#cotton candy sweet | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

junedenim · 3 months ago

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i'm glad we can all agree alex is a girl dad

Hiding Tonight

watching alex take care of your daughter for the evening

warnings: dad!alex, fluff

word count: 5k

“Ugh, you’re so sweaty.” you murmured with a teasing smile, burying your face in his chest despite the heat clinging to him.

The familiar scent of him mixed with the warmth of the day, but it didn’t bother you. Not when it meant he was finally home. Your fingers instinctively threaded through his damp hair, the strands slipping through your touch as you stood on your toes, eager to feel as close to him as possible.

No matter what you were doing, no matter how long he’d been gone, you always ran to greet him with a hug the moment he stepped through the door.

“Sorry, it was really hot on the tube.” he replied, his voice laced with a trace of guilt as he gently pulled away from you. His eyes twinkled, though, as they met yours. “But I’m sure someone else won’t mind.” he added with a grin, glancing down just as a pair of tiny arms wrapped around his leg.

Behind you, the little one had toddled up, her small hands gripping onto his calf with the same excitement that you had shown him, her face lighting up at the sight of her father. She could barely reach above his knee, but it didn’t deter her in the slightest.

Alex’s expression softened instantly, the exhaustion from the day melting away as he bent down. He crouched to her level, one knee touching the floor as he reached out to her with a tenderness that always made your heart flutter. His long fingers carefully found their way to her sides, and in one smooth motion, he lifted her up into his arms. She squealed in delight, her laughter filling the room as she clung to him, her tiny legs swinging freely in the air.

“You don’t mind me being sweaty, do you?” he asked, his tone playful yet gentle as he balanced her on his hip. The question was rhetorical, of course. The little one’s face was beaming, her wide eyes reflecting pure adoration as she gazed up at him.

You watched as Alex lowered his head slightly, bringing his face close to hers. He extended a finger and softly tapped the tip of her button nose. Her nose was so small, his fingertip fit perfectly into the curve of it, and she scrunched it up, giggling as he repeated the motion, pretending to be amazed each time.

“See? She doesn’t mind at all.” he said, glancing back at you with a smile that reached his eyes, filled with nothing but love for the both of you.

With the little one still propped securely on his hip, Alex straightened up, her tiny hands clutching onto his shirt as he started walking toward the kitchen. You followed closely behind, a warm smile playing on your lips as you watched the two of them together. The sight of him holding her so effortlessly always filled you with a sense of contentment.

As Alex stepped into the kitchen, he moved with ease, despite his one-armed hold on the little one. He headed straight for the fruit bowl sitting on the counter, his eyes scanning its contents before he reached out and grabbed one of the few bananas left, shifting the little one slightly higher on his hip. It was a familiar routine. You could almost predict the moment when he’d reach it. He never failed to grab one first thing after getting home.

They never lasted long in the house. Both him and your daughter had a weakness for them. And they always seemed to disappear faster than you could keep up with, often long before they had a chance to ripen properly.

“Look at that.” Alex mused, holding the banana up and giving it a gentle squeeze. “Still a bit green, just how I like them.” He flashed you a grin as he gestured with the banana in your direction, a playful glint in his eyes. “We need to get more of these.” he added, raising an eyebrow at you.

You chuckled softly, leaning back against the edge of the sofa that stood just across from him. “I’ll get some tomorrow.” you promised, folding your arms as you perched yourself more comfortably, your gaze never leaving him. You liked watching him like this, in the mundane moments of just the three of you simply being there.

“Good.” he nodded, turning his attention back to the banana. He began to fiddle with it, realising quickly that he couldn’t manage the peeling with one hand occupied by your daughter, who was still contently resting against his side, her head nestled into the curve of his neck. He glanced at you with a half-smile. “Can you help me peel it? Kinda got my hands full over here.” he asked, tilting his head slightly towards the little one.

With a fond sigh, you rose from your spot and made your way over to him. The moment it was free, Alex wasted no time. He immediately took a big bite, nearly inhaling half of it in one go.

“God, I’m fucking starving.” he mumbled through a mouthful, his voice muffled as he chewed.

“Alexander!” you scolded, your tone stern but laced with amusement. “You need to stop swearing around her.”

He paused mid-chew, his eyes widening slightly as he registered your words. Then, with an exaggerated expression of guilt, he swallowed and muttered, “Sorry.” before taking another, more modest bite. The little one, oblivious to the exchange, simply watched him, her eyes wide with curiosity and affection.

You couldn’t help but laugh softly at the scene, shaking your head as you returned to your seat. Despite his sometimes careless language you often had to remind him of now that she was getting older and starting to understand more, you knew Alex adored his role as a father, just as much as he adored you.

Alex smiled softly at the little one in his arms, holding up the half-eaten banana to her tiny face. “Want a bite, love?” he offered, his voice gentle and inviting.

She wrinkled her nose and shook her head, her eyes growing heavy as she leaned back against his chest. You could see her small body beginning to relax, the energy from earlier slowly fading away.

“She’s getting sleepy.” you observed, a tender smile forming on your lips.

“Yeah, me too.” Alex sighed, leaning against the counter for support, still cradling her securely. He took a final bite of the banana, finishing it off before tossing the peel into the bin. “It was pretty rough today. Didn’t get much done.” he admitted, his voice dropping slightly, a hint of frustration seeping into his words.

You moved closer, sensing that there was more on his mind. Gently, you rested a hand on his arm, your thumb rubbing small circles. “What’s wrong?” you asked softly,

He hesitated for a moment, glancing down at the little one in his arms as if considering his words carefully. “I don’t know.” he began, his voice quiet. “Just...a bit disappointed, I guess.”

You could see the weariness in his eyes, the way his shoulders slumped just a little more than usual. It wasn’t often that he let these feelings show. He didn’t like talking about his work much, and you didn’t press him about it unless he opened up first.

“Disappointed in what?” you pressed gently, wanting to understand what was bothering him.

He exhaled deeply, his eyes distant as he tried to put his feelings into words. “It’s like…I had all these ideas in my head, things I wanted to work on, but nothing seemed to come together. I kept trying, but I just couldn’t get it right. And now the day’s over, and I don’t have much to show for it.”

You nodded, understanding the frustration he must have felt. Alex was always driven, always pushing himself to create and to do more. When things didn’t go the way he envisioned, it tended to weigh him down even further.

“It’s okay.” you said softly, reaching up to brush a stray lock of hair away from his forehead. “Not every day has to be perfect.”

He looked at you, his eyes reflecting a mixture of gratitude and lingering doubt. “I know, but it’s hard not to feel like I’m wasting time, you know? Like I should be doing more to make up for it.”

You squeezed his arm gently, letting him know you were there with him. “You’re not wasting time, Alex. You’re allowed to have days like this. You’ll find your rhythm again. And even when it feels like you’re not making progress, you are. Just being there, showing up, that’s already something.”

He let out a small, tired chuckle, the tension in his expression easing slightly as he looked at you. “Thanks.” he murmured, leaning in to press a soft kiss to your forehead.

You smiled at Alex, brushing your fingers through the soft hair on your daughter’s head, the strands fine and delicate beneath your touch. “I should get her ready for bed.” you said, your voice low and tender. “She needs a bath, too. I made some food earlier if you wanna eat.”

He shook his head, a small, appreciative smile playing on his lips. “I’m fine now. Actually, do you mind if I give her the bath? I need to wash up anyway, and I missed her today. Didn’t get to spend much time with her.”

The sincerity in his voice touched you, and you nodded immediately. “Of course, yeah. You should. Go get the water started, and I’ll bring her up in a minute. I’ll grab her towel and everything else she needs.”

He grinned, his eyes brightening at the thought. “Is it the bear one?” he asked, a hint of excitement in his tone.

You couldn’t help but chuckle, knowing exactly which one he meant. “Yes, it’s the bear one.” you confirmed.

“She looks so cute in that one.” Alex’s eyes softened at the thought, his smile widening.

The towel he was referring to was one of her favourites. Yellow with a hood that had little ears on top, meant to resemble Winnie the Pooh, though Alex always forgot the name. But it didn’t matter. To him, she was simply adorable wrapped up in it.

Gently, Alex shifted his grip on her, carefully manoeuvring so you could take her from his arms. She was barely awake now, her eyes drooping as she relaxed into your hold. As soon as she was safely in your arms, Alex moved to take off his blazer. He slipped it off his shoulders, folding it neatly before draping it over the back of one of the kitchen chairs, a habitual neatness in his actions.

You watched him for a moment, admiring the ease with which he moved, the quiet care he always took in the simplest of tasks. It was one of those little things you loved about him. How even in moments like this, when he was tired and worn out, he still took the time to do things properly, as if it was his second nature.

With his blazer set aside, Alex turned back to you, his hand reaching out to gently brush your arm before you both headed upstairs.

As you reached the bathroom, you handed your daughter back to Alex, who cradled her with a tenderness that always made your heart swell. He kissed her forehead softly, then looked to you with a contented smile. “I’ll take it from here.” he said, his voice warm and steady.

“Alright.” you replied, returning his smile as you handed over the towel and her pyjamas, everything she’d need after her bath. “I’ll be right outside if you need anything.”

He nodded, his eyes already focused on the task at hand as he gently set her down and began to fill the tub with warm water. As you stepped back to give them some space, you couldn’t help but linger for just a moment longer, watching as Alex dipped his hand into the water to check the temperature, his face lighting up with a soft smile as he spoke quietly to your daughter.

As you turned to leave the bathroom, a sudden wave of affection welled up inside you, making you hesitate at the doorway. You glanced back at Alex, your heart softening at the sight of them. “Do you mind if I stay?” you asked, your voice gentle, almost shy. You knew how much you cherished these moments. Watching them together was something you never wanted to miss.

At the same time, Alex had begun to unbutton his shirt, his fingers moving deftly down the row of buttons. He paused slightly, as if ready to answer you, but you spoke again before he could. “I can leave if you want some alone time with her.” you added quickly, not wanting to intrude.

But Alex shook his head, his hands still working on the last few buttons as he pulled the shirt free from where it was neatly tucked into his jeans. “Of course you can stay.” he said, a warm smile tugging at the corners of his lips as he shrugged the shirt off his shoulders and let it fall to the floor. He’d get it into the laundry later. His fingers moved to his belt next, unbuckling it before slipping out of his jeans and leaving them in a neat pile on the chair by the sink.

“Okay then.” you agreed softly, feeling a wave of contentment wash over you. “I’ll get her ready.”

You moved closer to your daughter, your hands gentle and careful as you began to undress her. She was already starting to outgrow her clothes, you realised with a twinge of nostalgia. She was growing up so fast, even though she still insisted on wearing nappies despite being fully potty trained. It was just another one of those little quirks that made her who she was, and you couldn’t help but smile as you gently tugged the last one off.

As you busied yourself with her, you noticed Alex out of the corner of your eye, glancing at himself in the mirror above the sink. He stretched, leaning in closer as if inspecting his reflection, his expression contemplative. You could see him run a hand over his jawline, feeling the rough stubble that had started to grow in over the day.

“Do you think I should shave?” he asked, his voice thoughtful as he continued to study his reflection, the muscles in his back shifting subtly as he moved.

You looked over at him fully now, taking in the sight of him. The way the soft light played across his skin, the stubble giving him a slightly rugged look. “You don’t have to,” you replied, “I love how your beard feels.”

He turned his head slightly, catching your gaze in the mirror, a small, appreciative smile forming on his lips. “Yeah?” he asked, a hint of playful curiosity in his voice.

“Yeah.” you confirmed with a nod, your smile widening. There was something about the way he looked right now, comfortable in his own skin, relaxed and at ease. It wasn’t just his appearance. It was everything he was, everything he did for you and your daughter. Every little moment like this, no matter how small, reminded you of why you fell in love with him in the first place.

Satisfied with your answer, Alex turned his attention back to the task at hand, giving you a nod of thanks before leaning down to check the water temperature one more time. Satisfied, he straightened up, his gaze briefly meeting yours with a small, appreciative smile. With a slight shift in his stance, he hooked his thumbs into the waistband of his underwear, the final piece of clothing he was wearing. He slid them down his hips and legs, stepping out of them with the same easy grace he always seemed to carry. He draped them over the shirt, to be thrown into the wash later.

He reached out for your daughter, who was now ready for her bath, her sleepy eyes brightening just a little at the prospect of getting into the warm water. As you handed her over, you couldn’t help but watch them both, the way Alex’s large hands gently cradled her tiny body as he lowered himself into the bath with her.

You found yourself lingering, soaking in every detail, every gesture. You didn’t want to miss a single second of this. Of them.

Alex gently scooted your daughter to the other side of the tub, knowing the routine by heart. First came the playtime, a sacred part of the evening, before the more practical tasks like washing her hair and scrubbing her little feet. He smiled down at her as she settled into her spot, the water splashing softly around her as she got comfortable.

With one hand keeping her steady, he reached over to the side of the tub, where a small collection of bath toys sat waiting. He carefully picked them up, one by one, and placed them into the water around her, creating a small, colourful world that she could dive into. The familiar sound of plastic toys clinking together filled the room as they floated around her, waiting to be played with.

Your daughter’s eyes lit up as she reached for one of her favourite toys, a little yellow duck that always seemed to make her smile. She squeezed it in her tiny hands, laughing softly as it made a squeaky noise, the sound echoing off the bathroom tiles.

Alex watched her with a fond smile, his heart swelling at the simple joy she found in the smallest of things. He reached for another toy from the same set, a small, green frog with big, round eyes, and held it up, his voice gentle as he asked, “Mind if I play with you too, love?”

She looked up at him, her expression bright and eager, as if the idea of playing with her dad was the best thing in the world. She nodded enthusiastically, her smile widening as she extended the duck towards him, offering it as if to say ‘you can have this one’.

Alex chuckled softly, taking the duck from her with one hand while holding the frog in the other. “Thank you.” he said, his voice filled with warmth. “Alright, Mr. Frog and Mr. Duck are going on an adventure together. Where should they go first?”

Your daughter giggled, pointing to the other end of the tub where the rest of the toys had gathered. Without missing a beat, Alex guided the two toys through the water, making them bob up and down as if they were swimming. He added a few playful sound effects, much to her delight, as they made their way across the tub, creating an entire story for her to follow.

You stood there, watching them play. There was something magical about these simple moments, the way they connected in the little joys of life. You could see the love in Alex’s eyes, the way he fully immersed himself in her world, making her feel like the most important person in the universe.

As he continued guiding the toys through their imaginary adventure, he playfully splashed himself with water, the droplets landing on his chest and face. He closed his eyes for a moment, squeezing them tightly before opening them wide and blinking a few times, trying to shake off the fatigue that had settled in.

“Tired?” you asked softly, noticing the way his shoulders slumped just a little.

He nodded, looking over at you. “Yeah.” he admitted. But there was no complaint in his tone, just a simple acknowledgment. He glanced down at your daughter, who was still completely absorbed in her play, and then back at you. “Come here,” he said, his smile widening as he gestured for you to join them, “Sit with us instead of standing at the door.”

You felt your heart warm at the invitation, and without hesitation, you moved closer, crossing the room to sit down on the floor right next to the tub. The tiles felt cool against your legs.

As soon as you were seated, Alex reached out towards you, shaking off the excess water from his hand before gently running his fingers through your hair. His touch was tender, his fingers sliding through the strands, just as he’d done it a thousand times before. He scratched lightly at your scalp, his movements slow and soothing, and you couldn’t help but close your eyes for a moment, leaning into his touch.

“Thanks for being here.” he said quietly, his hand still gently massaging your scalp. There was a hint of vulnerability in his voice, as if this little moment of connection meant more to him than he could put into words.

“Of course.” you replied, reaching up to cover his hand with yours. “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

He smiled at that, the kind of smile that made you feel like everything was exactly as it should be. You both turned your attention back to your daughter, who was still playing happily with her toys, completely unaware of the quiet exchange between the two of you.

You knew it was time to start winding down. “Sweetheart,” you said gently, leaning forward a bit, “It’s getting late. We need to get you clean before bed.”

She looked up at you, a little pout forming on her lips, but she didn’t protest. Alex, already a step ahead, began gathering the bath toys, his movements unhurried. He placed them back on the side of the tub, each one making a small splash as it left the water, except for the little yellow duck, which he let her keep in her hand. She clung to it, her tiny fingers wrapped around it tightly.

“Hold on to Mr. Duck.” Alex said with a warm smile, turning her around so that her back was to him, her head resting gently against his chest. “We’ll make sure he gets nice and clean, too.”

His hands were gentle as he cupped the back of her head, his fingers already familiar with the routine. He reached for the bottle of shampoo, squeezing a small amount into his palm before rubbing his hands together to lather it up. He carefully worked the shampoo through her hair, his fingers moving in slow, circular motions, massaging her scalp.

He started to hum a soft melody. The sound was low and soothing, filling the small bathroom with a warmth that made the moment feel even more intimate. The tune was unfamiliar to you, a simple, almost hypnotic series of notes, but you knew Alex well enough to recognize that this was likely one of his own compositions, a melody born from quiet moments like this, where the love he felt seemed to overflow.

You watched as he hummed softly, his eyes focused on your daughter as he gently massaged her scalp, making sure to be careful around the edges of her hairline. Even in the smallest of tasks, he poured his whole self into it, always making sure she felt safe and loved.

Your daughter, who had been on the verge of sleepiness just moments before, seemed to relax even more under his touch, her eyes fluttering shut as she let the warmth of the bath and the comfort of his presence lull her into a peaceful state.

As Alex finished rinsing the last of the shampoo from her hair, his humming trailed off into a soft sigh, the sound of the water the only noise left in the room. He looked over at you, a peaceful, almost sleepy smile on his face, and you returned it with one of your own.

He reached for the washcloth, wetting it before lathering it with a bit of soap. With the same tenderness he’d shown while washing her hair, Alex gently scrubbed your daughter’s small arms, her back, and finally her little legs, careful not to miss a spot. She barely stirred, so at ease in the safe haven of his arms that she seemed content to drift off right there in the tub.

Once she was fully clean, Alex cupped his hand to gather some of the bathwater, carefully rinsing the soap from her skin. The water cascaded over her in small streams, washing away the suds until she was completely clean. Satisfied, he leaned back slightly as he turned to you, the question clear in his eyes before he even spoke.

“Why don’t I take her?” you offered, already reaching out for her. “So you can wash up too.”

Alex nodded, grateful for the offer, but there was a hint of reluctance in his eyes as he handed her over, clearly enjoying the precious time with her. As you gathered her into your arms, she nuzzled into you, her body warm and relaxed from the bath.

You gently wrapped her in the towel, making sure she was snug and dry. She looked up at you with sleepy eyes, her little hand clutching the edge of the towel as you whispered, “Say bye-bye to Daddy.”

“Bye-bye.” She lifted a small hand and waved it slowly, her movements drowsy and sweet. Alex returned the wave. You caught the warmth in his gaze and gave him a soft smile before you turned, slipping out of the bathroom and heading toward the bedroom.

As you closed the door behind you, the soft click of the latch seemed to seal the quiet contentment of the evening, leaving Alex alone in the bathroom to finish his routine.

After you left, he let out a quiet sigh, the kind that comes when you’re alone with your thoughts. He glanced down at the bathwater, noticing the little yellow duck still bobbing around, now forgotten by your daughter. Reaching out, he plucked it from the water, the tiny toy fitting easily in his hand.

For a moment, he just held it, absentmindedly turning it over in his fingers, the plastic squeaking faintly as his grip shifted. His gaze drifted somewhere far away, his thoughts wandering to the events of the day, the music that refused to come together, the exhaustion that weighed on him. The toy was a simple, silly thing, but holding it reminded him of more important things that really mattered.

Another sigh escaped him as he forced himself back to the present. He still had to finish washing up, and he wasn’t going to get there by staring at a bath toy. Gently, he set the duck on the edge of the tub, watching it wobble slightly before it settled.

He reached for the bottle of shampoo again, pausing for a moment as his hand hovered over the familiar label. It was your daughter’s shampoo, the one you always bought specifically for her because it was gentle on her hair and smelled like fresh baby powder and chamomile. It was more expensive than the others, and he knew you always got frustrated when it seemed to disappear too quickly, confused about how it could be used up so fast.

Of course, he’d never admit it, but he liked using it too. There was something comforting about it, because it reminded him of her. And if he was honest, it made his hair softer than anything else he’d ever tried.

With a slight smile tugging at the corner of his mouth, he squeezed a small amount into his hand, the familiar scent instantly filling the room again.

As he worked the shampoo through his hair, he couldn’t help but feel a little guilty for using something that was meant for your daughter, knowing it would lead to another one of those puzzled conversations about how it always seemed to finish too soon. But he also knew he wouldn’t stop. There was something about it that connected him to her, even in these quiet, solitary moments.

He leaned back, letting the warm water rinse away the suds, and for the first time all day, he felt truly at ease. The bathroom was silent now, save for the gentle patter of water.

He eventually sat up, feeling the last of the shampoo wash away, and then quickly set to work on washing his body. The routine motions, soaping up his arms, his chest, his legs, were methodical, almost automatic, as he focused on rinsing himself off head to toe one last time.

He reached for the large, soft towel that hung nearby, wrapping it around his hips, the thick fabric absorbing the droplets that clung to his skin, and stepped out of the tub, leaving behind the warmth of the water for the cool air of the bathroom.

The mirror was fogged up from the steam, so he wiped a clear patch with the side of his hand, revealing his reflection. His hair was still wet, obviously, dark and slicked back against his head, so he grabbed a comb from the countertop and ran it through his locks. He worked carefully, making sure it would dry just the way he liked. Neat, but not too styled.

He paused for a moment, his eyes drifting down to his face. The stubble that had caught his attention earlier in the evening was still there, a shadow of dark hair along his jaw and chin. He tilted his head slightly, running his hand along his jawline, considering whether to shave after all. But he remembered your words, the way you’d told him you loved how his beard felt, and he smiled to himself.

“Nah.” he murmured softly, letting his hand drop. He’d keep it, at least for now.

With one last glance in the mirror, he decided he was done. He turned off the light and stepped out of the bathroom, the warmth of the night and the softness of the towel around his hips welcoming him back into the comfort of the bedroom where both of his girls were waiting for him.

a/n: this feels so different from what I usually write (maybe because it is) but I don’t know…maybe i’m getting soft on him.

tags: @st7rnioioss @theonlyoneswhoknowsblog @rentsturner @yourstartreatment @avxoxo1 @jqsvi @turnersfav @youresodarkbabe @psychedelicrocker @aacheinthejaw @zayndrider @humbuginmybones @tedioepica

#alex had big ideas the band was so excited #everything goblinontour writes makes me melt but this #it's just so sweet it makes my teeth hurt #cotton candy sweet

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