Laurance

This man is a big fan of any nickname that gets you flustered, but he has a few particular favourites.

Love and beautiful are nicknames he uses on the regular, so much so that it occasionally makes you wonder if he even remembers your actual name. In fact, Laurance rarely uses your name - why should he, when he has a repertoire of nicknames that fit you perfectly?

Out of all the men mentioned in this post (maybe even out of all the men in MyStreet), Laurance is the frontrunner and reigning champion in making up sickeningly sweet nicknames, such as sugarcakes, buttercup, light of my life, etc.  If stringing together random words into an affectionate term was a crime, he’d be in federal prison at this point. He usually does this to get a rise out of you, especially in front of your mutual friends (who all think its equal parts funny and embarrassing), but he also just enjoys it. He thinks it’s a cute thing to do, and doesn’t really care if others find it odd or embarrassing. Why should he?

He mostly uses your actual name when calling for you or if you’re arguing, mainly to underline that he’s being serious. It’s not really a conscious decision. I like to think that it’s a habit he picked up from Cadenza when they were kids. At some point, this becomes so ingrained in your dynamic that if he, for whatever reason, calls you by your real name, you automatically start wondering if something’s wrong, and if you’re an overthinker…well that can snowball quickly.

Again, that’s not a conscious decision - hence the slip up. Once Laurance becomes aware of this, either by you telling him or him noticing (because if there is one thing this man is, it’s observant), he’ll actually start trying to alternate between using a nickname and your name more often, especially during serious conversations or arguments. Mainly because he is slightly disturbed by the idea that he accidentally had you associating your name with you two arguing.

Another nickname he uses is angel, though it’s reserved for more intimate moments when he gets really sappy. It’s accompanied by whispers of adoration, confessions of love, and reminders of how much you mean to him. He genuinely believes he’s the luckiest man alive to have you, wonderful you, as his partner. You brighten up all of his days, even those you aren’t present for, and bring out the best in him. Sounds a lot like what an angel would do, doesn’t it?

Gene

Another man who loves to make you flustered.

Babe is one he uses often, but for him it’s more a word that's interchangeable with your name, rather than a term of endearment. Still, if someone else called you that - you’d have a really annoyed Gene on your hands. Exceptions are made for people like Lucinda, who will call everyone and their mom every nickname in the book.

A nickname he absolutely loves to use is doll. He thinks it’s really cute (and these days, unique), and it almost never fails to make you blush. Especially when it's accompanied by his signature smirk and husky voice - that usually has a playful lilt to it. When you’re busy doing something, he loves to come up behind you, wrap his arms around your waist and mumble a small “hey doll” into your ear - and if that’s not distracting you enough, he might press a few kisses to your cheek, slowly trailing them down to your jaw.

Another thing he does is add “my” to almost any nickname he uses - “my doll”, “my darling” or just a plain old “my girl/boy”, depending on what you’re comfortable with.

On that note, he’ll sometimes say “good girl/boy” as a response to you listening to him, mostly to get a reaction out of you. And Gene, being the little prick he can be, will deliberately stop saying it for a while if he even suspects you’re getting used to it. It’s really just an ace up his sleeve that he loves to pull whenever you don’t expect it, and your reactions entertain him endlessly.

He’ll also call you sweetheart, though not nearly as often. It’s mostly used when he’s trying to comfort you, or if he himself is having a really shitty day and just needs you nearby (preferably, in his arms).

I cannot remember if this was confirmed or not, but i HC Gene as being at least partly hispanic, so i think he might occasionally use spanish terms of endearment such as mi amor or mi cielo.

Zenix

Honestly, this guy isn’t really all that big on nicknames (unless dumbass, pain in the ass and idiot count). He has nothing against them, but you already have a name, and he likes it, so why not use it? He’s not great at thinking of good ones either, and he feels like most of them just don’t roll off the tongue that naturally. Nicknames like love, darling and dear feel especially awkward to him, and it’s only slightly because emotional vulnerability and casual proclamations of love scare the shit out of him.

Like Gene, he’ll use babe more than others, though mostly in an obnoxious way. If he wants something, or is just being whiny in general, he’ll call you that until you give him the attention he wants.

If you like nicknames, he honestly tries really hard. Most of them just feel really awkward to him, and he doesn’t really see the point until you start calling him various nicknames, and it kind of clicks in his head why people like it so much.

At some point you stop using them, thinking they make him uncomfortable, and he gets genuinely upset. He stumbles through a flustered explanation, where the bottomline is that withholding affection from him like that should be considered a crime, a description you laugh at, but take to heart. When you tell him that you simply assumed he was uncomfortable because he doesn’t call you anything in return, he grumbles about how assumptions are stupid and you should just ask him instead.

Still, Zenix knows it takes two to tango, and after that, he grows a bit more comfortable with nicknames. He tries out a bunch, but it’s mostly because he gets a kick out of your reactions. 

In private, he likes to call you sexy, mostly as a joke. There is truth to it of course, he thinks you’re extremely attractive, but the word is just really funny to him. Plus, your flushed face is one hell of a bonus. He would never dare call you that in front of others, especially not Gene and Sasha, so that’s a prime opportunity to get revenge for whatever torment he puts you through.

Honorable mention; hot stuff is another one he might use, for the same reason.

Zenix also really likes to just refer to you as “mine”. He’s possessive, moreso out of insecurity than distrust, though he does find it difficult to put his faith in anyone - especially a romantic partner, which he struggles to admit. He needs a lot of reassurance, which sometimes just comes in the form of calling you his, and with you affirming.

Unironically (well, kind of) refers to you as his partner in crime. Both in private and with others; it’s not that sweet, sure, but it’s a nice middle ground for him when calling you more affectionate names seems so daunting, especially when others can hear. It kind of becomes your thing after a while, even if one day he grows comfortable enough to express his love for you differently.

Zane

He probably grew up with his parents calling each other all kinds of classy terms of endearment like honey, darling, love, and beloved, and I feel like that kind of carries over to him. In the beginning of the relationship at least. He has other nicknames he prefers to use later on.

Beloved is the one that always sticks. It’s simple, but carries a lot of meaning - literally referring to someone or something that is “dearly loved”. And that perfectly describes how he feels about you.

Zane is not the type to use many terms of endearment in public, if any at all. Not out of shyness, he’s just a pretty private person, and while he doesn’t mind PDA, he doesn’t see the need to flaunt everything about his relationship out in the open. He views terms of endearment as a pretty intimate thing by default, and while he doesn’t mind you using them in public (it makes him smile, honestly), he prefers to keep it to a minimum.

If this bothers you, he’ll use them in front of your friends a bit more often. He doesn’t want you to think that he doesn’t love you enough to show it in front of others.

In private, on the other hand? He’s a sucker for cute nicknames like muffin or pumpkin, both of which he uses a lot. As soon as the door shuts behind you two, he’s practically forgetting your given name in favor of those two. He prefers pumpkin, not for any particular reason. It’s also the one he defaults to when you’re upset. He’ll notice quite quickly, and move you to a quiet area, offering you a hug and mumbling “what’s wrong, pumpkin?” into your hair.

He’s not rapid-firing nicknames like Laurance is, but he’s quite close in the race. It’s just a simple way for him to remind you that he cares about you, something intimate he saves just for you. His family have heard him call you sweet things before (and they definitely enjoy this softer side of him), but he tries to keep it between the two of you.

Nicknames he uses less often, and definitely in a more teasing manner, are bunny or kitty, sometimes just pet. You would not catch him dead calling you any of these in front of anyone else, not even while completely wasted, but if you’re alone and he feels like teasing you? He’s pulling out all the stops.

Pet is one he especially uses when he’s trying to convince you to do something for him. Most of the time, it’s something mundane, like taking care of yourself properly - or making him a cup of tea because he’s too lazy to get up. He knows you can’t say say no when he uses just the right tone of voice, even if you’re cursing him as you stomp off to do whatever it is he said.

laurance had placed you under “house arrest” this morning when you told him you were going to go out to work again instead of resting. he had even stolen your keys to stop you from going anywhere, taking them with him when he left for the day. you felt useless sitting around, especially since your plans this morning were thrown off track, so you had spent the whole day cleaning the place instead.

you both stare at each other for a good minute, not saying a word to the other. it unnerved you the longer he stared at you, making you squirm on your feet. it was hard to breathe, your chest seeming to never get in enough air as you took in each breath.

finally, he moves, walking over to the shower and turning it on, unlatching the head to rinse off all of the cleaner. you think about trying to run away, which was rather stupid because you’d still be in the same house and he’d give you an earful no matter what.

“get undressed.” he says, turning around to stare at you after leaving the shower running. 

“what?” you raise your eyebrows, nearly breaking out into another coughing fit when he peels off his own shirt and gets started on unbuttoning his pants.

“you look like you’ve been working all day,” he starts, his pointed and accusing glare making you shrink back in guilt. “and you look so pale i think a shower would make you actually pass out and hurt yourself if you showered alone.”

“i’m fine,” you try to start, only to be stopped by him tugging you forward by your shirt.

“can you let me take care of you?” he whispers, eyes pleading as his hands begin to lift your shirt.

you can only nod with a breathy “okay”, lifting your arms for him as he begins undressing you. you can’t protest, especially with how your head spun just from the small sudden movement. he was definitely right, you felt super lightheaded and exhausted, and if you had worked any longer you actually might’ve been able to pass out on the bathroom floor. 

“good girl.”

you’re soon both in the shower not long after, the warm water soothing the ache in your back and the dull pain in your head. it nearly soothes you to sleep as you stand there, resting your head on laurance’s chest—especially when he gently begins massaging your shampoo into your hair. 

you can’t help but let out an involuntary hum of comfort, eyes closed and arms wrapped around his waist. his hand brushes some soap suds away from your forehead, and a soft press from his lips follows soon after. 

“let’s get you finished up here and then something to eat, okay?” he whispers, dipping your hair back into the water.

he seemed to have memorized your entire nightly routine, doing every step for you from hair to skincare, even dressing you in your pajamas before you could protest. his gentle touches have your eyelids heavily drifting closed, the dizziness you still felt making you rock in place. 

“alright, pretty girl.” he whispers, arms wrapping around your waist and lifting you up, carrying you to the bed and laying you down.

he doesn’t let you go, arms still trapping you against him as he lays with you.

“it’s barely four, why are you laying down too?”

“well apparently i have to keep an eye on you like a toddler who keeps ripping her scab open, so this is necessary.” he whispers back.

you huff, squirming a bit only for his arms to tighten against you. “this is not necessary.”

“if you go to sleep i’ll make you soup when you wake up.” he suggests, completely ignoring your protests.

“are you bargaining with me like i’m a toddler now?”

“soouuup.” he coos in a sing-song voice, snickering when you quietly groan. “go to sleep and you'll have a yummy bowl of it waiting for you.”

despite all of your stubborn protesting your body finally betrays you, muscles relaxing and eyes fluttering shut. the to-do list in your head melts into nothing as laurance’s fingers rub against your scalp, sending you into the deep sleep your body had been begging you for.

𝐙𝐀𝐍𝐄

zane’s tongue runs over the inside of his lip in irritation, pushing against his black snake bite piercings before he scoffs. his arms are crossed as he stands in the doorway, standing between you and the outside world. for whatever reason you'd even want to go out there is beyond him.

“what do you think you’re doing?” he questions, raising an eyebrow at your half-assed outfit and the car keys in your hand.

“need to run some errands…” you mutter.

another scoff leaves his mouth as he paces towards you, plucking the keys right from your hands. “like hell you are.”

“but—”

“you’re not going out.” he says bluntly, lifting one of his hands and resting it against your forehead.

he sighs out your name, his tone breathy and concerned as his thumb rubs gently against your brow. his rings feel cool and soothing against your warm skin, making your eyelids flutter shut for just a moment at the sensation.

his hand gently pushes your head, rocking you in place and pulling you out of your haze.

“hm?” you frown, squinting up at him.

he frowns. “you planned on going out when you can barely even hear when i talk?”

“uh…”

his fingers shift up to your hair, rubbing into your scalp as his palm rests flat on your head. “you’re burning up. why do you insist on not taking care of yourself?”

“i’m fine… i just have a few things to do.”

you try to grab your keys from his hand but he backs up a step, extending his arm and raising an eyebrow, palm firmly keeping you away from him. dumbly staring up at him, your eyebrows furrow as your fingers reach out and barely brush against his sweater.

“zane? give me—”

“no.” he deadpans.

“…hello? those are my keys?” you huff incredulously.

“i don’t care?”

“what the—”

he takes his hand away from your head, sending you stumbling forward into his chest. you’re honestly surprised he didn’t step out of the way and let you fall—which he may have done once or twice before—and instead wrapped an arm around your shoulder to steady you. it makes your head throb, and you realize he may have been right about your fever as the sudden movement sent a dull achy pain down your back.

your eyes flutter shut as the headache you had been fighting off all day throbs against your skull, making you very clearly grimace in discomfort.

zane lets out a sigh, giving you a “told you so” look that you can’t refute despite desperately wanting to. your thoughts of another excuse as to why he should let you go are scrambled when his other arm hooks under your legs and you’re suddenly hoisted into the air. 

a noise of surprise leaves your lips and one of your arms automatically wraps around his shoulders to steady yourself. you look up at him with widened eyes, too lightheaded to speak at first. 

“what? are you surprised that i’m taking care of you or something?” he rolls his eyes. 

“i’m more surprised you have the muscles to carry me.” you tease.

“i will drop you.”

“i’m kidding! sorry, sorry,” you snicker, resting your head on his shoulder when laughing sends more pain into your head. “i was just kidding…”

a nearly inaudible sigh leaves his lips as he pulls your head closer, slowing down through the doorway.

“oh, sure.” he mumbles, lips forming into an adorable pout. “i try to take care of you and this is the thanks that i get.”

“thank you.” you murmur back immediately. “i would give you a kiss on the cheek but i don’t want to get you sick.”

he sets you down on the bed, one hand leaning onto the mattress as he leans over you.

“...so you’re admitting you’re sick?”

“wh–uh–no…”

“then?” he turns his face, pointing to his cheek.

you stare at him incredulously. it’s easy to forget sometimes that he’s not shy, just completely antisocial. tilting your head up you press your lips against his cheek, pulling away to see a satisfying blush dusting against his freckled skin.

he sighs, turning to sit down on the side of your bed and reaching over to turn on the tv.

“why don’t you watch something light-hearted to try and go to sleep to?” he suggests, flicking through the cartoons.

“my little pony?” you rasp when he lands on the childish cartoon. “will you watch it with me?”

he glances at you from the corner of his eye as he clicks play without hesitation. if it didn’t hurt to laugh you think you’d burst out cackling at his attempt to keep his tough emo act, but you settle for snickering quietly at his display.

“do you need anything?” he asks, flicking your forehead.

“ow… no.” you pout.

“…if i make you hot chocolate will you drink it?”

it only takes the small moment of your eyes lighting up for him to lean over, pressing a gentle kiss onto your forehead before getting back up and walking to your door. “with marshmallows?.”

“…yeah.”

𝐙𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐗

“lay down.”

“but i’m fine! you don’t need to make me anything, i’ll get over it soon.” you rasp, standing in the doorway as you watch zenix unload the groceries he had brought over when you texted him you were still working even from your deathbed.

you regretted letting him have a key to your place when he had thrown the door open, slamming your laptop shut and stopping your rather pathetic progress on your essay. 

“that’s what you said when i asked you if you were still feeling bad two days ago, yet your dumbass still sounds like you swallowed sandpaper.”

“well excuse me—” you start, taking a step towards him and freezing when he whips his head over to you with a seething look in his eyes.

“i said go lay back down! i will crush you into the bed if you don’t get back under the covers in five seconds!” he huffs in a snippy tone, eyebrows pinched together like he was disbelieved that you were still going to disagree with him on this. 

his eyes widen a hair when he sees a singular eyebrow hitch up on your face, your lips pursing suggestively at his words. “you’re gonna do what now, zenix? run that by me again.”

the teasing was not nearly as effective as you probably wanted it to be, with your hair a mess and bags heavy under your eyes like a snively little victorian child. it still seems to strike a nerve in the hot head in front of you, his cheeks brightening and lips curling into what could only be described as a peeved pout. 

“…i’m. going. to kill you.” he grits, and you have to suppress the urge to laugh.

“you wouldn’t hurt a sick person would you?” you muse, though cautiously take a step back when his body starts to turn towards you.

the can of soup he had in his hand clangs against your counter before his feet loudly stomp on the floor as he sprints towards you. you can’t help the small scream you let out, the sight of zenix barreling towards you a rather terrifying sight. it strains your already sore throat and sets you into a small coughing fit, totally slowing you down even more than your weakened body could manage. you don’t get far before his arms tightly clamp around your waist, lifting your body up and trapping you back against his chest.

you hunch over in his arms as you try to suppress your coughs, your head throbbing each time your body jerks. completely out of breath from that short distance, you’re too busy trying to recover to realize zenix had carried you back to your bed. he plops you right back down, crossing his arms as you fall back like a ragdoll into your comforter.

“my throat hurts…” you whine, the words more strained than before as you bring a hand up to your eyes. 

he scoffs. “you shouldn’t have yelled then, idiot.”

despite his scolding tone, his hands are gentle as he pulls you by the shoulders to lay you down the right way in your bed. before you can think to squirm again your sheets and blanket are tugged right under your chin, zenix’s face focused as he very seriously tucks you in.

blinking up at him through bleary eyes, you think for a second that you might be hallucinating when you catch his stare as he leans over you. his expression is uncharacteristically relaxed, lips parted and eyebrows resting calmly against his face. his eyes meet yours and he nearly flinches back, standing back up with a conflicted purse of his lips.

“…i got you a gatorade to help with your throat. and i'll get you some medicine.” he mutters, stalking off to the door and turning to point at you. “don’t. move.”

your hand raises to your forehead in a salute, eyes fluttering as a sudden wave of exhaustion hits you. “sir, yes sir.”

he rolls his eyes, and when he leaves the room you think you hear an amused chuckle poorly hidden by a scoff. you lay there for maybe ten minutes max before he’s shuffling back into your room, holding a bowl of ramen, gatorade, and a bottle of medicine.

he sets everything on your side table before sitting on the edge of your bed, glancing between you and the stuff he brought you like a crow who had brought back his owner some treasure.

thank you, zenix…” you mutter, sitting up on your headboard and letting your achy muscles finally relax as you surrender to his insistence.

“…yeah, whatever.” he replies, his own shoulders relaxing when you gratefully begin to eat the ramen. “just don’t push yourself so hard next time. or i really will kill you.”

“awww, how sweet.” you shrug your shoulders up with a sarcastic smile.

“just eat your food!”