Whumptober 2023

Whumptober 2023

Day 30: "What part of me wasn't enough?" [x Zed]

You paced back and forth in your apartment, recounting what you saw. While on a mission, your boyfriend had kissed someone else. Even worse, you couldn't tell what was going on.

Was he doing it on purpose? Had you just walked in at the wrong moment? Was this the end of your relationship? Would you be able to recover from this at all?

The sharp knocking on the door yanked you from your thoughts however. Opening the door to your fishy lover, you wanted to be calm, to hug him tightly and have him tell you it would all be okay...

"[Name], are you okay?" Zed reached out, "You ran off abruptly before I could keep up."

You nervously blurted the first thing that came to your mind, "What part of me wasn't enough?"

His brow furrowed in confusion, "[Name], I never said anything of the sort. Where is this coming from?"

"I saw you kissing that other aquatic person." You whimpered a little, "And I just... I don't..."

Zed sighed, "I wasn't trying to kiss them. I can assure you that I wasn't. They had forced themselves on me thinking that you were just a friend."

Turning away, trying to hide your embarrassment and shame; you sniffled a little. Feeling slightly cold arms wrap around you, the slight shiver down your spine was oddly comforting as Zed tried to snuggle you. Pressing soft kisses along your neck and slowly rubbing your sides.

"[Name], you are more than enough." He whispered, "I never wanted to hurt you, I didn't even know you saw that. But I was planning on saying something as soon as I could... I didn't think it was a pressing matter at the time."

Whimpering a little as you rubbed your face against his, you tried to quietly assure him you would be okay. It was just you overreacting again, not knowing how else to talk through issues.

Whumptober 2023

Day 29: "Please open your eyes" [x Leo]

It was getting more and more difficult to tell reality from his ability to see the future. Leo couldn't count the number of times he'd had nightmares about very real feeling funerals and even he couldn't tell if it was just his eyes letting him glimpse the future based on his fears, or if he was just imagining what it would be like.

But the worst ones had to involve you... and Michella, but Leo was so much more worried about you as he sat up panting.

Not helping matters was that you were in a coma at the hospital. Despite Dr. Estevez telling him everything was perfectly okay, Leo still feared the worst. He worried you'd never wake up or be able to open your eyes again.

After the demon beast targeted your head, slashing around your eyes, things felt like that day all over again. Except this time, he had tried to stop what was happening and very likely made everything worse.

But Leo headed right to the hospital first thing the next morning. He needed to see you, to check up on you. Nothing about his day would feel right if he didn't. Especially with how much he seemed to be competing with Klaus to visit you. Though, that was just Klaus being an overconcerned boss more than anything, Leo knew he would show up for anyone in that situation.

Sitting next to your bed, this felt like the one morning Leo was completely alone. Dr. Estevez had removed some more bandages as your face healed. Leo could see the fading scar marks against what they used to be. The image of such deep, blood-red marks shimmered in his vision just over the smaller, lighter-than-skin-tone marks you'd carry around for the rest of your life.

"I love you [Name]." Leo couldn't stop himself from muttering at you, hoping you'd hear him, "I love you so much. Please, open your eyes. Please."

As much as Leo would have loved to continue, Klaus had arrived and sadly Leo had an early shift at Dogamo's. But he would return... once he was off, Leo would be back to try and help you wake up.

Flufftober 2023

Day 24: "I wish I could spend more time with you" [x Leo]

As much as Leo wanted to relax, he was called in almost as soon as he woke up. It wouldn't be a quick job either, blood breeds never were. All Leo could do was kiss your cheek before he ran off.

Being gone all day didn't bother you as much as it bothered Leo, you were working at a small, relatively isolated part of town. So when Leo came back later than usual, you had very little clue what to do.

Yes, you were used to him being a little clingy after work, especially when he got home late. But this was a little much.

"I missed you [Name]." He nuzzled against your cheek, "I wish I could spend so much more time with you."

Patting his fluffy hair, you tried to reason why he would just start with saying that. You knew about how demanding his job was, the fact that he held down two different jobs. Free time wasn't something you two had in abundance, especially in this city.

But Leo was getting more clingy as he fell asleep. You would be trapped in his arms once again, but that was one of the most relaxing things after a day of work.

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 31: "I know you used me" [x Steven]

Lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, listening to the soft snoring coming from your lover... you couldn't help but wonder if you really belonged here. Nothing about the situation seemed fair... not to you.

Not when Steven was...

But try as you might, you couldn't shake the feeling that you were just... here until Steven didn't need you anymore. Bump buddies was all well and good, until you started catching serious feelings. But you knew Steven wouldn't want to go beyond that...

Beyond just snuggle and...

It tore at you. Steven would never show you off. Public dates were too intimate for you two. It would mess with the arrangement. And Steven was far too handsome to ever be seen with someone like you hanging off his arm.

Instead, you got up. Opting to shower at your own home, you gathered your clothes. It didn't matter how late it was, you'd be able to catch a cab or just walk home. Fully dressed, with a note left on Steven's nightstand, you walked out. Careful to lock the apartment behind you.

What Steven would wake to was likely going to hurt... but not nearly as much as you'd been hurting yourself.

I got dressed and left at 2 in the morning.

It bothered you that you couldn't...

I'm sorry, but I can't keep going with what we discussed. Not when I feel differently about it.

You didn't fit into his life. He deserved better.

I know you've been using me, and for awhile I was okay with it. But I just can't keep this up anymore.

Loving him was far less rewarding when it was one-sided like this. No matter how good he was in bed, you chastised yourself for wanting... more.

I won't make you choose anything, I just need a break. It wouldn't be fair for me to demand a full relationship when we started as just friends. In a month I'll be able to continue but until then. This is goodbye.

Reminders [Part 3] (Zed x Reader)

Requested by Anonymous 🤯

Struggling against something you couldn't even see, you fell off the couch in Zed's room. Technically it was also your room, but Zed had been here longer and you were still looking for a half-decent apartment to move into. The loud thud of your body against the ground had alerted your fishy boyfriend however, leading him to practically leap out of his tank and rush over.

You looked up at his wavy face through his inverted fishbowl technique, accepting the slick, soaked hand as you rose.

"Well, now we have to dry the floor again." You sighed, "I'll be right ba--"

Zed blocked your path, with a soft threat of getting you wet, "Please stop trying this [Name], you and I both know you had a nightmare, and acting like it was anything else is getting old."

"But-!"

You nearly jumped out of your skin as he wrapped his arms around you. The chill of his body mixed with the water still pooling at his feet made for a very uncomfortable hug. Even if you knew this was just his attempts to make you listen to reason.

"I'll clean the floor myself while you change." He whispered in your ear, "But first I need you to tell me what that was all about. You sounded truly frightened and looked like you had been fighting for your life. Please, I just want to know you'll be okay."

A few shaky breaths and a change of clothes later, you and Zed sat on the small couch. His hand slowly rubbing your back as you recounted the dark swirl of memories. You'd long since become used to discerning memory from plain bad dreams, able to distinguish what was an internal struggle versus a physical conflict.

And whoever you'd been before was someone you weren't keen on remembering.

"It won't take long for this work, as long as I keep finding *zzzzt* to drain of blood."

You still didn't know what to make of this, the loud tool in your hands at the time perfectly interrupted your spoken thought pattern. Why you even needed a power-drill at the time was lost on you...

"I can't keep up with this on my own... I need an assistant."

Given the blurred images of highly questionable experiments on immortality, you worried for this possible other person's safety. As you were now, immortality seemed like the worst fate imaginable.

"You're defective... I can't believe you were really my creation..."

This haunted you. It sounded like your voice, but it didn't come from your body. It scared you, made you question if you had a choice in the immortality debate.

It had you questioning your sanity.

Even with reassurance from Zed that this wasn't the case. No matter how many tests or exams. You were starting to think that you weren't you.

.

The next morning, Zed recounted what you told him. All you had to do was trace what Leo could see in your mind. That wasn't too difficult.

But you hated the end result.

You needed space, air, anything to get your mind off the evidence that you were most likely a defective clone of this... [Name]. It made you want to cry, to scream, to tear something down if only for the catharsis of destroying something.

This wasn't fair at all...

Leaning against the back wall behind the office, you stared aimlessly at the sky. Deep breaths in and out, pushing the sparse mist around while dark thoughts swilled in your mind. You were just barely able to piece together the kind of person you were before you lost your mind. And you didn't like that person one bit.

Closing your eyes in a desperate attempt to escape the situation in some way. Zed approached slowly, watching you to make sure he wasn't about to startle you into an injury.

"[Name]?" He reached out for your shoulder, "Are you okay?"

Shaking your head, you couldn't fully explain what was really bothering you. The person you were supposed to be wasn't who you wanted to be...

But did you really have a choice?

"[Name]? Are you okay?" Zed shook you gently, "You look pale, as if you're going to hyperventilate."

Shaking your head, "I don't know, I just don't know. This... this is. I... I'm..."

"You aren't that person, you just share the same name." Zed insisted, "I know you aren't that person. You're gentle, sweet, and kind... not... not that monster who made you. Who injected these memories into your head. You're not them."

"But how-!"

"You're not them."

Falling back against the back wall, you stopped trying. You wanted to believe Zed, to think of yourself as a good person; but you weren't so sure.

"Maybe some lunch will help you?" Zed offered, "You haven't eaten anything at all."

Nodding slowly, you allowed Zed to guide you off. Trusting his judgment and just wanting to put this behind you.

But that wasn't how fate chose to act.

As you sat outside a nice café with Zed, you were approached by several vaguely familiar people. But you couldn't quite place where you'd seen them before... they had barely made it to your table side when they were barraging you with questions.

Even Zed had trouble keeping up with everything they were asking. Wanting to know about projects and grand ventures that you could only scarcely recall from your memories. They seemed to be proud of the person who made you. The person you were supposed to be...

It made you sick to your stomach, even as Zed called for backup. How could these people be excited and happy that you were just a clone...

It didn't make any sense...