requested by Joan07305
warnings - implied suicide attempt
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Smoker, Vice Admiral and veteran Marine of G-5, never imagined fatherhood would come to him in such an unexpected way. It was a stormy night on an island notorious for its black market dealings when he first encountered her — a small, frightened girl named Y/N, no older than three, clinging desperately to a torn teddy bear in a dirty alleyway.
Her parents had been victims of the underbelly of crime that Smoker fought against daily. Without hesitation, Smoker took her into his care, navigating the complex paperwork of adoption through official channels, determined to give her a chance at a stable life despite his demanding career.
Years passed, and Y/N grew under Smoker's watchful eye. He juggled his duties as a Marine with bedtime stories, homework help, and teaching her to navigate the complexities of justice and morality. Yet, amidst the routines and patrols, he missed the signs — the quiet withdrawal, the nightmares, the subtle shifts in behavior that signaled Y/N's struggles.
One rainy evening, returning from a particularly grueling mission, Smoker noticed the absence of Y/N's presence. After calling out to her for a bit, he started to panic. He searched their modest home, finally finding her on the rooftop, her form silhouetted against the darkening sky. She stood dangerously close to the edge, about to step off.
"Y/N!" Smoker's voice cracked with fear and urgency as he rushed forward, heart pounding. His mind raced with guilt and fear, realizing how blind he had been to her pain.
As Smoker pulled her away from the edge, Y/N resisted his embrace. Tears ran down her face as she sobbed, slowly going limp in his arms. In that moment, Smoker felt the weight of every missed opportunity to truly see her struggles, to hear her unspoken cries for help.
"I'm sorry, Y/N," he whispered, voice thick with emotion as he gripped her close to his chest, not concerning himself with the rain that soaked their bodies. "I'm here now. I'll always be here."
That night, Smoker made a promise to himself and to Y/N — to be more than just her guardian, but her protector, her confidant, and her father. Together, they navigated the turbulent waters of healing and recovery, learning to communicate in ways that surpassed words, bound by love forged through adversity.
As the years passed, Y/N grew stronger, her smile brighter, and her spirit resilient. And Smoker, once a lone warrior against the darkness, found solace and purpose in the eyes of the daughter he had almost lost.
Their journey together was not without its challenges, but in each other, they found the strength to face whatever came their way, guided by a bond that transcended the titles of Marine and civilian, and embraced the unbreakable bond of family.
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