#also can we fucking talk about Weepy Williams. I'm obsessed. we STAN a man that feels his feelings I love this poor sweet baby so much

[baycitystygian]

au where paulie actually had someone telling him he's so valid and worthy of being loved way earlier in his life when he desperately needed it ✨

"Here you go, sweetie, hot and fresh!," I began, handing over a tray of grilled cheese and tomato soup to Melissa. "Is there anything else I can get for you?"

She shook her head no.

"Thank you, mom."

"It's what moms are here for!" I kissed her on the forehead. "If you need anything at all, I'm here."

I exited her room, gently closing the door most of the way. My husband, who was standing frozen in the hallway, locked eyes with me like a deer in headlights.

"What's the matter?"

"Was the grilled cheese?," he began.

"Yeah, that's what she asked for."

"And tomato soup?"

"Paul, what's gotten into you?"

He quickly turned his head away and made a beeline for our bedroom.

"Paul?" I chased after him, planting myself on the bed next to him. He was hiding his face, but I was certain I knew why.

"It's stupid," he muttered.

"Honey, it made you cry. That's not stupid, it's got to be important. What's wrong?"

"I don't know. Seeing you with Missy just now, it brought up a lot of memories or my mother. That was her cure-all, grilled cheese and tomato soup. Every time I was home with a migraine, she was right there offering it to me."

"I'm sorry." I hugged him tightly. "That wasn't stupid at all."

"I don't know, a grown man crying over a sandwich is pretty pathetic."

"Tell me... what exactly upset you? Wouldn't that be a nice memory, of her taking care of you?"

"Oh, she cared alright, til she shipped me off to my aunt. It just... set off a lot of things at once."

"Including your fear of abandonment."

He nodded, almost disappointed in himself.

"Sweetie, I'm not going anywhere on you. You have every reason to feel the way you do, but I need you to believe me when I tell you that you're always safe with me."

"I know, but sometimes my brain won't shut up about it anyway."

"I don't have all the answers for that, but I could offer you a nice hot bowl of soup." I gave him a gentle smile. "Now, and forever."

"And a grilled cheese?"

"Of course, I couldn't forget that."

He cracked a smile, and I let out a little giggle.

"C'mon, babe. We can talk more over lunch. Or later on, or whenever you're ready. I'll be there when you are."

"What did I do to deserve you?"

"Beats me, but you're pretty damn incredible. Certainly much more than you give yourself credit for."

"Oh, you're just saying that because you're my wife."

"It's only appropriate that I feel that way about the love of my life, no?"

"I hate arguing with you." He chuckled and gave me a quick smooch on the lips. "I think I'll take you up on that offer."