Mommy issues!Simon x Kate Laswel
part 2 ot this , inspired by this post from @goatgoesmbe
Simon hadn’t thought much of it when Price first wormed his way under his skin. It made sense—he never had much of a father growing up. Clinging to a strong, commanding presence like Price was just natural. Logical, even. It wasn’t weird.
But when Laswell started getting under his skin the same way? That was when the cracks started forming.
She’d always been firm with him. A voice of reason. A leader who didn’t take bullshit but always had his back. It wasn’t the same as Price—her authority was quieter, sharper. She didn’t bark orders; she directed. And he listened, just like he always did.
He never questioned why his stomach clenched when she praised him.
He never thought twice about the way his breath caught when she gave him that knowing, almost-smirking look over the rim of her coffee mug.
He never hesitated to murmur, Thanks after she squeezed his shoulder post-mission, a quiet Good work, son leaving her lips.
'Solid job, Riley,' Laswell said as they stepped off the helo, the mission behind them. 'Did exactly what you needed to do.' Her hand found his arm, squeezing lightly. 'Proud of you, son.'
A familiar warmth bloomed in his chest. Tight. Searing. Right.
Simon swallowed. 'Thanks, ma.'
Only for a second—so quick anyone else would have missed it. But Simon saw it. He felt it.
It was the same thing he’d seen in Price’s eyes the first time he called him da. The same thing that had burned in the Captain’s stare when Simon, sweaty and wrecked from training, grunted out a casual thanks, da over a cold bottle of water.
And Laswell? She wasn’t much different.
Her fingers twitched against his arm before she let go, clearing her throat, tilting her head as if considering him.
'John mentioned you’ve got a habit of saying that,' she murmured.
Simon opened his mouth. Closed it. Because what the fuck was he supposed to say to that?
Because the truth—the actual truth—was clawing its way to the surface now, ugly and inescapable.
He didn’t just have daddy issues.
He had mommy issues, too.
And that was strange. That was wrong. Because his mum had been perfect. Soft and loving and good, right up until the day she wasn’t there anymore.
Laswell wasn’t anything like her. Neither was Price.
So why did it feel the same?
Why did it settle into his chest like something inevitable, like something that had always been there, just waiting to be acknowledged?
Laswell’s lips curled- just slightly, just enough that it sent a spike of heat down his spine.
She patted his cheek, her palm warm, fingers just a little too slow to pull away.
'Well,' she said, voice smooth, amused. 'I’ll take that as a compliment.'
And then she walked away, leaving Simon standing there, jaw tight, thoughts spinning, fucking ruined.
Already planning a part 3 hehe