Flufftober 2023

Flufftober 2023

Day 27: "Hold my hand, my ex is right there..." [x Steven]

Staking out was never your strong suit, but undercover work where you got to stare at Steven in casual clothing...

That was a whole different story.

You could just barely convince yourself this was a date... a fake date to be sure but a date all the same. But only just... you knew better than to blatantly assume Steven would be interested in you. Even if he were, this was work. The two of you should keep focused on the target.

Except, you caught sight of someone else... an old ex who just loved one-upping you at every opportunity. it was the main reason you broke up with them in the first place. But now... You had the perfect chance to shut them down for good.

If only you didn't feel so guilty about asking Steven...

"Hm? [Name]?" Steven couldn't help but notice your lack of focus... he couldn't bring himself to say why but... "Is something wrong?"

"Oh. no, nothing." You fidgeted with your coat zipper a little, "It's just... My ex is right over there. I was kinda thinking about asking you to hold my hand to make them a little jealous but we hav--"

Before you knew what was going on, Steven's hand was around yours. His fingers intertwining with yours as if he was just waiting for you to ask.

"I'm sure you'll explain later." Steven smirked, "But it does help with what we're already doing, so you didn't have to take a trip to la la land like that."

You could barely make a sound, your cheeks were so flushed. The most handsome man was holding your hand, your crush was holding your hand to help make your ex jealous. He didn't even hesitate, you didn't have to go on a long-winded explanation, Steven just did it.

Whumptober 2023

Day 27: Fear of Intimacy [x Dog]

Why did you have to fall in love with a snuggle monster? Just being his friend led to you being squished in hugs all the time. And you knew Dog was bound to be far more touchy-feely after the fact.

But it was more than that. You were nervous about getting closer with anyone. Preferring arm's length at all times. It helped you feel more in control of your own life, as if you actually were someone that didn't have to be something you weren't.

It was also just... letting someone get that close. Giving them the tools to hurt you so thoroughly that you would never recover. It's happened before, who's to say it won't happen again...

And that upset you more, thinking that Dog would even remotely consider harming you in any way. He was sweet, kind, handsome, caring, genuine. He swung wildly between little kid mentality and sugary sweet lover-like friend.

It drove you mad because for as much as you wanted to get closer, the more you feared doing so. Opening that door would lead somewhere, but you weren't sure where.

Even just talking to Dog felt off now. You rarely knew what to say and he typically wanted to be... so casual and cuddly. It was... he was... you couldn't help your fractured mentality. Because you weren't even sure he'd understand what you were going through... he might listen, but that was very likely the ictus of it.

Whumptober 2023

Day 24: "You're better than that." "Am I?" [x Dog]

Standing up from a large pile of rubble, Dog couldn't help but feel as if he wasn't helping much anymore. Yes he was still a powerhouse that could handle most situations but...

Here he was destroying buildings that people were living in...

Maybe he should try training so he doesn't...

"Dog, sweetie, you okay?" You reached out to the massive red arm, "Did you get hurt?"

Deldro snickered, he found your concern adorable, "Oh something's hurt alright [Name], but you wouldn't find out."

"Hold on!" Dog sounded like he was panicking, "I'm fine Cocoa Bear! Just a little stunned from the fall."

It was just enough to get you to relax, despite Deldor's teasing. You knew that Deldro was trying to rile you up, to get some kind of enjoyment out of outwardly tormenting Dog. And you could tell there was something Dog was holding back... you just couldn't tell what it was.

It couldn't be physical, there would be a bruise. It could be a mental problem, after all dealing with an ex like Aligula would do that. It could also be emotional, having to balance the fact that he was moving on with someone who would never let go. But you'd never know unless Dog spoke up.

"Sweetie, you know you can talk to me about whatever might be bothering you." You looked up at the 'clean' version of Dog, Deldro having retreated back into his veins, "But I'll never know without you saying something."

He wilted a teeny bit, knowing you were right but not knowing how or where to start explaining himself. There was at least a decent car ride back to the prison that he could try to start... and Warden Alice knew you well enough to allow you to stay with Dog for a little while after he was secured.

"Is something bothering you Dog?" Klaus would never miss a beat when someone isn't okay, "You've been wringing your hands quite roughly."

Dog whimpered, that definitely caught your attention, "I just... I'm a little worried about the buildings that get destroyed..."

"That isn't your fault." Klaus attempted to assure him, "We all do our best to not injure innocents, to only have collateral damage in our wake. We can only do so much unfortunately, and a few buildings are much better losses than other's lives."

You wondered when Klaus was just going to become a motivational speaker... But Dog didn't seem to be so convinced.

"Sweetie, you can't help when you get thrown around. You were thrown around." You rested a hand on his forearm, "You're better than the thing you're trying to portray yourself."

"Am I?" He turned more toward you as he wanted your comfort, "It feels like I can't do enough to not get thrown around. It doesn't hurt me all that much, but there are things that bug me."

"I can say that yeah, you are better than you think in this situation." You had to speak faster than Klaus could interject, "You were doing everything you could at the time. And the building was evacuated beforehand. Whether the building's owner wants to rebuild or not is up to them."

Dog looked at you like a lost puppy. He wanted to believe everything from you, knowing you were right about this. But he couldn't help the feeling that these were empty words.

And he hated thinking that way.

But you were stubborn about it, even as he was being resecured into his cell. Deldro in the back of his mind was agreeing with you, though that barely helped the situation. Though, Dog could see what you and Klaus were saying. No people were hurt by him being thrown into the building... except him a little. He could at least sleep a little sounder because of that.

Flufftober 2023

Day 30: "I'm not the villain..." [x Raju]

You were dodging some peculiar people lately. It was quite unnerving to see such tall men trailing you all the time. For the longest time, you couldn't help but wonder why they were tailing you, to the point you'd called on Raju just about as soon as you noticed them.

"[Name]?" He landed lightly, perching on his cane, "What's wrong? Why do you keep calling me back here?"

"The tall red and black-haired men behind me."

Raju glanced and sure enough, he recognized the two men following you. Though why they would was also beyond him, you weren't much of a threat after all. Unlike most blood breeds you kept to yourself and barely drank blood.

Of course you didn't even realize you were a blood breed, outside of the fact that sunlight seemed to hurt. But when you complained about it, it was never 'I turned into a vampire.' and always 'I'm just suddenly allergic to the sun.' It was completely weird to Raju how someone could be so disillusioned by their own turning.

Unfortunately, Raju kept forgetting to warn Libra of the peaceful blood breed... that he so happened to be dating...

"I'll have a word with them." Raju squeezed your shoulder, "Don't worry."

You nodded, while the situation at large made you a little uncomfortable, you knew you could trust Raju. It would simply be a matter of time before all this was sorted out.

As you sat at home, pondering why for the millionth time, Raju floated in the window. He seemed rather annoyed, if he had legs he'd be stomping around. But before you could ask, Raju was practically sitting in your lap. It was thoroughly strange.

"There are several things I must tell you [Name]." He huffed, "In order for you to understand why those two were following you."

Nodding, you listened to what felt like an entire history class's worth of information. Raju had long since told you that you were a blood breed, or what you considered a vampire. But the way he explained it, you were starting to feel uneasy, Raju was telling you how he hunted creatures like you.

It made you wonder why you were any different.

"[Name], I'm not the villain of your story." Raju gently brushed your cheek, "I know I've hunted other blood breeds, how I've treated them might make our relationship seem tainted and strange. But I'm not the villain of your story. Of theirs, most certainly, but not yours."

You looked off into the middle distance. Trying to make odds and ends of... everything. But your mind was wholly blank. You didn't know what to think, or if you could continue to trust Raju.

But, he wasn't anything like what he'd described himself as. He never seemed to be a fang hunter around you... and... it didn't help that he was your only real source of comfort.

Oh... oh no [Steven x Reader]

Requested by @anonymous-104 (kinda)

While part of you had been hoping to be spotted by your ex, you didn't think they would so brazenly waltz over like this. Yes, it was part of you wanted them to notice how bloody handsome Steven was and just how casually he was holding your hand.

But to actually try to say something...

Steven was a little quicker on the uptake than you were expecting, gently squeezing your hand and tugging you a little closer. You weren't sure what he was planning, but the idea of Steven being possessive was unexpectedly hot.

Trying to shake the thought from your head, you attempted to snip your ex before they could start something Steven would finish. Wanting to duck into a nearby store and lose your ex amongst the aisles, but being unable to as you had to stay put in the open in case your target made a move.

Instead, you had no choice but to act mildly surprised when your ex stood right in front of you.

"Oh, [Ex's Name]. What are you doing here?"

They scoffed, "Oh don't act like you weren't checking me out. Still can't stand my guts?"

You weren't sure how, but Steven managed to tug you just out of reach of your ex when they leaned in. They took the gesture in stride, smirking.

"Or are you gonna pretend like this isn't a front to 'finally' get the upper hand?"

"[Name], Amor, what are they talking about?" Steven's tone of voice was light, as if just checking to see if you were paying attention. But his actions were trying to put distance between you and your ex.

"Weren't you pointing out the ornament shop across the way?"

"Of course I was." You couldn't act to save your life, leaving a strained smile where something more convincing should have been, "I mean, yeah I also saw them... but I wasn't pointing them out."

Your ex rolled his eyes, "Your 'date' is faker than you were. Always trying too hard to be better than me when you knew it was impossible."

"I doubt that." Steven's voice was laced with venom whilst aimed at the other person, "[Name] is more than capable of running circles around you."

"Oh yeah? Did they finally get some game then? Or are you just as full of hot air as they are?" They snarked, "Cause the only thing they're even remotely good at is posturing."

Steven's grip on your hand tightened a bit, it was starting to get a little painful. But his voice had dropped so low you feared for your ex's safety.

"They're twenty times the person you'll ever be. Maybe if your head wasn't so far up your a$$ you'd see what you lost. Until you manage to pull it out, say the f^%k away from us."

The second degree alone sent shivers down your spine as your ex turned tail, trying to hide the fact how close they were to peeing their pants. But at least Steven finally eased up on gripping your hand.

Reality settled in however as Steven desperately hoped you weren't about to question why he was prepared to tell your ex off like that. The pretending was one thing, but taking such an active stand was something he would never live down... at least, not if he didn't confess soon.

...Maybe after this case...

Whumptober 2023

Day 26: "I don't want to let you down!" [x Zapp]

Everything was a little too clean for Zapp's taste, but he couldn't deny how badly he wanted to impress you. First dates, at least first real dates should be somewhat special. You weren't just a hook-up to him, but someone he wanted to keep in his life. It was a little much, but he really wanted you to stick around.

So when you showed up, right on time as usual, and Zapp wasn't ready. He panicked.

There wasn't much else he could do, except try to persuade you to not look in certain rooms. Whether or not that would work was up in the air, but he had to try.

"Huh, I didn't know you liked classic rock."

Zapp practically spun around to follow your finger, "Oh that. I didn't know it was a classic rock thing. I just like the look."

The way you nodded. What did that mean? Zapp knew better than to try and lie about liking a band. That had blown up in his face before. Maybe you just liked the more popular songs, hopefully that's what that was.

"Uh, why don't we watch a movie." Zapp trying to save face, put on his usual bravado, he couldn't tell if it was working, "I got... mostly ones with hot actresses if I'm honest. But they're pretty cool movies overall."

"Hmmm." You weren't sure how you felt... but Zapp seemed a little off, "Could I pick? I don't really want that many movies... especially not live action ones."

"Yeah sure." Zapp was so baffled and nervous, "While you do that I'll be... getting some snacks."

Why did it feel like he was blowing his chance with you? Why were you so calm and nonchalant? Was he flubbing the whole night from the word go? You were bound to notice how messy his place was, and then you'd never come back for sure.

As the credits rolled, you felt the need to ask Zapp about his weird behavior. Why it felt like he was trying too hard to impress you.

"Hanh?" He was sweating bullets, "I... I haven't been acting weird. You've been acting..."

Zapp stopped, this wouldn't get him anywhere, "Listen [Name], the truth is that I just don't want to let you down. I've been trying to impress you cause I wanna make this a steady thing. I'm not used to wanting that and I guess I was being a bit odd but..."

Instead of forcing him to keep mumbling himself in circles, you kissed his cheek. Though that was clearly a mistake as you found yourself pinned to the couch in an intense, passionate makeout session. Even Zapp couldn't stop Zapp from falling back on old habits when it came to dating.