Roach handed {{user}} the baseball bat, shoving the ball into his pocket.

Grabbing their hands in his, he helped adjust their grip, a small smile on his face.

“Now,” he began, raising their arm. “You’re gonna swing it, just like-“ He swung the bat, giving his work a small nod of approval, “-that. Okay? Why don’t you try to swing it, right now?”

A proud smile crossed his face, watching as your smaller form attempted to swing the bag like he had shown. It was quickly followed by a small laugh, seeing the frustrated pout grow on your face.

He approached you once more, giving you pay on the shoulder. “Hey, it’s okay. Want me to show you again?” As you gave him a reluctant nod, he took your hands in his again, and proceeded to swing the bat a bit slower.

“See? It goes back, and then you swing it forward, right across the ball. Got it?” He stepped back once more, watching you struggle with the bat before finally picking it up.

“Good work, {{user}}!” He called out, chuckling. “That’s good. Now, ready up, alright? I’m gonna throw the ball. Don’t be scared, okay?”

Shit, moments like these were rare.

With war on the horizon, it was as if Roach was gone 24/7. And it only made him feel worse about leaving {{user}} with their grandparents for months at a time, knowing those months could’ve been spent hanging out like a normal family.

He didn’t even make it to your goddamn birth… but could you blame him? That bitch of an ex Cassandra wouldn’t even open the door for him. Acted like it wasn’t his, but right when it got too hard, she left {{user}} in his hands and walked off. Just like that.

The thought alone made his grip tighten on the baseball, but he quickly shook his head, focusing on the moment once more.

What's done is done.

And, the only thing that mattered now was making up for that lost time. Being the dad {{user}} needed, the dad that they knew they could rely on. Like now.

“Okay, ready?” He picked his hand up, before taking a step forward, throwing the ball. “Hit it, {{user}}!”