meek, âHi Graves, welcome back.â
Graves blue eyes wash over you, gh way you keep shifting on your feet, a little drained, âWhatâs wrong honey? You alright?â
You couldnât hide it even if you tried, âMe at that guy I was dating broke up.â
He leans against the dresser, turning the volume lower on the tv, he takes it in, nodding, âHuh.â But now the question is, why would anyone on gods given earth want to break up with a prize like you? He feels his jaw lock, âCan you tell me what happened or was it just some bullshit.â
A bit of both.
You sigh, âHe couldnât fathom that I would put our child before him. And when I told him he should rethink it, he tried pinning it on me. That I could leave the baby with youââ you take a frustrated deep breath out. Putting your energy into folding the pile of clothes on your bed. It shouldnât be so heavy on your mind- but itâs gnawing at you. Irritated you that someone felt entitled like that, even if youâd only been dating him seriously for 4 months. Phillip would never think like thatâ
âI bet youâre happy it ended though right?â You try to laugh it off, eyes finally meeting his. And heâs got so much a soft look on his face when he looks at you, but itâs disgruntled, eyebrows knitted together, leaning against the dresser with his arms folded over his chest.
âWhy would I ever want you tâbe unhappy [+]?â Says it as if itâs a curse. The whole thing below him.
âDoesnât matter that weâve fought like cats ând fuckin dogs, ând broke my fuckin hard slidin me divorce papersâ maybe I fuckin needed it tâ open my eyes.â And Graves slowly crosses the room towards you. âBut Iâve always wanted whatâs best for you and our kid, that aint ever gonna chance âlong as Iâm alive. You and the baby come first, doesnât matter whatâs going on. That includes making sure yer done right by even if it ainât from me. Iâll knock the fuckin lights out that bastard or anybody else over you darlin, that clear?â
You nod, butterflies swarming in your stomach just as theyâve always have. Graves hand found itself low on your back, other hand lifting your chin.
âGood,â his thumb runs over you plump lips, planting a much needed one on them. Gentle, warm, Phillip pulls away, back of his knuckles rubbing up and down your back. âHow âbout we take it easy, stay together as a family. Put on some Pixar movie, get all the snack ya like, cuddle up close. Just like we used tâ, huh?â
Youâre breathless, mind hazed over you canât help but give him a, âyes.â
Almost as if the military man had planned, your babies cries fill your ears from the monitor and not too far down the hall.
Graves gives you that classic charming smile, âYou finish this up, Iâll get the baby changed.â
Itâs so easy for things to fall into place, easier when you force them too.
Maybe if Graves had known how perfect youâd fall back into his arms, he wouldâve sent a stupid bastard who didnât deserve you your way sooner.
a/n: graves is fvcked but heâs my fvcked up southern man.