Good Day/Evening/Night! If it is not too much to ask, could I ask for headcanons about Stainless as a boyfriend?

I would kindly request for a Broca imagine.🥺

Hiya anons! 💕 Ty for sending in requests 🥺 I actually know the first anon well, so from now on they're gonna be called bird anon 🤣 anywho, I was a little unsure on how to capture Broca but I actually really enjoyed writing this! 😭🎉 I hope I did him justice 🌸 please enjoy 🍡

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Growing Closer with Broca overtime

Headcanon format; From the perspective of the reader/Doctor for the most part

Contains: Broca, reader as Doctor, relationship development overtime, a few time skips and lots of fluff 🥺

Word count: about 2.4k!

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･ Rhodes Island was quite the expansive company, but you had always made an effort to get to know every Operator you commanded to at least some extent. Some you only knew the names of, while others you considered very close to you beyond business and Operations. You felt it was only right that you made an effort to understand those who were ready to give their lives for the cause Rhodes Island stood for; it was the least you could do, in your eyes.

･ Though there was one particular Operator among one of the groups of newer recruits who captured your curiosity; he had attended post and pre-operation meetings, but he always wore the same callous scowl and stood in a far corner of the room, not saying a word.

･ When you had asked Amiya, she replied with a slight tilt of her head, “Ah, the Guard Operator off to the side? His name is Broca, I don't think you’ve met him personally yet, Doctor. He's not very talkative, but he's a talented Operator.” Broca - the name wasn't too familiar, but that only brought more curiosity upon you.

･ You had read his file, but documents never properly represented how a person actually felt or behaved. So, you took it upon yourself to talk to Broca; maybe even help the Feline feel a little more comfortable around you and others at Rhodes Island.

･ Whilst taking attendance for an upcoming Operation, you took your time when the next name on your list was his; “Codename Broca?” He raised a hand for a moment, muttering out a small, “Here.” You could tell that he was expecting you to move on, but you stopped to face him with a small smile, “Welcome, I’m sorry I didn't introduce myself sooner.”

･ Just when you mentioned your name, Broca stepped back, looking off to the side as a small ‘tch’ left his lips, “I don’t have any reason to start a conversation with you. Your name doesn't matter to me.”

･ With that, he headed off in a different direction; you stood there for a few moments, blinking and face written with surprise, before a small sigh left you.

･ It looked like getting closer to Broca was going to be anything but easy.

･ You had heard what the other Operators would say about Broca; they always mentioned how unpleasant he was to be around. In fact, some even told you trying to get closer to him was a battle you would lose very sorely. While you understood where they were coming from, you were sure that his bitterness came from somewhere amd had an explanation, and you wanted to understand him better.

･ However, understanding Broca better was a lot easier said than done.

･ From his file, you gathered that he was previously involved with the Siracusan mafia and that he only seemed to be open around the two Operators he had been with when he arrived at Rhodes Island, though you didn't know either of them personally. You knew he was Infected, but you weren't his medical doctor, nor was that any of your business.

･ So, unfortunately, the list of things you could’ve potentially talked to Broca about thinned very quickly.

･ Even so, you didn't want to give up on trying to get closer to him just yet.

･ A few days later, you had approached Amiya while walking around the Rhodes Island Arc, once again asking about Broca; “Amiya, have you seen Broca anywhere today?”

･ The young woman looked down for a second, eyes thoughtful before she lifted her head with a small nod, “Yes, I saw him heading toward the kitchen down the hall a little while ago.” The Chimera explained, “Will you try talking to him again?” When you replied in affirmation, Amiya smiled a little, “I see. He doesn't show it, but I’m certain he appreciates your effort.” Her words paired with her kind grin imbued you with motivation, and you couldn't help but smile a little back.

･ As you thanked her for her help, the Chimera waved you goodbye, “I hope it goes well for you, Doctor.” And with that, you were off to go find Broca.

･ In all honesty, you weren't expecting the Feline to still be where Amiya had seen him, but sure enough, he was in the small kitchens adjacent to one of the meeting rooms nearby; it seemed like he had just finished attending a briefing.

･ “Broca, hello again.” You figured there was no better approach than a forthcoming one, so you headed further into the room to stand a little closer to him. He didn't seem very happy to see you; in fact, he hadn't really spared you as much as a glance, and continued to rummage around in the cabinets as if you weren't there. The only real indication that he had even really noticed you was that his Feline ears flattened just slightly in displeasure, and that wasn't exactly the greatest sign either.

･ You weren’t that easy to get rid of, however.

･ “Are you looking for something to eat?” You asked, looking around the kitchen for a second before opening one of the nearby fridges and peering in.

･ A little hesitantly, Broca stared at you from the corner of his eye, watching as you pulled out a tray of various wrapped sandwiches. “You can take one of these. Matterhorn made them this morning.” You took two sandwiches off the tray then returned it to its original spot as the Feline nearby finally turned to face you.

“...Who’re all of those for?” He asked, and you smiled a little, happy that he was speaking to you - even if it was only a few words.

･ “They’re for everyone. You can take what you like.” Heart hopeful, you extended your arm and offered one of the sandwiches to him, “If you’re not going to eat it now, just take it for later.”

･ Broca stared at you for a few moments; eyes shifted between your kind expression and the wrapped sandwich you held in your outstretched hand. Conflict flicked in his eyes for but a second, then, with a small “tch”, he moved his hand, accepting the food.

･ His fingertips brushed yours as he did, and to your surprise, he lingered for a few seconds longer. But when you blinked, he was already leaving the room, unwrapping the sandwich on the way.

･ Before the door closed behind him, the Feline glanced over his shoulder; his expression was softer than usual, and he spared you a small thankful nod before taking his leave.

･ As the door closed, you smiled to yourself. Maybe there was a chance that Broca would let you in after all.

･ These small interactions continued, and each time you two spoke, Broca became just a little warmer.

･ You would greet him in the hallways, wish him good luck as he left for Operations and praise him for his good work after an Operation would finish. As the days passed, he began acknowledging you more and more; the Feline spared you a simple “Morning.” or “Afternoon.” whenever he passed you by happenstance, he would give you verbal reports about missions upon returning and whenever you applauded him for his good work on the battlefield, he’d stop to give you a curt word of thanks.

･ You didn't move too fast; you let him come to you at his own pace. Everytime you two spoke, you felt like you began to understand him better; the Feline was tough, but behind his walls, he wasn't the heartless person everything thought him to be.

･ Broca became very important to you, and so was every moment you two shared. It was hard to tell what he was thinking, but you didn't have to be able to read minds in order to understand that he was trying his best to allow you in.

･ However, the real point of progress between you two was one weekend afternoon a long time later, just before dawn.

･ Work had kept you up late, so you didn't see the point in sleeping. To keep yourself occupied, you figured you’d prepare for the Operation briefing you were supposed to present later that day to save yourself some time.

･ However, when you had walked into the meeting room reserved for the briefing, you were surprised to see someone already there, looking over the battle formation diagrams you had drawn earlier that day during the small meeting you had held in preparation for the upcoming Operation. “Broca?”

･ The Feline looked up, looking a little surprised to see you. “Morning.” He looked off to the side as you stepped into the room, “It's early for you to be here.”

･ You briefly explained why you were there at such an early hour, before sitting on the meeting desk, facing him, “What are you doing here?” He nodded his head at the meeting board and battle formation diagrams on the table, “Preparing.”

･ You nodded, making a small noise of affirmation. Broca stared at you for a moment more, before returning to his previous task of reviewing the battle plans for the Operation.

･ The silence wasn’t awkward, but you still felt the need to fill it; “Broca, do you hate working here with me at Rhodes Island?” He clearly wasn't expecting that; the question was direct, and the Feline grew a bit tense at hearing it. He was quiet for a few moments, but then he huffed. “You’re rather rude.” He gave you a glance, before crossing his arms and then choosing to shake his head slowly, “I don’t hate you, I just…..find it difficult to completely trust you.” A little hesitantly, he looked you in the eye, seeming to struggle to keep his gaze sharp, “But….you’ve shown me that….you’re not half bad.”

･ His tone was softer than it typically was and his words brought you serenity. Broca wasn't partially eloquent in the slightest, but whenever he spoke with you, a warm and safe feeling washed over you.

･ You opened your mouth to reply effusively, but when your eyes returned to his face, colour had risen to his face, cheeks dusted with blush. His eyes seemed to look anywhere but you, and his arms were crossed. Broca didn't seem to regret what he had said, but he looked uncomfortable, maybe a little embarrassed. His Feline ears twitched subtly and his tail seemed to fidget; it was the first time he truly let his walls fall since joining Rhodes Island, and you were the only one there to see it.

･ You were thankful that he was giving you a chance, but you decided to express that outwardly some other time; a day where he would be more ready to be vulnerable around you.

･ “Broca, I....” So instead, you yawned, propping your elbow on your knee in order to rest your chin in your palm, “I’ll stay a little while, if that's okay with you.” The Feline kept his eyes on you for a moment, then, he huffed a bit again while glaring at you just a little, “Good grief, there isn't any getting rid of you.” He looked off to the side, “But if you want to stay….tch, fine.”

･ Amiya would definitely scold you for getting little to no sleep, but you wanted to stay in the moment just a little while longer; you wanted to stay with Broca for just a little while longer.

･ And so, it was back to silence. Soon, hues of orange and violet split into the room, blanketing you two with warm from the just risen sun. Broca didn't speak to you, but you didn't mind; for you, him simply allowing you to stay in the same room as him was enough.

･ It was obvious something must've happened to cause him to be so distrusting of others - but you were more than fine with letting him come to you at his own pace; you didn't need him to completely open up to you all at once. You weren't going anywhere, and you hoped that neither was he.

･ The sound of the announcement system going off followed by a voice from the speakers overhead cut into the silence in the room, starling both of you a little, “Doctor, please report to the Rhodes Island main deck as soon as possible.”

･ You frowned a little; duty called, unfortunately. As you pushed yourself off the desk, Broca hummed a little, turning back to you, “Well then, you should get going.” A nod came from you, followed by a small look of apology, “I’ll see you this afternoon for the Operation briefing.” The Feline replied in affirmation, before turning to return to the meeting board.

･ However, before you took your leave, you looked toward him, looking at his back that was turned to you, "Broca?" He tilted his head to look over his shoulder, his eyes meeting your form from the corner of his eye, “Do you need something-”

･ A little suddenly, you stepped forward, catching his wrist gently and prompting him to turn to you in surprise; you practically felt a frisson of shock go through him. The Feline tensed, sputtering while his face flushed with colour, “O-Oy…?!” Even so, you didn't pull away and neither did he. Taking your chance, you took his hand in both your own and squeezed gently, touch tender.

･ Bringing his hand close to your heart and holding it tightly, you smiled at him, eyes filled with an unbelievable gratefulness; “Thank you for accepting me.”

･ At first, Broca gaped at you like you had three heads, but then, ever so slowly, he let his tense shoulders relax, speaking in a quiet tone, “Tch...good grief.” His eyes met yours, a little embarrassed but soft and honest.

･ Thoughts were chasing each other around in his head, but when he looked at how warm your gaze looked, his mind calmed; he still wasn't sure about Rhodes Island, but you? You two weren't quite there yet, but his heart told him that you were someone he would be able to place his complete trust in someday. And so, a little shyly, he squeezed your hand back, expression relaxed - “....You're welcome.”

･ Yes; your effort to get to know Broca better hadn’t gone to waste at all.

Hello feeshcule ehehehehe may i ask for how headcanons on how tequila and flamebringer are like when it comes to hand-holding (separately) ? thank you very much in advance (-> sry I'm insufferable when it comes to these two🐥)